Chapter 110: The Emotions of the Iron-Nosed Man
“No matter, what’s the harm in going a bit slower? At least the iron golems are stable now, and the chance of explosions has been greatly reduced. They can sustain combat.”
Mo Fangyuan had no immediate intention of deploying the iron golems in external warfare. Their mobility was too poor; using them in battle would likely make them easy targets for the enemy. At most, they could be used to defend the kingdom’s borders.
“The experimental second-generation iron golems can operate under normal conditions. If we can’t make further breakthroughs soon, then let’s start mass-producing this model.”
The Cube Kingdom lacked combat power, but it had recently acquired a considerable amount of redstone, enough to produce a small number of iron golems and thus enhance the kingdom’s defenses.
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
The experimental data on the iron golems had been fully collected. The research staff, showing respect to Mo Fangyuan, promptly took the iron golems away without delay.
“Thud! Thud! Thud!”
The ground trembled continuously.
Mo Fangyuan looked down upon the chaotic training ground and shook his head.
“Sister Lin Ye, I’m leaving now!”
“Mm, go ahead!”
Looking up at this boy, who was half a head taller than her, Lin Ye was filled with mixed emotions.
A year had passed.
From when he first arrived in the Cube Kingdom, flustered and clumsy, to now, confidently leading a ten-man field army with a bright spirit… Lin Ye had witnessed every step of Iron Nose’s growth.
Thinking that this boy could now work independently, Lin Ye felt somewhat dazed.
At first, she had only helped Iron Nose to atone for past mistakes—a kind of psychological redemption—but as time went on, she realized she had come to regard him as family.
“Sister Lin Ye… I’m leaving. Take care!”
Iron Nose hesitated, staring at Lin Ye’s nearly perfect face. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say more.
This was truly his first time leading a team on a long expedition. The king trusted him and tasked him with safely bringing back at least fifty comrades. He knew this mission would take a long time, and he wouldn’t see his beloved sister for quite a while…
The feeling was painful, but for the sake of His Majesty, he had to leave!
The safety of the homeland and country could not be delayed by personal feelings.
Exploration was an extremely dangerous endeavor, requiring constant vigilance against monster ambushes and sudden threats, as well as battles against harsh nature and ferocious elite monsters. A single misstep could spell disaster for the entire team—even the king would be on high alert leading such missions.
Mo Fangyuan was unsure of the exact nature and limitations of the “Constraint Force”—its meaning and boundaries eluded him. Thus, he dared not venture too far from the Cube Kingdom before fully understanding it, lest something go terribly wrong.
Moreover, the kingdom’s reforms were still ongoing and required his oversight. After careful consideration, Mo Fangyuan decided to entrust external combat and the field army specializing in rescuing people to the talented young Iron Nose, giving him a chance to prove himself.
Over the past year, Iron Nose had demonstrated outstanding military talent and unwavering loyalty to the Cube Kingdom, making Mo Fangyuan confident in his leadership.
Most importantly, Iron Nose had recently advanced, becoming the Cube Kingdom’s first and only novice warrior.
He gained a skill that seemed unbefitting his status—“Battle Cry of Courage.”
This skill temporarily enhanced the speed and strength of friendly units within ten blocks that he subjectively deemed allies. It was a fine group buffing ability.
Paired with the field army’s most experienced warriors, they could escape timely even in perilous situations.
“Sis, I’m leaving!”
“Mm…”
Lin Ye was somewhat puzzled. Iron Nose was not himself today; he kept repeating “I’m leaving” several times—unusual for him.
Though they might be apart for a week or two, it wasn’t a long time—there was no need to be like this, right?
“Could it be...?”
Suddenly, recalling Iron Nose’s earlier behavior toward her, Lin Ye seemed to understand something strange and blushed deeply.
“—Could it be that little Iron Nose has developed an attachment to me?”
Over the past year, she had taken care of Iron Nose like a mother, teaching him how to live in the Cube Kingdom and integrate into its citizenry… That made sense. Iron Nose must have developed a maternal affection toward her.
“Hmm, that must be it… I need to find a way to help little Iron Nose become independent. He’s already an adult now; he should have his own family…”
In the end, Iron Nose said nothing and left disappointed, still lacking the courage to speak that forbidden truth. It went against reason and ethics.
He was afraid—afraid that if he said it, Sister Lin Ye would reject and hate him! Then he would lose even the right to be near her!
“Today, you will undertake another glorious and noble mission! You must rescue our compatriots in the east, who are suffering terribly!”
“You are glorious! Great! Sacred! Worthy of respect!”
Mo Fangyuan stood on the wooden platform delivering his usual speech.
The field army had expanded from seven to ten soldiers. Some warriors had also surpassed themselves, becoming novice-level soldiers who awakened their own skills.
In short, the field army’s combat power had improved!
“You will cross mountains and rivers, overcome countless hardships under Iron Nose’s leadership to defend our Cube kin… Do not panic or falter just because I am not there! I am always watching over you from within the kingdom! The people of the Cube Kingdom are always watching you! Wherever and whenever you are… For the kingdom!”
“For the kingdom!!!”
Another round of impassioned shouts surged, lifting the field army’s morale to its peak.
“Go forth, brave warriors! The Cube Kingdom stands with you!”
Mo Fangyuan waved his hand grandly, signaling that their buffs were applied and it was time to move out.
Thus, the ten field soldiers, led by Iron Nose and under Mo Fangyuan’s watchful gaze, marched in unison and soon disappeared into the distant horizon.
Mo Fangyuan was actually anxious, fearing something might happen to the field army without him. His feelings were like those of a parent sending their child off into the world, uneasy despite the child being grown.
“Our mission is to go to the land ravaged by the evil, damned, disgusting… zombie forces, and rescue our Cube people!”
According to Mo Fangyuan’s briefing, this river region had been plundered by zombies, but some villages survived, inheriting the legacy of the pseudo Cube Kingdom.
For the sake of compatriots and heritage, Mo Fangyuan set his sights here.
“We must not approach the zombies’ strongholds, nor be detected by their forces…”
The Cube Kingdom lacked the strength to directly confront monster forces. To avoid exposing itself and inviting attacks, stealth operations were the only choice.
Mo Fangyuan speculated this covert operation might last a long time, until the Cube Kingdom could face monsters head-on.
Within the army, democracy prevailed. Every Cube soldier was equal, with the freedom to speak, propose, and vote. Officers could not abuse their power to bully soldiers. Soldiers suffering injustice could report it. Major decisions required collective discussion and agreement.
Yes, Mo Fangyuan still remembered some military reforms from the Sanwan Reorganization, having even borrowed from the Ancestor’s military theories.
“Understood!”
“Got it!”
“...”
Mo Fangyuan repeatedly reminded the team not to engage monster forces unless their survival was at stake. Those who had been with him for a long time naturally understood.
“Good…”
Iron Nose had no more to say; all instructions had been given.
“Then it’s settled. We’ll rest at the small forest camp today, and reach the hill lake camp tomorrow…”
With the destination set, the group silently pressed on.
It was clear the soldiers harbored some resistance to their new captain’s sudden arrival.
Whether this internal conflict could be resolved would depend on Iron Nose himself.