Naturally, Duanmu Huai wasn't foolish enough to leave without preparing for the Cabal's attempt to steal the Light. Before he left, he had planted bombs on the Traveler's shackles. If the Cabal truly tried to seize the Traveler's power, then Duanmu Huai would simply… blow it up.
One way or another, he couldn't let those alien races succeed.
As it turned out, the best way to wake up someone pretending to sleep was to give them a good beating.
The bombs destroyed the shackles that bound the Traveler, forcing it to awaken from its slumber. However…
"Hmm, maybe the explosion was a bit too strong?"
Looking at the giant white sphere in front of him, Duanmu Huai shrugged. Once perfectly round and smooth, it was now riddled with holes, its inner mechanisms plainly visible. Seriously, what even is the Traveler? From its appearance, it seemed to be some sort of mechanical construct. But who had created it?
Duanmu Huai had considered checking the inside of the Traveler, but after some thought, he gave up on the idea. He had just woken it up with an explosion; it was probably still looking for someone to vent its anger on. Though it might not know who had blown it awake… well, let's just say the unlucky pig-faced brute could take the blame for that wake-up call.
Nothing to do with me.
The awakened Traveler didn't react much. Whether it couldn't speak or simply didn't wish to, it showed no intention of communicating with anyone. Instead, from its battered and hole-filled body, it released swarms of Ghosts once again, reviving tens of thousands of Guardians. Judging from this, the Traveler didn't seem particularly angry after all.
The Cabal fleet was completely crushed. With their commander dead, they quickly retreated. But Duanmu Huai pinned them down and delivered such a brutal thrashing that their remnants were barely recognizable. Only a couple of ships managed to escape, while the rest became fireworks scattered across the sky, utterly annihilated.
Afterward, the Holy City began its reconstruction. Although casualties weren't heavy, the city itself had suffered severe damage from the Cabal's bombardment. Even though it had been saved in the end, rebuilding was inevitable.
Following this, Zavala, on behalf of the Vanguard, came to negotiate with Duanmu Huai.
The battle with the Cabal had made the Guardian civilization realize the necessity of having a space fleet. Yet they severely lacked the required technology and experience. Thus, Zavala hoped Duanmu Huai could lend them his expertise.
Ultimately, the negotiations concluded with Duanmu Huai agreeing to help them construct several warships. (As long as the ships could unfold into station bases, the Void Dock could be reactivated.) In return, the Guardians would have to supply the necessary materials and resources for shipbuilding.
This wasn't difficult in itself. During the Golden Age, the Guardians had built numerous facilities and mining stations within their star system. While many had been destroyed, some still remained. Now, all they had to do was send Guardians to clear out the aliens occupying those worlds, reactivate the mining stations, collect and process minerals, and then transport them to the station for construction.
Of course, Duanmu Huai wasn't doing it for free—at least half of the resources would be his payment.
After all, he also needed to build his own warships.
It wasn't something that could be completed in a short time. The Guardians would handle restarting the factories and mining the resources, while Duanmu Huai wouldn't be idle during this period either.
However…
"Why do I have to attend such a boring banquet?"
Clad in armor, standing amidst the bustling banquet hall, Duanmu Huai couldn't help but grumble to Anne.
"Ahahaha, there's no helping it."
Hearing his complaint, Anne stuck out her tongue awkwardly.
"Because this is the engagement ceremony of Duke Urick's eldest son and Count Huxia's daughter. Guleya and I, as the princesses of Manaria and Regnis, have to attend. After all, this marriage was personally promised by my father, so as a princess I must participate."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"Why, you're Guleya's and my fiancé, aren't you? How could you not show up? Besides, with you here, no one will dare bother us. That's much more convenient, don't you think?"
"So that's your real motive, huh?"
Duanmu Huai glanced toward a group of young nobles not far away. From their attire, they were clearly the children of Manarian aristocrats. They whispered among themselves, sneaking glances in this direction. Without Duanmu Huai present, they would certainly have approached Anne and Guleya to chat and build connections. But now, just his presence and overwhelming aura kept them from even daring to come close, let alone greet Anne.
So you really are using me as a human shield.
"Ahahaha…"
Sensing his dissatisfaction, Anne laughed dryly, then grabbed Guleya by the hand.
"Guleya, look, the food's over there!"
Watching Anne drag Guleya away at full speed, Duanmu Huai sighed helplessly and turned to Olgis.
"Aren't you going to look around?"
"As long as I stay by Master's side, that's enough."
Though dressed in an elegant black lace gown, Olgis clearly had no interest in the occasion. She answered coolly, her gaze returning to the novel in her hands.
Duanmu Huai shook his head at her reply. Just then, a voice called out.
"Ah, hello, Sir Knight. It's been a while."
Turning, he saw a beautiful girl with elfin ears, dressed in a luxurious gown, smiling at him. He nodded in greeting.
"Hello, Miss Hannah. It has indeed been a while. How have you been?"
The elf maiden before him was none other than Hannah, the diligent and overworked student council president of Manaria Magic Academy. From Duanmu Huai's perspective, most of the trouble Anne caused at the academy had ended up being cleaned up by Hannah.
"Without a certain troublemaking princess around, things have felt much quieter… perhaps a little too quiet. But what about you, Sir Knight? Has Her Highness been giving you trouble?"
"To me, she's been a great help."
Duanmu Huai didn't hide his opinion of Anne.
"And I don't think she's been troublesome at all. The world outside is so vast and exciting—she doesn't even have time to enjoy it fully. From what I've seen, she's happy every day."
"I see… that's good to hear."
Hannah let out a breath of relief, then turned her eyes with mixed feelings toward Anne, who was now happily chatting with Guleya.
"I understand. The academy was always too small for her. Her gaze has always been fixed on a broader world. Now that she can pursue her dreams, that makes me happy as well."
She looked back at Duanmu Huai.
"But I hope you'll continue to protect Her Highness, Sir Knight. That is my only request."
"Don't worry, Miss Hannah. I won't let Anne come to harm."
Duanmu Huai nodded. He had to admit, Anne was a mischievous little imp, but her liveliness and cheerfulness brought plenty of joy. Honestly, he was rather fond of her. He could understand why Guleya liked Anne, though being "engaged" was a whole different matter.
To be honest, before crossing into this world, Duanmu Huai hadn't even gone on a blind date, let alone thought about marriage.
At that moment, Hannah glanced ahead and spoke.
"Ah, it's about to begin."
Following her gaze, Duanmu Huai saw a handsome young man in a white suit descending the staircase. Waiting below was a beautiful girl in a black gown with flowing black hair—his fiancée, according to Anne's earlier explanation. Next would surely be the announcement of their engagement and marriage.
At least, that was how it should have gone…
"Everyone!"
The young man stood at the center of the stairs, sweeping his eyes over the guests. Then he raised his head and took a deep breath.
"Here and now, I, Yald Urick, declare that I am canceling my engagement with Odell Huxia!"
His voice echoed through the banquet hall. For a moment, silence fell. Guests who had been raising their hands to applaud froze, unsure what expression they should wear.
Even Anne and Guleya, who had hurried back to Duanmu Huai's side, were left dumbfounded, staring ahead in shock. Duanmu Huai, on the other hand, arched a curious eyebrow at the young man.
"Oh ho?"
So this is a real-life "engagement annulment" scene?
This was the first time he'd seen one. He'd thought such plots only existed in novels. Typically, in those stories, the male side lost his power or value and the family called off the marriage. But this—this was the first time he'd seen the man himself publicly tear up the engagement.
Why? Had this guy's fiancée cheated on him?
Duanmu Huai immediately slipped into spectator mode. Shame there were no sunflower seeds around, or he'd have pulled up a chair to watch the drama unfold.
Miss Odell, clearly blindsided, went pale as she stared at him.
"…Lord Yald, why are you canceling our engagement?"
For a moment, Yald remained silent. Then he stretched out his hand.
"Because I have found my true love. She alone is my destined partner!"
With those words, he walked into the crowd, pulled out a girl with fluffy orange short hair, and drew her into his arms. Looking straight at Odell, he declared:
"Only Miss Angela is my true love! I will marry her as my wife!"
"…???"
At that, Duanmu Huai was utterly dumbfounded. He turned to Anne, who looked equally stunned.
"Does your country even cheat so righteously and openly?"
(End of chapter)