Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

Lyle was led by the knights to the central tower. After being passed around several times, he knew he had encountered familiar faces. The rough gauntlets lifted his arm, and the gritty texture of sand made Lyle recognize them. Even without noticing this, their distinctive tower shields and heavy armor betrayed their identities. They were the royal knights of Deria, the queen's protectors, defenders empowered by the king's power.

“Long time no see, gentlemen,” Lyle greeted them, indicating that he was a guest, not a prisoner being escorted.

The Defender Knights of Queen Lina of Deria are not only the strongest fighting force in Deria, but also Lina Deria's personal fanatical support group. Due to a past misunderstanding, Lyle and they have caused quite a few laughs.

"Hmph! Here to see Lina?" The knight put Lyle down and then traveled with him like a friend.

"Yes, I've come to see Queen Lina and Her Highness Keira of Levisel on some official business."

Lyle doubted they had heard what he said next; they just hummed meaninglessly and then shoved the gift box into Lyle's hands.

"You dare to come empty-handed? You've got some nerve! Even though you forgot, we've prepared something for you. Lina's been collecting cute little trinkets lately, so don't be rude, kid. Be careful, these are rare imports from the City of Wanderers!"

Lyle looked at the long, diamond-shaped gift box in his hand, feeling its weight. It probably contained short swords and daggers; it wasn't light, but compared to the large lance Her Majesty the Queen usually wielded, it was certainly rather cute. Holding the gift box, Lyle walked to the tower of the Dereia royal castle. Before he even stepped inside, a loud explosion rang out overhead, and a figure flew out of the tower, landing headfirst right next to Lyle.

He was tall, his head buried in the pit, his face obscured. He lost his balance, his knees buckled, he gave a thumbs-up with his right hand, and then pulled his head out of the pit.

"We meet again, Sir Benjamin."

Benjamin, the First Knight of Deria and Queen's loyal dog, considers himself Queen Lina's elder and treats the queen, who is the same age as him, as his own child, even though Lina herself thinks he's an annoying pervert. Upon hearing Lyle's voice, Benjamin, covered in dust, stared at Lyle with wide eyes. He froze for a moment, then tears welled in his eyes, and gave Lyle a bear hug that nearly strangled him.

"So you've finally seen the light? Let me make this clear: I won't agree to this marriage until you can recite 'Lina Lina is the cutest in the world'!"

"Stop fooling around, I've come to Deria on serious business!"

"What are you talking about! The Queen's future is Dereia's top priority, and the most important thing is the Queen's marriage! Someone come and take my Lina away! If she continues like this, she'll really become a workaholic who sacrifices herself for the country!"

The conflict between the royal family, grandfather and granddaughter of the Dereya clan, seemed unresolved, and an enraged Queen Lina refused any assistance from the late Knight King Reid. After the nation escaped the crisis of the Holy Light Judgment, she became even busier.

Benjamin was rubbing his face vigorously, his eyes glazed over with a delirious expression. The First Knight was concerned about the Queen's succession, but if things continued this way, not only would the offspring be a concern, but even Lina's health was at risk.

Lyle moved the gift box to one hand, turned sideways and passed through the doorway past Benjamin, patting the knight on the shoulder as he did so.

"I've brought a new agreement that, if all goes well, should help improve the lives of people in Derya, so make way, big knight."

"Can't you just help me out completely! How about turning a business matter into a personal one! Damn it, with Lina's circle of male friends, I'd like to sleep with her myself!"

"Why not?!" Lyle wholeheartedly agreed with the suggestion, so that he wouldn't be forced to accept Lina's missionary lessons when encountering Defender Knights in the future.

“Absolutely not! My feelings for Queen Lina have long transcended earthly love! I want to help her raise her children and be a good wife, and even after I die, I want to turn into ashes to protect her.”

"...How disgusting."

Lyle climbed the spiral staircase, and the daddy knight naturally followed, beginning a new round of preaching. Lyle tried to find a way to interrupt his incessant chatter.

"So, why were you thrown out again?"

“I want to take off Lina’s clothes.” Benjamin’s expression was serious, his eyes gleaming in the dark stairwell.

"When we were fighting in the City of Wanderings, we became very close to the Black Abyss Demons. I discovered that the female demons possessed a charm that Queen Lina lacked. It must be the clothes! Lina has been wearing that heavy knight armor for too long. Although she sometimes wears cute clothes in private, she always dresses herself up like a metal can in public."

"The people have forgotten Queen Lina's beauty and only describe this young girl as steady and strong. How can I accept this painful reality! Every night, I lie in front of the portrait of the Queen as a child that I stole from the old king and weep."

"I must tear off that ugly armor and let Queen Lina's beauty bloom like a flower!"

Lyle nodded habitually.

"Then you were thrown out, falling to the ground along with your dreams."

Benjamin clenched his fist.

"I am a defender knight, my conviction is as firm as iron and as heavy as a mountain."

"Don't use chivalry in this kind of situation."

Lyle grumbled as he pushed open the door to the Queen's office area.

Chapter 717 Traveling in Formal Attire

Lina Delia sat on the throne at the far end of the field of vision, sunlight streaming through the window lattice illuminating her armor. The queen, both charming and heroic, looked up.

In fact, Queen Delia was a petite woman, and the custom-made knight's armor paired with her doll-like face created a comically incongruous effect, which complemented her attempts to maintain a serious expression. Lina in her armor resembled a glimpse of a gemstone or an open pearl oyster. Lyle was pleased with his apt metaphor.

Lena looked up from the documents, her right eyebrow raised and her lips downturned. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Lyle, then her gaze swept past him and landed on Benjamin behind him. Lena gritted her teeth, revealing her fangs, and grabbed the weapon from the corner of the table with her right hand.

"Didn't I tell you I didn't want to see you today? Benjamin, you've disobeyed my orders again."

Benjamin obediently knelt down.

“Your Highness, I had no intention of disturbing you, but Lord Lyle has come again, and since he doesn’t know the way, I have to accompany him. As a knight, I should obey your orders, but Lord Lyle’s arrival may bring new benefits to Derya and to you. Considering this, I think I should improvise.”

Perhaps to maintain Delia's authority, or perhaps to accept Benjamin's explanation, Lina lowered her weapon, propped her head up, and looked at Lyle.

"What is it, my hero, Derya?"

Lyle bowed respectfully to Queen Drea, then glanced furtively at Lina's expression to make sure her mood hadn't worsened before continuing with his prepared remarks.

"I have a plan to connect Deria with an elven tribe and facilitate some cultural and trade exchanges. Now that Deria has severed ties with the human nations, more resource channels are always beneficial."

Lina nodded as if she understood something, left her seat, and walked towards Lyle.

He walked past Lyle and headed towards the stairs outside the room.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go."

Lyle was somewhat puzzled.

"Where?"

Lina instructed Benjamin to prepare a mount and gestured for Lyle to follow.

“Levither. You’ll definitely bring Keira along, right? For cultural exchange with the elves, those tree-dwellers are definitely more suitable than us. It’s all about discussion, so let’s wait until everyone arrives before we discuss it together.” Lina glared fiercely at Lyle.

"Don't get me wrong, it's not to save you trouble, it's just that I'm worried about you being alone with Kayla. Why are you looking at me like that... I need to make sure the conditions between the two countries are fair, and I also need to discuss the relevant arrangements with Queen Kayla of Lewes."

Lyle nodded in agreement.

"As expected of Lina, you're very thoughtful. Besides, you and Kayla have become good friends. Echel and Reid will be very happy."

Lina didn't say anything, but her eyes urged Lyle to leave her office quickly.

The wall full of weapons disappeared from Lyle's sight as the door closed. Lina did not go down, but instead went up to her own bedroom with Lyle.

Lina viewed this as a formal diplomatic exchange between kingdoms, and changing into appropriate attire was a necessary basic courtesy.

Lyle stepped out of the tower and, with the help of a knight, climbed onto the horse's back—a docile gelding, clearly intended for a guest. The other warhorse, equipped with armor, was a size larger than the gelding, somewhat noisy, and its high saddle looked far less comfortable than Lyle's. Moreover, its eyes conveyed a clear message: approach and it would kick.

Lina didn't keep Lyle waiting long; someone else had arrived before her.

The vanished Knight Benjamin fell from the sky once more, shaking the earth. His panicked horses snorted and hooves pounded on their armor.

Lina emerged from the tower's main entrance, her armor unchanged, but her face flushed, as if she had just applied makeup. Passing the knights burying the earth, Lina spat, completely disregarding royal etiquette, and deftly mounted the tall saddle. Pulling on the reins and using the stirrups, she easily leaped up, traversing a height of one and a half herself, utterly ignoring the weight of the steel.

"What did he do this time?"

“They broke into my room and changed all my formal attire into shameless clothes.”

Lyle knew there was more to it than that; the above charges would only get Benjamin thrown out. The blush on Lina's face had a hidden reason.

"What a pity! Your Majesty!" The First Knight instantly pulled his head out of the ground, his straight gaze seemingly seeing through the armor.

In reality, Lena only told half the story. Benjamin did indeed change her formal attire, and in the loyalty of the First Knight, he prepared some outfits that pushed Lena's tolerance to the limit and showcased her charm.

Lena Derya has a strong competitive spirit, and considering that the woman she is about to meet, Kayla, is a charming lady, she will change into that outfit with a blush and a mixture of shyness and reluctance.

Then the meticulously planned First Knight was still defeated by his loyalty to the Queen. After Lina changed her clothes, he emerged from the corner of the balcony where he was hiding, showering her with endless praise.

"When I get back, your death is nigh." Lina left these harsh words, looking down at Benjamin as if he were a corpse.

But harsh words are just harsh words. Lina Delia knows who her subjects are, and she understands the mindset of Benjamin and the knights. She is a monarch who has relied entirely on herself to guide Delia through difficult times. She understands reality and cherishes her treasures; the knights who protect her have long since replaced her family. Lina presents herself as fierce, but it is merely a facade. Perhaps her inner cowardice is also a contributing factor to the strange atmosphere within the knightly order.

"May Sir Benjamin accompany us?"

Lina looked at Lyle with an expression that was more strange than angry.

"Are you really... prone to getting lost?"

Lyle shook his head, pointing to the handsome Knight Benjamin.

"This relates to the plan I'm going to discuss with you. I'd like to choose a few brand ambassadors from both countries. Derya, I think Knight Benjamin would be perfect."

Lina's face darkened, and she tightened the reins, her expression one of utter frustration and disbelief.

"Although I hate to admit it, I can't think of a better candidate. It's sad that our country's talent pool has become so barren."

Lyle comforted Lina, who was feeling down.

"It's mainly a matter of appearance. Benjamin Knight is handsome, tall, and loyal, which meets my ideal of a knight. It doesn't matter if he has a bad inner self; I just need to package him up. Actually, I only want the skin."

Lina felt a little better and smiled gratefully: "That's true, he's just not bad looking."

Lena and Lyle rode slowly, laughing, while Benjamin, the protagonist who was being belittled, cheerfully led out his warhorse.

"As expected of the man I've chosen, he easily won Princess Lina's heart. He even secured me the opportunity to accompany her. What a talent..."

"But even if I don't have the chance, I'll just follow them secretly on my own."

Chapter 718 It's a Little Hot

Lyle was delighted to be back in the forests of Levisser. The tall trees shielded the wasteland from the scorching sun, the moisture in the air lifted the floating dust, and a refreshing breeze soothed the swelling on his skin from the long friction against his horse. Benjamin and Derea remained expressionless, their heavy armor making no sound. Lyle swallowed the complaint that was about to escape his lips.

A narrow, stone-paved path, barely wide enough for one person, winds its way through the forest. Every so often, another path branches off, leading to a river beneath one's feet. Benjamin explains that this path was left by rangers who removed animal traps from the undergrowth, guiding lost knights through the forest to the right path leading to the Kingdom of Levis.

Thanks to the conspicuous and safe directions, they quickly arrived at Levisser, directly beneath the Tree Kingdom. It was quite different from before; a stable had appeared on the ground, a stone shed built between the forked roots of a large banyan tree. Ten paces away from the shed was a ten-square-meter platform, secured by eight sturdy woven ropes at the four corners of the fence, guarded by two rangers. It was a brilliantly ingenious elevator platform; for an outsider like Lyle, he could finally happily say, "To hell with the children's passage!"

The ranger, sensing the danger, notified his companions above via a rope. Just as they bowed to Queen Delia, the platform rose forty centimeters off the ground—everything was normal. The ranger nodded and made way. Lina was the first to step onto the platform. The suspended platform had clearly lowered slightly. Lyle's ascent was less noticeable, but he noticed the ranger's worried expression and Benjamin's subtle movement of pushing aside the guards.

Benjamin hopped up, and the platform immediately began to shake. The ropes groaned under the strain, and the sound of tearing fibers filled everyone's ears.

It was obvious they were overweight. Ignoring these warnings and continuing to ascend was clearly unreasonable. Lina and Benjamin looked at each other, both finding the other's knightly armor extremely irritating. The loyal knight was the first to kneel, and the sudden increase in impact caused the elevator to shake further. Lyle clung tightly to the railing; the knight was firmly blocking the exit, and this was the only solace he could find.

“Your Highness Lina, as you can see, we stand at a crossroads of fate. In this perilous moment, we need your wise decisions and your guiding light. So, take it off.” His gaze was pure and innocent, sincere and earnest. Strands of hair fell across his eyelashes, and Benjamin’s resolute expression carried a natural melancholic beauty.

Lina remained unmoved.

“My knight, isn’t this the perfect moment for you to demonstrate your loyalty to me? As my knight, isn’t it your oath to pave the way for the king? I believe you wouldn’t do something so despicable as taking advantage of someone in distress. Obey the Queen’s command, my Benjamin, strip off!”

Benjamin's evil schemes were doomed to fail from the start. He was a knight, and the idea of ​​a coup was practically impossible for him. He would not disobey the Queen's orders; that was a matter of principle.

“Please retract this order. I should obey your will, but we are now in Livis, and our words and actions represent the will of Dereia. I cannot let my country be disgraced.”