Charge!

"Not at all... I cannot compare to Your Highness, not by a thousand miles..."

In that instant, Yanagi Musashi understood the intention of the Saintess of the Moon standing before him.

She actually wanted to borrow someone else's blade to kill her own people?

If he hadn't heard it with his own ears, Yanagi Musashi would never have believed such a ruler existed.

"However, Sir Musashi, if the commotion isn't large enough, it will be very difficult for me to act. After all, they are a great noble family."

"This... regarding the command of the knights, this humble official still needs to request instructions from His Majesty and our Saintess."

Yanagi Musashi hadn't been completely scared out of his wits by this Saintess of the Moon yet. Handling this matter rashly could easily cause a diplomatic conflict between the two nations. This was no small matter, and he did not dare move recklessly.

Yet the Saintess of the Moon before him wore a smile like a spring breeze and overflowed with confidence, leaving him as confused as a monk scratching his head.

"I believe the Saintess of the Sun and King Yamazaki are sensible people. They will agree. You may go ahead and request instructions, Sir Musashi."

"This humble official understands."

Musashi bowed his head. As a samurai, he understood the etiquette of hierarchy. Facing the ruler of a land, even as a foreign official, he naturally had to treat her with proper respect.

"Very well. Then I shall wait for your good news, Sir Musashi."

As the 3D holographic projection vanished, a flash of doubt crossed Musashi's face in the final second.

Luo Li understood exactly what he was confused about.

After all, using a foreign army's blade to kill one's own subjects was like using a knife to cut meat from one's own body in front of everyone.

Never mind a foreign official like him, even the brilliant Lola didn't quite understand.

"Your Highness, isn't this a bit too..."

"You think my method is too much of a joke?"

Looking back at Lola, the girl nodded seriously.

"Heh... Lola, you still don't understand some things deeply enough."

Leaving the communication room, she walked slowly toward the Temple with Lola following closely behind, her face full of doubt as she asked for guidance.

"What does Your Highness mean by that?"

"Lola, you are very smart and your work is flawless, but you lack a bit in the grand vision. Actually, the big picture is easier to handle than the details, because you only need to understand one thing: the biggest fist makes the rules."

"The biggest fist... makes the rules?"

"Correct! The military power of the Kingdom of the Sun is at its peak, and this involves diplomacy between two nations. In the face of two countries, even the Garnet family, no matter how powerful they are, is nothing more than an ant that can be crushed at any time. I have used diplomatic means to deal with the Garnet family. Even if other families see that this is deliberate retaliation, no one will dare say anything. Some might even join in to kick them while they are down without a second thought."

"Deliberate retaliation? But Your Highness, you have no blood feud with the Garnet family..."

Just as she said this, Lola suddenly remembered something.

A few days ago, when she had bared her heart to Luo Li and spoke of her past, her Saintess had issued an order. Although Lola had been confused, she had executed it.

It wasn't a major thing; she was simply told to spread word of her past. Though it wasn't a formal public announcement, the news had been thoroughly circulated.

"Your Highness... you..."

Lola froze on the spot, her eyes instantly filling with tears.

"Helping you get revenge is one aspect, but more importantly, this gives me a legitimate reason to handle some troublesome families. It is the trend of the times, so you don't need to be like this."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lola lowered her head. Although her mistress spoke calmly, Lola knew in her heart that her mistress was truly getting revenge for her.

At the same time, she understood why her mistress had wanted her story spread.

It was a legitimate excuse. No one would expect a ruler to tolerate the slaughter of their confidant's entire family.

As a lord, seeking justice for a subordinate was an undeniable responsibility.

In other words, days ago... her mistress had already thought of this.

From spreading the word of her past, to the document tablet trade, to the Kingdom of the Sun sending troops, and finally to guiding the knights of the Kingdom of the Sun to cause trouble.

Events from over a decade ago were no longer reliable. Even if they caught the killers of Lola's grandparents now, it would be useless. The Garnet family could simply produce a few scapegoats. That wouldn't even count as a warning; it would be a mere tickle at most.

Furthermore, doing so would offend the Garnet family and make other families wary.

But now it was different.

The public excuse was that the Garnet family had mistreated the army of an allied nation, leading to a military disturbance.

The private excuse was seeking revenge for the murdered grandparents of a subordinate.

But the actual effect was resolving the issue of a great family that had been entangled with the Kingdom of the Moon for centuries.

Diplomatic issues could be small or large.

If the leaders of both countries intended to make a big deal out of it, it was not something a single family could resist!

This time, even if they couldn't completely wipe the Garnet family from the Kingdom of the Moon, they could at least deal them a heavy blow.

Falling from a top-tier family to a first-class one was almost guaranteed.

And the lord of that family would certainly be pushed out by his own kin to take the blame.

Recalling this chain of linked strategies, Lola couldn't help but break into a cold sweat!

She looked up slightly at the Saintess walking ahead of her.

That back was still incredibly holy, with the white hem of her robe floating behind her and her jade feet stepping through the air with every pace.

She wore a kind and gentle smile like a spring breeze, and her bright eyes were full of spirit, seemingly reflecting a hint of happiness.

Though she knew her mistress was extraordinary, this series of calculations was a fatal strike against a top family of the Kingdom of the Moon!

Looking back, every step had seemed small.

Seemingly insignificant... but when gathered together, they possessed such terrifying power!

Even Lola, who believed in her mistress, couldn't help but feel a chill at this moment.

"Lola, why are you dazing? By the way, is Camilla coming this afternoon? Let's go have our meal then."

"Yes, Your Highness. Ms. Camilla will come to visit after noon. Today's lunch is already prepared. Please, Your Highness."

"Then what are we waiting for? I practiced swordplay all morning and I'm exhausted!"

Luo Li wore a happy smile as she walked toward the Temple with light steps.

Lola paused for a moment, looking at her mistress's relaxed expression, and a smile finally formed on the corners of her own mouth.

'I truly... did not choose the wrong person.'

If anyone were watching from behind, they would notice that Lola's steps were firmer and lighter than ever before.

...

Meanwhile, in the capital of the Kingdom of the Sun—'Sea Capital', also known as Sunrise City.

Inside this royal city of the Kingdom of the Sun, Ryuichi Yamazaki, the current King, was listening with a grave expression to the news coming from the border of the Kingdom of the Moon.

"Musashi, you are saying... the Saintess of the Moon's intention is for you to cause trouble?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. That is indeed the meaning of the Saintess of the Moon. Furthermore... the reason is quite ridiculous."

"What reason?"

"Er..."

Speaking of this, Yanagi Musashi felt a bit embarrassed, but he still recounted it.

"The Saintess of the Moon said... the Garnet family actually didn't give us any food, which is a grave lack of hospitality."

"No food?"

"Yes. Although our knights were given several pounds of beef and mutton... indeed, there was no rice or bread."

Musashi really couldn't find a flaw in that point. After all... they really hadn't eaten any rice or bread.

They were stuffed full of meat, so who would even want to eat rice?

"Pfft... no, no food?? Ha~ Hahahaha! Interesting! Truly interesting! This Saintess of the Moon is very interesting indeed!"

Ryuichi Yamazaki froze for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter. Amidst his hearty laughter, he repeatedly praised the Saintess.

Indeed, Ryuichi Yamazaki never expected that the Saintess of the Moon would use such a clumsy excuse.

But on second thought, why would a Saintess capable of producing a document tablet need to use such a clumsy excuse to borrow a blade to kill?

Clearly, there were details hidden within.

However, he didn't care.

"Your Majesty, what should I do?"

"Naturally, you will do as the Saintess of the Moon wishes. Musashi... you are my sword. Since I have lent it out, then how that sword is used is up to the borrower to decide. You must remember, you are only a sword. It is enough to do what a sword should do."

At this point, Ryuichi Yamazaki added a worried instruction.

"However, remember not to lead yourselves into a dangerous situation. If there is any danger, remember to preserve yourselves first. After all, a sword that is lent out must be returned one day."

Yanagi Musashi nodded.

"I understand."

"Go then. Do not hold back. Make the commotion large. Make it so large that all eight nations hear of it."

"Yes!"

Closing the communication, the smile on Ryuichi Yamazaki's face vanished, replaced by a look of gravity.

"Saintess Luo Li, borrowing my blade to kill your people... it seems you truly are a capable monarch. Why didn't I think of this before?"

Recalling his own current crisis, Ryuichi Yamazaki stared blankly for a long time before shaking his head with a bitter smile.

"It's not that I couldn't think of it, but that I didn't dare think of it... Saintess Luo Li, I truly admire this move of yours. I look forward to the day I can discuss national affairs with you face-to-face. Perhaps... you could even save the Kingdom of the Sun."

Who would have thought to use another country's army to handle internal affairs?

Ryuichi Yamazaki simply didn't dare to think in that direction.

Naturally... he wouldn't have had the courage to use it either.

...

Having also closed the communication, Yanagi Musashi took a deep breath.

"I am a sword, so naturally I must do what a sword does. His Majesty is truly His Majesty, to have such a profound understanding."

Nodding as he inexplicably felt a surge of loyalty, Yanagi Musashi turned back and shouted.

"Men!"

Very quickly, a knight clad in samurai armor entered the tent.

"My Lord."

"Tell the men to unsheathe their blades and mount their horses! We are going to cause a scene!"

"Huh?"

The subordinate had no idea what had happened and looked at Musashi with a dazed expression.

"Lord Musashi, what does that mean?"

"It doesn't matter what it means. Just go when I tell you! Hurry!"

"My Lord, what is the... target?"

"The Garnet family's camp. Remember, once you charge in, you are not allowed to kill anyone. Just trample them! I want every single one of you to knock someone down, but there must be no fatalities!"

The subordinate scratched his head in confusion as he went out to deliver the order.

Meanwhile, Musashi quickly donned his armor, hung his katana at his waist, and took up his spear to mount his horse!

He looked at the thirty thousand knights quickly forming ranks.

When ten thousand men gather, they look endless!

Moreover, every one of these knights was fully equipped. Their warhorses were also heavily armored. From a distance, they looked like a swarm of small tanks. Their hooves left clear U-shaped marks on the hard yellow earth.

"Has everyone heard the order?"

"Yes! General!!"

Thirty thousand men responded in unison, the sound shaking the heavens like thunder!

"Follow me!!"

Yanagi Musashi squeezed his horse's flanks and was the first to charge out of the camp.

The thirty thousand knights followed behind him like an earth-shattering tide, heading straight for the Garnet family's camp with a roar that pierced the sky.

This place was one of the ten major cities of the Kingdom of the Moon, the border city of Seaview City. Because it was adjacent to the sea and shared a border with the Kingdom of the Sun, commerce in this region was very developed.

And the primary business of the Garnet family was grain.

Starting from here and extending north, the vast areas of land suitable for planting were all the fief of the Garnet family.

The Garnet family had relied on these lands to support the entire family for centuries!

...

The lord of the Garnet family, Barry Garnet.

This old man with a white beard was currently watching dancers with a beaming smile. These dancers had been bought from the Kingdom of the Sun, so they naturally performed dances of that nation.

Every girl was young and beautiful, and their clothing was very revealing. Between their movements, large patches of snowy-white skin were visible.

As an old man nearing eighty, taking three women to his bed every night—what other interests could a retiring old noble have?

He had enjoyed what there was to enjoy and played with what there was to play with. In his old age, only this hobby remained.

Of course, as a great family that had occupied the Kingdom of the Moon for centuries, he naturally had the wealth to maintain dozens of wives and concubines.

"Good, good... yes, you tonight."

Smiling, Barry pointed at a dancer, a lecherous grin appearing on his face. His aged eyes flashed with light, as if he could see through the dancers' clothes to the snowy bodies beneath.

"Thank you, My Lord."

The chosen woman was filled with disgust, yet she could only force a flattering smile and kneel on the ground to express her gratitude for the opportunity.

Although she was very unwilling to serve this old man, serving him was at least much better than being bought and sold as a common slave.

"Good, good, come here, come here~"

Barry's mouth hung open in a smile as he beckoned. Even if the dancer wanted to refuse, she didn't dare. She could only think it in her heart as she leaned into the old man's embrace.

Barry opened his arms and pulled the woman tightly against him!

At this moment, his mind was already beginning to fantasize about tonight's dream!

However... just then, a booming sound like rolling thunder suddenly came from the horizon.

Boom!

The thunder rolled continuously without any sign of stopping, extending all the way from the north.

"What's going on?"

Barry was startled. As a noble, he was all too familiar with this sound. This was clearly the sound of a heavy cavalry regiment charging.

And currently, the only heavy cavalry within his territory was the army of the Kingdom of the Sun.

A servant suddenly ran in from outside, his face pale as he looked at Barry.

"My Lord! It's bad! The heavy cavalry regiment of the Kingdom of the Sun is charging in!"

"What!?"