Upon receiving the orders, Hilda mounted her horse and raced towards the northern city.

The people along the road were all celebrating.

They held wooden beer mugs and the smell of wheat permeated the air. Although their clothes were simple and their faces were panic-like, their smiles were as bright as the sun.

"The demons have retreated!"

"Tonight, the drinks are on me, everyone drink your fill!"

Cheers can be heard coming from the tavern.

And alongside the road was a couple. The woman in a coarse linen dress, her blonde hair flowing down behind her, bashfully yet ecstatically joyful.

In front of her was her man, with a face filled with excitement, gripping her hand.

"Yes! The demon army has retreated! We won't have to die!"

The man excitedly lifted the woman and swung her around, prompting the woman to let out a scream.

"Aiya, let go of me, we are in public, what are you trying to do~"

Joy spread across the streets, observers could see nothing but smiling faces of the poor.

Hilda too, influenced by the atmosphere, exhibited a smile.

Upon arriving at the city gate, the soldiers bowed respectfully upon seeing Hilda.

"Madam Hilda!" 

"Yes, where is Yuna? I need to see her."

Hilda dismounted her horse, a soldier immediately took the reins and secured the horse and greeted Hilda with a radiant smile.

"General Yuna is on the city wall."

"What is she doing?"

Hilda steps towards the stairs leading up to the wall, the soldier behind her commented with a peculiar expression.

"General Yuna has a very solemn expression, seemingly oblivious to the joy, we tried to convince her to rest, but she refused and insisted on staying on the wall."

Hilda only nodded at the soldier's words, then proceeded onto the city wall, almost instantly she saw Yuna standing near the parapet.

In a cooling armor, Yuna, with her short pink hair gave an extremely spirited image, a silver cross-shaped slender sword was hung around her waist.

Upon hearing the sound from behind, Yuna didn't look back.

"Haven't I said it before, I don't need to rest, you all leave."

"Yuna, you're still as serious as ever."

Looking at her back, Hilda shakes her head and smiles wistfully. Among the eight knights, Hilda and Yuna have the closest relationships.

Upon hearing the voice behind her, Yuna paused, then turned around.

Her pudgy face, with a set of regular features, though not stunningly beautiful, still presented a fine appearance. Her almond eyes were round and bright, when she saw Hilda, her face blossomed immediately.

"Hilda, what brings you here~"

As Yuna spoke, she ran up to Hilda. Even though Yuna was much older than Hilda, she didn't try to hide her lively personality in front of her.

"What are you doing?"

"Seeing off the demon army~ I won't be at ease until I see them leaving! You know me~"

Her delightful response was in stark contrast to her earlier tone. Yuna has always been this way, aloof to strangers but childishly cheerful with her close ones.

"How could I not know you?"

Hilda looked at Yuna's chest, bouncing due to her actions, her face stiffened.

Wow, they're quite large.

Even Hilda, a knight, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

"Hehe~"

Yuna scratched her head awkwardly, lifted her head, and stared at Hilda with her bright eyes.

"How's the Saintess? Has that demon been slain?"

"The demon escaped, the Saintess is fine, she's currently in the temple, I'm here to deliver the Saintess's oracle."

As soon as she mentioned the Saintess, Hilda instantly wiped the smile off her face and said solemnly:"The Knight Yuna receives the oracle." Yuna paused, the innocent smile on her face instantly fading, replaced by seriousness. She was just about to kneel down on one knee when Hilda stopped her. "Don't make any move. Her Highness the Saintess instructed not to draw any attention."

Hearing this, Yuna was startled again and after a moment of hesitation, she got up and took Hilda to her room.

After dismissing irrelevant individuals, Yuna turned around to face Hilda. "What are the instructions from Her Highness the Saintess?"

"The oracle from Her Highness the Saintess is to have the three guardian knights proceed to the temple and hold a secret meeting to discuss something important."

"What is the matter?"

A puzzled expression appeared on Yuna's slightly chubby face.

"I don't know the specifics. Be ready and don't draw any attention. I am about to head to the southeastern cities."

"Sure, understood."

After receiving the oracle, the serious expression on Yuna's face returned to her cheerful demeanor. She glanced at Hilda. "I'll advance then."

"Wait, you must leave after I do."

Hilda seemed to consider the situation more comprehensively. After a slight pondering, Yuna nodded her head.

"Ok, you’ll go first."

"Sure."

Hilda nodded and turned to leave, but was asked by Yuna, "Are we going to the usual place tonight?"

"Depends."

Hilda hurriedly left the northern city. Less than ten minutes after her departure, Yuna also left.

Then, Hilda arrived at the eastern and southern cities, respectively. After having a conversation with the Knights Narr and Kane, she returned home. She only left for the temple after another ten minutes.

Throughout the whole process, none of the knights made any mistakes. They all returned home before heading to the temple.

When the four knights met at the entrance of the temple, they looked at each other, and it was Hilda who first stepped into the temple.

The moment they opened the door, they instinctively looked toward the Saintess sitting on the couch, her face adorned with a holy smile.

"There is no need for courtesy," she said, studying them.

Hilda needs no further introduction.

Standing next to her is most likely Knight Yuna, the pink-haired girl – one of the only two female knights among the eight guardian knights.

Then there's Narr.

He's not old, just turned fifteen, a rare prodigy knight in the entire city and his strength is among the top guards.

Just like Adam, he is blond and has blue eyes.

Perhaps due to the presence of the Saintess, he seems a bit embarrassed and keeps his gaze lowered.

Last, there’s Knight Kane.

This knight looks like a middle-aged man, with a beard under his chin. His appearance is clean and neat, but his face is somewhat gloomy. His eyes are long and triangular, like a sharp scythe. The hooked nose and thin lips make him seem difficult to deal with.

At first glance, this person seems like a traitor.

Thieves, illegal merchants, gangsters – don't need to pretend, just be who you are.

However, Lauri is not one to judge a book by its cover.

This is my guardian knight! My life depends on them, even though they look like they're here to rob me blind, I can just pay them!

"Thank you, my guardian knights, for your hard work in protecting this magnificent city. On behalf of the citizens of this city, I’m grateful for your dedication."

"We’re undeserving of such praise."

Kane's smile was even uglier than his crying face.