"Just leaving like this, I always feel a lingering unease in my heart." In the swaying carriage, Aya propped her right elbow on the window sill, supporting her chin as she sighed while staring at the silhouette of the magitech capital in the distance.
"Why not stay there and help with the post-disaster reconstruction if you feel guilty?" Tiran rolled his eyes and gently supported the thigh of the soundly sleeping Chirp with his hand to prevent her from rolling off.
Yes, that's roughly the situation inside the carriage now. Delua sat in the front seat, resting with closed eyes. In the spacious back seat, Aya sat by the window on one side, while Tiran sat on the other end, with a loli girl in between them.
After the fierce battle with Hermes, the envoy stayed in the magitech capital for a week, finally finishing up all the miscellaneous matters and preparing to return home.
—Though most of the matters were handled diligently by Delua, who led the team with a strong offense and relentless harvesting, while Princess Highness cheered and supported from the sidelines...
In terms of results, the trip to the magitech kingdom can be considered satisfactory. They successfully dealt with the attack on Gilliast Castle and brought Chirp back. However, the super powered Silver War Maiden of Milanía lost her ability completely, and the recovery time was unknown, which was quite a pain.
"Is it just my imagination, or is this child even sleepier than before?"
Tiran couldn't help but comment as he looked at the sleeping Chirp... Well, it wasn't really a comment. Since Chirp was rescued from the Heavy God Machine, there had been obvious changes in her, aside from growing taller, she also slept longer every day.
"It does seem a bit... Let's have professionals examine her when we get back." Aya regretted not having done this in the magitech capital. Although the research institution of the Milanía royal family was considered professional, their level could not compare to that of the magitech capital.
"Instead of focusing on Chirp, you should pay more attention to your own problem, shouldn't you?" Aya said. "How is your strength? Any signs of recovery?"
"No, apparently this time I was exhausted too much. Although I'm sure it will gradually recover, the time frame is unknown. It could be one or two months, or even one or two years." Tiran said awkwardly.
At that time, he had been focused on defeating Hermes and hadn't considered these issues. Thinking back calmly now, he realized that he had indeed caused himself quite a bit of trouble. Especially since it was still wartime, if a strong enemy attacked, he would not be able to handle the situation.
"It can't be that unlucky, right? It's not like I'll be immediately attacked by a super powerful enemy when I'm injured... Even the Holy Rank Angels on my brother's side were defeated by us, it probably won't be easy to find another Holy Rank, and other countries won't easily send out strategic units without formally declaring war."
"Are you really not jinxing us?" Aya asked, covering her face with her hand.
Having reached this point, there was nothing they could do but take it one step at a time.
What Tiran and Aya didn't expect was that the news of Silver War Maiden losing her powers had been sealed and not spread. Another news that they didn't consider, however, had caused a huge wave among various factions.
The battle of the magitech capital against the Holy Rank Heavy God Machine and the victory of the Silver War Maiden reignited her name's fame. Another important detail that occurred during the battle also drew attention.
Dragons have reappeared in the world. In the entire western continent, humans dominate, while demi-human races mostly reside in the Frost Forest in the north to the Kent Mountains. Although they are few in number, they are still visible to people. The Dragons, however, have faded from the human's view. This is partly due to their low ability to reproduce and their scarcity in number. The other reason is that the legends of dragon slayers spread among humans, attracting many adventurers across the continent who seek to kill dragons and become famous.
However, news of a dragon beside Tiran can no longer be suppressed. Aya has flaunted her presence before a large crowd twice, once when she fought Angel and once when she defeated Hermes. If people in the capital were uncertain and skeptical of their relationship, the fact that Tiran and the dragon appeared together on multiple battlefields confirms everything.
Setting aside external factors, dragons themselves are symbols of power. The Silver War Maiden, who already possesses a legendary title, along with a dragon, is enough to shake the forces that constantly monitor Milanía.
What? The Silver War Maiden has killed a Holy Rank?!
What?! There's also a dragon by her side? A dragon?!
Damn it! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
The news has poured a bucket of cold water on the masterminds who planned to take advantage of the chaos within Milanía.
Despite Tiran's young age and short time of fame, his achievements are limited. Although it is well-deserved for him to possess the legendary title, in terms of strength, he may not necessarily surpass those Holy Rank legends who have been famous for many years. Therefore, when these masterminds were considering their plans for Milanía, they only classified Tiran as someone who has little influence on the overall situation. They never expected him to be slapped in the face just a few months after the dragon slaying.
Killing a Holy Rank? Collaborating with a dragon in battle? Even those Holy Rank strongmen who have been famous for many years may not be able to present these two achievements. After all, at the Holy Rank level, most people will pursue even greater power. It is rare for them to risk their lives and engage in a life-or-death battle with another Holy Rank.
A Holy Rank strongman can face thousands of soldiers alone, capable of swiftly decapitating an individual from a thousand miles away or becoming an impenetrable shield for a nation. Such individuals are not to be easily provoked by any country.
"Recall all those sent to the beacon! Recall them all! What? Leave a few behind? Don't you understand my words?! We must reconsider our plans for Milanía! Go and contact that person!"
...
Clang—clang!
The sound of the clock heralding the beginning of the morning prayers echoed from the top of the clock tower located in the center of the city, quickly spreading throughout the entire city. In just a moment, the entire city seemed to have awakened, with solemn chants resonating from all directions, whether it be houses, streets, or bridges along the river.
The entire city was participating in the morning prayers simultaneously, a solemn scene that even Milanía, recently recognized as a "Saintdom" by the Church, would not have been able to achieve. Throughout the entire continent, there is probably only one place that can achieve this.
【Holy See】—the holy city of Terasu.
On this clear morning, the Pope, who had just completed his morning prayers in his dedicated chamber, received the intelligence that had caused a stir in the neighboring countries of Milanía.
"Is it Princess Milanía again? I've been hearing her name quite frequently lately," the old man in the white robe murmured as he carefully read the parchment, his expression growing more and more astonished. "Slaying a Holy Rank? Coordinating with a dragon? Could it be a Dragon Knight?"
"Well... it's still unclear, Your Holiness," the messenger who brought the letter replied respectfully, standing by the side.
"I see. Regardless, this Princess is definitely worth paying attention to," the Pope smiled as he rolled up the parchment and turned his head towards the statue of the goddess in the center of the prayer room, appearing lost in thought as if deep in meditation.
"Your Holiness?" The messenger couldn't help but whisper, reminding the Pope of the content of the latter half of the parchment. "The opinions of the Elder Council..."
"I saw it," the Pope's voice suddenly turned cold and harsh from the initial gentle and compassionate tone. "Go back and tell them that I am the Pope of the Temple Church, and I don't need a group of secretive old-timers lurking behind the scenes to tell me what to do."
"Yes..." The messenger was initially going to say something with a brave face, but succumbing to the oppressive gaze in the Pope's eyes, he could only obediently leave the prayer room.
As the messenger left, the pressure emanating from the Pope dissipated.
The opinions of the Elder Council were clear. When necessary, they could make certain compromises with Milanía. Although War King also had plans to expel Church forces within the country, it was obvious that Heinrich's betrayal took precedence now. Moreover, Milanía now possessed a powerful individual capable of slaying a Holy Rank, it was not in the church's interest to be at odds with her.
"Heh, interests. How can truly devout believers consider these things? The Elder Council... just a group of opportunists," the Pope murmured while chuckling, addressing someone named Hussein.
"Your words are correct, Your Holiness," a tall and burly holy knight slowly walked out from behind the statue.
"However, it won't be easy to assist you. Both the Dragon and Silver War Maiden are not easy opponents, and with the resistance from the Elder Council, the help I can provide is limited."
"Your Holiness, my teacher said you would provide a solution."
The Pope fell into silence for two seconds, let out a deep sigh, and displayed an expression of helplessness. "So, your teacher is truly considering that child?"
"My teacher said that as long as she knows this information, not even you can stop her," Hussein replied, bowing.
"Alright, I understand. Heinrich... really has a lot of courage. Isn't he afraid of getting burned? I hope that girl won't cause any major trouble."
The Pope massaged his temples with a bit of a headache. With a flick of his oversized robe sleeve, a holy symbol appeared in the air.
...
Twenty kilometers outside the holy city, Mirror Lake.
This small lake was located deep within a tranquil forest and got its name because its clear surface was as calm as a mirror. In the past, it used to be a popular area for nearby residents to visit until a few years ago when the holy city suddenly designated the area surrounding Mirror Lake as a "Sanctuary" where idle people were not allowed to enter.
A "Sanctuary" was a temporary forbidden area designated by the church, and it had appeared in history more than once. However, most of the time, it occurred when powerful awakened monsters or demonic creatures needed to be hunted down, and after purification, they would be swiftly lifted. It was rare to see an area designated as a sanctuary for several years like this.
Later, there were rumors of curious or defiant travelers and mercenaries attempting to sneak in without the knowledge of the patrolling holy knights, but they all ended up disappearing without a trace.
In the center of Mirror Lake, there is a small island with nothing else but a simple wooden cottage and a field of flowers.
A young girl, dressed in a white robe, is carefully cultivating a wilted flower at the edge of the flower field while softly singing an ancient ballad.
Suddenly, a shimmering white light flashes ahead, and the girl's singing stops.
"Oh... Finally, some work? Is His Majesty going to use me again? Hmm? He wants me to be careful... Dragon? And the princess who can slay Holy Rank? Oh, wow, this person must be really strong... Amazing!"
