140: Chapter 88 Financial Crisis 140: Chapter 88 Financial Crisis After a hearty meal and a restful night in Longka Village, Leon, having borrowed an extra packhorse from Lokhak, set off early on the road home with Kovis.
He had not asked Lokhak to accompany them; instead, Leon temporarily left him in Longka to handle the defenses of his territory.
Undead attacks were not isolated incidents and might become more frequent in the future.
Should they encounter groups of Living Corpses or face powerful entities like the Corpse Demon Knight that once assaulted the village, a couple of scouting hunters would surely be inadequate.
Riding hard back to the realm of Selva, they crossed the slopes that Leon had not seen for over a month.
With cool breezes and fields of wheat enveloping them, Leon felt a sense of relief, as if he was finally back home.
After inquiring with the elders of Longka Village, he learned that it was January 21, 673, in the Orland Kingdom Calendar, well into winter.
Yet the climate in southern Orland was still not very cold.
Based on past years’ experience, it rarely snowed throughout the entire winter, and the temperature typically hovered just above zero degrees.
“This land is my domain,” Leon explained to Kovis as he looked back.
“What a beautiful estate…” The golden-haired boy gazed over the pastoral scenery below the slope, his memories briefly taking him back to his distant childhood.
The two chatted leisurely as they rode into Selva.
The villagers, seeing their Lord return, respectfully bowed their heads along the road.
Despite Leon’s absence for over a month, people could still recognize the hero who had saved Selva.
It was not just because of his legendary journey through the Nightmare Forest and his slaying of Baron Kantadar, but also because of his kindness and generosity.
Every household that had lost a relative received a proper coffin burial, and there might even be a substantial ransom from a noble captive distributed to everyone in the future.
After surviving that unprovoked disaster, the subjects knew their livelihoods were securely tied to this benevolent young Lord.
Passing through the village street, he arrived at the gate of his modest Lord Mansion.
Leon glanced sideways and saw a golden-haired knight riding a warhorse, heading toward the south of the village.
Judging by the back draped in plate chain armor and the familiar knight’s sword, he focused his gaze…
Who else could it be but the one with the tied-up golden ponytail?
“Olivia!” Leon called out loudly to the knightly figure of his friend.
The golden-haired girl on horseback heard his call, halted her horse, and turned around.
The girl joyfully pulled back on the reins.
The warhorse turned its body to face them, and the golden-haired girl, with her helmet hung by her side, wore a servant cavalry’s plate chain composite armor, complete with Chest Armor, Arm Armor, and Iron Gloves.
Although it did not fit perfectly, the slightly oversized shoulder pads added a contrasting beauty to her petite frame.
Her lower body mismatched with Urian Cavalry leg armor, and the scale armor battle skirts on her thighs seemed to allow more freedom of movement.
Considering it further, an ill-fitting upper body armor in plate chain might be usable, but leg armor that was too large in width and length would be uncomfortably wobbly even while walking.
León admired Olivia’s armored figure, reflecting her striking presence despite the unsuitable attire.
Had her hairstyle not been different and without the exaggerated blue dress, he almost felt a sense of déjà vu as if she was cosplaying a certain aloof king.
Of course, the armor she wore now was much more realistic and detailed compared to the simplistic cartoon style he remembered from a past life.
Olivia urged her horse forward, relieved to see her friend safe and in good spirits: “Azeryan said you didn’t come back together; I was a bit worried.
Thank the gods, it’s good to see you’re alright.”
I heard from Lokhak about undead attacks in the village; are you hurt?” Leon inquired casually.
You mean those monsters before?” The golden-haired girl laughed, raising a fist covered in Iron Gloves: “Of course not.
The wolves and big cats in the forest looked scary but were incredibly dull in action, not at all a match for me.
Even if ten or twenty of them came at once, they couldn’t harm me.”
“With your skills, indeed.”
Leon looked her up and down, teasingly adding: “You know, that outfit really suits you.
If I ever make a fortune, how about I knight you as well?”
Olivia waved her hands awkwardly: “How can a woman become a knight?
Don’t tease me like that.
It was Azeryan who insisted I wear armor while patrolling.
I told him it was really unnecessary.”
Leon arched his eyebrow; he truly didn’t know whether the Orland Kingdom allowed women to be knighted.
To his knowledge, at least in medieval Europe in his past life, there were many regions with female knights, including those who inherited titles or were knighted for their valor, and even some knight orders entirely composed of women.
However, his current quip to Olivia was merely in jest.
As a newly minted subordinate knight, he was still unaware of Orland’s rules and didn’t dare to knight anyone rashly.
Leon shook his head at Olivia: “Azeryan’s concerns are valid; you should be careful while patrolling outside.
The undead emerging from the forest might not just be those animal Living Corpses.
We’ve encountered more dangerous human Corpse Ghosts that even retained their martial skills from before death.
Don’t underestimate them.”
“More monsters coming out of the forest?
Since you put it that way, I’ll be careful,” Olivia reluctantly nodded.