Free Web NovelChapter 1073: Chapter 256: War Without Gunpowder (Part 1)_2
Nimeisia fell silent for a long while after hearing this answer, and in the end neither agreed nor disagreed. The Valkyrie from Buqi still did things her own way, busy preparing for her great Militia enterprise; for a time this matter was quite famous throughout the whole academy, even the Princess had heard a little about it. But once Frey became the one recognized by the Lion Heart Sword, no one brought it up again.
Frey looked a bit tense today. This was her first time leaving the academy so far to carry out a mission. It was true that back in Buqi she had charged through real killing fields with blade and steel, but the moment she thought of someone as insignificant as herself actually being entrusted with the duty of protecting the Princess, the future Valkyrie became somewhat neurotic, feeling as if every stir of wind and grass hid an enemy. freewēbnoveℓ.com
Beside her, although Nimeisia was also very serious, that seriousness was calm. The Female Knight’s sharp gaze pierced the forests on both sides like arrows, and finally discovered something greatly amiss right beside her. She gave Frey a look, then another, and at last couldn’t help asking, "Frey, what are you doing?"
"Huh? Ah!" Only then did the girl come back to herself, hurriedly answering, "Here... here!"
"Is it really worth getting that nervous about?" the Female Knight asked irritably.
"I-I’m n-not... not nervous at all." Her voice was shaking.
The Riders all chuckled. Breson couldn’t help shaking his head and feeling amused at the back. He was one of those who had fought their way out of Buqi alongside Brand and Frey. Although he hadn’t taken the same path as Brand, the Guard Team had likewise carved out a road of blood. Back in Buqi, he’d once liked this girl, but in the end realized her heart simply wasn’t on him; and now, after tempering and growth, the two of them were nothing more than comrades-in-arms—along with that, his hostility toward Brand had also faded quite a bit.
After so many things happening in succession, Breson felt he’d grown much more mature. The shallow competitiveness and urge to show off of the past now seemed somewhat childish; it was as if youthful passion had transformed into another kind of inner emotion, becoming deep and steady, tied to the Destiny of the Kingdom.
And around him, most were young people harboring the same thoughts.
The Knights laughed, and even Nimeisia couldn’t help feeling amused. The Female Knight’s expression softened a little. She didn’t know why Frey was always so jumpy and frightened in front of her, as if she might eat her at any moment. She shook her head and said, "Frey, you’re a soldier. You have to learn to stay calm and composed. This is just routine Patrol; if it were a real battlefield, would you be too nervous to even walk?"
The Knights burst into laughter again.
"If it really were a battlefield, I wouldn’t be this nervous," Frey hurriedly nodded, though she was muttering in her heart.
But Nimeisia seemed to see right through her thoughts, speaking to herself, "True enough. Unlike the others here, you and Breson have actually seen war. But there’s nothing to worry about. The Princess is very safe. This is a neutral zone guaranteed by the Holy Temple; no one dares stir up trouble here."
"Then why do we have to come out on Patrol every day?" a Knight asked in confusion.
"To maintain at least a basic level of vigilance as soldiers. If, as soldiers, we can’t sense danger, then the Kingdom we protect is the one in danger." Nimeisia turned her head back and answered coolly.
The Knights were slightly startled, as if only then understanding.
But Nimeisia turned away again, gazing into the distant mountains and forests. There was no war here, but the real war had only just begun elsewhere.
Behind the layers upon layers of forest, Viscount Ding’s villa sat in a secluded hollow in the hills. Through her connections with the Holy Temple, Magdal had arranged for the Royalist party to lodge here, enjoying their host’s generous hospitality. This place was far from the bustle of the city, and compared to nearby Ambeser, it was like another World. The Nun Princess knew exactly what kind of place her close friend liked; besides, given the current situation, she also felt the other needed some peace and quiet.
Griff really did need to calm down. Behind the second-floor window of the villa, she silently watched Duke Anliek’s carriage pass through the gate and slowly stop in the pine-ringed courtyard. This would be the first meeting between the two sides, concerning which path the Kingdom’s Destiny should take from here. But to put it nicely, she couldn’t truly be the Sovereign of that Destiny—to put it bluntly, this wasn’t hers to choose.
The Princess lowered her head, silver hair slipping past her ears to hang by her cheeks. She wasn’t that old, and at the edge of her face one could still see a fine, adorable down of hair. Yet on those seemingly frail shoulders rested a burden ordinary people couldn’t imagine. Griff took a letter from her bosom, carefully looked it over one last time, then tucked it away close to her body.
"I don’t know what you’re fighting against, but I’m willing to stake everything for Erune and for people like you. You’re the one who gave me confidence and Strength, Sir Knight."
Duke Anliek’s envoy had already arrived late, and the nobles’ arrogance had made her deeply aware of how weak her own Strength was. But anger was of no use. This was not an era where everything could be changed just by having the will. Griff understood what she had to give up. freewebnσvel.cѳm
She turned around and instructed her Maid, "Tell Anlek that I don’t wish to see him today."
"But...?" The Maid was a bit alarmed. The Princess had never once been willful since childhood. She didn’t understand the politics of these big shots, but she knew that such a headstrong decision by the Princess at such a critical moment would very likely infuriate certain people. She couldn’t help but carefully advise, "Lord Liwu, Lord Macaro, on their side..."
But Griff gave her a cold look. In the silver eyes there wasn’t the slightest willfulness or displeasure, only calm.
"Anlek’s envoy comes when he wishes, and arrives late when he wishes—where does that leave the dignity of the Royal Family? I don’t object to meeting him, but if this is his attitude, then such negotiations might as well not happen. Repeat my exact words to Count Markaro: starting today, for one week I will not see Anlek’s envoy again."
She paused. "After one week, we’ll meet in the city of Ambeser."
When she finished saying this, all traces of childishness seemed to fall away from her, and she had become that future Princess who would guide the Destiny of all Erune’s players.
Erune’s Regent Prince—
The Destiny of the Kingdom seemed, at this moment, to begin returning to its original path.
...
(Hit a bit of a Caven block today, but still forced myself to write a Chapter, doing my best to keep things going without a break.) (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation tickets and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
