Transmigrated as Baron, Married with my Lovely Maid-Chapter 126

"Sylvaris...! What did you just say...?!"

Ilyana exploded with anger, rising from her throne and marching toward Sylvaris.

I tried to intervene, but she continued to advance until she finally glared at Sylvaris directly in front of him.

"I knew you were setting them up...! What plan did you—"

"Princess Ilyana... I wasn’t the one who moved them. Princess Xenia and Princess Xavina went into the Cursed Heart Forest on their own accord. Even my troops, who tried to stop them, were defeated because they insisted on entering the Cursed Heart Forest," Sylvaris interrupted calmly.

Although Sylvaris tried to show his worry, I could sense his hidden sneer.

He was able to avoid Ilyana’s accusations by claiming that Princess Xenia and Princess Xavina went into the Cursed Heart Forest on their own.

I genuinely don’t know what the Cursed Heart Forest is like yet.

However, from Ilyana’s sudden pale expression when she learned her two sisters had gone there, I could tell it was a dangerous place.

"Forgive me, Princess Ilyana... I’ve used all my strength and my troops to stop Princess Xenia and Princess Xavina from going to that dangerous place, but they’re still adamant," Sylvaris said, looking down with a regretful expression, though I knew it was just a fake expression.

I’m sure he must have engineered a situation that forced Xenia and Xavina to go to that dangerous place.

"Xenia... Xavina... no..."

Ilyana took a trembling step back.

Her unsteady steps almost caused her to fall, but I quickly held her steady.

"Ilyana... calm down," I said soothingly, but Ilyana still seemed to be trembling with fear.

"I-I can’t... I-I don’t know how they could go so recklessly to that place..." Ilyana replied, still trembling.

"Is the Cursed Heart Forest a dangerous place?"

"Yes, that’s where the Golem that attacked our village is located. Back then... many armies from other elven villages stormed there to defeat the golem, but none of them succeeded, and none even returned safely. Even the strongest elves would hesitate to visit the Cursed Heart Forest."

"Going to the Cursed Heart Forest means meeting a swift death. The only option left for us, Lathiar Village, is to defend. Only I and my troops can mount that defense, Vermillion boy," Sylvaris said firmly.

"Defense...? Does that mean you can hold off the golem from the Cursed Heart Forest?" I asked, confirming.

"Yes, with just my manipulation spell, the Golem from the Cursed Heart Forest can’t detect Lathiar Village. Unlike the other villages destroyed by the golem, until now, we’ve been able to withstand the golem’s onslaught because it can’t see this village," Sylvaris said arrogantly.

"...the arrival of this golem was actually unexpected. The other elven villagers didn’t expect a golem to slaughter us. Even with the elves’ magical powers, the golem was still difficult to destroy. Lord Vermillion has been very kind in helping us protect us from the threats of the Dragomir Kingdom, but we didn’t expect another problem lurking behind us: the golem in the Cursed Heart Forest." Ilyana explained further as her breathing became more stable and her heart calmed.

"...then came that shameless Vermillion brat who innocently unraveled the protective barrier that exposed our location to the Dragomir Kingdom. It was only a matter of time before Lathiar Village was destroyed by the golem’s invasion and Dragomir Kingdom! You have no other choice, Princess Ilyana! Marry me and make me the new leader of Lathiar, and I will bring Lathiar Village to true safety!" Sylvaris exclaimed confidently.

Ilyana turned her face away with a disgusted expression, because I knew she didn’t want an opportunist like Sylvaris.

But on the other hand, her responsibility as Lathiar’s daughter would force her to marry Sylvaris for Lathiar’s protection.

Amidst her confusion, I bravely stepped forward and faced the tall Sylvaris.

"I can bring back Princess Xenia and Princess Xavina from the Cursed Heart Forest."

Suddenly, everyone in the throne room stared at me, eyes wide with shock.

But Sylvaris and his loyalists immediately smiled, then burst out laughing right in front of me.

The sound of disdainful and arrogant laughter echoed loudly in the throne room.

"Hahahahah...! You want to fight the golem...?! You may have the Black Star, Vermillion brat, but that doesn’t mean you can defeat the golem easily! Many elves with greater magical powers than you have been defeated by the golem!" Sylvaris exclaimed amidst his condescending laughter.

Despite her arrogant words, I couldn’t deny that what Sylvaris said was true.

Fighting the Golem solely with my Black Star was futile and energy-consuming.

What I needed was to find Princess Xenia and Princess Xavina to find the hidden secret letters that would reveal the golem’s true name.

Even though Princess Xenia and Princess Xavina were now trapped in the dangerous place where the golem was hiding, I had to go in.

There was no other way but to enter that forbidden forest.

"Atreus Vermillion...! Don’t be crazy...! You’ll die a foolish death if you go into the Cursed Heart Forest...! I know you’re a powerful wizard, but the Cursed Heart Forest is a dangerous place! Even the strongest elves have disappeared there and never returned!" Ilyana held my hand with a worried expression.

Ilyana seemed to confirm the grave risk of death as Sylvaris had stated.

But this was the only path I had to take to successfully ally with the Lathiar elves.

Ever since I saw how the Elves crafted magical gear and tools with azure crystals more effectively and efficiently, I felt an alliance with them was urgently needed to strengthen my forces.

"Don’t worry, Ilyana. I’ll definitely return with your twins," I replied calmly with a smile.

Then, my sharp gaze fell on Sylvaris.

"...to be honest, I’m more worried about you because you’re in Lathiar village with Sylvaris and his stupid loyalists," I said firmly, immediately quelling the laughter of Sylvaris and her loyalists who were belittling me.

"You bastard Vermillion...! What do you know about Lathiar...?! Get lost and leave this village because I’m sure you won’t return here alive! What you’re doing is suicide...!" Sylvaris exclaimed angrily, glaring at me.

But that cry only sounded like a loud, meaningless dog bark to me.

I looked at Ilyana, who was still holding my hand tightly, begging her to let go without a word, just with a smile.

Ilyana, though it felt heavy, slowly released her grip and lowered her head.

She knew the risk I was taking was great, yet this was the only way I could protect Lathiar Village not only from the golem and the Dragomir kingdom, but also from depraved opportunists like Sylvaris.

"I will return, Ilyana Lathiar. My father and Lord Falor Lathiar have promised to bring glory to our respective territories, and I will prove it with tangible evidence."

I turned away, though I knew Ilyana was looking at me anxiously, hoping I wouldn’t leave.

At least I knew that Ilyana still held on to my words as a steadfast support, believing in me, no matter the circumstances.

Well, this was going to be an interesting and challenging journey into the forest!