Chapter 187 The Place Cursed by the Heavens
The sun was shining brightly at noon.
"It doesn't feel like winter at all." Henry stood in front of the gates of Eldoria, looking up at the sun in the sky.
Today was the fifth day since Mila left the castle. They received a message saying that Mila and her group will be back soon.
"Henry. Five years ago, we didn't have snow in winter." Willow explained softly, "But ever since the 'The Wrath of the Ice Goddess,' the cold wind from the Azure Peak Range brings snow and chill."
Henry could only think of a cold wave. Only a cold wave could cause such a sudden change in the region's climate, something he couldn't control, just like the weather, sometimes it was a natural disaster.
"Is the country on the other side of the Azure Peak Range located by the sea?" Henry turned to Ellie and asked.
"The sea?" Ellie tilted her head, searching her memory for information, then shook her head. "I'm not sure. I rarely went out, and I've never heard of any sea."
"I see. I wonder what it's like over there," Henry mused.
"It's all ice and snow. Many people can't survive a day without a fire for warmth, and there's nothing to eat." Ellie said with a tinge of sadness. "It's a cursed place."
"Don't talk nonsense," Henry lightly tapped Ellie's head, saying, "In reality, it is possible to survive in such harsh conditions, but it requires survival skills and equipment."
"Really?" Ellie's brown eyes lit up, as if she had discovered a new world.
"Of course, I'll take you to experience the ways of surviving in the ice and snow when we have the chance," Henry affirmed.
"Promise?" Ellie looked up and said seriously.
Henry chuckled, "Sure! I promise!"
"Henry, why hasn't Mila arrived yet? Did something happen?" Tess asked, feeling restless.
"With a group of children, how could they be fast?" Henry sighed.
According to the intelligence, Mila, Emily, and the others only brought back a group of orc children and a few old orcs, which was beyond Henry's expectations.
Henry had predicted everything they would bring, but he didn't expect a group of orc children. However, he was even more pleased. The elites needed to be nurtured from a young age. When Eldoria reached a bottleneck, a large number of talents would be needed, and these children happened to be the next generation, ensuring continuity.
After all, relying solely on the children of Eldoria was a bit too few, and the education and welfare of the children also needed to be put on the agenda, and Henry already had a plan in mind.
As for why Henry appeared at the city gate himself, he had just returned from inspecting the greenhouses in the fields and was waiting here.
Tess exclaimed excitedly, "Here they come! Wow! So many little orcs."
Henry also saw them. From a distance, the slender figure was still full of vitality, and he felt a sense of relief.
"Wow! It's the Lord. He came to meet us in person," Emily exclaimed. She had been a little worried all the way, but now her heart was instantly soothed, and her light red eyes were a little teary.
"The Lord? The noble?" Mary tried to open her hazy eyes and looked toward the direction of the city gate, where she could vaguely see a young man in gorgeous attire.
When they got closer, Mary's eyes widened, and then she immediately lowered her head. The noble was indeed magnificent and handsome, no wonder Emily had a favorable impression of him.
However, Mary didn't expect a noble to wait for them at the city gate, which made her feel a little flattered.
"Welcome home!" Henry's eyes met Mila's blue eyes, and he said softly, "You've worked hard all the way!"
"Not at all!" Mila shook her head, her tense face relaxing a bit, and she stepped to Henry's side. She turned her head to look at Henry, smelling the familiar fragrance, which instantly rejuvenated her tired body and mind.
"Mila, are you hurt?" Ellie asked with concern.
"No, just a few minor incidents along the way," Mila replied softly.
"Welcome back!" Willow spoke softly and took out a piece of pastry from her pocket, her gray eyes scanning around before stuffing it into Mila's mouth.
Tess saw it who had sharp eyes, and her purple eyes lit up. She leaned over, but Ellie slapped her perky butt.
Mila's blue eyes opened slightly, and she instinctively bit down, only to find it was a piece of chocolate cake. Was this Willow's way of showing care?
"Here, let me carry your bag!" Tess pouted, taking Mila's backpack and slinging it behind her.
"You don't have to..." Mila thought of the cola she didn't want to drink in her backpack.
"Don't be polite to me." Tess waved her hand, occasionally glancing at Willow's pocket. She had only tasted two pieces of chocolate cake this morning.
Henry temporarily ignored the interaction between the beast girls and looked at the thirty or so orc children in front of him. A gentle smile appeared on his face. "Eldoria welcomes you!"
This sunshine-like smile healed the originally anxious orc children, and many of them would remember this smile for many years to come.
Mary fell silent. There was nothing she could say now. She needed witnessed everything by herself.
"My Lord, can I work and support these orc children? Please take them in." Emily hurried to Henry, bowing. "Please don't drive them away."
Henry was taken aback, reached out and pinched the bunny girl's ear, and said unkindly, "When did I ever say I would drive them away? It's not your turn to take care of them. What do you take me for? Just a few more orcs won't make me poor."
"No, it's not like that, I, I..." Emily raised her head, pouted her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes, and she couldn't say a word.
Emily remembered what Henry had told her before, as long as the orcs were willing to work, they wouldn't starve themselves.
But now a group of orc children came, most of them were seven or eight years old, and it was difficult for them to support themselves by working.
"You're a silly bunny, indeed!" Henry playfully used his index finger to flick the bunny girl's cute nose.
Were there suitable jobs for children? Of course, there were many, such as doing some small and effortless handicrafts.
But did Henry need the children to work for him? Absolutely not, he wouldn't go so far as to make the children work.
