The fourth legion was, by all extents and purposes, both weaker, less equipped, and poorly disciplined when compared to other forces of Valar, yet they were his pride and joy despite previous acts of barbarity.
The new queen had already taken those who raped and severely punished them, yet he considered it a rather draconian punishment.
It was always a shame to lose a promising soldier, even if his temper was less than desirable.
However, what the ruler said went. If Aurelia, who now had the support of the great hero, said that the soldier could no longer serve, then it was to be so.
He had been loyal to the former princess and had fully planned to be. While his wish to obtain more political power came true as Aurelia trusted him, it was not as grandiose as he expected.
Despite the fact that he was close to the queen, his influence only marginally increased.
"No Matter." He muttered as his gaze fell on the horizon. Salac was rather small and weak compared to both Zigurat and Valar; it could barely be called a kingdom. It was more of a free city with a large territory than a vast kingdom.
Thus, his fourth legion would have no issue taking over.
Yet, although even his legion could overwhelm the kingdom, Aurelia had granted him support of a Principality-class Angel.
He turned to his side to find a girl with flowing long hair and white eyes who floated nonchalantly as she hummed.
"Scarlet, are you sure you do not want a horse?"
"Nah, don't need one. I am a superior being after all~" Scarlet grinned as she spun in the air.
'Can't really deny it.' Grahm sighed. The Angels that Cedric and, to a lesser extent, Aurelia were able to summon were indeed superior to humans in all manners.
Yet, despite it, he did not like anyone calling themselves a superior being. He had had enough of corrupt nobility using such language.
"Scarlet... you might be more powerful, but consider Aurelia's orders."
Scarlet's eyes widened as she jumped on the horse right behind Grahm.
"You are right, Mother would be disappointed if I acted like I am someone superior while I am supposed to guard your little legion." Scarlet grinned as her horse caught up to Grahm's.
Unlike her sisters, who were sent to Zigurat, she was unlikely to fight anyone powerful. Salac would follow the steps of the fourth legion, marching to the gates, and then their ruler would surrender.
Overall, she was incredibly bored.
'I want to do something, at least!' She groaned.
Despite that, she could not leave Grahm alone. Salac's army was unlikely to be able to do anything against even the fourth legion, yet her order was to stand close and protect them.
Boredom was something she just had to deal with, even if she hated every moment of it.
She leaned back and stared at the sky. Mother's grace shone upon her, and so she had to show the admiration the mother's creation deserved.
On the horizon, the ragged walls of Salac could be clearly seen. They were made of stone, yet they were weathered and cracked. It was a city not meant for the defense of a powerful military force.
"Scarlet, please do not do anything rash. Let us talk to them. Their king was always a reasonable man."
"Come on, grandpa, I am not a berserker like Livia, I will be a good girl and only kill them if they misbehave."
"Grandpa..."
"Don't worry about it. Let's just ride up to the city and take it in the name of my Mother!" She adjusted herself and hit the reins of her steed.
After what seemed to be ten minutes of riding, they reached the gates of the city. The walls were a lot smaller than even Zigurat's, and their quality was shabby at best.
"Alright, I and Scarlet will ride in and talk to their king. Once surrender is announced, we will start the process of annexation."
With a nod, the vanguard retreated, leaving the duo alone.
"Again, I beg of you not to kill someone without a reason."
"Don't you worry, grandpa. I am your loyal and silent guard."
"Again, I might be old, but it's incredibly disrespectful to refer to your superior that way."
"Ah~!" She clapped with her hands, "What about, Glorious General GramGram?"
"You know what? Just stick to grandpa..." Grahm sighed.
"Got it~" They approached the gate before being stopped by a guard. He wore chainmail armor with a steel helmet that covered his face. In his hand, he held a simple spear that he pointed at the duo with a shaky grip.
"State your purpose!" His grip tightened as his gaze wandered to the carefree Principality.
"I am general Grahm of the Fourth legion. I am here to meet with your ruler." Grahm spoke calmly and with no intention to scare the man.
"And I am Scarlet, I am here to guard this grandpa."
Grahm's gaze snapped to Scarlet before turning back to the guard. "Lead us to where we can speak to the rulers, or else."
His threat was not empty; the entirety of the fourth legion would descend upon the city if his demands were refused.
For a moment, the guard stared at the duo before sighing and pulling back his weapon. "I will call my superior. Please follow me."
He gestured for the duo to follow him; as Scarlet and Grahm entered the city, a completely different scene greeted them.
While the walls were old and well on their way to being eroded by the tooth of time, the city proper was as beautiful as Valar was. The path was paved with cut stone, and the buildings were made of the finest lumber and marble.
"Ha, I guess we can't judge it just from its wall, huh, Grandpa?"
Grahm smiled for a moment. He had expected Salac to be rather horrible when it came to living conditions, yet it seemed to be the opposite.
The humans moved up and down the paths; some stalls were set up to trade goods.
"It seems you would be right, Scarlet."