"My, my, have you been longing to meet me~?"
Taking the familiar stiletto, Clementine's delicate face lit up with a smile. Her long, toned legs were wrapped around Helant's waist, and with every jolt of the horse beneath them, her body bounced.
"Bitch."
Remedios's voice carried just far enough for Clementine to hear, neither loud nor soft.
"What!" Clementine's gaze turned razor-sharp. "Which frog in a well is croaking nonsense?"
This time, Remedios ignored her, focusing instead on Helant, a complicated glint flashing in her eyes.
This blond woman, who could match her, had started the fight simply because Remedios had spoken rudely to Helant. Birds of a feather; the strong always recognize the strong.
Remedios now felt a little less contemptuous toward Helant.
"With your strength, you can't possibly turn the tide," she said out of nowhere.
On the front line, among the millions of Demi-Human Army soldiers, monsters of the Realm of Heroes were countless. Even if Helant was truly powerful, how strong could he be, strong enough to rival a million demi-humans?
Don't be ridiculous. He wasn't a god.
Remedios turned her head meaningfully and spurred her horse faster. They were almost at Diborne City.
"Looks like she really has no idea what you can do." Clementine's grin grew sharper. She could not wait to see the look on that frog in a well's face when Remedios finally witnessed Helant's true might.
Watching Remedios ride far ahead, Helant smiled from the heart, amused.
Turn the tide? Of course I can. After all, I'm the one who set the whole board.
…
Inside Diborne City.
"Store these supplies in the south district; they go to the front tomorrow."
"Is the civilian resettlement area ready? Another wave of refugees is expected tomorrow!"
"Find every restoration magic caster left in the city. The front is desperate for them!"
Holy Queen Calca had cast aside all semblance of elegance. Clad in supple mail, her hair tied in a high ponytail, she galloped through the streets, directing everything.
Apart from the newly arrived civilians, not a single idle person could be seen. Everyone was busy doing what they could.
Everyone knew the border faced a Demi-human Army numbering in the millions.
Once the border broke, death would follow.
Dark shadows already bruised Calca's pretty almond-shaped eyes. Normally obsessed with her appearance, she now unconsciously hunched her back.
The reason was simple. She was exhausted.
She had to coordinate logistics and calm the people. She had not rested for a single day.
If it were only the Demi-human Army, it would have been bearable. After all, the Holy Domain God Lord had granted her power, and at full output she could wield seventh-tier magic.
Though she could not wipe out the entire Demi-human Army in one go, she could hold an entire flank on her own.
The problem was that there was trouble both outside and within.
Her brother Caspond and those nobles had escaped even after she gained the power of the Holy Domain God Lord.
Thinking of it, she felt a surge of resentment and muttered, "If only I had caught them then..."
Caspond and the nobles had entrenched themselves in the north, plundering in the name of the gods and leaving the people to suffer.
Had she not remained in Diborne City, even this place would have been looted.
At the thought, Calca turned toward the city gate, biting her lip, her eyes flashing with grievance and hope.
"I wonder where Remedios is now. I so want Sir Helant to come..."
She could not explain why she felt such boundless fondness for a man she had never met.
"He must be a towering, kind, and mighty man."
Perhaps because she had endured so much lately, bearing so many bitter grievances and such heavy pressure, she kept reliving the boundless peace the Holy Domain God Lord had once given her. In her heart, she felt certain that Helant would bring her that same peace.
These days, she often found herself staring at the gate, longing for a dependable figure to appear.
One group of civilians after another entered, and each time, her hopeful heart sank once more.
"Hold on a little longer. He should arrive tomorrow..."
"Your Highness!"
Suddenly, a small figure at the gate grew larger, resolving into the familiar form of Remedios.
"Remedios has returned!"
Calca's eyes lit up. She spurred her horse toward the gate, seized Remedios's hand, and asked eagerly, "Well done. Where is Sir Helant?"
The question froze the smile on Remedios's face. "He..."
Noticing the change, Calca tightened her grip. "He didn't come? Did something happen?"
He came. Nothing happened. Remedios wondered why the Holy Queen cared so much about a mere Mithril Rank Adventurer.
"He's just a—"
Before she could finish, her beloved princess snapped the reins and galloped straight out of the gate toward Helant in the distance.
Remedios stood rooted in place, a sudden stab of jealousy rising in her chest. Why does Her Highness greet him with such warmth?
"Hyah!"
Calca urged her horse on, forgetting all royal dignity. Her lips curved into an uncontrollable smile, her eyes fixed only on the figure of Helant drawing closer.
At last, she would finally see him.
The nearer she came, the stronger the familiar holy light she sensed within him.
"Er, Lady Holy Queen?"
Before Helant could react, Calca's reason snapped. She leapt from the saddle and straight into his arms.
"I've finally met you!"
His dependable, warm embrace felt like the light of the Holy Domain God Lord, filled with endless safety. Even as her arms tightened around him, her eyelids grew heavy.
Looking at the sleeping princess in his arms, Helant was at a loss.
"The Holy Queen is in my arms?" he asked the surrounding knights.
"She is!" the Holy Knights answered through gritted teeth.
"Wow, Helant, you're amazing. Winning the Holy Queen's heart the moment you arrive," Clementine teased, drawing little circles on his back.
Feeling the soft, steady breathing of the girl against him, Helant sighed in resignation and adjusted his hold so she could sleep more comfortably.
____
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