The news that arrived before Seraphina’s journey to Blackstone Outpost was Movira’s order to strengthen patrols.
Though Bask did not immediately understand the meaning behind it, he carried out the command without question.
Only a few minutes later did he receive the message that Seraphina was coming.
When Seraphina’s carriage was still a considerable distance from the jagged outline of Blackstone Outpost’s mountains, an unusual atmosphere quietly spread.
Compared to last time, the road was no longer empty.
Instead, groups of two or three demon soldiers gradually became denser.
They had clearly been waiting for some time, standing silently like black bedrock on both sides of the barren land.
Yet they could not hide their joy as they gazed toward the approaching carriage.
At first, Seraphina thought they were scattered sentries.
But as the carriage continued forward, the soldiers on both sides increased at a visible pace.
From sparse to dense, they eventually formed two long walls of dark armor, extending all the way to the massive gates of the distant outpost.
The soldiers came in various forms—towering giants, shadowy demons with chilling auras, and a smaller number of other frontier guards.
Most of their armor bore traces of battle wear, yet it was surprisingly clean, as if hastily polished.
But no matter the clan, every soldier now radiated undisguised smiles and excitement.
Snatches of conversation drifting into the carriage allowed Seraphina to hear clearly.
“It’s Her Highness’s carriage!”
“Lead us into battle once more, Your Highness!”
Their enthusiasm made Seraphina foresee that, if not for the knights beside the convoy holding them back, they would surely swarm over!
The cold wilderness grew lively and warm because of their trusting, optimistic tones!
When the carriage finally entered the outpost, the long-accumulated fervor instantly reached its peak!
“Your Highness! Lead us to reclaim the lands the Demon Realm has lost!”
This thunderous shout stood out amid the clamor, igniting the entire scene!
Reclaim them! Reclaim them!
“Invincible in battle!”
A tsunami-like roar erupted suddenly, passing layer by layer from the gates inward, eventually forming a surge of sound that rushed toward the heavens!
The volume made the ground beneath their feet seem to tremble slightly.
Soldiers pouring out from within the outpost excitedly pounded their chest armor.
The booming sounds expressed their exhilaration.
It was as if they awaited only Seraphina’s command to charge fearlessly toward the battlefields seized by the abyss!
The great victory from last time was still vivid in their minds.
In a battle of equal scale, it was the first time they had tasted complete triumph.
Inside the carriage, Seraphina keenly noticed that the “lands” the soldiers spoke of were no longer tied to a single clan, but “the Demon Realm’s lands.”
With Lina’s support, Seraphina stepped out of the carriage and stood on the footboard.
Her gaze swept over the countless faces below and farther ahead, filled with anticipation.
From her elevated position, she could not remember each of their appearances.
But those below remembered profoundly this seemingly delicate yet wise Princess Regent.
Bask strode forward.
In the two months since parting from Seraphina, he had constantly recalled that night’s grand scene, which had utterly shattered the growing despondency among the outpost soldiers.
Clad in soft armor, he approached the carriage, dropping to one knee.
His voice rang out like a bell.
“We welcome Your Highness’s return to the outpost! All soldiers have long awaited you, ready to follow you once more!”
Behind him, officers and soldiers knelt in perfect unison.
The clanging of armor rose and fell.
The black stones on the ground bore witness to their weathered yet excited faces.
Seraphina had no desire to utter grandiose words. “All soldiers, rise. I too look forward to a greater victory. But for now, our task is not endless warfare.”
“You are the first place in the entire Demon Realm to grow crops. In the days to come, you must continue this great undertaking that benefits the present and future generations! You must continue to serve as an example and model for other clans!”
“In the near future, we will rely on the strength we accumulate today to reclaim the lost lands!”
These words reaffirmed Seraphina’s own vision, responded to the soldiers’ hopes, and pushed the cheers even higher!
One could say that before Seraphina’s arrival, scarcely any clan had paid attention to this mess.
The outpost had long been neglected.
Seraphina had seized this very reason to encourage them, telling them they were the model.
Bask rose and stepped aside to lead the way. “Your Highness, this way! The outpost remains simple, but after recent repairs, it has improved. And we have prepared a belated victory banquet for you!”
Last time, Seraphina had left in such haste that no celebration was held.
This time made up for it perfectly.
The following scene deeply moved Seraphina.
In the wide stone hall originally used for meetings, several massive long tables had been hastily joined together, laden with food.
No longer the crude meat stew and black bread of the past, but golden roasted flatbreads, steaming fragrant soups, and other delicious dishes.
Though the cooking methods remained simple, they were filled with the most unadorned sense of abundance.
“Your Highness! Your Highness!”
A hoarse voice rang out. “This subordinate has not failed Your Highness’s trust. That black soil truly is a priceless treasure! In a lifetime of tending plants, I’ve never seen land so fertile!”
This was a slightly hunched old demon clad in dusty clothes, his hands trembling with excitement.
Bask added from the side, “Your Highness, this is the plant magic specialist you sent last time. The bountiful harvest owes much to his wisdom. If it were left to rough fellows like us, we’d surely have ruined it!”
“And Master’s plant magic was indispensable, greatly accelerating crop growth.”
With this reminder, Seraphina gradually recalled the previous scene.
She had indeed entrusted such a person.
After finishing this deeply meaningful meal, Bask eagerly led Seraphina toward the granary.
When the heavy doors were pushed open, even the ever-calm Lina couldn’t help but draw in a breath.
Seraphina might not have visited last time, but Lina had seen the previous granary with her own eyes—one so empty that even rats would leave in tears.
And now?
Inside the vast granary, golden grains were piled into several “mountains.”
Though far from filling the entire warehouse, what was there was more than enough to feed them for several months!
This scent representing growth, stability, and hope brought Seraphina great peace.