When Violet bid temporary farewell to Guardian Edith, she was surprised to find another large-scale battle erupting as she walked out of the prison gates.

 

One of the conflicting parties was naturally those who had failed in their attack and retreated from the depths of the prison – people from all walks of life.

 

Their role, arranged by Ben, was merely to provide cover for Rebecca’s actions. They had never expected to truly breach the defenses of the 【Sin Wardens】. Now that Ben was gone, these people received the signal to retreat.

 

On the other side, there was a bit of a surprise – countless individuals clad in silver armor, disciplined palace guards, and a small number of adventurers interspersed among them.

 

Most importantly, Violet also saw the Shadow Guards in this group.

 

The Shadow Guards presence indicated that Princess Lilya herself must be here.

 

Indeed.

 

“Violet?!”

 

Intentionally standing at the prison gate, unaffected by the ongoing battle, a familiar voice soon echoed not far away.

 

Without even having time to change into battle armor, Princess Lilya, who arrived in a simple dress with a long sword in hand, rushed to the priestess’s side in no time, propelled by airflow magic.

 

“Are you… are you okay?! Something big happened, and there was no trace of you. I even thought that white light… Why did you suddenly come here?”

 

It was evident that Lilya was genuinely anxious. She had used all her strength to cover the short distance, and she was now slightly panting. However, her attention was clearly focused on the black-haired girl in front of her.

 

At this critical moment, hiding her identity was meaningless. After removing the 【Cognitive Obstruction Mask】 in front of Ben, Violet didn’t put it back on. So, Miss Lilya recognized her immediately.

 

Glancing at the slightly flushed blue-haired princess due to the battle and running, Violet shifted her gaze and reached her hand toward Lilya’s back, wrapped in bandages.

 

“How did you get injured again? Ugh, can’t you be a bit more clever…”

 

Warm golden light shimmered at the priestess’s fingertips, and the wound, which had been inflicted by Cromancia but no longer bled, quietly disappeared. The life-saving effect of the 【Casket of Ascension】 indeed prevented Cromancia from stabbing Lilya’s heart with a single blow. However, the weapon condensed from the abilities of the Ninth Throne had left some residual energy in the princess’s body, preventing the wound from healing quickly.

 

Legendary-level techniques might be challenging for ordinary healers, but for Violet, it was child’s play.

 

“It’s nothing… just a minor injury, a little trick played on me. Violet, did you come here to stop Ben from escaping as well?”

 

“Oh? From what you’re saying, do you know what that guy is planning?”

 

Playing with a strand of hair, Lilya nodded gently.

 

“Seeing his attitude at the end of the trial, I guessed that Ben is almost certainly planning to completely turn against us and declare himself king. After being judged by the High Spirit, this is his only way to maintain power and truly become the king.”

 

“Although I didn’t expect him to be so decisive, launching a city-wide riot that same night, forcing me to put out fires everywhere and unable to attend to the prison. But I had some preparations on my end, more or less.”

 

“You came out from inside, and you should have met Ancestor Edith, right? What’s the situation now? Did Ben escape?”

 

“Well, about that…”

 

There was nothing to hide from Lilya, and considering her words, Violet recounted the events that had happened before to the princess.

 

“What? Miss Rebecca is a member of Eternal Throne, and she betrayed Ben, even killed him? This…”

 

The girl subconsciously covered her mouth with her hand, and her pupils shrank.

 

It seemed that the information overload temporarily caused the clever princess’s head to go into a sort of malfunction.

 

“What on earth…”

 

“Hey, Your Highness! Why did you suddenly run away?!”

 

Lilya wanted to continue asking something, but a golden-haired Holy Knight suddenly burst out from the side, interrupting their conversation.

 

Edwina, holding a cross sword and shield, bloodied in her armor, hurriedly arrived at Lilya’s side, scolding her with dissatisfaction.

 

“I say, Your Highness, you still have wounds on you. I was almost frantic when you were stabbed earlier, and now you suddenly disappear in the middle of a fight. Can’t you stop giving me a scare all the time!”

 

“Haha, sorry sorry… I just suddenly saw someone important, and my body moved instinctively. By the way, this is the first time you’re meeting like this. Let me introduce, this is…”

 

The princess turned and gestured towards the white-robed girl behind her and a displeased dragon lady.

 

But before she could speak out Violet’s name, the Holy Knight suddenly shivered, as if she had seen something unimaginable. She retreated several steps, almost dropping her sword, looking like she had been frightened by some unbelievable entity.

 

“Miss-Miss-Miss-Miss-Miss-Miss…!”

 

“Miss-Miss-Miss-Miss-Miss-Miss? You don’t have to emphasize my gender like that, right?”

 

Violet had black lines all over her head, while the princess wore a puzzled expression due to Edwina’s sudden and bizarre reaction.

 

The three of them stared at each other, not knowing what had gotten into this clumsy Holy Knight.

 

However, even though the princess was unaware of the situation, Violet and Edwina were old acquaintances. There was no need for formalities. Suppressing the urge to make sarcastic remarks, Violet raised her hand and greeted her.

 

“Hi, Miss Edwina, it’s me. Surprised again, right? I apologize for keeping our identities hidden for so long. Don’t be offended~”

 

“N-no-no-no! How could it be? Miss… Miss Violet deigned to stay with us, it’s already a great honor. With your status, a little concealment is necessary. Um… you…”

 

“?”

 

Looking at the girl in front of her stuttering and being flustered, Violet had a feeling… as if a fervent fan on Earth had just met her idol. But this little girl and her didn’t have that kind of relationship, right?

 

The last time they met in the Forgotten Land, everything seemed pretty normal…

 

Oh, understood. It must be because she had been saved by Violet several times before, and the 【Kiss of Light】 had greatly enhanced her strength. So, after meeting again, she might feel a bit embarrassed.

 

This feeling was like playing a game and kneeling down dozens of times, doubting life, then suddenly encountering a super god who helped you break the curse of inevitable defeat, and even having a great time all night, and afterward, when you communicated, there would be an unconscious mixture of awe and flattery… something like that?

 

Moreover, Edwina has also witnessed the true strength of Violet, and in a certain sense, she understands it even more deeply than Her Royal Highness.

 

Such behavior is normal.

 

Thinking this, Violet decided to comfort this silly little girl. After all, they really have a fate between them. If it weren’t for understanding being impossible, one would have to suspect whether this Holy Knight has been secretly following her and Xiao Guang.

 

“Don’t be so formal, Miss Edwina. Just treat me as a normal friend. Do you remember our agreement?”

 

In fact, what the priestess was referring to was the matter she entrusted Edwina to keep a secret that night in the Forgotten Lands. However, the Holy Knight, who was not on the same communication channel, naturally interpreted it differently.

 

“Yes! Edwina understands! Before you agree, I won’t mention anything to anyone! So, from now on, shall I continue to address you as Miss Violet?”

 

“Uh… sure?”

 

Feeling slightly stunned by that unhesitant and resolute momentum, Violet nodded subconsciously and then furrowed her brow.

 

Was Edwina always such an easygoing person?