The remaining matters are insignificant.

 

Since the Battle of Tepaya Basin, Lilya led her army on a detour around Lylt Lake, and along the way, they had several significant clashes with the rapidly advancing Beastman Wolf Cavalry Legion.

 

Fortunately, the timely retreat of the Kingdom’s army prevented them from being surrounded by the beastmen. After a fierce battle, Princess Lilya and the Scarlet Flame Flora led the troops in a charge, killing several hundred enemies. With the stamina of her unicorn surpassing that of the Wolf Cavalry, they managed to break free from the enemy forces.

 

Later, Lilya led her army through several skirmishes with Beastman forces converging from different directions. She discovered that the enemy had already laid a trap, intending to capture this group of infiltrators within the borders.

 

However, Lilya had prepared for this scenario. She had General Leyton’s son, Rekt, lead a light cavalry unit to wait at the beastman border, while the Beastman forces moved inward, Rekt’s forces launched a strike into enemy territory, reaching the pre-determined location to assist Lilia and her exhausted group after a long battle.

 

In the end, they managed to break free from the beastman encirclement and return to the Wanhe Fortress.

 

What they didn’t know was that the beastmen had dispatched a harpy unit to patrol and monitor the skies. The reason Lilya’s group didn’t encounter this force at any point was that a certain dragon and her owner, while speeding eastward, accidentally collided with this unfortunate group of harpies.

 

Violet had no intention of engaging with the army, but both sides were flying at high speeds, and by the time they noticed each other, they had already collided.

 

It’s well-known that the Violet’s Little Dragon emits her draconic aura when in her true form. 

 

Although it was an unintentional act by Xiao Guang and didn’t exert much force, the terrifying aura of a level 100 top-tier dragon spread out and caused the harpy patrol within its range to scatter like dumplings falling from the sky, with harpies plummeting everywhere.

 

Even after Violet flew around in the sky on her dragon and met up with Lilya and the others at Lylt Lake, this harpy patrol didn’t make another appearance.

 

Nevertheless, even so, when they broke through the weak spot at the beastman border a few days later, with Rekt’s support, and made their way back to the Wanhe Fortress, this elite force that had originally numbered over two thousand was now reduced to just a little over a thousand.

 

This is the nature of war. Even after a series of victories and bountiful spoils, the continuous loss of warriors is unavoidable. Even Lilya’s elite Shadow Guard suffered casualties of about one-fifth during the battles with the Fox Assassin.

 

But from a strategic perspective, it was undoubtedly a complete victory for Lilya.

 

In this operation, the Kingdom completely severed and destroyed the support provided to the beastmen by the forces behind the 【Eternal Throne】. 

 

They captured thousands of magic crystals of varying grades, killed over a hundred undead, and defeated over six thousand beastmen, including lions, tigers, wolves, leopards, and various other types of beastmen. They also killed four members of the Fox Assassin clan.

 

The Sixth Seat of the 【Eternal Throne】,Antonio Stevenson, and the Fourth Seat, Bark and Buckle, were confirmed to be dead. The whereabouts of the Seventh Seat, Prakaka, remained unknown.

 

A few days later, at Wanhe Fortress.

 

“Hah… it suddenly feels so leisurely.”

 

Miss Violet, with her black hair and white robe, leaned against the stone bricks of the western city wall. Her gem-like clear silver-blue eyes gazed lazily at the clear sky and the vast expanse of the low-lying plains, and she let out a yawn.

 

“What are you up to, Violet?”

 

Lilya, now back in her royal attire, climbed up the steps to the city wall with a light and brisk pace. She sat down beside the priestess, her sword still hanging from her waist. This operation had given the previously somewhat naive princess true experience in iron and blood.

 

Since the day Violet had protected her and Flora from the 【Death Omen Star】, for some reason, Lilya’s address for the former had upgraded. It naturally transitioned to calling her by name.

 

This wasn’t a distancing move. For Miss Lilya, who was well-versed in various etiquette norms, not using any formal titles might represent a true connection and trust between individuals.

 

“What am I doing… just looking outside for some… trouble, perhaps. Maybe the beastmen have lost their minds and are coming back all of a sudden.”

 

*Chuckle…*

 

Lilya covered her mouth and chuckled. After spending such a long time together, how could she not know the nature of the person in front of her, who seemed to thrive on chaos? However, she was probably going to be disappointed this time.

 

“It’s a pity. I just received a report from the scouts that the beastman army has completely retreated and returned to the territory of the Beastman Kingdom. The sieges on other cities have been lifted as well.”

 

“Besides, without further logistical support, the beastmen can’t sustain a million-strong army for an extended period. So a comeback is impossible, the war is already over.”

 

“…”

 

Both of them fell silent at the same time, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat peculiar.

 

“It just feels a bit unreal… I thought we were really going to die out there, but we made it back alive, and we even drove off the beastmen.”

 

“It’s the result of Lilya’s hard work.”

 

The priestess smiled gently.

 

“No, thanks to Violet’s help and everyone’s efforts. Many people sacrificed their lives for this, and I was still not mature enough. Now, looking back, I realize that many things could have been done better from the beginning.”

 

The princess paused for a moment and slowly revealed her true thoughts hidden within her heart.

 

“And, I always feel that the Beastman Kingdom didn’t go all out in this war, as if they had reservations. Whether it was the attack on the western border or the beastman forces that surrounded us after the Battle of Tepaya Basin, it felt that way.”

 

“Oh? Do you think they were pretending, Lilya?”

 

“No, they did come with the intent to kill, but… except for those fox assassins, especially their leader, Mevis, the other beastmen were doing their best but not going all out. Otherwise, our losses would have been much worse.”

 

“And I never saw the beastman air force throughout the whole campaign, which is quite unreasonable, and some of their original deployments also fell into thin air…”

 

“Ah, well…”

 

Violet looked a bit embarrassed and discreetly turned her head, hesitated for a moment, and decided not to reveal the truth.

 

“Well…”

 

The priestess crossed her arms nonchalantly. “In any case, success is what matters, why worry so much? Lilya, you always think about this and that, and it’s tiring.”

 

“Haha… is this a teaching from Master?”

 

“Who knows~”

 

Both young women simultaneously let out a bell-like, light laughter, and then they both paused, after a while, it was the princess who resumed the conversation.

 

“Hey, Violet.”

 

Lilya turned her gaze towards the distance.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Tomorrow, I’ll be going back to the capital, Courage City.”

 

“Ah, I heard about that.”

 

Silence followed.

 

The two girls shared an unspoken understanding.

 

Lilya’s campaign in the Western Borders had come to a successful conclusion. Not only had she thwarted the conspiracy between the prince and the beastmen, but she had also experienced significant personal growth, akin to a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.

 

She had ventured deep into enemy territory, disrupted the supply lines of the Beastman Kingdom, won battles back-to-back, pushed back a million-strong beastman army, and gained the support of General Leyton, the commander of the Western Borders.

 

Returning to the capital with such remarkable achievements would undoubtedly force even the ruthless political opportunists to reconsider their stance.

 

However, Lilya’s success also meant the end of the contract between her and Violet.

 

After all, their agreement was for the priestess to protect the princess until she safely returned to Courage City.

 

“…Don’t leave, please. Stay by my side. You’ve helped me so much, and I want… to repay this kindness as much as I can.”

 

Lilya’s voice is very soft, sounding more like a plea.

 

Violet knows she is not infatuated with her own power and protection, perhaps a little bit, but that is not the main reason.

 

Miss Princess’s eyes are bright, clear, devoid of greed and scheming.

 

Even if it’s a long-cherished pet, they can develop feelings for each other, let alone a living person?

 

But…

 

“Sorry, I can’t promise you.”

 

“Why, Violet, are you tired of me? I know I’m useless, always relying on you, but I’ll try…”

 

“Alright, it’s not as you think.”

 

Violet raised her head, and her silky black hair was swept up by the breeze on the plain, smiling lightly.

 

“I don’t belong in this place, or any place here, so I should keep traveling, going wherever I want… Maybe I’ll settle down somewhere far in the future, but it’s definitely not now.”

 

“I see…”

 

Miss Princess fell silent.

 

After a while, she took something out of her ring and handed it to Violet.

 

“Take this. Although with Violet’s power, it shouldn’t cause you any trouble, sometimes it might still come in handy.”

 

It’s a small badge, finely engraved with a bird motif, the symbol of the Human United Kingdom’s royal family – the bird of freedom and defiance. In the center, there are six small indentations, with an expensive sapphire embedded in the fifth one.

 

“?”

 

Violet tilted her head in confusion.

 

“I’ve thought about it, and the previous contract seemed too unfair to you. So, consider this as an extra reward.”

 

Lilya wore a somewhat wistful smile. “I know Violet is very powerful, and ordinary magical equipment might not be of much use to you. After some consideration, this is the only thing that seemed worthwhile. This is my symbol of identity. If you present this within the boundaries of the Human United Kingdom, it’s the equivalent of Lilya Melchior herself being present. It should help you out in some tricky situations.”

 

“Also.”

 

The stunning blue-haired girl suddenly turned her head, gave a lightning-quick peck on the cheek of the priestess next to her. Before the other person could react, she blushed and shrank back.

 

“Don’t forget me.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Violet froze.

 

Though she could understand Lilya’s actions, the trust built up during their time together, coupled with the fact that the Princess did not exhibit any hostility, ultimately led to the successful sneak attack on the priestess.

 

Oh my…

 

This is the first time, even counting my past life, that a non-family girl has kissed me first. But now I’m no longer a guy, so Lilya’s action probably doesn’t carry any deeper meaning.”

 

But, it was a bit exciting.

 

Without any unnecessary excuses, she placed Lilya’s gift into her embrace, suppressing the surging emotional turmoil in her heart, and then smiled.

 

“Well, I won’t refuse your kindness. Even when I reach the Courage City, I won’t return it to you.”

 

“Of course, once it’s given, I had no intention of taking it back… Wait?”

 

Mid-sentence, the princess suddenly raised her head, and her gem-like exquisite pupils were filled with astonishment and delight.

 

“Wait, what did you just say?”

 

The priestess raised the corner of her lips, revealing a mischievous and sly grin.

 

“I said, I plan to continue my journey and explore the Human United Kingdom properly. Of course, with a place as interesting as the capital, how could a traveler miss it?”

 

“Okay, Violet, you did this on purpose, didn’t you!”

 

“Haha! Because the way the princess looks all shy and flustered is so cute, I couldn’t resist teasing you a little. My apprentice is still so immature, and how can I leave her alone without caring? I’m not that heartless and unfeeling.”

 

The princess was both embarrassed and furious, and thinking about their recent interaction, her little head started emitting white steam.

 

“Darn it! You made me sad for no reason! Go die, go die, go die!”

 

Her fists rained down like pink droplets on Violet’s gently heaving chest. Though she didn’t use much force, and it couldn’t penetrate her defenses, the tingling sensation she’d never experienced before left the priestess feeling a bit embarrassed. A vivid blush appeared on her smooth, fair face.

 

“Sneak attack, huh? Take my tickle attack!”

 

“Eek!”

 

Laughter of the girls’ playfighting echoed on the city wall.

 

Even in the midst of turbulent waves, there could be moments of respite.

 

………………………

 

End of Volume One [The Tale of the Arrival and the Kingdom]