"Your Highness! Your Highness! Ah..."

In the midst of my drowsiness, I was abruptly awakened by someone. I opened my eyes and saw a guard standing awkwardly in front of me. And at that moment, someone was pressing on top of me, or rather, tightly embracing me from the side. A long, white leg extended boldly and wrapped around my waist.

Lucia's head nuzzled against my neck, breathing evenly and slowly. Her arms were tightly wrapped around me. It's no wonder that I had dreamt of being pinned down by a whale last night. Logically, there wouldn't be any issue with her holding me like this, since we were engaged and it wouldn't spark any controversy if we slept together. However, my bedside was filled with discarded clothes. Lucia must have entered my room in the early morning, undressed, and jumped into bed...

If Lucia was wearing pajamas, then it wouldn't be a problem. But if she was completely naked, then it would be a big problem for the guard who saw something he definitely should not have seen. I could easily order for his head to be chopped off.

The guard turned around, knelt down, and said, "I sincerely apologize, Your Highness! I came in without knocking because I had urgent information to report! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll leave now! I'll leave now!"

"Wait..."

I stopped him by extending my hand. With great effort, I pushed Lucia away from me, covered her with a blanket, and said, "You mentioned urgent information, didn't you? Speak up, what's the matter? Don't worry, I'm not angry. Important matters should be prioritized. Please tell me."

"Yes... Thank you, Your Highness! Our reconnaissance team has discovered a dire situation with the Earth Dragons. They are currently gathering and, based on their movement patterns, it seems they intend to storm the western walls of our capital."

"How can they break through our city walls? They are not soldiers...Ah, right...the Holy Spring."

The Holy Spring was heavily guarded within the palace and even I couldn't easily access it. These Earth Dragons must have had their habitats destroyed, prompting them to search for a better place. They saw the Holy Spring as their next target. Although the Holy Spring was a natural phenomenon, it served as the source of Elf power and must not be destroyed.

I paused. Why did the Earth Dragons start stirring today? Previously, they only roamed within the Black Forest without making any notable moves, which gave me time to prepare. But it seemed urgent now, I had to hurry. I could only have a chance to eliminate them in that canyon within the Black Forest.

Once they left the Black Forest and reached the plains, then it would be game over for us. The overwhelming force of the Earth Dragons would surely crush our city walls. I nodded. From the moment I gave the order until now, only two days had passed. I gave the elders five days, but I had no idea how much progress they made during this time. I ordered them to produce at full capacity. At the very least, we should have two or three available.

If we didn't, then I would have to send these eight individuals to the front lines.

"I understand. I will wake up immediately and order all the guards who were given instructions to prepare their equipment. They should leave the palace in batches and go to the designated location to await further instructions."

The guard nodded and hurriedly left the room. I looked at Lucia, who was still sound asleep, and sighed. It seemed she had just returned. She went hunting alone and hadn't had a proper rest until now. Originally, I had planned to stay with her and rest for the day, but it appeared that was not possible.

"Lucia...Lucia...Lucia, wake up, wake up, we have to depart, Lucia..."

"Ugh..."

Lucia's body twitched in dissatisfaction, then she extended her arm and forcefully pulled me into her embrace, holding my head and murmuring, "Just a little more sleep...just a little more sleep..."

My head was suddenly enveloped by two tender and soft bundles. Although Lucia's breasts were not as intimidating as Mother's, they were of regular size, and Elf skin was smooth, delicate, and elastic. Lucia's body also carried a pleasant fragrance. I took a deep breath, and my mind buzzed. This situation was happening as a result of normal occurrences when waking up...

Moreover, with a gentle turn of my head, my hair would slide across the most sensitive area... I am a normal male, after all... A naked girl clinging to me, with beautiful skin and figure, and she is also my fiancée... How could I possibly control myself...

No, no! This is not the time for such things! As a soldier, I must remember the three disciplines and eight points of attention, I must take decisive actions! I must serve the people! How can I even think of such acts at a crucial moment when facing a major enemy? No, this is not acceptable behavior for a soldier!I suddenly broke free and wrapped the blanket around Lucia. I shook her violently, desperately trying to wake her up. Lucia woke up with a dreadful scream and complained, "What's the matter, Your Highness? I just laid down not long ago. Please excuse me for wanting to rest today. Yesterday, I hunted down a deer and carried it to the temple..."

"Don't go back to sleep. I'm sorry to wake you up, but it's really dangerous now. The Earth Dragons are gathering, and we don't have time to wait. We have to leave now."

"I understand."

When Lucia heard the words "Earth Dragons," her almost closed eyes suddenly widened to the maximum. It was the first time I had seen her fully awake. Her green eyes twinkled with a killer's gaze, like a wolf's eyes in the night. She nodded and returned to her usual narrowed-eyed state, saying, "Your Highness, please change into your clothes. I..."

"Your clothes are right here."

I pointed to the clothes on the ground. Lucia nodded and unhesitatingly threw off the blanket in front of me, then slowly picked up her own clothes one by one. She was wearing leather armor now, different from the tight-fitting clothes she wore at night. Although it was tight, it was clearly armor, not clothing. She picked up a curved blade and fastened it to her waist, put on her boots, slung the bow and arrows on her back, tied her hair into a ponytail, and took my hand, saying, "Let's go, Your Highness. I'm ready. Before you set off, you need to wear some armor too."

"Me?"

I paused with the jacket in my hand. Indeed, if I were going to the battlefield, I would definitely need armor and weapons. But where could I get armor? Lucia looked at me and then walked to the side, opening the wardrobe and rummaging inside. She took out a very standard leather armor, but compared to the leather armor I had in mind, this one was incredibly thin, as thin as a layer of cloth. However, the armor did feel like leather.

"This is armor made from compressed dragon skin. Although it's thin, even the most powerful archers can't penetrate it. Wear it underneath."

Lucia put this armor on my shirt, then took out a green short robe. The back of the robe was very long, split in the middle like a swallow's tail, hanging down to the knees. The front part reached the thighs and was split at the waist. On the chest, there was a green front shoulder cape with a tree that carried an elven aura. On the back, a long red cloak fluttered in the wind, and the golden silk threads on it were already a bit worn out.

However, when I saw Lucia take out this robe, her eyes were full of reverence. She held the robe in her hands, lowered her head, and presented it to me with both hands, looking as serious as if she was holding a baby or a nation. For the Elves, this robe might be the soul of the entire race, and it had to be treated with utmost dignity.

"Please change, Your Highness! Remember the courage of the previous king and the blessings of the gods! May all the kings and gods bless Your Highness's life and honor, and may the fluctuations of your heart be a tree that lasts forever in the land of the Elves, never forgetting the gaze of the people behind you. Fill the red cloak with blood and nourish the tree of life with the bodies of enemies. Please remember the glory of the Elves and your own glory, and remember the blessings bestowed by the gods. At this moment, wearing this robe, go forth to battle, and when the time comes, either triumph wearing this robe or be wrapped in it for burial!"

I didn't know what I should do. I had never carried such a heavy burden in my previous life. Putting on this battle robe meant taking on the destiny of the entire Elven Empire. I would be carrying the expectations and watchful eyes of the entire Elven royal family. As Lucia said, after putting it on, I would either triumph or die in battle.

But my body acted on its own, and it wasn't my own thought. It was the natural action of this body, the Elven prince, when faced with responsibility. For a prince, he must rectify his own mistakes and personally intervene in matters that threaten his people. The people acclaim and acknowledge their king, blessing him. A king must protect his people, and when his people are in danger, he must lead from the front wearing this battle robe.

I hesitated, but the prince didn't.

I bent down and accepted the battle robe, calmly putting it on, adjusting it, and solemnly placing the huge World Tree emblem on my chest, feeling my heartbeat. The cloak behind me gently fluttered, draping over my back. My body temperature warmed the battle robe, warming the blood-soaked robe that had traveled a thousand miles.

Now, I carried the honor of the royal family. I had failed before. This time, I absolutely couldn't fail again. It was my responsibility as a king to live in this body, to shoulder all that this body entails, whether it be the tenderness of my mother or the emotions of Lucia. This time, I would bear the honor and dignity that this body was destined to inherit.The battle robe draped over me, a strange warmth flowing through my body. Is it the blood of the previous warriors, or their courage and responsibility? I seem to be able to see, on that past battlefield, the blood blooming with war cries, the sun obscured by smoke and dust, and the air filled with a strong scent of blood.

Everything from the past, now appearing before me through this garment.

Perhaps the Elves love peace, but they are not afraid of war. In war, the Elves have never backed down.

I looked at Lucia, took a deep breath, and said, "Let's go."

Lucia nodded and took out a curved blade, attaching it to my belt. She said, "This is a command knife. In the last war, it belonged to Her Majesty the Queen. This time, it's your turn, Your Royal Highness. Last time, you thought it was a hunting expedition and were totally unprepared, but this time it's different. We see this side of you, and we all understand that this is a war, not just an activity."

I nodded, shook my cloak, and opened the door.

There was a momentary sound of metal colliding with the ground at the door. The morning sun shone through the huge window, illuminating the silent rows of metal in front of me. Metal itself has no temperature, but the armor carries the blood and dignity of the warriors. In front of me, the soldiers of the Imperial Guard knelt on one knee at the same time, their right hands on their hearts, solemnly raising their heads to look at me.

Our relationship was fine before, but this is the first time I have seen awe in their eyes. Normally I am just a prince, but now I am a warrior leading the troops. The soldiers of the Imperial Guard in front of me are the ones staying in the palace today. They won't be going out with us, but they are still kneeling before me.

They are not only saluting me, but also saluting the honor and tradition of the Elven race, the past heroes and the current commander. Saluting the new hero and the departing leader.

"You may rise, and I hope you will not forget your responsibility to protect the palace and Her Majesty the Queen."

"We understand!"

The steady voices of the Elves echoed in the corridor, making way for us. I took Lucia's hand and walked through the crowd, stopping at the door of my mother's room. I looked at the wooden door and took a deep breath.

"Go and tell Her Majesty the Queen. If the prince is going to battle, she will be very worried."

"Exactly for that reason, I'd rather not."

I let go of my finger prepared to knock on the door, instead placing my palm gently on the door, sighing and smiling. "Let's go, Lucia. When we come back, I will use the head of a land dragon to make my mother not angry."

"Wouldn't that be too big? How about something else?"

Lucia smiled slightly and held my hand tightly. Despite feeling the leather of her gloves, Lucia's warmth still penetrated the palm of my hand.

"Your responsibility, Your Royal Highness, is to guard the kingdom, and my duty is to protect you."

Lucia walked beside me, down the stairs of the palace, and said, "Therefore, you will do your best to win this battle, and I will do everything in my power to protect you. I was once confused about my direction, but now I understand my power and direction."

The morning sun washed over us like tide. The dazzling sunlight made me a little blurry for a moment. Standing next to me, holding my hand, Lucia seemed to be covered in a warm golden light. She looked at me, her green eyes half open, but filled with resolute tenderness.

"In return for your gentleness and love, please entrust me with the medicine that was used as bait for you."