Chapter 562: Chapter 562: Return

But Duke was well aware that he would never fully trust others, especially someone as purpose-driven as Lily.

Lily approached him not out of any sentiment but purely from a perspective of interest.

“We are all members of Black Sail, and naturally, there will be chances to meet again in the future.” Duke’s tone was gentle, yet carried an unmistakable sense of distance.

A slight dimming appeared in Lily’s eyes, but she quickly raised a defiant and alluring smile: “Yes, Lord Duke, when we return to Black Sail, if you ever need assistance, feel free to contact me.”

After speaking, she gave Duke a deep glance, as if wanting to etch his image into her mind.

Then, without lingering, she turned and walked towards the door, her deep purple nightgown outlining her graceful silhouette, and her bare feet tread silently on the floor.

Subsequently, she opened the door, letting her figure merge into the deepening twilight outside, leaving behind a trace of elegant fragrance that lingered faintly in the room.

…

On the morning of departure from Green Grass Island, the sea mist hadn’t fully dissipated.

Duke arrived at a secluded sea cliff on the island, and moments later, a massive shadow rapidly plunged down from the distant clouds, bringing a violent airflow that made Duke’s robes billow loudly.

He leapt lightly, landing precisely on the wide and steady back of the winged serpent.

“Let’s go, back to Florence.”

The winged serpent, receiving the command, emitted a sky-piercing screech, its enormous wings suddenly flapping, stirring up a gale, and its massive body soared skyward like an arrow, instantly disappearing into the clouds.

Initially, below was the rapidly shrinking outline of Green Grass Island and the scattered surrounding islands, like emeralds on blue silk.

Soon, all that remained was an endless azure expanse.

The winged serpent flew steadily at thousands of meters, beneath lay the boundless ocean.

Viewed from this height, the sea was no longer savage or gentle, but a colossal, gently undulating liquid sapphire.

Sunlight shone upon the ocean, shattering into countless leaping golden specks, so radiant it dazzled the eye.

Occasionally, enormous whale-like demons could be seen swimming in the sea, their water spurts forming small rainbows in the sunlight, or a distant group of flying magical beasts crossing the sea surface, akin to migrating birds yet carrying a primal air.

They sometimes navigated above a cloud sea akin to cotton candy, surrounded by a pure blue-and-white world, as if traveling a road of the Celestial Kingdom.

At times lowering altitude, flying close to the sea surface, clearly seeing the ocean below shift from deep blue to pale green, and even spotting colorful coral reefs and shadows of swiftly swimming fish.

The salty and refreshing sea breeze came blowing, carrying the taste of freedom and vastness.

Duke sat quietly on the back of the winged serpent, overlooking this magnificent scenery, his heart peaceful.

This experience was entirely different from riding in an enclosed floating ship, allowing a greater sense of the vastness of heaven and earth, and his own insignificance.

After several days of flight, when that distant, dark green, elongated coastline finally appeared at the horizon’s end, Florence Continent was reached.

Duke was already familiar with Florence Continent, and the winged serpent too had memorized its terrain, swiftly carrying Duke to the skies above Maple Hill County, landing on an open area outside Maple Hill County City.

From mid-air, he saw below many slave creatures and humans bustling about, with two small floating airships anchored down there.

These small floating airships were far smaller than the floating airships, roughly only one-tenth in size, much cheaper, yet more practical for smaller forces.

One of them was previously left intentionally by Wizard Herbert for the convenience of Duke, Vivian, and their task execution.

In fact, up to now, the task of clearing the Void Insect Race on Florence Continent wasn’t fully completed, because there were always some not yet thoroughly cleared.

This one small floating airship thus remained, frequently traveling across Florence Continent.

The other was borrowed through Grace’s channel by Vivian, actually a gift to Vivian.

This small floating airship mainly served business activities in Maple Hill County, recently thriving with trade.

Maple Hill County, by virtue of the floating airships, could sell local goods to far corners of Florence Continent, and bring distant goods here to sell.

The goods were naturally not only sold to locals in Maple Hill County but more so to various provinces of the kingdom, even surrounding kingdom regions.

Maple Hill County, with the floating airships, made quite a fortune; this thing was simply a godsend for trade on Florence Continent.

Even if some coveted this, upon seeing Maple Hill County’s thirty thousand powerful slave creatures, all dismissed such thoughts.

This was a formidable legion capable of resisting even the Void Insect Race; with Florence Continent’s military might, these slave creatures were unmatched.

The winged serpent’s huge shadow swept over the open ground outside Maple Hill County, the dust stirred by its gentle landing barely settling, as Duke spotted a familiar, graceful figure hurriedly making her way from the busy crowd towards him.

Vivian wore a well-tailored pale blue cinched long dress, overlaid with a practical lightweight leather short jacket, her golden hair styled into a neat bun with stray locks cascading near her ears, highlighting the slenderness of her fair neck.

She no longer wore the platinum robes of Thorn Holy Tower, as it made family feel somewhat distant, so ordinarily dressed more casually.

“Finally home, safe and sound.” Vivian, seeing Duke unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though they kept in touch via Wizard’s Mark, knowing Duke was unhurt, seeing him personally felt different.

Duke smiled slightly, saying: “This time’s task earned quite a bit, and didn’t take much time, more worthwhile than a trip to the plane battlefield.”

As they chatted, they walked forward side by side towards Maple Hill County City, their shadows lengthened by the setting sun.

Through Vivian, Duke learned that the recent situation in Maple Hill County was quite favorable, with no sign of the Void Insect Race’s presence within its territory.

The reason was likely that the Void Insect Race naturally avoided risks, knowing Maple Hill County posed the greatest threat, so they wouldn’t choose to nest in Maple Hill County or nearby areas.

Maple Hill County still had over thirty-five thousand slave creatures, though mostly cannon fodder, compared to ordinary life forms, they were considered a decent fighting force.

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