Chapter 11: Four Knights

The roadsides were filled with celebrating townspeople.

They held wooden beer mugs in their hands, and the orange-yellow aroma of wheat and hops floated along the streets.

Even though their clothes were plain and their faces looked weary, they couldn’t hide the bright, sunny smiles on their

faces.

“The demonic army has retreated!!”

“Drinks on me today—everyone, drink all you want!”

Cheers rang out from inside the taverns.

By the roadside, a couple stood together. The woman wore a rough linen dress, her blonde hair loose down her back. She

looked both shy and happy.

In front of her stood her man, holding her hands with a face full of joy.

“This is amazing! The demon army’s gone! They’re really gone! We don’t have to die!”

The man excitedly picked the girl up and spun her around. She let out a startled scream.

“Ah! Put me down! What are you doing, acting like this in public~”

Joyful emotions spread along the street. Everywhere they looked, there were poor people grinning from ear to ear.

Even Hilda was affected by the cheerful atmosphere, and a smile crept onto her face.

When she reached the city gate, the guards who saw her immediately bent forward in salute.

“Greetings, Lady Hilda!”

“ Where is Yuna? I need to see her.”

Hilda dismounted, and a nearby soldier quickly stepped forward to take the reins and tie the horse to a post. He turned back with a polite smile and said,

“General Yuna is on the city wall.”

“What is she doing there?”

Hilda began climbing the steps to the wall, and behind her, the soldier replied with an odd tone:

“General Yuna’s expression is very serious. She doesn’t seem happy at all. We suggested she take a break, but

she refused and insisted on staying to guard the wall.”

Hearing this, Hilda nodded without saying a word and went straight up to the rampart. As soon as she got up there, she

saw Yuna standing by the battlement.

Yuna wore a light leather armor. Her short pink hair made her look sharp and energetic, and a silver cross-hilted rapier

hung from her waist.

When she heard someone behind her, Yuna didn’t even turn her head.

“I already said, I don’t need rest. You all go rest.”

“Yuna, you’re still just as serious.”

Looking at her back, Hilda shook her head with a wry smile. Among the eight Guardian Knights, Hilda and Yuna were the

closest, and Hilda understood Yuna better than anyone.

Yuna paused for a moment when she heard that voice, then turned around.

Her face still had a bit of baby fat, but her features were neat and pleasant. Though not stunningly beautiful, she was

definitely attractive. Her almond-shaped eyes were wide and bright. When she saw it was Hilda behind her, she instantly

broke into a smile.

“Hilda, what are you doing here~”

Yuna ran up to Hilda. Though she was older than Hilda, her lively nature was always unreserved when she was around

her.

“What are you doing?”

“Watching the demon army retreat~ I won’t feel at ease until I see them gone! You know how I am~”

Her cheerful tone was completely different from earlier. That was just how Yuna was—cold and distant to strangers, but joyful like a child around close friends.

“How could I not know?”

Hilda’s expression froze for a moment when she saw Yuna’s chest bounce slightly with her movements.

So big.

Even as a knight, Hilda sometimes felt jealous.

Yuna scratched her head in embarrassment, then looked up at Hilda with those bright eyes.

“How is Her Holiness the Saintess? That monster’s been slain, right?”

“The monster escaped. Her Holiness is unharmed and currently at the Sanctuary. I came here today to deliver Her

Holiness’s divine message.”

At the mention of the Saintess, Hilda immediately put away her smile and spoke seriously:

“Knight Yuna, receive the divine message.”

Yuna was stunned for a moment. The innocent smile on her face disappeared, replaced by a solemn expression. She

moved to kneel on one knee, but Hilda reached out to stop her.

“Don’t make any sudden movements. Her Holiness gave strict orders not to draw any attention.”

Yuna paused again at those words, hesitated a little, then stood up and grabbed Hilda by the hand, leading her toward her

room.

After dismissing everyone else, Yuna turned to face Hilda.

“What instructions does Her Holiness have?”

“Her Holiness’s divine message is for three of the Guardian Knights to immediately come to the Sanctuary for a secret

meeting about an important matter.”

“What is it about?”

A puzzled expression appeared on Yuna’s slightly chubby face.

“I don’t know the exact details. Just get ready and try not to attract attention. I’ll be heading to the southeastern cities

soon.”

“Mm, I got it~”

Once she received the divine message, Yuna’s serious expression returned to a bright smile. She looked at Hilda.

“Then I’ll head off first~”

“Wait. You have to leave after me.”

Hilda was clearly more careful about these things. Yuna thought about it briefly and then nodded.

“Alright, then you go first~”

Hilda nodded and turned to leave. But just then, Yuna called after her:

“Are we still going to the usual place tonight?”

“Depends on the situation.”

Hilda left the north district quickly. Less than ten minutes later, Yuna also left the north district.

After that, Knight Hilda visited both the east and south districts. She spoke with Knight Narl and Knight Kaen, then

returned to her residence. Ten minutes later, she set out again—this time for the Sanctuary.

Throughout the entire process, the four knights showed no sign of suspicion. All four had first returned home before heading to the Sanctuary.

When the four knights met at the entrance of the Sanctuary, they exchanged looks—but it was Hilda who stepped forward first and entered.

As the doors opened, all four of them instinctively looked toward the Saintess, who sat calmly on her bed, a gentle and holy smile on her face.

“There’s no need for formality, Guardian Knights.”

As she spoke, Luo Li observed them closely.

There was no need to say anything about Hilda.

Standing next to her was the pink-haired girl, who must be Knight Yuna. They were the only two female knights among the eight Guardian Knights.

Next was Knight Narl.

He was young—only about fifteen—but already a rare genius in Glorious City. His strength placed him among the top of the Guardian Knights.

He had blonde hair and blue eyes, resembling Knight Adam.

Perhaps feeling shy in front of the Saintess, he kept his head down, staring at the floor.

Then came Knight Kaen.

He looked like a middle-aged man, his jaw covered with a well-trimmed beard. His face was sharp and intimidating—

long, narrow eyes in a downward triangle shape, with a fierce glare like a scythe. His large hooked nose and thin lips gave

off a vibe that was hard to approach.

Just by his looks, he totally seemed like a traitor.

A thief, a shady merchant, a street thug—he looked like he could play any of those without even trying.

But Luo Li wasn’t the kind of person to judge by appearance.

This is one of my Guardian Knights!
My life depends on them! Even if he eats rice from my house, I’ll just pay for it!

“Thank you, noble Guardian Knights, for doing your best to protect Glorious City. On behalf of its people, I thank you for your dedication.”

“We are not worthy.”

Kaen’s smile looked more painful than crying.