Chapter 138: Going West
As dusk deepened, the night sky billowed with clouds, resembling an ocean upside down in the heavens.
In the main building of Vilo Garden, the room remained warm with light. A small round table was laden with red wine and a fruit platter, while two lovely figures sat beside the crackling fireplace, engaged in conversation and experiencing the tranquil passage of the night outside. After a while, the platter and wine remained untouched.
“Before the Holy City fell into chaos, Sharman sent some news regarding the Holy Wall.”
Queen Elizabeth, with her stunning beauty, was dressed in light attire tonight. Her soft blonde hair was elegantly styled into a bun, and the neckline of her rosy dress could hardly conceal her distinct collarbone. The half-exposed skin glowed like jade under the firelight, highlighting the breathtaking profile of her face.
“The Grace Scales and the Judgement Fist have confirmed their full military mobilization, launching an all-out attack to ally with the Faith Organization’s original peace faction. They’ve held strong for the last half year at the middle and eastern segments of the Holy Wall. But now, food supply has run out, ports are blocked, and they could fall at any moment.”
Her Majesty spoke in a soft tone, which made one wonder if she was feeling sentimental. The black-haired girl sitting across from her, looking a bit dazed, glanced up at her.
“Why is there news now?” the girl asked, though she likely already had her suspicions.
“In these past six months, the Saintess Class has sent out over thirty reports, all of which have been stopped at the gates of the Holy City. Throughout the entire Western Continent, including the Temple Church, too many wish to see the First Knights’ forces diminished, or even completely wiped out in the south.”
“When the city was eventually locked down, Margaret even attempted three times to send someone to deliver the reports directly into St. George’s hands; all attempts were thwarted by the Williams Family until just recently, when the situation at Holy Angel Fortress grew dire, and this tardy news finally reached us.”
“But—”
The girl interrupted, completing the Queen’s sentiment: “What’s done is done. The d*e is cast.”
If this had happened two or three years ago, it would be hard to imagine such a statement, such a tone, coming from this girl who used to only think about food. Now her speech was rather reminiscent of Viki, whether she realized it or not.
“Heh.”
The girl chuckled sarcastically, turning her gaze to the window. The night outside was quiet, with gray clouds swirling above, shielding the warm moonlight and dimming the starry sky.
“Why don’t we just run away to the Eastern Continent instead?” she mused, then laughed and shook her head. “Sometimes thoughts like this just pop up, you know…”
“The last report from the Saintess Class was sent out of the Holy Wall at least two months ago. By the time it reached Sharman’s hands, they say the southern region, towards Silgaya, has even started acting weird with the weather,” Victoria continued.
“Emerald City is inactive, the Holy City is struggling to keep itself together, Rossius is becoming excessively greedy – the Second and Sixth Knights have revolted southward. With the entire Silgaya in shambles, the possibility of the First Knights holding fast is almost zero.”
Her tone turned slightly warmer after a pause. “So, if you want to go to the Eastern Continent, I’ll have things packed for you right away; that way, I can explain a little to your father.”
“Haha.” The girl laughed and rolled her eyes at the serious face of Her Majesty. “Don’t worry about my father; there’s no need for you to explain anything. I’ve already written to him, and everything is my choice. You can’t stop me; no one can!”
“I’m being serious.”
“I’m serious too.”
The two suddenly straightened up, locking eyes for a moment.
The girl exhaled in a half-hearted, half-serious manner and said, “I’m going to the Eastern Continent. How about you? Are you coming with me? What about my father and mother?”
“……”
“Cat got your tongue?”
“What a double standard.”
The girl remarked with a laugh and added, “Alright, let’s not bicker all night. Let’s rest; go to bed early, wake up early, and I’ll scout the way for us. You handle everything with your father, and then—let’s charge forward! Whatever stands in our way won’t get a second chance to turn back.”
Her smile was sweet as she extended her pinky finger towards Her Majesty, a silent agreement formed.
Victoria watched her for a moment, finally allowing a smile to creep onto her face as she extended her hand in return.
“Tomorrow, let Rect accompany you.”
“No need.”
“Time is tight; I’ll only take the fastest one.”
…………
Outside in the courtyard, a gentle night breeze swept through, and new buds sprouted on the fruit trees, their branches swaying in the wind.
At the side building’s entrance, Barry sat on the steps, sheltered from the wind, sword in arms, staring blankly at the night sky. In his ears, he could faintly hear voices from the second-floor terrace arguing.
“Can’t you just not go…”
“This was promised to be the last stop; how many times have you lied to me…”
“And even if you find the teacher, what then…”
“Carlos, I’m seriously warning you—if you dare leave me behind, you’ll never! Ever find me again…”
Barry knew that was the cold-hearted Lapria sister arguing with Mr. Carlos. He also knew that Mr. Carlos was leaving the next day with his sister.
So, he sat and listened, his left hand unconsciously gripping the sword hilt tighter and tighter.
…………
In the Valen Empire, at Shanter Castle.
The Emperor sat at his desk, holding the letter from his daughter, while a raven and goat cheese sat outside on the windowsill, preening its feathers, while its scarlet eyes occasionally gazed into the distance. The central workshop was billowing black smoke, and the entire royal city was brightly lit, buzzing with busy preparations for war.
Skarlij had already read the letter several times, and by the end, the contents were scattered in his mind; he merely focused on the crooked handwriting of his daughter, thinking that he really should have made her practice writing more as a child.
Lost in thought, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
Next to his right hand, atop a stack of documents, lay a letter signed “St. George,” which had already been opened and read.
Before long, the door swung open, and a yawning Queen Catherine entered. Upon seeing her husband reading a letter, she paused and hurriedly asked, “Was it from Pepé?”
“Yep.”
Skarlij smiled and nodded, subtly sliding the letter from St. George into his drawer. “She’s been doing well in the royal city; nothing to worry about. Mostly, she wants to reassure you.”
“Cut that out.”
Catherine shot him a skeptical look, clearly unconvinced. “Who are you fooling? Your daughter’s mind is clearly not on food and drink anymore. She’s become just like you; too busy worrying about everything… sigh.”
She sighed as she spoke.
“Last time, her letter was so long, barely a few lines mentioned the family. That girl is so determined to broker a joint war with the other nation… what happened to just being a family member? Now it feels like you two are in cahoots, keeping me in the dark. Even Pasifal joins in; what are they all thinking? Do they really believe I’m clueless?”
“Isn’t it just to keep you from getting tired…”
Seeing Catherine start with the complaints, Skarlij quickly set down the letter and approached her, putting an arm around her shoulder to comfort her. “Nothing serious has happened yet, right? It’s just mundane affairs; how could we burden our Empress with those? You’ve been working hard enough handling the city’s internal affairs…”
“Get out of here.”
Catherine was not buying it; she shrugged him off, irritably saying, “You’re hoping for something serious? Nothing is better…”
“I came to remind you that Rafael, leading sixteen thousand Falcon troops, set up camp outside the city two hours ago. He brought several generals from the south; they’re all waiting to meet this Emperor of yours…”
After Catherine left, Skarlij moved to the window, his relaxed demeanor vanished. His eyes grew serious as he gazed into the night sky, which had become dark and devoid of stars shortly after nightfall, muttering to himself, “They’re back, just in time.”
“If they hadn’t returned soon, the sky would be completely dark…”
…………
On the morning of February 19, 1190, the girl and the swordsman packed their bags, setting out west under the quiet gaze of King Ethanbel, reaching the outskirts of the Holy City five days later.
