Chapter 186: Vanessa's Departure
"Let's go back!"
As he spoke, Li Meng took Vanessa's hand and led her out of the Iron Cavern.
"Ammon, can we go back now?"
Outside, Li Meng held Vanessa's hand as they left the Iron Cavern. The two walked leisurely into the forest.
"Yes, the matters here at the Iron Cavern are done."
After over two months of effort, his exclusive armor was finally completed.
Due to its immense size and intricate design, wearing it was an extremely cumbersome process.
It required the help of the Ogre and the Goblin blacksmiths to properly don the armor.
In the dim forest, the two walked in single file.
Vanessa glanced at Ammon beside her, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Vanessa, if you have something to ask, just ask. I'll tell you whatever I know."
Vanessa, a dark elf, was never good at hiding her thoughts.
Her expression made it clear what was on her mind.
"Ammon, when did we first meet?"
Although Li Meng wasn't sure why Vanessa brought this up, he didn't overthink it.
"It was in the Throne Cave Dwelling, wasn't it? Back then, the dwelling was so small—it was just a little wooden hut. One day, you suddenly appeared and gave me a sacrificial plate. Your voice was a bit neutral back then, but from the scent..."
Before he could finish, Li Meng's voice abruptly stopped.
Vanessa suddenly halted in her tracks.
Her face was blank, her 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 her gaze refocused on Li Meng, her expression turned hostile.
"Goblin, I'll kill you!"
Vanessa let out an angry scream, the affection in her eyes replaced with hatred.
Dark magic surged out of her body.
In a flash, a wave of air exploded around her.
Drawing a dagger from her waist, Vanessa charged at Li Meng.
In an instant, she was upon him, aiming the dagger at his chest.
Vanessa's speed was quick, but Li Meng's reaction was quicker.
With lightning-fast reflexes, his right hand caught Vanessa's wrist.
No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't break free.
Frustrated, Vanessa slapped her left hand toward the Goblin's ugly face.
Slap!
Li Meng didn't dodge.
Vanessa's slap landed squarely on his face, the crisp sound echoing through the dim forest.
Faced with Vanessa's resentful and hateful gaze, Li Meng was at a loss for words.
It was true—those who tampered with memories would eventually face retribution.
Vanessa's affection for him had made him want to forget the fact that it was all based on a fabricated memory.
"Leave. Don't show up again, or you'll die!"
As he spoke, Li Meng released Vanessa's wrist.
No matter what, Vanessa had brought him happiness.
At least for now, he wouldn't kill her.
Vanessa came to her senses.
Revenge could wait; for now, she needed to escape.
After spending so much time with this Goblin, she knew just how terrifying his strength was.
"Goblin, I will return for you!"
Vanessa sheathed her dagger and walked emotionlessly into the depths of the forest.
Li Meng stood silently in the dim forest, watching her graceful figure fade into the distance.
Even after she disappeared into the forest, his gaze remained fixed in that direction.
After a long while, a sigh escaped from the forest.
With a self-deprecating smile, Li Meng resumed walking forward.
The unexpected turn of events had cost him Vanessa.
But he also learned the limitations of the "Word Spirit" skill.
No matter how real the memory, it could never alter the false nature of its foundation.
Someday, those who were implanted with false memories would awaken.
"What a pity," Li Meng murmured, a trace of regret flashing in his eyes.
Vanessa's affection had made him develop a slight liking for her.
Though that affection was shallow and based on her appearance, Vanessa had a charm that drew him in.
Li Meng had thought Vanessa would stay by his side forever.
But it seemed that the Goddess of Fate had played another trick on him.
"It seems the harem's forest suits me better!"
With a grin, Li Meng's regret vanished.
Although Vanessa had left, his future remained bright.
He would gradually enrich his harem, making it more lively.
Deep in the forest, Li Meng quickened his pace.
Time passed slowly, day by day.
After returning to the Throne Tribe from the Iron Cavern, Li Meng's life became monotonous.
His only joy each day came from teasing the Princesses in his harem.
The tribe's development continued in an orderly fashion.
More and more branch tribes were springing up across the vast Goblin Forest.
Every month, large numbers of Goblins were sent to these branch tribes.
Another day dawned.
In the morning, within the Throne Palace's grand hall:
"Mm, this tastes pretty good!"
Seated on the spacious throne, Li Meng was enjoying sashimi.
On the table before him were four plump Black Rock Fish.
Two female Lizardmen were slicing the fish with knives.
The slices couldn't be too thick, as they wouldn't absorb the seasoning well.
Nor could they be too thin, as it would affect the texture.
Two other female Lizardmen stood on either side of Li Meng, attending to him.
Holding a small knife, Li Meng speared a slice of fish dipped in seasoning and chewed on it.
The seasoning was made from plants with unique aromas.
With a smile, he wrapped an arm around the waist of the Lizardwoman to his right, pulling her onto his lap.
"Here, feed me!"
The Lizardwoman's tail swayed nervously as she carefully speared a slice of fish, dipped it in the seasoning, and fed it to the Goblin King.
"Report!"
At that moment, a heavily armored Great Goblin rushed in.
Entering the throne hall, the Great Goblin knelt to the ground.
"My king, the elders of the southern Lizardmen have arrived!"
The southern Lizardmen had been authorized by Li Meng to form a governing body known as the "Council of Elders."
The Council of Elders reported directly to him.
It consisted of seven members, with a designated leader.
Li Meng waved a hand, swallowing the fish slice fed to him by the Lizardwoman.
The Great Goblin quickly rose and ran out.
Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed outside.
Seven male Lizardmen entered swiftly, bowing and kneeling in the hall.
"My king, why have you summoned us?"
The leading male Lizardman asked.
The others glanced up secretly but quickly lowered their heads when the Goblin King's gaze swept over them.
"It's nothing major. Starting today, increase the military rations reserve from one month to six months."
Military rations for six months?
"My king, military rations cannot be stored for half a year!"