In the Lyata Family mansion, a new holy relic had appeared—the kiss of rebirth.
Alice carefully preserved it, while the butler had a replica made and hung it on the wall of the main hall, replacing the moldy elk head.
Regarding Mil's three years of missing wages, he had only managed to reclaim one month's worth from Alice so far...
To be precise, it was 21 and a half days.
However, Mil no longer had time to dwell on this; yesterday afternoon, First Prince Otto met with Pope Innocent IV.
Both sides fully exchanged views and reached a consensus in multiple areas...
And today, after breakfast, Mil was to see the First Prince off.
"Alice, you and the Holy Knights, have you already discussed everything?"
"Yes, this time the First, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Regiments of the Holy Knights will be responsible for the escort. Before nightfall, the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Regiments will leave the formation and rendezvous with the Second Regiment for an ambush."
"Are you sure these forces can deal with those Werewolves?"
"No problem, everyone has been equipped with silver swords, and training against Werewolves has been conducted."
Seeing Alice's confidence, Mil put on his priestly robes and set off.
In truth, Mil could guess that Alice's plan was approved, likely with the Pope's implicit consent behind it;
After all, the Pope was not satisfied with this transaction.
...
Outside the city gate, the lingering night was slightly cold...
The first ray of morning light focused on the tip of the watchtower, scattering dazzling brilliance;
Morning mist condensed into ice crystals on the leaves, frost flowers covered the surface of the iron armor, and the white breath from the horses' nostrils intertwined with the dust in the morning light, forming pillars of light.
Countless flags fluttered in the wind, making rustling sounds, as Holy Knights and Royal Knights prepared their equipment, gleaming silver from afar.
The Church's priests sprinkled holy water and chanted lengthy scriptures, offering prayers and blessings for their departure.
It was said that the Undead army front had been at a ceasefire for a long time...
Due to Diana's interference, Mil finally got to meet two Undead—
The tall and mighty Skeleton Knight, Siegfried, and the cold and proud Blood Clan Princess, Isabella.
Unfortunately, neither of them looked at Mil with much friendliness.
"Mil..."
A soft call sounded in his ear, and Mil turned to see Diana, her face slightly flushed.
"Good morning, Your Highness Diana."
"Can you be like before? Just call me Diana."
"Alright, Your Fourth Highness."
Mil smiled.
But Diana frowned, her pair of icy blue eyes trembling slightly, the sunlight outlining her delicate facial features;
The exquisite and intricate iris patterns on her armor reflected onto his cheek under the sunlight.
"Don't be like this... I apologize for what happened back then. You can tell me any dissatisfaction you have. Or if you have any requests, you can make them, and I will try my best to fulfill them."
"Does Your Highness think I am such a petty person? That small matter from back then has long been forgotten."
Mil shrugged, his words unchanged.
He wasn't lying; he truly couldn't remember it clearly. Ever since his past life's memories awakened, he felt his personality had been somewhat corrected.
As for what they talked about—confessions, magic tides, childhood sweethearts—it was like asking what kind of dinner he had eaten six months ago on a certain afternoon?
After hearing these words, Diana didn't know how to speak. After a long time, she found a topic:
"This time, stay in the capital for a few days! Father and Mother also want to see you very much."
Just then, a long horn blast sounded—
"Toot—!"
Mil turned and got into the Church's carriage, pulling down the curtain.
The operation was to begin at night, and there was still plenty of time. Sitting in the swaying carriage, Mil soon drifted into a dream...
Among the complex system of noble titles, the "Palace Earl" was the most special, also known as the Royal Earl.
Their status was equivalent to a Marquis, they were the Emperor's confidants, responsible for managing the royal palaces in other parts of the Empire's territory.
Alice's grandfather, the Jellahe Palace Earl, was one of them...
Jellahe Palace, located on the far northern peninsula, was the administrative center of the Empire eight years ago, and also where Mil grew up.
Mil and Diana had "known" each other since infancy, but from the time he could remember, Mil's impression of her seemed to be only her obsession with swordsmanship...
Her naturally curly long hair was tied into a high ponytail, like grapes hanging in a southern vineyard.
Her agile figure and moist eyes captivated countless boys from a young age, yet they kept their distance, only knowing how to use comical means to attract her attention.
Her only friend in childhood was Mil, but because of this, Mil was isolated by others...
However, Diana only had eyes for swords; she never considered the importance of friends and friendship. It seemed she didn't really need them?
But playing was every child's nature, and Diana selectively forgot a lot—the sweat and laughter spilled during chasing and playing.
By the time she recalled it, it had already become a distant memory.
Diana possessed an almost terrifying talent for swordsmanship...
At seven years old, she could use her agile movements to overcome differences in strength and suppress adult swordsmen.
The passion for challenge was etched into her bones, little by little...
Until the Royal Hunt that year, disregarding all warnings, she ventured alone into the forest, even fantasizing about winning the top prize in the hunt.
However, the surging magic tide came without any warning; a torrential downpour turned the forest into a maze, and rampant magical beasts transformed this maze into a hell.
The snake venom spread throughout her body bit by bit, her movements becoming slower and slower, her vision gradually blurring...
That was the first time she felt like crying, the first time she experienced what it felt like for life to enter a countdown.
As she was about to be overtaken by the magical beasts behind her, she finally saw the Royal Knights who had come to find her...
But she watched helplessly as sharp claws easily tore through thick armor, and flesh was devoured.
She desperately ran to the river and saw a distressed maid being tackled by a group of Goblins, her head smashed by a stone hammer.
The chivalry that had permeated her entire childhood could not support her in gripping her sword and upholding her vow to protect the weak...
The ground began to tremble, and hundreds of meters long burrowing worms, one after another, awoke, turning everything upside down.
Just as her legs refused to obey, and she was about to collapse...
Mil appeared before her.
Diana had cried a total of two times from birth until now: once when she was just born, and the other time when she was lying on Mil's back.
The raging magical beasts around them seemed to have more important targets, and Mil, seemingly dodging, actually moved unimpeded all the way.
He even returned to Jellahe Palace, had the snake venom cured, and ate dinner.
From that day on, Diana realized her weakness and became even more diligent and obsessed with swordsmanship training.
She firmly believed that as long as she worked hard, the next time she experienced a magic tide, she would surely carve out a bloody path, and if she met Mil...
She would definitely get out before him!
At least, that's what she thought when she was little.