He looked up at the torrential rain that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, pouring down with unrestrained force.
Then he lowered his gaze to the villagers cheering joyfully in the rain, as if reborn.
Finally, his eyes locked firmly onto the slender silver-haired figure standing within the curtain of rain, as if she held the power of heaven and earth within her.
Raindrops soaked his meticulously combed hair, trickling down his temples, but he was completely unaware.
His face was filled with utter shock, disbelief, and a bewilderment born from a complete upheaval of his understanding.
He had witnessed a miracle with his own eyes! This was beyond any known magic or alchemy!
This was truly… the power of creating rules!
“One person… can stand against thousands of troops…”
Otto muttered absentmindedly, repeating the words Fredrika had once told him, words he had once scoffed at.
Only now did he truly comprehend the profound vision behind the Empress’s seemingly mad decision!
This woman before him herself… was a “strategic weapon” powerful enough to change the fate of the nation!
Compared to such power, what were three fortresses… really?
At this moment, all of Otto’s previous contempt and calculations about Eileen were completely washed away by the relentless rain, leaving only deep reverence and a brand-new evaluation.
*****
Eileen’s reputation as the “Rain Summoning Saintess” spread like wings, swiftly traveling among the northern villages and towns of the Empire with the progress of their caravan.
Otto’s attitude underwent a complete transformation.
He was no longer just an “escort” but took on the role of an active guide and promoter.
Every time they passed a village suffering from drought or poor soil, he would proactively ask Eileen if she was willing to help.
Though Eileen was well aware of Otto’s “attentiveness,” seeing the Empire’s common folk struggling in hardship made it impossible for her to turn away cruelly.
Each time she summoned the power of the “Miracle Weaver,” fatigue gnawed at her, but seeing the parched land revive and hope return to despairing faces made that exhaustion worthwhile.
“… I just can’t turn my back on those in need.”
After one rain summoning, Eileen sat inside the carriage, rubbing her slightly swollen temples and said self-mockingly.
“The master is always like this.” Lilisa responded softly, pure admiration shining in her eyes.
“That’s the Eileen we know!” Helga set down her notebook with certainty. “It’d be strange if you just let people die!”
Serena, sword in hand, coolly interjected: “If you weren’t like this, you wouldn’t be Eileen! But… if someone uses you again next time, I’m going to beat them up!”
She glanced pointedly at Otto’s figure outside the carriage.
Her companions’ words warmed Eileen’s heart, dispelling much of the heaviness and loneliness from the journey.
Several days later, the caravan arrived at a picturesque but sparsely inhabited valley.
At noon, Otto ordered a rest and lunch break by a mountain stream. Soldiers dismounted one after another, taking out their rations and fetching water from the clear stream to quench their thirst.
Eileen and the others sat on a clean rock by the creek, enjoying the exquisite boxed meals prepared by Leila.
The mountain breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees — a rare moment of peace.
Yet this tranquility was short-lived.
Suddenly, the soldiers on perimeter watch, after drinking from the stream, began to stagger, their eyes glazed over. One by one, they collapsed to the ground as if their bones had been drained of strength!
“Toxic! The water’s poisoned!” a soldier shouted before losing consciousness.
Otto immediately reacted, his face turning pale. “Guards! Protect Miss Eileen!”
His personal guards swiftly drew their swords and formed a circle around her, but many of them also showed signs of weakness — clearly they had also drunk the poisoned water!
Since their food was carried themselves, the only possibility was that someone had tampered with the water!
Almost at the same moment the soldiers raised the alarm, dozens of shadowy figures shot out silently like phantoms from the dense forest on both sides of the valley slopes!
Clad in black tight garments with masks covering their faces except for their eyes, their movements were swift and soundless, their target unmistakably clear — straight for Eileen, guarded at the center!
“Brazen scoundrels! Who are you?!” Otto shouted in shock and anger, demanding fiercely.
Though old, he had been a valiant knight in his youth and now unhesitatingly drew his sword, stepping forward to block the assassins. “Miss Eileen, run! I’ll hold them off!”
His voice was loud, carrying a resolute will to die.
However, Eileen’s reaction caught everyone completely off guard.
“No need to worry, Chancellor.” Her voice was calm, devoid of any ripples, as her golden eyes swept over the rapidly approaching assassins like they were insignificant flies. “Mere petty thieves, nothing to fear.”
Before they could react, Eileen moved!
Her motions were not the explosive charges or blocks of a warrior but were like willow catkins drifting in the wind, like butterflies weaving through flowers!
Her steps were light and seemingly casual yet profoundly mysterious, her body swaying, sidestepping, and retreating within a tiny area in an unbelievable manner!
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Several poisoned darts brushed past her clothing without touching it! Two assassins at the front, determined to strike, were effortlessly avoided by Eileen with millimeter precision, as if she had foreseen their moves!
The blade winds only ruffled a few strands of her silver hair!
“How is this possible?!” The leader’s eyes flashed with horror — their target showed no signs of combat spirit or magical aura!
At the instant the assassins hesitated from their failed attacks, Eileen raised her hand.
On her slender fingers was a seemingly ordinary ring, inlaid with tiny sapphires.
She didn’t chant any incantation but lightly flicked her hand toward the attackers.
Hum!
An invisible magical repulsion field burst forth!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Several assassins at the front were struck in the chest by an unseen hammer, flying backward with screams, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting blood, instantly incapacitated!
“Magic ring?!” The leader’s pupils constricted sharply, but he did not stop the assault. “Attack together! Take her down!”
The remaining assassins lunged more fiercely, their blades flashing and casting shadows over Eileen.
Yet, with her strange footwork and the ring’s instant activation, Eileen danced on the very edge of the blades!
Every dodge was perfect, every counterattack precise and effective! She was like a graceful yet deadly dancer, calmly weaving through the blades of death, single-handedly holding off a dozen elite assassins!
Otto and the remaining guards watched dumbfounded! This was no longer combat — it was a performance that upended all their understanding… a taunting game filled with artistry!
Miss Eileen had no “power” like warriors or mages should have, yet she used her incredible evasion and powerful magic artifact to withstand the onslaught!
“Damn it! Wrong intel! Retreat!” The assassin leader saw they could not break through after prolonged fighting, suffered heavy losses, and their drug effects were fading. He decisively ordered a withdrawal!
However, just as the assassins prepared to retreat into the forest, a cold voice sounded behind them like a death sentence:
“Trying to leave? Did you ask my sword first?”
Serena, who possessed the passive skill of a Hero, was far from downed by drugs. Her crimson eyes burned fiercely with suppressed rage.
These were clearly no mere bandits but a premeditated ambush!
“Break through!” The assassin leader bit his lip and ordered a desperate charge.
A brief but fierce skirmish erupted. Serena, like a tiger among sheep, unleashed deadly silver blades, swiftly taking down several enemies.
Seeing no hope of escape, the remaining assassins’ eyes flashed with grim resolve.
“For…!” The leader roared, biting down on a poison pouch hidden between his teeth. The others followed suit!
Over a dozen bodies collapsed almost simultaneously, black blood oozing from their mouths as they instantly died!
Everything happened too fast — from the assassins’ appearance to their mass suicide, only a few minutes passed.
Otto’s face darkened as he ordered the able guards to carefully search each corpse.
“Search! Look for anything that can prove their identities! Don’t miss any clue!”
Yet the results were disappointing.
Aside from shoddy standardized weapons and black gear, the assassins bore no insignia, letters, tattoos, nor any distinct markings. Even their poisons were common types found on the market, impossible to trace!
It was as if they had never existed at all.
“No clues whatsoever…” Otto frowned, looking toward Eileen, whose robe was being tidied by Leila, and said gravely, “Miss Eileen, you’ve been startled. These people… clearly came for you!”
“For me?” Eileen furrowed her delicate brows, confusion and puzzlement flashing in her golden eyes. “I have no grievances or enemies within the Empire. Who would go to such lengths to assassinate me?”
She even cast a suspicious glance at Otto. “Could it be your political rivals, Chancellor, mistaking me for an important ally of yours?”
Otto shook his head bitterly, his expression grave. “Impossible. Their target was crystal clear; the entire attack revolved around you. I was just collateral to stop them. Moreover, your reputation as the ‘Rain Summoning Saintess’ is spreading in the northern border. I’m afraid… it has already touched certain nerves or interests.”
A cold gleam flickered in his eyes. “This matter must be thoroughly investigated! Rest assured, Miss Eileen, before we reach the imperial capital, I will strengthen your protection. No more scoundrels will get the chance!”
Eileen nodded but felt a shadow fall over her heart.
The journey to the Empire would indeed be far from peaceful. This sudden assassination attempt was like a stone cast into a calm lake, signaling unknown hostilities lurking in the unfathomable whirlpool of power in the imperial capital.
The caravan resumed its journey, the atmosphere growing tense and vigilant. Ahead of them, the outline of the Empire’s northern border’s first major city — Blackrock City — faintly appeared on the horizon.
Portland City, the choke point guarding the Empire’s northern border routes leading to the central plains, stood firm.
Its walls were built from locally sourced obsidian, tall and sturdy, gleaming with a cold metallic luster under the setting sun like a crouching giant beast.
Within the city, deep in the lord’s mansion, in a dimly lit study…
“Count, the operation in Greystone Valley… failed.”
A figure cloaked entirely in black robes knelt on one knee, his voice low and hoarse.
Behind the desk, a middle-aged man of somewhat corpulent build, dressed in a luxurious sleeping robe — Ulysses, Count of Portland — toyed with a large ruby ring on his finger. Upon hearing the report, he paused, the flesh on his face twitching slightly.
“Failed?” His voice carried a trace of displeased laziness. “Is Otto’s guard really that troublesome? How many returned?”
The black-robed figure hesitated, then said, “… Not a single one…”
“What?” The Count was stunned, frowning. “Those were my trained elite. None survived and escaped…”
In the past, Fredrika had no weaknesses. Under the iron-fisted purge of the Empress, the Empire’s feudal lords and noble factions were utterly crushed, their regional powers decimated and silent, unable to raise their heads.
Yet this Empress, diligent and prosperous, made it impossible for the Count and other suppressed noble factions to find her flaws.
Did this woman truly have no weaknesses?
The nobles, enduring and patient, had finally found a crack in Fredrika’s armor!
Trading three fortresses for one woman? How could they let that pass! Yet recently, rumors of the “Miracle Saintess” frequently surfaced at the border. The continuous droughts in several border territories had been resolved by this woman!
This made the Count’s plans falter. What now?
Since Fredrika was willing to exchange three fortresses and a chance to destroy a kingdom for this woman, it meant she must hold a crucial position in her heart!
If they could kidnap her, they could use her to tie Fredrika’s hands!
Yes, the plan was beautiful, but reality was far from perfect.
The kidnapping mission failed.
This immediately left the Count at a loss. He frowned deeply, troubled.
The shadow lifted its head, murky eyes fixed on Ulysses and proposed: “Why not act within the city?”
“No!” The Count shook his head. “If we make a move inside the city, Otto will be here. Openly attacking the Empire’s Chancellor would be tantamount to treason, giving Fredrika ample excuse to dispatch punitive forces.”
The shadow was left speechless — this wouldn’t work, that wouldn’t work. What to do now?
The Count sighed deeply, sinking back into his chair.
“… We must take it slow. No rush. The opportunity will come.”