I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

"Second Uncle, don't talk to me like that."

He made it seem like he was determined to bring Kal'tsit back.

His words were interrupted, and Chi Long coughed twice, covering his mouth.

After walking a few more steps, the Crimson Dragon whispered instructions to Bai Zhou.

"If you miss home... come back and visit more often. Don't let your younger brother not recognize his own older brother."

"Ah."

The two chatted about mundane family matters for a while, and then Red Dragon felt there was nothing more to say, so he simply pushed Daylight away and told him to go back to Kal'tsit to talk about their relationship.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Kal'tsit, I'm back."

Back at the Linde Hall, Bai Zhou called out to the lynx standing quietly at the entrance.

"Your Highness."

They're finally back.

Upon seeing Bai Zhou's figure, the lynx, which had been waiting for a long time, strolled over to him.

Kal'tsit, have you been drinking?

During the day, I could smell a faint scent of alcohol on her lips and teeth.

"It's just a small cup, Your Highness. Today is a day worth celebrating, so a small drink is only fitting."

"Hmm...that's not the issue..."

"Your Highness?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Perhaps it was because Kal'tsit had been drinking again, but Bai Zhou felt that there was a gentle look in her eyes. But when she looked again, she returned to her usual appearance.

It's probably because of the flickering lights.

"Kal'tsit, come on, I'll take you to a place to rest."

It's getting late, and Kal'tsit hasn't had a break all day because she's been with him. She needs to get some rest.

The palace has many bedrooms, which should have been for the concubines, but because the three emperors either had only one wife or died young, these rooms have become empty.

Although the palace was empty and unattended, it was still cleaned by servants every day. So you could find any room to stay in.

"Your Highness, where do you sleep?"

Sitting on the softly mattressed bed, the lynx grabbed his clothes.

"Me? I'm going next door. Come find me if you need anything."

This isn't the outside world, so he still has to be careful about these things.

"Well then, get some rest, Kal'tsit. See you tomorrow."

"...See you tomorrow, Your Highness."

That being said...

Lying in her warm bed, Kal'tsit couldn't fall asleep as quickly as she had hoped.

"Your Highness..."

The officials' words kept echoing in her mind.

"marriage……"

Ikko...

These were things she had never thought of, nor even dared to hope for.

Well……

Your Highness...

Her fingertips brushed against the smooth quilt, and her gaze fell on the court robe hanging by the bed.

Why does His Highness... so desperately want her to serve the Great Yan?

There are countless talented people in this world. She is not unique and can easily be replaced by those emerging geniuses.

What does he think of himself?

If there is a chance...

To assist a wise ruler and help him build a better country...

If given the chance, she might join Bai Zhou's ranks and serve him.

"Your Highness..."

"Well, what happened?"

Bai Zhou leaned on his side, looking at Kal'tsit.

"Don't you like breakfast?"

"No. The porridge tastes very good. It's just that you look a little worried. If you'd like, I can help you with that."

Kal'tsit said this as she looked at Bai Ri, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Hmm... there is something I'd like to ask Kal'tsit for her opinion on."

Bai Zhou looked at her and asked his question.

When are we leaving?

"Your Highness..."

Kal'tsit paused for a moment.

Although she had considered the possibility that Bai Zhou might leave with her, it was merely a fantasy. In her estimation, the probability of Bai Zhou staying was several times higher than the probability of him leaving with her.

After all, one side is a newborn brother and long-lost family member, while the other is just a travel companion. Isn't it obvious who needs companionship more?

"What's wrong? Do you know how good Da Yan is and want to stay a little longer?"

Seeing Kal'tsit's hesitant expression, Bai Zhou immediately laughed.

"Hmm... If I said I would leave today, Your Highness... would you come with me?"

"of course."

Bai Zhou answered quickly and firmly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Why...why..."

"It's an agreement."

Bai Zhou took the empty bowl from Kal'tsit's hand and filled it with a full bowl of meat porridge.

"I have to stay with you and never leave your side until Kal'tsit finds me annoying."

"Come on, eat some more. You drank alcohol last night, and it's not good for your health to have an empty stomach today."

"...Let's stay a little longer, Your Highness."

"Hmm... how about staying for another half month?"

The daytime was exactly the right amount of time.

"Then, I'll have to ask Your Highness to take good care of me from now on."

Taking the bowl, the heavy feeling filled her heart.

"Of course! Leave it to me with confidence, Kal'tsit."

Return to Chapter Fifty-Three: Farewell!

Half a month later, the two left the capital and continued their journey.

During the journey, the two recorded all the events they experienced during the day.

[At the end of the year 828 of the Terran calendar: Ursus was forced to withdraw its troops from Qazimir due to the strong pressure from Gaul. Two months later, Ursus sent an envoy to renew the peace treaty with Qazimir. The soldiers who had suffered through the harsh winter on the Qazimir border were finally able to return home before White Day and reunite with their families.]

In the year 831 of the Terran calendar, the third year since their re-departure: Gaul and Victoria had been locked in a stalemate since the end of the first year. Three years later, friction arose between soldiers stationed on their borders, providing a pretext for the two nations to clash in their first war. Legions from various factions were deployed to the battlefield, and numerous battles, large and small, erupted. A month into the war, Victoria's land fleet entered the fray. The powerful naval cannons easily tore through the Gaulish legions like paper. Victoria achieved a resounding victory, and the morale of her entire army soared to its peak.

But before Victoria could rejoice for long, a week later, the balance of the war was tipped once again as a mobile city, spanning hundreds of miles and carrying hundreds of thousands of troops, stormed onto the battlefield.

The land fleet was like a pack of wolves, roaming the wilderness, ready to bare their fangs and launch a fatal attack when the opportunity arose.

The mobile city, on the other hand, is like a raging bear, needing no hiding or concealment, charging directly into the battlefield and crushing all who stand in its way.

This battle shocked the entire Terra.

People never imagined that such a terrifying war machine could exist in the world.

[Terra Year 835, Winter: After three years of war, with countless deaths and injuries, and both sides severely weakened, the calamity of this three-year war finally came to an end. Victoria and Gaul signed a truce, but everyone knew it was only temporary. However, no sooner had one wave subsided than another arose. While the south of the continent was at peace, strange movements were once again reported in the north of Ursus. The demons, those inexhaustible pests, had returned once more.]

Ursus dispatched troops to suppress the rebellion and appealed to the Yan Kingdom for help. Citing the principle of mutual dependence, the Yan Kingdom sent troops to support them. After a bloody winter of fighting, the demons were finally repelled. However, countless lives were lost in the icy snows of the north.

In the year 838 of the Terra calendar, ten years after Bai Zhou left Yan, as spring turned to summer, he received a letter from home.

[A village in eastern Sami]

Spring has passed, and summer is approaching.

Bai Zhou was taking a nap against a rock.

In the village behind him, Kal'tsit was delivering a baby. Bored and unable to wander off, he decided to rest there.

Just as I was considering dinner, a golden streak of light streaked across the sky, like a falling meteor, heading straight for daylight.

"?"

In the daytime, he raised his hand and precisely caught that streak of light.

That was the messenger hawk he left for his second uncle.

The eagle wasn't in good condition. Its feathers were badly worn, probably from recently crossing stormy clouds.

But this shouldn't have happened.

Unless there is a particularly urgent situation, it will choose the shortest and fastest route to reach him at all costs.