The tremor that shook the earth drew ever closer.
From the far end of the valley, a streak of dazzling silver light was lifted high by swirling dust, rushing in this direction.
“Look! It’s the Saint Covenant Order of Knights!”
Among the ranks of soldiers lining the road, someone couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.
As the Kingdom’s foremost pride, the mere presence of the Order on the battlefield brought immense reassurance to the troops—it was no wonder the soldiers were so excited.
The warhorses beneath the cavalry wore matching chainmail, coming to a halt with their hooves stamping before the welcoming ranks of soldiers.
At the front, a young man deftly swung down from his horse and removed his helmet.
The most striking feature was his head of pure, flawless white hair, like a clear moon.
Below, his brilliant blue eyes shone with incomparable bravery.
His facial features were so sharp and perfect that even a single glance revealed he was no ordinary person.
His tall, agile figure was clad in a knight’s armor forged from mithril.
The family crest—a shining shield emblem—was emblazoned boldly on his shoulder.
At his waist hung a knight’s sword that radiated an unusual pressure.
The young man strolled forward leisurely, his steps smooth and elegant, contrasting sharply with the grim military formation around him.
Soldiers lined up on both sides raised their hands in salute as he passed, the heavy clang of his breastplate accompanying each motion.
Yet, as the leading knight, he seemed oblivious to everything around him.
His gaze swept past every awed face without so much as a pause.
In his eyes, there was only Lorretisa.
He finally stopped before her.
However, the Captain of Soldiers did not seem inclined to speak.
Karin, seeing her impassive demeanor, felt helpless but was used to it by now.
This officer was undeniably strong but seemingly clueless when it came to social interaction—she treated everything with indifferent detachment, utterly failing to grasp human nuances.
This time was no different.
As her Deputy, Karin stepped forward on her behalf once again, forcing a somewhat hearty smile onto her square face:
“Knight Commander Norsen, since we parted at the King’s Capital, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”
“I didn’t expect it either. The situation arose suddenly, and the Knight’s Hall only just received an urgent request from Count Leicester to dispatch us. It’s truly an honor to fight alongside you this time,” Norsen replied with a smile, radiating the polished elegance of nobility.
He extended his hand with practiced ease, as if rehearsed countless times.
His long, slender fingers were sheathed in finely crafted leather gloves.
But Lorretisa did not take it.
Her gaze remained fixed, never dropping to the hovering hand.
“It’s my duty—nothing to make a fuss over. Anyone else would do the same.”
“Ahaha, that’s a reassuring answer. Defending the Kingdom’s borders and resisting the Evil Tide is indeed our mission.”
Norsen continued, still maintaining the courteous pretense, smoothly withdrawing his hand without a hint of awkwardness.
“But this time, with the Kingdom’s strongest Captain of Soldiers here, I have no worries leaving the rear in your hands. Nothing could be more reassuring.”
Lorretisa didn’t engage further, replying silently with the cold detachment she reserved for everyone equally.
It was not mere disdain born of arrogance, nor pride earned by achievement, nor the conceit of someone who overestimates their strength.
It was an attitude utterly disconnected from any human emotion or social interaction.
She seemed to be a block of ice herself—innately devoid of warmth. No matter how others approached her, she simply did not respond.
Karin nodded silently to herself.
Compared to when she had stepped out of the tent earlier, this was the Lorretisa she was used to—the golden Lorretisa, blossoming alone atop the snow-capped peaks.
The formalities concluded, the troops ahead parted to either side.
Next came an elderly man clad in martial armor with a shoulder cape, striding forward under the escort of guards.
This time, the respect from the soldiers lining the road was even deeper.
Even Lorretisa greeted him sincerely with a military salute:
“Count Leicester, you have arrived.”
“Thank you all for your patience. Hard work to the vanguard,” the Border Count Leicester responded with a raised hand.
A veteran soldier who had risen through the ranks by merit to the noble title of Border Count, he was the ideal all soldiers aspired to become.
Though his temples and beard were silver-white, his posture was as upright and firm as a freshly forged knight’s sword—there was no sign of age, only the solid presence of a warrior’s physique.
His deep-set face bore the wrinkles of time, giving him the appearance of a kindly elder, yet his hawk-like gaze remained sharp and piercing.
“How is the current situation, Lorretisa?”
Count Leicester turned his gaze down to the young female Captain of Soldiers before him.
As planned, the vanguard had first arrived at the Kingdom border affected by the Evil Tide. While defending the area, their more important task was to gather intelligence.
After all, each occurrence of the Evil Tide was unpredictable—not only in timing and location but also in the nature of the disaster.
To ensure a flawless response, such reconnaissance was essential before the cleansing operation.
“It’s been surveyed. The Evil Tide this time covers the western section of the Silent Sun Valley mountain range. The main source is located within the Empire’s Fernan Territory, where Silent Sun Town has already fallen… For detailed military reports, I invite you, Count, to the command tent for a thorough review.”
Lorretisa spoke as she gestured to lead the way.
Count Leicester nodded in approval at her meticulous seriousness and followed her into the camp.
Watching the Captain of Soldiers and her female Deputy trailing behind, Norsen paused briefly.
At that moment, the Knight Commander’s male Deputy cautiously approached him.
Having witnessed his lord’s cold dismissal earlier, the subordinate, both servant and soldier, sought to speak up in defense:
“That woman is so arrogant and clueless. For a soldier who started as a refugee to treat you that way…”
“Shut up. If you had even half her skill, your tail would be wagging to the skies right now.”
Norsen smiled, forcing the words from his lips.
Though outwardly magnanimous and supportive of his comrades, beneath that knightly demeanor, his gaze upon Lorretisa’s retreating figure burned with intense possessiveness.
A girl with both stunning beauty and overwhelming strength was like a gift prepared by the heavens.
(The Kingdom’s strongest Captain of Soldiers—yes, I can hardly wait to see her tamed like a filly, tethered by reins, lowering her head and whispering in my favor, bearing children to inherit the glory of House Golaneme!)
Filled with desire, Norsen’s radiant blue eyes held only Lorretisa’s figure.