The conversation in the meeting room continued until evening before ending with a soft click as the door was opened again.
Climb stood even straighter, turned slightly, and looked at the beautiful figure who was the first to catch his eye, a yellow gem pendant adorning her forehead. He bowed respectfully, "Your Highness, Princess."
"Thank you for your hard work, Climb," Princess Renner said gently, her voice carrying a hint of apology. "I didn't expect our discussion to last so long, making you wait outside until now."
"This is what I should be doing!" Climb replied earnestly, his voice rising slightly, deeply moved. He didn't feel it was hard work at all. Being able to protect the Princess and stand by her side was the greatest honor he could imagine.
Renners, dressed in loose-fitting combat attire with her golden ponytail trailing behind her, watched Princess Renner, who seemed to be teasing Climb, with a calm expression.
Teasing? Yes! It was like those detestable, decadent noble youths who displayed a false sense of familiarity towards those of lower status. Or perhaps, that wasn't quite right... it wasn't entirely a pretense, more like a peculiar kind of "liking."
Beside Renners followed an elder with slightly graying hair, wearing a magic robe, and maintaining a stern expression. This was Uldrein, the Guild Master of the Magic Caster Guild's headquarters in the Royal Capital! The elder, who appeared serious, had the wrinkles around his eyes visibly soften slightly. Perhaps he was trying to hide it, but his mood seemed to be quite good. As Guild Master, Uldrein himself escorted Princess Renner and the others to the entrance of the Magic Caster Guild.
Rumble— rumble—
A luxurious carriage traveled along the main street of the Royal Capital. Inside the carriage, Climb sat upright, breathing in the two distinct fragrances in the air, his heart beating with determination.
"Princess, Guild Master Uldrein's attitude wasn't exactly clear," Renners stated plainly, her arms crossed. Princess Renner's sudden visit to the Magic Caster Guild was motivated by her desire to add a Magic Caster squad to the troops Renners was forming. Renners did not oppose this decision. As a former citizen of the Bahharuth Empire, she understood the value of Magic Casters better than most in the Kingdom. The Kingdom revered knightly culture and paid little attention to Magic Casters. Some ignorant minor nobles even dismissed magic as a vulgar trick. Such ignorance made Renners find it laughable, and she strongly agreed with her master's assessment of the Re-Estize Kingdom – it was a nation on the verge of decay!
However, ordinary Magic Casters couldn't significantly bolster an army, and powerful Magic Casters likely wouldn't choose to join the military. This was the reason for their visit to the Magic Caster Guild. Yet, Renners didn't believe this matter would be easily resolved. While the Magic Caster Guild didn't have all the regulations of the Adventurer's Guild, they also wouldn't interfere in wars between nations.
"He will agree," Princess Renner replied with her usual gentle grace, her delicate hands resting on her knees. Meeting Renners' questioning gaze, a smile flickered in her blue eyes. "The creation of magic items is generally handled by the Magic Caster Guild, but they have another, more important responsibility."
"Responsibility?"
"Yes, it's the cultivation of Magic Casters." Princess Renner's gentle smile remained unchanged. "Because the nation looks down upon magic due to tradition, the Magic Caster Guild receives no funding or aid from the state."
Renners' eyes shifted slightly, and she began to understand Princess Renner's objective.
"It seems you've figured it out, Renners," Princess Renner's smile deepened. "If the warrior band you've assembled achieves victory on the battlefield against the Empire in two months, demonstrating the value of Magic Casters."
"That would be tremendous publicity for the underappreciated Magic Caster Guild. It's a deal they can't refuse."
"It's just..." Renners frowned slightly.
"You're worried about Father and those nobles, aren't you?" Princess Renner gently shook her head. "You yourself are from the Bahharuth Empire, where Magic Casters are highly regarded."
"If someone else from the Kingdom did this, they would undoubtedly face criticism, but you won't."
"Is that so?" Renners tapped her finger lightly, feeling a slight headache. What she was truly concerned about wasn't this. It was why Princess Renner was so certain they would win their upcoming encounter with the Empire in a few months. She and Gazef had each formed their own legions, and their objectives were obvious. She didn't believe the Bloody Emperor of the Bahharuth Empire was oblivious to this. The upcoming clash between the two nations would surely be different from past encounters. Renners herself lacked complete confidence, yet she couldn't bring herself to voice it.
Princess Renner's beautiful eyes curved slightly like crescent moons, a smile gracing her lips. She understood Renners' concerns but didn't pay them much mind.
The outcome was already decided; that man wouldn't let Renners lose.
Seeing the worry on Renners' face, it seemed she didn't have a clear understanding of that man's strength.
He was capable of orchestrating the incident in the hills!
Under the combined might of the Slane Theocracy, the Holy Kingdom, and Zuranon, he had managed to retreat unharmed and even profit from it.
Princess Renner vaguely suspected his strength was no less than that of the Bahharuth Empire's Guardian Deity.
In fact.
Her most fundamental reason for contacting the Magic Caster Guild wasn't for these trivial matters; they were just a side benefit.
During their previous exchange.
Princess Renner had noticed that the man seemed to have some interest in the Magic Caster Guild and planned to make contact after the conflict with the Bahharuth Empire concluded.
Since she knew the man's intentions.
Princess Renner naturally had to make arrangements in advance to prove her own worth. With this thought, a hint of a smile flickered in her curved, beautiful eyes.
"Your Highness."
Climb hesitated when he saw the Princess and Lord Renners finish their conversation, then spoke respectfully.
The sudden sound.
Caused both Princess Renner and Renners to look towards the source. Compared to the expressionless Renners.
"Climb, what is it?"
Princess Renner's face was full of gentleness as she blinked her innocent, pure eyes and asked kindly.
"I was wondering, I was wondering if I could join the legion being formed by Lord Renners and participate in the upcoming battle against the Empire."
Climb gathered his courage and spoke loudly.
He didn't know why this idea had suddenly popped into his head, but he felt it might help the Princess.
Upon hearing this.
Renners glanced at Climb in surprise, her peripheral vision drifting towards Princess Renner beside her.
"Can you tell me why?"
A soft voice inquired.
"It's like this..." Climb looked up, intending to explain to Princess Renner, but his voice caught in his throat the next moment, leaving him flustered and at a loss for words.
Behold!
Princess Renner's face was filled with sadness, crystalline tears welling up in her blue eyes, looking as if she were about to cry at any moment.
"Princess, Princess, that..."
Climb became more flustered than ever, jumping to his feet and nearly hitting the carriage ceiling, completely in a state of disarray.
"Didn't you promise me you would always protect me?"
Princess Renner sobbed softly, her voice full of sorrow, as a tear traced a path from the corner of her eye down her fair, delicate cheek.
"Yes!"
Climb responded, his voice hoarse and panicked. He felt his heart shattering and quickly knelt on the ground.
Renners looked at the flustered Climb, then at the softly sobbing Princess Renner, her shoulders shrinking back, her eye twitching.
Slane Theocracy.
Theocracy Capital.
"Four Elements" emerged from the church, holding his staff, his expression weary.
As the representative chosen by the Theocracy to conduct the first transaction with the Captain of the "Free Will" Adventurer Team, Tang.
He was the one who traveled to the Abelion Hills to handle the transaction for the "Integration Potion."
It had been a memorable and unpleasant trip!
The Abelion Hills had once been the territory of demi-humans, and even a strong individual like himself had to tread carefully in such a place.
If that were all.
For such a crucial transaction, one that concerned the survival of humanity, that Lord Tang had never once appeared throughout the entire process.
What was even more infuriating and worrying!
The entire transaction had been handled by a demi-human named "Cui Ye," which was deeply unsettling.
"Yo."
A somewhat impatient, yawning greeting sounded from ahead.
"Four Elements" looked up in the direction of the voice, his eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. "Clementine?"
"You took a long time to report. I've been waiting for you."
Clementine greeted him with a cheerful smile. She pushed off the wall she was leaning against and walked lightly ahead, waving her hand.
"Someone wants to see you."
"Four Elements'" expression changed drastically. His eyes flickered with uncertainty before he lowered his head and followed.
They walked through the corridor, arriving at the depths of the holy capital.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Fast afterimages moved rapidly on a distant training ground. Her twin-scythes swung, the black blades slicing through the air like shadows.
They emitted a sharp, piercing sound!
"Four Elements" and Clementine stood at the edge of the training ground, their breathing involuntarily quickening.
It was just simple training.
Yet, the oppressive aura emanating from that figure caused the two "Heroes" to break out in a fine sweat on their foreheads without even realizing it.
This is terrifying!
The stronger they were, the more they could sense the terrifying power contained within that figure, who casually swung her weapons and moved so quickly.
Facing such a powerful individual, they would likely be dealt with in a single exchange!
Clementine collected herself, unconsciously comparing herself to that man, but found no results.
Compared to them.
The gap in their strength was too vast. It was like an ant, no matter how much it imagined, could never comprehend the power of an elephant.
"Four Elements'" face turned somewhat pale. He wasn't sure why this person had suddenly summoned him.
A primal fear.
Made "Four Elements" fall into wild speculation. Suddenly, the movements on the training ground stopped. He instinctively lowered his head.
It was like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, not wanting to be noticed by a terrifying beast. In reality, the exposed upper half of its body would only become more conspicuous and ridiculous.
Killing Death lightly tapped the ground with her feet, her agile figure leaping into the air like a spring. She then landed in front of Clementine and "Four Elements."
"You've arrived."
Killing Death lazily raised her twin-scythes and slung them over her shoulder. "Want to spar?"
After the recent training.
Not only was there not a drop of sweat on her body, but her breathing hadn't even changed. That level of training couldn't even be called a warm-up.
Spar?
Clementine and "Four Elements'" bodies tensed abruptly, fear and nervousness showing in their eyes.
Are you kidding me!
If they agreed, they would only be beaten up. Even if healing magic could mend their injuries, the pain of the process was unforgettable.
"Never mind."
Seeing their reactions, Killing Death said indifferently, a hint of boredom in her voice. But the hand holding her twin-scythes tightened.
Not having a true strong opponent to fight was also a form of suffering.
Perhaps that guy was worth going all out for... Father... what a laughable title.
"Are you entering your melancholic phase?" Killing Death didn't mind the two in front of her hearing her self-talk.
Clementine and "Four Elements" remained expressionless, their heads respectfully lowered.
"Right, why did they send you?" Killing Death suddenly asked.
"Four Elements" naturally knew she was asking him. Although he was inwardly puzzled as to why Killing Death would care about this matter, he answered truthfully.
"Perhaps it's because I know some of the inside story."
"Four Elements" said respectfully, "Furthermore, the value of the 'Integration Potion' is extremely high. To be safe, it was handled by members of our [Darkness Scripture], which offers more security."
"Within the entire Scripture team, only myself and 'Infinite Mana' have mastered teleportation magic. You also know 'Infinite Mana's' personality."
He paused here.
"Four Elements" let out a soft sigh. It seemed this wasn't something he needed to worry about.
The coordinate points were specifically left behind for this trip to the Abelion Hills, so that they could use 'Teleport' magic to travel back and forth for the 'Integration Potion' transaction, ensuring safety.
"Tell me what you saw?" Killing Death asked lazily, as if casually asking out of boredom.
"Four Elements" naturally dared not answer carelessly. Although the High Priest had forbidden him from disclosing any related matters.
However, Killing Death's position in the entire Theocracy was very special. Moreover, he didn't want to be beaten up for no reason, so he honestly recounted the entire process.
Killing Death nodded, then waved her hand. "I understand. Next time, when you go to the hills again, let me know."
"Yes!"
"Four Elements" was a little surprised and nodded respectfully in response.
Killing Death turned and returned to the training ground, thinking of how Tang had slipped away from her last time, and let out a soft hum.
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