"Let's go back!" Li Meng said, taking Vanessa's hand and leading her out of the Iron Cave.
"Amon, can we go back now?"
Outside, Li Meng held Vanessa's hand as they walked out of the Iron Cave, strolling leisurely into the forest.
"Yes, everything here at the Iron Cave is done."
After more than two months of effort, his custom armor was finally completed. It was so large, intricate, and complex that putting it on was a hassle, requiring the help of Ogres and Goblin blacksmiths.
In the dim forest, the two walked one behind the other. Vanessa glanced at Amon beside her, hesitant to speak.
"Vanessa, if you have something to ask, just ask. I'll tell you everything I know."
Vanessa, a Dark Elf who couldn't hide her thoughts, showed her emotions clearly on her face.
"Amon, when did we first meet?"
Though unsure why Vanessa asked this, Li Meng didn't think much of it.
"It was at the Throne Palace, back when it was just a small wooden hut. One day, you suddenly appeared and gave me a sacrificial disk. Although your voice was a bit neutral then, from the scent..."
Before he could finish, Li Meng's voice abruptly stopped. Vanessa suddenly halted, her face blank, eyes filled with confusion.
"Vanessa, what's wrong?" Li Meng turned to look at Vanessa behind him.
The confusion in Vanessa's eyes gradually faded. When she looked at Li Meng again, her gaze was fierce.
"Goblin, I'll kill you!"
Vanessa screamed in anger. The admiration in her eyes vanished, replaced by resentment.
Black magic erupted from Vanessa's body. In a flash, a wave of energy exploded.
Vanessa drew the dagger from her waist and charged at Li Meng. In an instant, she closed in on him, aiming to stab his chest.
Vanessa was fast, but Li Meng's reaction was faster. His right hand swiftly grabbed Vanessa's wrist, preventing her from breaking free no matter how hard she tried.
Frustrated, Vanessa slapped the ugly face of the Goblin with her left hand.
Li Meng didn't dodge. Vanessa's slap landed squarely on his face, the crisp sound echoing in the dim forest.
Facing Vanessa's hateful and resentful gaze, Li Meng was speechless. Those who manipulate memories indeed face retribution.
Vanessa's affection made him want to forget that it was all a false memory.
"Go, don't appear again, or you'll die!" Li Meng said, releasing Vanessa's hand.
No matter what, Vanessa had brought him joy. At least for now, he wouldn't kill her.
Vanessa snapped back to reality. Her priority now wasn't revenge but escape.
Having spent so much time with the Goblin before her, she knew well how terrifying his strength was.
"Goblin, I will come back for you!"
Vanessa sheathed her dagger and walked expressionlessly into the depths of the forest.
Li Meng stood quietly in the dim forest, watching Vanessa's graceful figure fade into the distance until she disappeared into the forest depths, never taking his eyes off her.
After a long while, Li Meng's sigh echoed in the forest. With a self-deprecating smile, he continued walking forward.
The sudden change had cost him Vanessa.
Li Meng also realized the limitations of the "Word Spirit" skill. No matter how real the memory, it could never change the false reality. One day, those implanted with false memories would awaken.
A trace of regret flashed in Li Meng's eyes. Vanessa's admiration had made him somewhat fond of her. Although that fondness was based on "love at first sight," Vanessa at least had a charm that attracted him. Li Meng had thought Vanessa would accompany him for a lifetime, but it seemed the goddess of fate had played him once again.
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With a grin, the regret in Li Meng's eyes vanished. Although Vanessa had left, his future was bright. He would gradually enrich his harem, making it more fulfilling.
Li Meng quickened his pace in the forest.
Time passed by, day after day.
After returning to the Throne Tribe from the Iron Cave, Li Meng's days became monotonous. His only daily pleasure was teasing the queens in the harem. The tribe's development proceeded in an orderly manner, with more sub-tribes emerging in the vast Goblin Forest. Every month, a large number of Goblins were sent to other sub-tribes.
Another new day, in the morning.
Throne Palace, Throne Hall.
Sitting on the wide throne, Li Meng was enjoying sashimi, with four plump Black Scale fish laid out on the table before him.
Two female Lizardmen were slicing the fish with knives. The slices couldn't be too thick, or they wouldn't absorb the flavor, nor too thin, as it would affect the texture. Two other female Lizardmen stood on either side of Li Meng, attending to him.
Li Meng used a small knife to pick up a slice of fish dipped in seasoning and put it in his mouth to chew. The seasoning was made from plants with a peculiar fragrance. Grinning, Li Meng wrapped his arm around the waist of the female Lizardman on his right, pulling her into his lap.
The female Lizardman's tail swayed nervously. She used the small knife to pick up a piece of fish, dipped it in the seasoning, and then carefully fed it to the Great King.
At that moment, a Big Goblin in armor rushed in. Entering the Throne Hall, the Big Goblin knelt on the ground.
"Great King, the elders of the Lizardmen from the southern district have arrived!"
Under Li Meng's authorization, the Lizardmen in the southern district had formed a management organization known as the "Elder Council." The Elder Council reported directly to him, the Great King. The council comprised seven members, with an additional position of council leader.
Li Meng waved his hand, swallowing the fish slice offered by the female Lizardman. The Big Goblin quickly got up and ran outside.
Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside. Seven male Lizardmen rushed in, bowing and kneeling in the hall.
"Great King, what do you require of us?"
The leading male Lizardman asked. The male Lizardmen behind him peeked up, but when the Goblin on the throne looked over, they quickly lowered their heads.
"It's nothing major. Starting today, increase the military provisions reserve from one month to six months."
Increase the military provisions reserve to six months?
"Great King, the military provisions cannot be stored for six months!"