Chapter Twelve: Magical Beasts

A large portion of the fertile Bosen Plain was part of the Grand Duke Philip’s direct territory, while another area near the Greenland Great Forest belonged to two nobles who were very close to the grand duke. This region brought substantial income to the grand duke and his close friends every year through grain production, wineries, and logging camps. It was already one of the most important areas in the Homer region. Komer and his group traveled along the relatively smooth roads. After three uneventful days, they finally crossed the Bosen Plain and entered the edge area of the Greenland Great Forest.

As soon as they reached the edge of the forest, almost everyone could sense the change in the environment; even the climate seemed to become cooler. The dark, endless forest stretched into the distance, with shrubs along the road gradually giving way to towering trees. It seemed like a paradise for plants—oaks, firs, spruces, cedars, and other tall trees rose straight upward, while various unnamed shrubs and vines densely covered the gaps between the trees.

There were hardly any logging camps in this area. No one would choose such a dense primeval forest as a logging site—it was too dangerous. Not because of fierce beasts that might harm people, but because these untouched primeval forests were often habitats for exotic magical beasts. Although there had been few reports of magical beasts attacking travelers or merchants in this region over the years, traces of such beasts were indeed found from time to time in this vast forest, especially in recent years.

Since the appearance of magical beasts, they have been a nightmare for ordinary people on the Azure Continent. It is said that as long as five hundred years ago, there were no magical beasts on the Azure Continent; they only existed in legends. It was only on the Vast Continent that magical beasts could truly be found, as clearly recorded in the histories of various tribes on the Azure Continent. But for some reason, magical beasts, which originally only lived on the Vast Continent, began to appear gradually on the Azure Continent five hundred years ago, with a growing trend.

These species from other continents quickly began to wreak havoc across the Land of Azure. Possessing special abilities, they fully demonstrated their ferocity on this land, constantly attacking ordinary people in forests, rivers, lakes, swamps, mountains, and even the oceans. Whether they were mortals, orcs, half-orcs, barbarians, elves, dwarves, or other races, they were all targets of their attacks, with mortals living across the Land of Azure suffering the heaviest losses. Lacking effective means of restraint and natural predators, they once became the epitome of fear on the Land of Azure, to the point that no one tried to understand why they had appeared there.

Fortunately, with the rise of the Church of Light, they took up the task of fighting against the invasions of magical beasts. Clerics, priests, magicians, and church knights skilled in magic fully embodied the piety, compassion, bravery, mutual assistance, and perseverance emphasized in their teachings. In the battles against magical beasts across the land, figures from the church could always be seen, earning the Church of Light a high reputation among mortals everywhere. The Church of Light began to gain a foothold in the Land of Azure, where people worshipped the gods, and steadily expanded its influence, eventually becoming the dominant religious force among the vast majority of mortals.

However, to be honest, the Church of Light indeed made great sacrifices in the battle to eradicate magical beasts over three hundred years ago. Countless magicians, priests, knights, and other clergy members fought bravely in this battle. Although they were unable to completely eliminate magical beasts from the Land of Azure, they greatly curbed their rampant activities.

Moreover, perhaps because those magical beasts gradually adapted to the environment and climate of the Land of Azure, their nature also changed. Many species became less aggressive, and their range of activity narrowed significantly; they mostly lived in remote forests and mountains. This reduced the threat they posed to ordinary people to an unprecedented level. In fact, many small magical beasts gradually became domesticated animals for those with special abilities. Only then was this intense war to defend human existence declared over. By then, the Church of Light, which had earned a great reputation among mortals, had rightfully become their preferred faith.

As for why the magical beasts migrated from the vast continent of Mang to the Azure Continent, no reason has ever been found. Due to the mystery and danger of Mang, few are willing to risk their lives to uncover the truth. After all, the threat posed by these magical beasts has largely disappeared, yet those who have ventured to Mang over the centuries have almost never returned. Of course, a few lucky ones have survived, bringing back great wealth, which has made Mang an attractive destination for explorers and adventurers over the ages, as well as a last resort for those in desperate situations on the Azure Continent.

“Is that the Greenland Great Forest ahead?” Puber, who had not participated in Kommer’s conversation, gazed at the vast, endless primeval forest ahead with a special look.

“Yes. Spanning two hundred miles from north to south and a thousand miles from east to west, it truly serves as a natural barrier, separating the Leon region from the Bosen Plain. This thick barrier, along with the Nise River, acts like a dividing line, turning these two areas into two completely different worlds—one becoming the famous granary of the entire Kingdom of Nicossia, and the other a notorious slum and breeding ground for riots. The contrast is quite extreme.” Kommer’s emotional tone influenced the others as well. The Leon region was so impoverished, while the Bosen Plain was so prosperous. But who remembered those living at the bottom of the hierarchy in Leon?

“Lord Baron, I find that you possess a compassion uncommon among ordinary people. The world is filled with such stark disparities. Our Church of Light is eager to do its part to eliminate these inequalities. It’s a pity that Duke Philip holds deep prejudices against our church. Otherwise, I believe the Church of Light would be willing to contribute to reducing these differences in your domain.” One of the knights, slightly older, nudged his horse to keep up with Kommer’s pace.

“Hehe, I’ve long heard of the good deeds of the Church of Light. It’s just that I’m still an unappointed lord, not even familiar with the conditions in my own domain. Otherwise, I would also hope to improve the lives of my people.” Kommer nodded slightly in gratitude for their kindness, but deep down, he did not like the Church of Light—not just because of that encounter, but due to an innate, hard-to-explain hostility, which surprised him even himself.

“It is never too late to believe in light and goodness, especially in uncivilized regions like the Caucasus, where people surely have a greater spiritual need and reliance. I believe that once Lord Baron takes charge of the Caucasus region, he will surely realize this. As long as Lord Baron has such a need, our Church of Light is willing to strive to spread the blessings of the God of Light to every corner of the world.” Although he knew the other party was still under surveillance by his own knight order, his ingrained habit of preaching made him promote his faith to his targets at all times.
Comer could not help but admire the dedication and professionalism of these knights. No matter the circumstances, they always found opportunities to promote their faith wholeheartedly, though it sometimes seemed out of place. Yet, the ingrained prejudice in Comer’s mind made it difficult for him to accept their goodwill.