"It's her." Silver stared at the woman ahead. "Never expected to run into her here."

"Who?"

Judging by Silver's reaction, this woman was clearly no ordinary figure. Then again—anyone commanding an army couldn't be insignificant.

"Delira. First Princess of the Bansfaser Empire."

So she was the First Princess. No wonder Wenwu found her vaguely familiar—she was Desmona’s older sister.

"Delira is hailed as the Empire’s strongest Valkyrie. Only Marshal Krest can rival her. They call her the Empire’s Blade."

"The Empire’s Blade?"

"Indeed. Delira commands a third of the Empire’s military forces. Her armies have expanded imperial territory for years. Wherever she marches, victory follows. Half the Empire’s lands were conquered by her blade."

*So Desmona has such a formidable sister.*

"Who’s that man facing her?" Wenwu asked.

"...I don’t know."

*Huh?* Someone holding his own against the "Empire’s strongest Valkyrie" couldn’t be some nobody. Or was Delira’s reputation overblown?

"Is this all you’ve got?" the man sneered.

"Oh?" Delira’s voice turned icy. "You’re already smug when I’ve used only a fraction of my strength?"

"Then show your full power."

"Full power? You’re not worth it."

Delira sheathed her sword.

"Delira, sister—just teach him a lesson. Spare his life. He meant no real offense."

A youth on horseback spoke. His features resembled Desmona’s far more than Delira’s.

"Who’s that rider?" Wenwu asked.

"Earnest. Twin brother of the Second Princess. Third Prince. They say he’s brilliant—the strategist behind Delira’s campaigns. She fights on the front lines; he devises the plans."

*Desmona’s twin brother. No wonder they look alike. A strategist... impressive.*

Delira struck Wenwu as stern and unsmiling. Earnest, however, seemed gentle and approachable—unlike either sister.

"Earnest. I don’t need lessons in conduct."

Delira dismissed his advice coldly. Earnest could only force an awkward smile.

*Temper-wise, Desmona and Delira truly are sisters.*

"What? Sheathing your sword? Surrendering?" the youth taunted.

"Hmph." Delira’s scoff dripped contempt. "Arrogant fool."

She gripped her hilt, body coiling low like a tiger poised to pounce.

In a flash, she drew her blade—horizontal slash—then resheathed it. The entire motion lasted less than a second.

The youth reacted swiftly. Not knowing the strike’s true power, he erected a fire shield the moment her sword cleared its scabbard.

But he instantly grasped the gulf between them. His shield shattered in under a second. A sword wound split his chest.

"Incredible," Wenwu breathed. Delira’s draw-cut had cleaved a perfect semicircle ten meters wide. Trees toppled on either side. *If she’d held back any less, he’d be dead. At full power, even I’d be collateral damage.*

"Heh heh heh... HAHAHA! Good! Now you’re worth fighting!" The youth’s face burned with excitement.

"Oh?" Delira’s eyes locked onto him. "I’m starting to look forward to your next move."

"Ooooh—" The youth growled low. Flames erupted around his body.

***BOOM!***

A deafening blast. White smoke billowed from where he’d stood.

*Huh? Self-destruct? That’s his ultimate move?* Wenwu almost laughed. The smoke cleared—Delira stood untouched.

She flicked her sword. A gust of wind scattered the haze.

Gone. The youth had vanished. Wenwu sighed inwardly. *All that bluster... then poof.*

"Hmph. Mere rat." Delira mounted her horse. "Move out."

The army advanced.

"Sister Delira knew he was a rat, yet fought so seriously?" Earnest teased.

"Mind your tongue. Silence."

"Yes, yes. As you command." Earnest grinned. "Say... haven’t you noticed anything?"

"Testing me?"

"Of course not. Though... if even I spotted it, how could Sister Delira miss it?"

"Three mice hiding in the bushes. Not worth my attention."

"As you say."

Only after the army vanished did Wenwu emerge from the shrubs. "Desmona’s sister is terrifyingly strong. But her twin brother’s personality... completely different from hers."

"Master, they’re long gone. We should hurry. Else we’ll sleep under the stars again." Silver urged.

"Right. Silver—how long to the next country?"

"We’re already in Oceanland’s territory."

"Huh?"

"The canyon we crossed marks the border between Oceanland and the Bansfaser Empire. Armies can’t traverse it—that’s why Oceanland remains independent. Though it’s just a small nation."

*Perfect. Neutral small states are easiest to sway.*

"Does it border the sea? Hence the name?" Wenwu asked.

"Oceanland has no coastline. But legends say this land was once all ocean. The name just... stuck."

By dusk, Wenwu reached Oceanland’s city gates.

"Silver," he called out, "you said Oceanland was a neutral small state. Then why is the Bansfaser Empire’s flag flying on the walls?"