Chapter 443: The Crown Prince Arrives

After the fierce battle.

The powerful battle aura and devastating magic left a scarred battlefield in the center of Tals Town.

Lorne looked around, feeling somewhat dazed. He had clearly killed so many Soul Witch Knights just moments ago, yet now only he and Sophia remained. There were no corpses on the ground, making it seem as if the intense battle had been solely between them.

"How are you? Exhausted?" Sophia asked.

Lorne nodded, then stood up. "Though exhausted, this fight has greatly improved me. It also made me realize that against such a vast number of Soul Witch Knights, Silver Moon level strength is still somewhat insufficient."

"At any time, you need your own subordinates."

Sophia said: "Relying solely on one person, slaying commanders and capturing banners might be possible, but clearing out all evil forces would wear you down."

Lorne deeply agreed.

"Let's go, we need to leave here."

The two boarded the magic carpet again and headed toward Riverside City.

As they left, Lorne noticed that Tals Town still had many survivors who had seized the chance to escape.

These people, no longer guarded by Soul Witch Knights and soldiers, finally had the opportunity to escape their torment.

Lorne summoned his battle aura and shouted loudly: "Moonlight Valley has fallen to demons. If you want to survive, head northeast. Riverside City in the Mountainous Territory accepts all unfortunate souls."

His voice, like thunder and a great bell, clearly echoed through every corner of Tals Town.

The fleeing people froze in place. Only after dozens of seconds did someone react, fleeing toward Riverside City.

Sophia gazed intently at Lorne, understanding a bit more about the latter's kindness.

"You're willing to accept them? Aren't you afraid there might be spies from Moonlight Valley among them?"

Lorne smiled and said: "They are basically innocent sufferers. Helping them survive is just a small effort for me. As for spies..."

He thought for a moment, then added: "I will settle them in Boulder City, far from Riverside City. Even if there really are spies, they won't be able to send out messages."

Sophia nodded slightly. "That arrangement is good. I will also help you screen these people to prevent any escaped culprits."

On their way back, they passed by Redale's temporary camp set up at the border. Lorne informed Petrol and Hammond, who were responsible for camp affairs, to allow passage for refugees fleeing from Tals Town. He also had several soldiers escort the refugees to Riverside City.

Furthermore, after returning to Riverside City, Lorne wrote a letter to the administrative officer Selin in Boulder City, instructing him to prepare for receiving these refugees.

...

Three days later, several gryphons arrived over Tals Town, with one golden gryphon being the most conspicuous.

Gold is the mark of the king among gryphons, representing that this gryphon has reached the level of a sixth-tier magical beast.

The owner of the golden gryphon was precisely the Crown Prince Garrett, who had come from Golden Feather City.

Besides his five knights, his companions included Bruller, as well as Moonlight Valley Count Jesus and his two knights.

Ten gryphons circled over the giant crater.

"Crown Prince, look! This is how my town looks after the attack!"

Jesus said coldly: "The culprits not only destroyed my town but slaughtered tens of thousands of people in it. Such brutal criminals—I hope the royal family will stand up to uphold the authority of kingdom law and the dignity of nobles!"

Garrett frowned tightly, urging his gryphon to descend and land at the edge of the crater.

He carefully examined the crater's condition. All ground within a fifteen-meter radius outward from the explosion center was scorched and burnt—this should be caused by fire-element magic.

Garrett judged: "If my guess is correct, this crater should be caused by the eighth-tier fire-element magic 'Roar of the Fire God'."

The others also descended.

Bruller was slightly stunned, saying: "Fire-element master magicians—known ones are just two, but one is far away in the Kingdom of Justana, and the other lives year-round in the Violet Crystal Count Territory..."

"Clearly, there is another fire-element master magician."

Jesus sneered: "The nearest to Tals Town is Riverside City in the Mountainous Territory. As I know, Sophia, who pointed me out in Odune Hall, has come here. No need to guess—this is definitely her doing!"

He angrily said in a deep voice: "The Mountainous Territory—this is invading another noble's territory!"

Bruller frowned: "But Sophia used water-element magic at that time."

"Multi-element magicians are very common, my Deputy Commander!"

"Alright, no need to argue here for the culprit!"

Garrett leaped up onto his gryphon's back. "Let's just go to Riverside City for an interrogation, alright?"

Jesus immediately followed: "Exactly! Such invaders, those committing massacres should be executed!"

Bruller looked at the direction everyone flew toward, helplessly leaped onto his gryphon, and followed.

When he came, Garrett had not disclosed the purpose of this trip, but now he seemed somewhat enlightened.

This was probably a scheme to unite with Moonlight Valley to suppress the Mountainous Territory.

After all, the Mountainous Territory now had quite many top-tier combatants. If Sophia could be separated from the Mountainous Territory, that would be excellent.

Under pressure from the royal family, as a vassal, the Mountainous Territory seemed to have only the path of agreement, right?

If the Mountainous Territory were labeled as traitors, its situation would become unfavorable.

But...

Bruller looked down from high altitude. Tals Town indeed had experienced intense combat, with the central area flattened.

But such a battle—there were no corpses seen at all.

This was very strange.

Bruller did not believe Jesus could clean up the battlefield so swiftly.

"So, Jesus is indeed of the Soul Witch race, and along with him, the people of Tals Town are also Soul Witch race."

He had experienced war with Dark Python City and knew that these Soul Witch Knights and soldiers did not leave corpses after death.

"The Crown Prince is cooperating with demons!"

Bruller felt heavy-hearted. Reason told him that doing this could easily lead to backlash and uncontrollable situations.

But as a knight loyal to the Odune family, Bruller could not change this situation.

"It seems that the peaceful situation within the kingdom will soon be broken."

Bruller urged his gryphon beneath him to speed up and follow the group. He was curious: What choice would Lorne make later?

Soon, ten gryphons crossed the border between Moonlight Valley and the Mountainous Territory.

"Look, they have already deployed troops at the border. This clearly shows they are prepared to attack Moonlight Valley!"

Jesus said: "Openly invading another noble's territory—and this territory bears the name Odune—this is betrayal! Garrett, this is betrayal!"

Garrett narrowed his eyes.

He knew what considerations led the Mountainous Territory to make such arrangements. But since they chose to protect Jesus, there was no reason to give up easily.

Could the Mountainous Territory really have the courage to openly challenge royal authority and launch war?

Based on what?

Just based on two Silver Moon knights and one master magician?

On the ground, knights responsible for guarding the camp saw the gryphons sweeping past.

"Look quickly, there are gryphons, and golden gryphons too!"

"They're gryphons from Moonlight Valley!"

"Quick, hurry and report this!"

Bugles sounded in the camp, and then two warhorses galloped forth. On their backs were the two meteor knights, Petro and Harmon, who had been dispatched to the camp.

"Everyone else, stay vigilant!"

While issuing orders, they raced towards Shore City.

They knew what Rony and Sophia had done just days ago, and now ten gryphons had arrived from Moonlight Valley.

Such a formidable display made them deeply concerned for Sophia's safety. (End of Chapter)