They had little experience dealing with dragons, and faced with this situation, they truly didn't know how to handle it.
If only Swain were here. After Pell left, the atmosphere in the command post became somewhat somber, with everyone harboring resentment towards the black dragon princess's arrogant attitude. Facing this, the blue-haired man quickly smoothed things over, saying, "General, Princess Your Highness doesn't understand matters. Regarding our future cooperation, General, please discuss it with me."
Vincent nodded, indicating his agreement.
As soon as Xiao Xun emerged from the Temple of Time, he saw Bai Yang standing at its steps.
"How long have you been here?"
Bai Yang replied, "Just arrived."
"Is something wrong?"
Bai Yang nodded but remained silent.
Ever since Xiao Xun learned that Bai Yang belonged to the same race as the King of Fear, he knew that the lamb they were currently eating was Bai Yang's kin.
Xiao Xun also hadn't expected that the High Priest would actually find a demon to be his first apostle.
Thus, a slight rift seemed to have formed between the two, at least they were no longer as close as before.
"What is it?"
"Please accept my condolences, Your Majesty the Divine Emperor."
Xiao Xun's eyes widened, "Condolences? Who has passed away?"
"Sarrphine…"
Xiao Xun's mind went blank instantly. "How could it be? She was fine just last month…"
"She was assassinated."
Xiao Xun asked sternly, "Where is the killer?"
"Not…"
"Da~ da~ da…"
Xiao Xun directly pointed the muzzle upwards, holding down the trigger of the Thunder Rifle and not letting go until the barrel overheated and began to vent automatically for cooling, only then did he stop.
Xiao Xun was now drenched in sweat. His body went limp, and he casually dropped the Thunder Rifle, slumping onto the steps of the Temple of Time. A tear rolled down his right eye.
"Alright, I understand. You go to the coastal defense line for me and see her off properly!"
"Yes!"
A flash of orange light from a hexagram, and Bai Yang disappeared from his spot.
Xiao Xun took a deep breath, buried his head between his legs, and sobbed.
He didn't dare to go, he didn't dare to face it. What if it were true? He was restraining himself from thinking about it. This way, she was still waiting for him in the castle every day, she was still there.
Although it was self-deception, he felt a bit better than before.
He wiped away his tears, his eyes red, and returned to the capital. He had no inclination to bother the Orcs now.
As soon as he entered the city, he saw the vanguard of the Phoenix Army.
His heart sank. "Could Mu Jiahe be planning to mobilize the Phoenix Army to fight the Orcs at the border too?"
Then, he followed the troops, realizing they were heading to the train station outside the city.
It was then that he remembered that on the border, he was the one who had used a powerful move to gather all the Phoenix Army. After the battle and the debriefing meeting, he had left alone, paying no mind to these people.
At the train station, he saw a familiar figure, clad in silver armor, carrying a shield that was more than half his height. A sword was sheathed between the shield and his back.
"Sister Na."
"Delvana…"
"Hey! Gorgeous."
Delvana heard the call and turned to look. Upon seeing Xiao Xun, she excitedly rushed towards him. "Swain, how did you know we were arriving today?"
"Just by chance."
"I heard you were taking the Empress's Imperial Guard to fight the Orcs? Why haven't you departed yet?"
"I have other assignments."
"I see!"
Xiao Xun glanced at the clock on the train. "One train won't be enough for these people, will it?"
"One train definitely won't be enough, not even two. I heard that although the power system has been changed, the load capacity is limited. Too much weight is also a problem when climbing slopes."
Xiao Xun nodded. "It's noon. If you have anything to discuss, give your instructions to the Legion Commanders! Let me treat you to lunch!"
Delvana's eyes widened. "Great! Let's go then…"
Xiao Xun found a restaurant not far from the train station. The owner, seeing their attire, although unaware of their identities, served them with extreme caution and fear. Most people wouldn't wear armor on the streets, and civilians caught privately possessing armor would be executed. Moreover, they were wearing it so openly.
Xiao Xun's newly changed robe was even more extraordinary, a Mage God Robe with the Imperial collar insignia, the very collar embroidered with golden thread. Even lacking one of these two identities would make someone dare not wear it.
Facing such distinguished figures, the owner asked cordially, "My esteemed guests, what would you like to eat?"
Xiao Xun pointed at Delvana, "Ask her what to eat. Bring us a barrel of your strongest wine."
The owner agreed and had a waiter fetch the wine. Then he said to Delvana, "Guests, our shop has fresh lamb, incredibly delicious. Since you are so noble, you must have tasted it before, right? It's excellent paired with our high-proof wine."
Delvana asked curiously, "I've never heard of it! What kind of meat is lamb?" Then she patted Xiao Xun. "Swain, have you tried it?"
Upon hearing "Swain," the owner dropped the menu in excitement and asked with tears in his eyes, "Are you His Highness Swain?"
Xiao Xun looked at the owner and nodded slightly. "I am. What's wrong?"
The owner, tears welling up, said, "Please give me back my daughter! That child is still young. Wait until she's a bit older, and I'll personally deliver her to you."
Xiao Xun frowned and glanced at Delvana. She was looking out the window as if nothing had happened, sipping her wine.
"You say I took your daughter away?"
"Yes, the one by your side, perhaps a guard. They said you fancied my daughter, so…"
The owner didn't dare to finish, as Xiao Xun had just smashed his glass.
He stood up and asked the owner, "Can you find out where the person who took your daughter is now?"
"Yes, I see them often. And the security officer responsible for our district is also with him."
The owner said, excitedly pointing outside, "It's him, it's him."
Xiao Xun turned his head and saw a person in security officer's attire, swaggering over with two subordinates, their legs spread wide.
Delvana pointed at the security officer, "Hey! You with your hands behind your back, get in here."
The security officer was startled and looked around. Seeing that only he had his hands behind his back.
"That's right, it's you. What are you looking at?"
The security officer looked up and saw a beautiful woman. He pointed at himself. "Did you just call me?"
"Nonsense, get in here."
The security officer's temper flared. In this area, who dared to speak to him like this? Gripping his staff, he and his two subordinates strode into the restaurant with an imposing aura.
As soon as he entered and saw Delvana in her armor, and a man in a Mage God robe opposite her, his heart sank.
He immediately approached them with a pleasant expression, "Esteemed General, are you looking for me?"
Delvana pointed at Xiao Xun, "I'm looking for you? You're not worthy. He is looking for you."
The security officer turned his head to look at Xiao Xun, his gaze immediately drawn to the Imperial collar insignia. A Mage God Robe with the Imperial collar insignia – there were very few people in the entire country with such a combination.
"Who are you?"
Xiao Xun turned to look at the security officer. "I heard that Swain fancied his daughter, and you brought people to take her away?"
The security officer's mouth opened, "Ah… what's wrong?"
"Can you find the person you brought for me?"