Chapter 137 Princess Silina Arrives in Person - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

"What the heck?! How did your eyes get so dark?!" Upon seeing the tardy arrival of Lynn, Greya couldn't help but exclaim. After a three-day-and-night train journey, they finally arrived at the city of Troy. Thanks to a handwritten letter from Duke Tyrell, they managed to make their way to the military's magic teleportation matrix. "It's nothing, just an all-nighter the night before, drained by a beautiful older sister," Lynn replied expressionlessly, effortlessly speaking words that evoked envy and jealousy. "I don't believe you," Greya sneered. "Knowing you, that story's likely made up." "Besides, the only one here you'd call a beautiful older sister is Her High– ahem, do you think I'd believe that?" "Alright." Lynn sighed. "I did lie to you." "I knew it." "It was actually last night." "...?" Greya was about to continue the banter when he suddenly noticed the dignified Princess Evester approaching the matrix, surrounded by soldiers. The matrix was positioned on a raised platform, intricate patterns covering the surface, with hundreds of embedded magic stones and extraordinary materials at various nodes around it. "What are you two talking about?" ... Her crimson eyes glanced over, making Greya freeze in silence. To his surprise, his mischievous friend Lynn didn't utter any provocative remarks this time. Instead, he looked away, seemingly guilty. Hey, don't pull that! That expression makes it seem like something actually happened between you and Her Highness! Greya felt as if he had stumbled upon a secret, his excitement mingled with fear bringing tears to his eyes. But the surprises for him weren't over yet. Seeing both of them remain silent, Princess Evester frowned, then approached Lynn, overlooking the astonished eyes of her subordinates. She adjusted his disheveled collar. "We're returning to the Imperial City soon. Looking this unkempt, do you want to be mocked by our enemies?" She commented casually while fixing his attire. A faint, soothing fragrance wafted to his nose. "Enemies? Isn't Her Highness exaggerating a bit?" Lynn felt uneasy and sought for words. At this, Evester's expression suddenly turned serious: "Do you think I'm exaggerating?" "…" Lynn did not answer. Seeing this, Evester took a deep breath, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes: "You haven't forgotten what we've agreed upon, have you?" "No." After a moment of silence, Lynn's demeanor turned solemn as he refocused on Evester. "This return to the capital is to ensure those who mocked us and brought us misery fall into a bottomless abyss." "Anyone who stands against Her Highness is our enemy." "And against enemies, we fight." The atmosphere turned tense. The accompanying military soldiers' expressions shifted, as if they sensed the impending storm from Lynn's words. Evester, noticing this, nodded in satisfaction. "Very well." Her face filled with a sense of relief. "In that case, we can depart." "Destination—Glosting!" In the next instant, the overwhelming power of a sixth-tier demigod descended from above. The previously dim teleportation matrix suddenly erupted in a blaze of bright white light, engulfing everyone completely! Southern Border, Saint Pharos Fortress. "Captain Sia, how long do you plan to take leave this time?" "I miss the days on the demon battlefield, conducting decapitation missions with you. Though the conditions were tough, the rate of our achievements skyrocketing was unparalleled!" "The commanding officer personally approved your return to Glosting and activated the teleportation matrix for you. Seems like he holds you in high regard." "Think you'll make it to Major this time?" In front of the matrix, a group of rugged soldiers surrounded a young blonde boy, speaking with admiration in their eyes. Clearly, this young boy was highly respected in the military, which is why so many came to see him off. This was respect earned through skill. To them, he was not only the people's battle hero, a rising star of the military but also a comrade they could trust with their lives. Many had been saved by him and his squad from dire situations. Hearing his comrades' chatter, Sia, the blonde youth, couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. However, maintaining his public image, he donned a gentle smile. "Probably won't be back for long." Sia scratched his head. "Princess Silina urgently called me back, so I'll just go with the flow regarding any promotions." Despite his indifference, he was quite interested in breaking the rumored record of the Bartleon second son's rapid ascent. Moreover, he had recently, with his team’s help, managed to slay a fifth-tier legendary warrior. Though the opponent was in a weakened state and they utilized the advantage of a seal, a win is a win. How the Empire’s administration and the Sacred Oak Institution would reward this extraordinary feat was for them to decide. As he understood it, Silina's summon was perhaps to address this matter. The repercussions of defeating the fifth-tier legend far exceeded Sia’s expectations, with the Sacred Oak awarding him a bonus of a thousand points. Currently, Princess Silina was overwhelmed, trying to close the gap with the second prince, Ferit, in their competition for the top position. Perhaps she also needed a powerful aide to return and assist her. Recalling the unparalleled beauty from his memories, Sia found his thoughts warming up. It would be wonderful if he could win Her Highness's favor and become someone irreplaceable to her. I need to work even harder, he thought, clenching his fists with determination. Just then, whistles erupted from the nearby soldiers. "Captain Sia, your sweetheart is here." Someone nudged the blonde boy’s elbow. Sia snapped back to focus, unconsciously looking at the figures approaching him through the crowd. A bronzed-skinned beastfolk girl, a muscular female warrior with a giant hammer on her shoulder, a petite assassin with her face covered in a black veil... Though the all-female squad was worth quipping about, everyone's attention was currently fixed on the girl in the center. She was a girl in a light green dress, accessorized with a mithril breastplate and steel boots, holding an alchemical staff of moon-white. Her demeanor was icy, her expression indifferent, her delicate face resembling a flawless porcelain doll, slender yet curvaceously formed. But those weren't the key points. The key was her long light brown hair and pointed ears, hinting at some elven features. Feeling no awareness of the surrounding focus, the girl appeared like a puppet. If Lynn were present, he would instantly detect something unusual. Both carried a cold demeanor, but while the witch's aloofness was a result of millennia of insights, making her indifferent to all affairs, this girl was different. Her coolness was akin to having no heart, acting more like an instinct-driven puppet devoid of human emotions. Thus, she remained detached from the attention around her. Yet, now, the girl, who should be as frigid as ice, displayed rare tenderness when her gaze landed on the golden-haired boy. It was as if Sia held significant importance to her. Noticing this, Sia offered a gentle smile: "Tia, is your luggage ready?" Tia, the girl, nodded slightly, "Brother Sia, shall we go?" Though lacking emotions like a regular person, she was still a girl who appreciated cleanliness. The stale military fortress was a place where she couldn't stand to linger any longer. This visit to the Saint Pharos Fortress wasn't just about assisting Sia in hunting the fifth-tier legendary creature, but also entailed some tasks assigned by the Silent Church. As a Saintess, she couldn’t defy the Church's orders. "Well then, shall we go?" Looking at the teleportation matrix radiating a dazzling light, Sia extended his hand to Tia. Hesitant for a few seconds, the elf-featured girl carefully placed her slender hand in Sia's warm palm. But in the next moment, her face suddenly turned ashen, a flicker of pain crossing her brow. "Sorry, I..." She withdrew her hand from Sia's grasp instinctively, hugging her shoulders as if chilled. "Still can't do it?" Seeing this, a look of concern crossed Sia's face, but in his eyes, there was a fleeting, barely noticeable frustration. Tia nodded, biting her lip lightly, "I'm sorry, Brother Sia, I..." This was a curse she was born with. Any male born in this world aroused extreme aversion and rejection in Tia. It wasn’t just psychological—physical contact could even induce physiological changes. Over time, she became accustomed to being alone, avoiding interactions with any man. Until one day, a nun from the Silent Church discovered her gift and brought her to the church to undergo the awakening ceremony. The results left everyone stupefied. She turned out to have a one-in-a-million goddess affinity, a natural-born goddess' choice, set to be cherished by the Moon Goddess from birth until death. Thus, it was a foregone conclusion that Tia would become a Saintess. She assumed she would spend her life serving the goddess, alone until death. Unexpectedly, everything changed when she met this golden-haired boy before her. As a devout follower of the goddess, meant to maintain lifelong purity for her faith, she found herself enamored with a man. “It’s I who should apologize,” Sia shook his head, “I forgot about your condition. I’m really sorry.” “…” His understanding made Tia’s feelings even more complex. During their time together, he would occasionally make excessive demands. But because of her physical condition and the guilt from her faith, she always refused, never fulfilling his wishes. Eventually, this guilt piled up, hard to alleviate. Watching Sia ascend the teleportation matrix, surrounded by team members, a flicker of determination shone in Tia’s eyes. Brother Sia, just wait a little longer. Once the Moonlight Festival is over, perhaps the "curse" on me can truly be lifted. By then... I’ll offer my everything to you. As the matrix emitted an unprecedented blaze of incandescence, the elven girl slowly closed her eyes, silently reflecting. Imperial Capital Glosting, Saint Roland Military Headquarters, in front of the teleportation matrix facility. Observing the matrix glowing atop the platform, hundreds of administrative military staff lined up, waiting at headquarters. As the senior officer on duty this week, responsible for the welcome, Major Hayden watched the scene on the platform with a stern gaze, awaiting the arriving crowd. Two groups were expected tonight, though it was uncertain which would arrive first. However, in terms of those arriving, either group would prove challenging. Captain Sia, a battle hero closely tied to the military, yet a subordinate of Princess Silina. The other group was even more notable, consisting of Princess Evester and her subordinates, who had just quashed a border rebellion—at least that’s the official version disseminated publicly. Both had recently performed heroically for the Empire and were returning to the capital for accolades. Yet, due to the ongoing royal selection, Major Hayden decided to refrain from signaling any political allegiance, treating the occasion purely as an ordinary welcoming ceremony. Lost in thought, a subordinate's voice suddenly interrupted him. “Major, Her Highness is here personally, waiting outside.” “… Let her in.” Just what I feared. A twinge of headache crossed Major Hayden’s eyes, but he gestured for entrance regardless. Moments later, amidst the crisp clatter of footsteps, a tall woman cloaked and flanked by guards approached the crowd. When she lowered her hood, all the gathered soldiers immediately bowed, kneeling on one knee to perform the Saint Roland Empire’s oldest shoulder salute. In the presence of royal family members, especially one of such esteemed lineage, even soldiers must offer their utmost respect. “Greetings, Princess Silina!” “No need for formalities.” Her voice melodious, imbued with strange magic, instantly eased the tension and anxiety among all present. “I am here merely to welcome back that unruly subordinate.” “He must have caused you quite some trouble during his time in the military?” Major Hayden shook his head, “Captain Sia is a revered battle hero of the military, a guardian to the people. Only such brave warriors, actively safeguarding on the demon battlefields, ensure the Empire’s rear society functions smoothly.” Hearing praise for her subordinate, a barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips. Then, as if in casual afterthought, she asked softly, “By the way, I heard Princess Evester’s group will also utilize the teleportation matrix to return to the capital tonight?” Major Hayden, sweating, affirmed, “Yes.” So, her real interest indeed lies in the Third Princess. Can’t imagine how things will unfold shortly. At least it’s not my concern. He pondered silently. "Tonight’s celebration banquet must include our great heroine who saved the border. Even Father will attend in person." "In that case, I should bring little Evester back with us,” she softly mused. “I haven't seen her in ages, and I do miss her.” Please vote for the monthly ticket!!! And a quick shout-out to a friend’s book!!!