Here it comes, here it comes—the main point.
Ayla pretended to think for a long time, hesitated a bit, then raised her delicate brows slightly and spoke softly:
“Yes, if people from the Kingdom find out, things might get complicated. Something bad could happen again.”
Celes was stunned.
When she asked the question, she was thinking about how to persuade the Kingdom after making contact, but with that one sentence from Ayla, was she suggesting not to let the Kingdom know at all?
Wait, if the Kingdom isn’t supposed to know…
The young Sword Saint girl didn’t notice the linguistic trick from the pink-haired big troublemaker.
Not only did she naturally present the core idea, but the final sentence even set the tone, making her feel that the Kingdom finding out was a bad thing.
“If our plan doesn’t change, is there a way to keep the Kingdom in the dark? At least until the first stage is complete.”
Ayla lowered her head and secretly curled her lips.
Of course there is, otherwise why would I be telling you this?
She lowered her head, pretending to think for a while.
“Mm, hmm, this… Let me think… Maybe there’s a chance.”
She turned back into the inn, took out the map, and pointed it out to Celes.
“Five thousand soldiers, divided into two routes, each about two thousand, moving through the wilds. From Harbor City to the designated location isn’t difficult, and there’s Church support and cover along the way. As for combat deployment, there’s no need to worry about the Northern Forest, given our relationship with the Elves—a small favor will suffice. But the other route…”
Ayla stopped here—not to be mysterious, but because she was hesitating to speak.
Celes frowned slightly.
“No chance for the other route?”
“I don’t know.”
You don’t know?
“I don’t know.”
Ayla handed her the map, lowered her head, and pinched her fingers.
“Because the other route starts from the Northern Frontier Line, and that place is…”
Celes understood.
The Northern Frontier Line was the area her father guarded with his troops.
Because the place was originally Lilburg and was destroyed, a new defense line was hastily formed, and another border army was urgently summoned.
After the defense stabilized and daily drills were set, the Kingdom would send a new general to take over the following spring.
It wasn’t about seizing military power—when the general led these soldiers to the Northern Frontier Line, his original post was allowed to recruit new soldiers locally to replenish losses.
It was a swap—old soldiers replaced with new, expanding influence.
Even if the general was replaced the next year, he’d retain prestige among the border troops.
Now, winter hadn’t arrived, the general hadn’t been replaced, and the Northern Frontier Line’s garrison was entirely from another border army, with the commanding general holding real authority.
And that general was Celes’s father—General Glengo.
In other words, if this route was viable, both sides could bypass the Kingdom and the Hero’s party could act independently!
Celes finally understood Ayla’s intention. She bit her lip, struggled for a while, then spoke firmly.
“I need to go to the Northern Frontier Line ahead of time.”
Success!
Youngsters just can’t keep secrets. The moment she heard that, Ayla understood—she wanted to persuade her parents.
All her efforts weren’t in vain. She finally brought the border troops of the Northern Frontier Line into the fold.
Though no one mentioned forming an allied army yet, as long as they stood together and boarded the Demon King’s ship, what happened afterward would be out of their hands.
Heh heh heh.
To keep herself from laughing, Ayla feigned concern.
“You’re going to find Uncle and Aunt? Want me to go with you?”
She said it offhandedly, thinking Celes would take it that way too.
After all, it was a family visit.
Parents and daughter reunited at the border and enjoyed a rare meal together—why would an outsider like herself join in?
She definitely wouldn’t—
“Really? That’s great!”
Celes said happily.
“Thank you, Ayla. With you by my side, I’m sure I can persuade them.”
“……….”
Huh?
At that moment, Ayla finally understood the meaning of ‘words once spoken are like water spilled’.
“Because life walks beneath the sunlight, the moment we open our eyes, we see the world’s first ray of Light. It is the beginning of everything, and the grace that accompanies us through life.”
“Light, I pray for you, I bless you, I fight for you, I dedicate everything to you.”
“Light!”
Church of Light, Harbor City Branch Chapel—the Light Conversion for demon soldiers was proceeding in full swing.
The most practical effect of this was that they could receive the Blessing of Light and gain its healing effect.
Otherwise, if Leah brought a group of military priests to throw Blessings during battle, it might cause even more harm.
Now, having been registered with the Goddess of Light, they could use the priests, and expected casualty rates dropped significantly.
Thus, after explaining the benefits and using Ayla’s flowery words to assert ‘We are born Light demons!’ the whole army took the matter seriously, with high enthusiasm.
The four generals took turns on duty, personally overseeing and supervising.
The conversion plan went smoothly.
The first three batches of rituals were completed, and the clergy in the Chapel took a short break.
The general on duty now was Yanpo.
Seeing his personal guards emerge from the Chapel, he waved them over.
“How do you feel?”
“Great!”
One guard replied energetically.
“After the ritual, the priest gave us a Blessing, and instantly, I felt revitalized—all fatigue gone!”
“That’s good.”
Yanpo nodded, then asked with concern.
“How was the ritual’s difficulty? Any psychological burden in believing in a god not of your own race?”
This was something Ayla had taught them—military leaders must care for the mental health of their soldiers.
“It was fine, not difficult. The Goddess of Light seems nice.”
The guard said.
“She’s very beautiful too, great figure—worthy of being a Goddess.”
Beautiful with a great figure?
Yanpo froze.
Wait, that’s odd.
Lady Ayla said even she hadn’t seen the Goddess of Light.
Gods have no form.
He quickly asked:
“Where did you see what the Goddess looks like?”
“Right at the entrance,”
The guard pointed back.
“See, isn’t that the statue of the Goddess?”
“That…uh…never mind…”
***
Elsewhere, in the inn’s first-floor lobby, Celes called everyone down for a meeting and explained her plan to visit the Northern Frontier Line in advance.
“Riding a Dragon Hawk, the journey won’t take more than half a day, so there’s plenty of time. Even if something unexpected happens, I can return and inform everyone. So there’s no need to worry. If things go well, I can persuade my parents to support our actions—with Ayla’s help, I’m sure I can.”
Everyone listened quietly, nodding or murmuring assent.
Until the last sentence—
“Wait, Ayla’s going too—to meet your parents?”
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