Chapter 152: Returning to Harbor City Again

“Go to Harbor City for a look? Sure.”

Vina was the first to agree.

“I think it’s a good idea.”

After being dragged back to the Magic Court this time, her elders assigned her some homework, saying, since you have nothing important to do, study properly.

But if it’s a business trip to Harbor City, let the homework go to hell.

Leah also nodded.

“The chapel branch in Harbor City has been completed. I should inspect it.”

“I’m fine with anything.”

Zero said.

“I’ll go with whatever you all decide.”

After all, she didn’t have her own Dragon Hawk, so she just sat behind the pink-haired girl—wherever Ayla went, she went.

“Then it’s settled.”

Ayla stood up, slapped her small hand down, and made the decision.

“Let’s prepare for a few days, pack up, and set off when we’re ready. I calculated—taking a carriage used to take three days, but now with a Dragon Hawk, it’s less than half a day.”

The revolution of vehicles is great.

The hero party should have switched to flying things a long time ago.

It took several days to reach Lilburg, several more to reach Harbor City.

The Demon King’s time is precious.

Since the next step was decided, the girls each began to prepare.

Leah returned to the chapel and wrote herself a mandate, stating that the Saintess represented the Church Headquarters, visiting the newly established branch for inspection.

She didn’t just go empty-handed.

She also brought a meeting gift—a small Sun Disk taken from the chapel’s altar.

Such a small disk was just a corner ornament at the Headquarters in the Capital, but in Harbor City, it was a treasure worthy of enshrinement.

Ayla followed her, a little curious.

“Does this thing have any real effect?”

“Yes.”

Leah nodded.

“A Sacred Relic is the aggregation of faith and serves as a beacon. Of course, some high-ranking clergy can act as beacons themselves.”

As she said this, she proudly puffed out her bright, righteous chest.

A humanoid beacon—she herself was one.

“Amazing.”

Ayla exclaimed.

This time, it wasn’t perfunctory—it was sincere.

After all, this “beacon” had just brought down the Goddess’ Blessing and saved her life.

Other than that, Vina had nothing to prepare, so she just stuffed some snacks into her bag.

Zero focused on practicality, placing some dry food and water in her backpack.

Only Celes hesitated before departing, but in the end, she brought along all five remaining swords.

Since she hadn’t found a weapon to her liking, she might as well bring more consumables.

“We’re off~”

The Dragon Hawk soared across the sky.

What took a carriage three days now only required a few hours flying.

Departing from the Royal Capital in the central-northern part of the Kingdom, they flew over plains and hills until the blue sea came into view.

After several months, the girls once again arrived at Harbor City—the city they had saved with their own hands.

Remembering the day they left, Harbor City had just separated from the Sea Demon Tribe.

Everything had to be restarted, and the garrison barely managed to hold.

It was a city in desperate need of rebuilding.

Now, though the interior details were still unclear, from afar, they could already see the guards standing atop the city gates.

“Not bad.”

Vina said.

“Given the size of the city, the density of guards can rival that of the Capital.”

Hearing this, Leah leaned over for a look and agreed.

“Indeed. And these guards are no slackers. Their formation is excellent, and they’re even running along the city walls.”

Running along the city walls?

Why?

Celes, with her military background, felt a bit uneasy.

She also peeked over and her pupils shrank.

“Careful!”

The army running along the walls was preparing to shoot arrows!

They thought we were invaders!

In the end, no arrows flew their way, because Ayla quickly drew out the Necromantic Sword—having already explained to her companions that it was a weapon forged from evil dark magic, not a physical object.

A huge skull appeared in the sky, revealing their identity, and the Dragon Hawk slowly descended under the watch of the city gate guards.

General Xijiao Yan Po hurried over from the distance, pushing aside the guards at the gate, and bowed deeply before the girls.

“Lady Ayla, you’ve finally returned!”

The emotion was genuine, nearly dropping to his knees.

Ayla almost greeted him in plain tone, but held back and simply said.

“Rise.”

After Yan Po stood up, he immediately ordered the surrounding soldiers.

“Quick, inform the other generals that the Lady has returned.”

Don’t ask which Lady—if someone’s a Lady, that means a great person.

He didn’t lower his voice, so Celes overheard and felt puzzled.

“Other generals? Besides you, are there others?”

Yan Po froze.

“Uh, well…”

“Also, why are there so many soldiers at the city gate? Wasn’t the main defense supposed to be at the coast?”

“Uh, that…”

“Ahem.”

Ayla stepped forward and spoke softly.

“It seems Harbor City has undergone some changes. Why don’t we sit down and let him explain slowly?”

As she spoke, she shot Yan Po a look.

“Yes, yes, there have been some small changes.”

Yan Po gestured inward.

“Ladies, please come inside.”

Over the months, some city buildings had been renovated, but the tea house had barely changed.

They sat down and poured tea.

Yan Po finally collected himself and began to explain.

“After you left, Harbor City developed day by day, but the Sea Demons still harassed the coast, and the city’s order needed constant maintenance. My soldiers alone were no longer enough. At that time, I remembered a few brothers who shared my circumstances.”

“Like me, they were rejected by the current Demon Race High Officials, forced to gather their own men and survive independently. When they heard my situation, they offered to join, helping to defend and rebuild Harbor City, seeking only a place to belong.”

His bull-like eyes were earnest and sincere.

Celes pondered.

“By your account, Harbor City now has several thousand troops?”

“Yes.”

That was it?

Ayla looked left and right. When no one noticed, she kicked Yan Po under the table.

“Oh, right, there’s another matter. My brothers here used to serve under the Demon King, often cared for by Lady Ayla. When they learned of her whereabouts, they were so moved they nearly wept. They’ve always wanted to meet you.”

“Is that so?”

Ayla showed a surprised expression.

“What a coincidence. Then I must go see them.”

She stood and reassured the other girls.

“You all sit here. I’ll go down for a bit and be right back.”

“Do you need me to go with you?”

Celes asked.

“No, no.”

“Yes, yes, don’t worry.”

Yan Po echoed.

“We respect Lady Ayla from the bottom of our hearts. If you don’t believe it—”

If you don’t believe him, he could kneel right now.