At the border of the Midwinter Kingdom, at the foot of a mountain covered in white snow, a legion was currently stationed.
Brilliant golden flags embroidered with spreading golden eagles stood out prominently against the monotonous, vast gray environment.
Soldiers wearing thick golden armor—which looked more like works of art than protective gear—were armed to the teeth, the halberds in their hands glinting with a cold light.
They stood guard around the camp, while atop the slope next to the camp was a formation of golden eagle knights.
These elite backbone knights were clad entirely in golden armor covered in fine, faintly shimmering patterns. Their winged helmets were decorated with pure white feathers of birds and beasts, and they held signature massive golden eagle lances or battleaxes. They were mounted on crossbred warhorses produced by the elf kingdom.
Every golden eagle knight stood as an indestructible rock or an unstoppable chariot, their presence radiating brilliantly.
And the one they were guarding was a tall, handsome knight.
He was a prince of the Golden Eagle Kingdom and simultaneously a revered grail knight.
Platinum-colored light armor covered his chest, shoulders, and vital joints. His golden-brown hair was neatly combed back into a pompadour, and his cold, sharp-featured face remained expressionless as he reached out to catch a falling snowflake.
"As expected, this place is still shrouded in the dragon's curse. It is actually snowing heavily during this season."
Dathrohan rubbed the snowflake between his fingers and withdrew his hand. At that moment, a personal guard climbed the slope and reported:
"My lord! The Midwinter Kingdom's border pass has been opened to us. They requested that we march toward the autonomous construct base."
Dathrohan nodded and ordered, "Prepare to depart. Our enemies are the blasphemous creations of the ancient era; the battle will be difficult."
"To fight alongside the glorious grail knight, we fear nothing!"
The golden eagle knights stood at attention and struck their chests in unison, looking at their grand leader with adoration.
Under the leadership of a grail knight, only glory awaited them. Fearing death in battle? What a joke.
While his subordinates began breaking camp and preparing for the march, Dathrohan left the legion alone and walked to a nearby clear lake.
Then, the grail knight knelt solemnly, thrust his silver sword into the ground, and rested his forehead lightly against the hilt. In a voice filled with passion and trembling, he spoke:
"I fearfully call upon your name, Lady, my beloved, my sovereign, the destination of my life and glory... Please deign to cast your gaze here."
Accompanying the grail knight's call, the originally calm lake water rippled. Amidst the sound of waves and flowing light, the figure of the Azure Maiden appeared above the water's surface.
Although the Lady of the Lake could only move near bodies of water, this restriction was essentially negligible. Whether it was a well or a clear spring, it could serve as a teleportation point for the Lady of the Lake.
"Dathrohan..."
Hearing his name from the Lady of the Lake's mouth, the grail knight trembled all over, then carefully lifted his head.
The Azure Maiden wore a holy white robe, a meticulously tailored outfit resembling a nun's habit. Dathrohan didn't dare say it out of disrespect, nor had he ever thought it... but the Azure Maiden's attire was indeed far too tempting.
Even though decades had passed, every time he saw this forbidden beauty, he would withdraw his gaze as if struck by lightning, not daring to fully see the beautiful face partially hidden beneath her hood.
"Yes! My Lady, as you commanded, I have prepared the legion. We will soon enter the Midwinter Kingdom to fight the enemies you specified."
The Azure Maiden wound a strand of hair around her finger, giving an absentminded hum. "Good, you have done well."
"My Lady, there is one more thing..."
After finishing his report, Dathrohan produced a dazzling necklace, placed it in his palm, and offered it up. "This is a treasure I obtained from a labyrinth. Its preciousness is matched only by your beauty. Please accept this token of my heart."
Hearing there was a gift, the Azure Maiden's eyes lit up. With a flick of her finger, the necklace floated into her hand.
The Lady of the Lake held the necklace in her palm to examine it. Under the sunlight, the treasure refracted a rainbow of light.
"It is an occult relic..."
The Azure Maiden wrapped the necklace around her finger and said to Dathrohan, "I am very satisfied. What reward do you wish to receive for this?"
"I need no reward, so long as my Lady likes it."
The Azure Maiden furrowed her delicate brows, putting on a pitiful expression. "But if that is the case, won't I seem insatiably greedy?"
This wasn't the first time Dathrohan had given her a gift. No matter what treasure he found or what magical beast he hunted, he would process them into various ornaments and fine clothes for the Lady of the Lake.
Although he had sworn to become a 【grail knight】, such diligent gift-giving was not part of the vow.
"This is a voluntary gift!"
As if fearing the Azure Maiden might misunderstand, Dathrohan said hurriedly, "Giving gifts to the lady of one's heart is simply what a man should do. If there must be a reward... it is enough if you look at me just a little more than you do my colleagues."
"Beyond that, I ask for nothing else."
"......."
The Azure Maiden looked at Dathrohan, who didn't dare meet her eyes, and a triumphant smile appeared on her beautiful face.
A grail knight, noble and prominent in the eyes of mortals, was unbelievably humble before her.
This contrast made the Lady of the Lake's body tremble with excitement.
Men, really, they were top-tier playthings; she could never get enough of them.
No matter how excellent or outstanding a man was, when facing her, they would view her as a holy goddess, constantly using filters in their minds to beautify her. They would be anxious over her every word and action, and lose sleep over her soft whispers.
The 【grail knights】 under the Azure Maiden's command were all her fanatical pursuers.
They would become 【grail knights】 just to win her favor. They could face death without fear and difficulties without flinching, pouring out everything they had as if that were the very meaning of life.
Human males were so easily manipulated in the palm of her hand.
Except for that guy.
The Azure Maiden thought back to her brief encounter with Faust. Although it wasn't much of a defeat, for some reason, the Qingxi prince's mocking eyes at the time still bothered her.
Afterward, she had specifically investigated Faust's background and looked into his life story.
The result made the Azure Maiden laugh; even with her experience, she had rarely seen a prince who could play around so much.
This incredibly promiscuous stallion actually dared to act pure in front of her!
The more the Azure Maiden thought about it, the angrier she got. She swore she would tame the Prince of Qingxi and make him crawl on the ground to lick her feet!
At that very moment, she felt the 'destiny' enshrouding the Midwinter Kingdom suddenly show signs of turning. The dragon's curse seemed to have a possibility of dissipating.
Thus, the Lady of the Lake went with the flow and joined this 'destiny script'.
Although she didn't know what script it was or where it came from, it didn't matter. The Azure Maiden never intended to defy fate; whatever the fate was, she would just act reasonably according to the situation she knew.
She just wanted to satisfy a small wish of her own while fulfilling her mission.
Therefore, she sent word to the Midwinter Kingdom and summoned one of her grail knights and his direct legion.
The Lady of the Lake lightly touched her pink lips and said, "Dathrohan, on this mission, there is one more thing. I want you to capture the Prince of Qingxi for me and bring him before me unharmed."
Dathrohan paused, then bowed expressionlessly. "Yes. Your will, my Lady."
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