I'm Not Afraid

I raised my index finger to my lips.

"Shhh... what if someone hears you?"

At my words, a mischievous smile played across Ligeia’s lips as well.

"Your Highness is truly wicked~"

"It takes one to know one~"

Jokes aside, we needed to discuss the main point.

"The problem is, we might not have enough time."

If we traveled at full speed from Brilliant City, it would take five to seven days to reach the Four-Ring Mountains and meet the refugee vanguard.

But looking at the timeline, my hidden preparations might not arrive in time.

"Do not worry, Your Highness. Skysoar dragons are incredibly fast, reaching speeds of about two hundred kilometers per hour. Based on dragon habits, they can go several nights without sleep. I will go and urge them along."

"Mmm, I will leave the negotiations with the dragons to you."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I am going to check on the horses we selected."

"Will Your Highness still be riding horses? Aren't you going to ride a dragon?"

Ligeia looked at me with a beaming smile.

"Ride a dragon? Never mind, I will look into that later. I just hope the reinforcements will make it in time."

As we spoke, a nun’s announcement came from outside the door.

"Your Highness, Bishop Lola requests an audience."

"Let her in."

Hearing the announcement, I couldn't help but shake my head helplessly.

Even though I told Lola she didn't need to be announced to enter the main hall, she still stuck to the rules.

How could such a clever person be so unexpectedly stubborn?

"Your Highness, I have arrived."

"Right. By the way, was the letter delivered?"

"Rest assured, Your Highness. Baker has received the letter and replied that there are no problems."

"That is good..."

Looking at Lola’s expression... mmm, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She probably didn't peek, right?

I am not the sentimental type, especially when it comes to scenes of two girls crying upon meeting. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

If she wants to cry, she can wait until after I am dead.

"By the way, Lola, notify the hundred thousand infantry of the Kingdom of the Sun to take a detour to the Four-Ring Mountains. Tell the thirty thousand knights of the Kingdom of the Sun to head to the front line border immediately."

"Your Highness, about the matter with the Garnet family..."

"We will deal with the Garnet family when I return. Tell General Yanagi Musashi of the Kingdom of the Sun to continue the investigation. We must hold them accountable! Even if I..."

I almost said 'even if I don't come back,' but I felt it was bad luck to say it out loud. What if the jinx came true?

"No matter what, the Garnet family must pay a heavy price. Otherwise, this will never be settled. Tell General Yanagi Musashi that he should know what to do."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lola nodded slightly, then looked up at me again, hesitating as if she wanted to say something.

"Is there something else?"

I looked at Lola and asked in confusion when I saw her hesitation.

"No... it is just, Your Highness, this trip is too dangerous. Should we... bring Sake along?"

I almost forgot about that guy.

However, I do not like to force others, so I would need to discuss it with him.

"Call him here. By the way, are the horses I asked for ready?"

"They are prepared and waiting outside the Temple."

"Mmm, I will check them later. Call Sake in first."

"Yes."

Lola nodded and quickly brought Sake in.

As Sake’s two-ton body walked across the floor, even the stone slabs of the Temple seemed to tremble slightly.

Currently, Sake was clad in a full suit of silver armor. Compared to before, he looked so much more dashing that he was practically unrecognizable.

"Your Highness, what did you call me for?"

Sake scratched his head and looked at me with a dazed expression.

Seeing him like this, I knew exactly what he was thinking.

This bull was not stupid. On the contrary... he was a guy who looked simple-minded but was actually very sharp. There was no way he didn't know that two thousand knights had gathered outside the city.

In other words, he was intentionally playing dumb because he didn't want to go.

"You don't need to play dumb with me. That trick won't work. I know you don't want to go, and I won't force you. However, I have something to entrust to you."

Sake’s vacant eyes instantly regained their light. He looked down at me, pondered for a moment, and then nodded.

"Please give your orders, Your Highness. As long as I can do it, I will not hesitate."

I beckoned him over, and Sake lowered his head, leaning his ear toward me.

"If I do not return this time, you must ensure that Lola and Nara are safe. I know you can do it, so don't play dumb. You are as sharp as a tack."

Sake’s expression stiffened, and he suddenly whispered to me.

"Is Your Highness... in danger this time?"

"A little, but not too much."

"A little... how much is that?"

"I might not come back."

I would not hide anything from this clever tauren.

Even if I did, he would be able to guess it. Rather than letting him keep guessing, it was better to tell him directly.

Sake pondered for a moment and suddenly asked.

"Your Highness... can I talk to you alone?"

"Fine. Lola, Nara, you two step out first. Ligeia... you can do as you please."

Ligeia shrugged noncommittally and found a spot to sit down. However, even though the space she sat in was empty, it looked as if she were sitting on something.

This made me marvel at Ligeia’s magical prowess once again; it was truly astonishing.

Ordinary magic, even if it could be cast instantly, would always have some signs or fluctuations. But Ligeia’s casting process didn't leak even a trace of energy.

This was enough to prove that Ligeia’s control over magic had reached a near-perfect level.

"Your Highness, I... have something I want to ask you."

"Speak. If you have questions, ask them now. I might not have the chance later."

"Your Highness... what is your goal in going to the front line? Is it really for those refugees?"

Sake’s brow knit together as he stared directly into my eyes. The clever playfulness from before was gone, replaced by a sense of gravity.

"That is correct. It is for those people," I replied, looking directly at Sake without hiding a thing.

"Is it worth it? You... are the Saintess who stands above hundreds of millions. Is it worth trading your life for the lives of a few million people?"

"There is no such thing as 'worth it' or 'not worth it.' I only know that this is what I want to do. And..."

Looking at Sake’s bovine face, I smiled.

"Sake, life... cannot be measured. You say I am important, but even without me, the Kingdom of the Moon will have its next Saintess, its knights, and the Pope."

"But if the Kingdom of the Moon has no people, would the country... still be a country?"

"But Your Highness, even so... although I have no title, I am definitely strong. If you take me with you, I can at least protect your life. Why... do you not demand that I follow you?"

"Because you are unwilling."

"Simply... because of that?"

Sake seemed surprised. His large eyes, round as copper bells, stared at me as if trying to see through to my true heart.

I nodded, hiding nothing.

"I do not like to force people. I think I know the reason you don't want to go. Is it because of your wife and children?"

Sake froze, and the expression on his face became somewhat stiff.

"Your Highness, I..."

"There is no need to explain. I understand. Family is very important to you. If you die, your wife and children will lose their support. I understand your worry for them, so I will not force you."

This silly bull would always intentionally or unintentionally brag about his wife when he spoke; clearly, he loved her very much.

Although I didn't know how a two-ton beastman tauren met, fell in love with, and married a human woman.

But that didn't mean I disliked the couple. On the contrary... it actually felt a bit exciting.

Mmm, a two-ton beastman paired with a baby-faced, busty human girl... isn't that a match made in heaven for an old lecher?

Moreover, given his personality, his love for his wife was completely undisguised.

That was something I liked about him even more.

Being honest about one's feelings allowed one to be honest with others.

"I do not require you to go on this adventure with me because you have a family, but I do not. I can afford to lose, but you cannot. So..."

I took a slight step back and bowed.

"I can only ask you, if I really do not come back, please ensure the safety of Lola and Nara."

"Your... Your Highness, this... I cannot accept this. You... please stand up."

Seeing me like this, Sake grew anxious and wanted to support me. But then he remembered he was facing the Saintess and didn't dare touch me, leaving him frantically scratching his head and stumbling over his words.

"Pfft~ alright, just agree to her request. After all, she really is taking a big risk this time."

Ligeia chimed in from the side. Hearing this, Sake could only nod.

"I promise! I promise! Your Highness, please stand up."

"Thank you. I entrust the safety of Lola and Nara to you. In a critical moment, you can take them to find Baker. Baker will find a way to get them out of the Kingdom of the Moon."

"I understand."

Sake nodded. After hesitating for a long time, he suddenly looked at me seriously and knelt on one knee.

His knee hit the floor with a dull 'thud.'

"Your Highness!!"

His voice became much louder, as if he were performing a solemn ceremony. Ligeia, standing nearby, showed a slight look of surprise.

But then, she broke into a smile.

"Sake, what are you doing?"

I looked at him in surprise; Sake’s action was quite unexpected.

"Your Highness... you care so much for your subordinates and are willing to risk your life for refugees. I have never seen such a ruler in my life. I swear my loyalty to you, without reservation!!"

"Aren't you afraid of dying on the battlefield? If something really happens, what about your wife and children?"

Hearing this, Sake split his mouth into a simple, honest grin.

"Hehe, Your Highness surely thinks more thoroughly than I do. Even if I die on the battlefield, Your Highness will definitely take good care of my family!"

"So, I am not afraid!"

Good.

However, this time, it really isn't your turn to take the stage.

"Sake, I do not need you on the battlefield this time. You only need to protect Nara and Lola. After I leave, you must not let anything happen to them."

Still a bit uneasy, I added one more instruction.

"You must promise me that you will not let a single hair on their heads be harmed!"