The entire gorge has changed.

The air is thick with the smell of blood, so strong that it feels like breathing in a mouthful of it. The stench of burnt flesh and skin fills the air, making it almost impossible to breathe here. Rolling black smoke rises into the sky, covering every inch of the gorge, even the midday sun cannot penetrate the deadly smoke. On the ground, there are pieces of flesh and dismembered organs scattered everywhere, with giant bodies lying in the middle of the road, impaled by several spears. Even though they are already dead, blood still flows incessantly from the wounds where they were stabbed.

"Drip, drip, drip."

The ground is already a stream of blood, and the boots splatter in the blood mud. The elves take off their helmets and breathe heavily, ignoring the blood and mud on the ground, leaning against the bodies of the dead dragons and gasping for breath. After ordering the attack, the elves' spears, like venomous snakes, pierced through the giant flesh mountains. Despite the dragons being much larger than the elves, they were forced to retreat under the relentless attacks of the elves, howling in pain.

The spears of the imperial guards were incredibly accurate, each thrust aimed at the neck or heart. The spear tips, blessed by the Queen, brought a strong burning smell everytime they entered or exited a dragon's body, weakening their spirits even more. With their retreat routes blocked, not a single dragon could escape and all were killed in the gorge.

I did not take a step back. I held the flag tightly and followed the warriors in front of me. I watched as the dragons wailed and fell to the ground, stepped over the bodies of the dragons that were still groaning, and watched the imperial guards continue to fight with broken spears and knives, listening to their steady footsteps and courageous roars.

"Your Highness..."

One of the imperial guards who could still stand walked up to me, panting, and pointed forward, saying, "The Dragon King is ahead, still alive. Your Highness, do you want to go and see?"

"Good."

I nodded. The Dragon King is also here. Why would the Dragon King be attracted by this perfume? Isn't it the king? Or is it that until the dragons choose their king, the Dragon King is just an ordinary dragon? However, as the target of our crusade this time, the head of the Dragon King is a very good trophy. Since the Dragon King is still alive, it means it hasn't been blown to pieces, and I can still bring back a complete body.

I stepped on a broken tail and walked up to the body, which was like a small mountain. Is this the Dragon King? It does seem bigger than the ordinary dragons. Its horns are also longer, and the patterns on its head shield are more dazzling, like a crown. It is covered in seven or eight spears, with many sword wounds on its head.

Its yellowing eyes turned and looked at me, emitting a small whimper. It seemed to be begging for mercy. I did not crouch down, but stood in front of it, looking at its slowly rotating eyes, longing for my mercy. It was barely alive, only able to make small and feeble cries.

"What should we do, Your Highness?"

The imperial guards around me surrounded it with spears and swords, asking me. I walked up to it, put my foot on its head, pressed down on its eyes, lowered my head, and said contemptuously, "Oh? Are you also a king? That's great, kings always have things to talk about. Now you are nothing more than a prisoner. Can you still arrogantly kill people? Perhaps both you and I had the same idea of giving the people a peaceful life, but now your people do not need you anymore, so I will be kind to you."

I released my foot. It looked at me in fear and made pleading cries. I raised the flag in my hand high. The end of the flag was a sharp spearhead, originally prepared to be plunged into the ground, but now, it would kill a defeated king. Regardless of whether it is an elf or a human, it is still a king.

"Thrust!"

I forcefully plunged the flag into its eye. After a final scream, its massive body collapsed and never moved again. The soldiers of the imperial guards surrounded it, watching the flag fluttering in its corpse. I turned around and said, "Messenger, go and find someone to come and take these bodies back. Also, try to find all the dragon corpses, and if they are blown to pieces, collect their tails and organs. This time, I cannot disappoint the people anymore."

"Yes!"

I returned to the carriage. Lucia's gaze came out from the shed. I smiled, sat down with my back against the lying Lucia, sighed heavily, and said, "It's really hard, battle is indeed exhausting."Lucia was just tired and not injured. How could those clumsy groundworms ever hurt Lucia?

"Yes. However, Your Highness, you did a great job," Lucia said from behind me, chuckling softly. "This time, it's all thanks to Your Highness - whether it's the crossbows, the tactical positioning, or the strategy, everything you did was impeccable. And, Your Highness, you really held your ground like Her Highness the Queen, never retreating. Your courage is truly admirable, Your Highness."

"I feel the same way," I replied with a smile. I turned around and gently caressed Lucia's face. "I've also witnessed your bravery and abilities, Lucia. You're truly amazing. My worries in the beginning were completely unnecessary."

"They weren't unnecessary," Lucia interrupted me. She slowly extended her hand and intertwined her fingers with mine, holding them together. She looked at me with a faint smile and said, "It's because you were worried about me, Your Highness, that I was able to come out of it unscathed. Your worries were my motivation to keep going, and... and I'm happy to have your concerns, Your Highness."

"Is that so? Then I'll continue to worry about you in the future," I said as I held her hand. I turned around with a smile, looking up at the small patch of sky amidst the black smoke layer. The carriage behind me creaked, and soon, I felt something warm on my back. Lucia let go of my hand and wrapped her arms around my neck, leaning gently against my back.

After the war, it's nice to enjoy a little tenderness. But not too much.

Although it felt strange when I was reborn, and even felt out of place in this world, now I fight and bleed alongside creatures I've never seen before. Even when I was alive, these people have become my brothers. Perhaps it's the instinct of the prince still lingering in my body, but I feel affection for my mother and Lucia, even though we've never met before.

Now, I'm enjoying the feeling of being in love with Lucia. It makes me incredibly happy.

The life before I was reborn didn't make me nostalgic. Thinking about my parents brings some sadness and longing, but it's inevitable. In a military family, parents sacrificing themselves and children sacrificing themselves is always a possibility. My parents were stronger than most, so they're probably fine.

I've gradually gotten used to my current life. I'm accustomed to walking around the palace every day, seeing different elves, eating and sleeping like they do, and being spoiled by my mother with Lucia's sincere feelings. I don't have any desire to go back, and this body is just an instrument. Moreover, I don't want to leave. I'm somewhat intoxicated with this life here, even though there are no computers or smartphones, every day is not boring.

And there's also my mother and Lucia.

In my previous life, I often questioned the meaning of my existence, but here I have found it. Lucia is different from human girls, she is a perfect goddess with natural, pure, and strong qualities. I love Lucia, no, I should say any man would love Lucia.

"Lucia, let me ask you," I said with a smile, gazing at the sky above. "How much longer do we have to officially get married? It's been a long time since we got engaged..."

I don't know how long... but asking about marriage is not a problem!

Lucia tightened her grip on my hand and rubbed her body against my back. Then she said, "Your Highness, you can decide whenever you want. I don't mind. Do you want to marry me soon? But... but after we get married, the Wind Elf's protection will no longer be effective..."

Lucia's voice sounded hesitant as she continued, "I am the only child in my family, and our family has always been the protectors of the Elf King. I can only protect you and Her Highness the Queen with the help of the Wind Elf's protection. If I lose the Wind Elf's protection, I won't have anything to protect you, Your Highness. In that case, I can only be your wife, and our family's history will end with me."

I was stunned. I didn't expect Lucia to have this hidden situation... no, I should say she knew, but I didn't."Your Highness, you asked me before... at that time, I refused... because I wanted to maintain the honor of our family, at least for another ten years... Your Highness, if you insist, I can...'' Lucia hugged my neck and gently said on my shoulder, "I also want to marry Your Highness and become your wife. I want to have children and stay by your side. If Your Highness wants to marry me, I can... no problem..."

I gently held her hand. Lucia wasn't forcing herself; she had a happy smile on her face, and her hand was not trembling. She wasn't lying; she wanted to marry me and uphold the honor of our family. But for her, it wasn't a painful choice; every choice brought her happiness.

"Let's wait a little longer," I held her hand and said, "Succession is important, Lucia. Continue living as my fiancée with the honor of our family. When you're tired, when you've had enough, then become my wife. I am also happy with our current life. I'm not in a hurry for us to be together."

"Well, I won't change my mind, Your Highness. I liked you from the first moment I saw you. Your gentleness makes me happy. I will never betray you..."

"Me too."

We held hands, sitting on the edge of the carriage, listening to the shouts of the guards behind us and the sound of moving corpses. The black smoke dispersed from above, revealing a clear blue sky and a bright sun. Lucia blew away the bloody smell in the air with the wind and brought back the scent of the forest. Lucia did nothing; we just embraced each other and rested, feeling her steady breathing and looking at everything around us. If it weren't a battlefield, and we weren't here to subdue the earth dragons but on a picnic, how happy everything would be.

"Your Highness, everything is ready. The bodies have all been loaded onto the carts, and the soldiers have packed up. Should we clean up the broken crossbows?"

The captain of the guards approached and asked.

I shook my head and said, "Leave them here; they are all broken and have no repair value after being completely crushed by the earth dragons. Well, let's go back now. There are no more earth dragons in this forest. Find a good path to return."

"Yes! However, this is our triumphant return. Should we prepare a celebration for everyone in the city?" The captain of the guards looked at me, smiled, and said, "This is the first victory you have obtained, and it is a glorious victory. Moreover, the composure and courage you have shown are admirable. Your Highness, you can ask the residents of the city to celebrate your victory. May the gods bless you."

I smiled and shook my head, saying, "No need. The failure in my previous campaign was my fault. This time, it's just fixing my mistake. It can't be considered a glorious victory, so there is no need to spend time and effort on it. When I achieve a glorious victory next time, then give me a grand celebration."

"Understood. Your Highness, it would be best if you ride in the front of the procession."

"Can't I stay in the carriage?"

I didn't really want to be too conspicuous, as I had just walked in front and scattered the earth dragon scales. This time, I killed a large number of earth dragons again, which might be hard to believe...

"Go ahead, Your Highness. I am fine. The commander should walk at the front of the procession because you are the most deserving of pride," Lucia pushed my back and said with a smile. The captain of the guards nodded and said, "It's better for the commander to walk at the front, otherwise, it wouldn't look good for anyone else to go first. If people see that, they might suspect us of treason, so it's better for Your Highness to get off the carriage and ride in the front."

I sighed, reluctantly stroked Lucia's head, then jumped off the carriage. The captain of the guards handed me a bag full of earth dragon scales. This time, the earth dragon scales were different; the bag was still dripping with blood, and when I held it, I could feel the warmth of the flesh. Each piece of earth dragon scale inside had just been taken from a body, and I obtained these earth dragon scales with my own hands.

"All right, soldiers! Now, let's go home! Remember, this is our triumph!"

Yes, that's right, this time.

Without anyone reminding me, I proudly and proudly declared my own victory!