After an entire day of talking things through, Nolan's plan to drag Malenia into retreat had completely fallen apart.
Once the Valkyrie made up her mind, she would walk that path to the end. There was no changing it.
Push any further and he would only irritate her.
That whole family really was cut from the same cloth.
Marika would sacrifice countless lives to forge her "perfect world." Radagon clung to the Golden Order with absolute devotion, willingly acting as its loyal hound.
The two sisters were no different, perfectly inheriting those "fine" traits.
One could abandon everything for the ideal world she envisioned, even herself.
The other would give up everything for her brother and sister without hesitation.
As for the other Demigods, there was no need to mention them. Not a single one was easy to deal with.
Each had a will like iron, pursuing their own goals with unshakable resolve. A few words were never going to sway them.
The fact that Malenia had gone this far based on what he said was already proof of trust.
Nolan slowly opened his eyes, savoring the clarity brought by a full night's rest.
His mind was sharp.
Since the Demigods were all busy with their own struggles, the only one left to stir this chaotic chessboard was him.
Malenia's words had sounded resolute, but the worry beneath them was obvious. She was likely preparing to launch a full assault soon.
She wanted to return to her sister's side as quickly as possible. Even if it cost her life, she would see Miquella and Trina's wishes fulfilled.
"I need to find Trina soon."
He stared at the pale glow of the Glintstone lamp. Of course, it gave no response.
After a moment, he chuckled softly.
Then he would carry out his duty as a Golden Needle Knight.
When the Lord of Cinder made a decision, he did not dwell on it. He had returned for peace of mind. That was enough.
Just as he lifted the tent flap, he saw two figures approaching in the distance.
Heavy iron boots struck the ground.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Leda was leading a red-haired swordswoman.
The woman's right arm was missing, replaced with a prosthetic arm embedded with a long blade. She wore no helmet. Her fiery red hair flowed freely in the wind. Tall and imposing, clad in Cleanrot Knight armor, she looked both heroic and arrogant.
"This is the Cleanrot Knight, Marlene," Leda introduced.
Nolan's eyelid twitched.
He was honestly speechless.
Cleanrot Knight?
That was just Malenia in disguise.
Did she really think people were blind?
At least change the name to something less obvious. This appearance, this name, this face, this aura—it might as well have been written across her forehead:
"I am Marlene."
"So you enjoy fooling yourself this much?" Nolan muttered under his breath.
He craned his neck, trying to study her carefully. He had planned to observe whether this so-called alter ego differed from the real body in any meaningful way.
But the oppressive aura she gave off made it clear she had no interest in being scrutinized.
He shrugged and wisely kept quiet.
They left the camp, summoned their Spectral Steed, and rode toward Shaded City.
Malenia had already sent word to the lord of the city to prepare a ship.
The sea route was slower, but the alternative meant crossing the vast snowfields.
In their current situation, that path was impossible.
To reach the snowfields, they would first have to bypass the inner defenses of the Royal Capital, then take the Grand Lift.
With Miquella's situation benefiting Morgott, there was no chance he would allow the Knights of the Haligtree to pass.
"If someone didn't know better, they'd think Shaded City belonged to the Haligtree."
After seven days of relentless travel, Nolan finally rode through the gates of Shaded City.
Inside, Haligtree banners fluttered everywhere, their bright colors staining the city like a spreading tide.
The Execution Grounds.
Their duty had once been to execute criminals judged by Praetor Rykard. By rights, they should have remained a force under Volcano Manor. Yet now, they had become loyal supporters of the Valkyrie.
At first, Malenia had intended to take this city by force. But events had unfolded in an unexpected direction.
Marais, lord of Shaded City and head of House Marais, had fallen in love with the broken Empyrean.
And so, quite naturally, the city became a transit hub linking the Haligtree and the Altus Plateau for the Haligtree Army.
"The ships are being prepared according to Her Highness Malenia's orders. They should be ready to depart tomorrow. Please rest here for the night."
Marais bowed at the doorway. The reverence in his voice was not meant for the people in front of him, but for the distant, radiant Valkyrie.
He backed away slowly, only turning after he had fully stepped outside, then carefully shut the door.
Yet just before leaving, he couldn't resist the impulse. Through the narrow crack of the door, he stole one more glance at "Marlene".
Malenia's disguise was practically a joke. Anyone even slightly familiar with her could see through it at a glance.
The only difference was that her eyes and legs were intact now, the corruption suppressed to a minimum. In terms of raw strength, she was undoubtedly stronger than the version Nolan remembered from his previous life.
She wasn't afraid of being recognized. If anything, being seen only served as a warning. The Valkyrie's name already carried weight across the Lands Between.
"I must admit I misjudged you before. His Highness's foresight truly exceeds our understanding. I never imagined you possessed such an ability."
Leda's face was filled with sincere admiration.
Having just finished washing up, the Golden Needle Knight Commander walked slowly to the bedside. Her long golden hair shimmered in the moonlight like a flowing river of gold.
Enough, fanatic. Stop projecting. She's not all-knowing.
"I only discovered this ability not long ago myself," Nolan replied lightly. There was no need to elaborate. If his own Highness learned too much, that would only complicate things.
If Trina might grieve for lost lives, Miquella might very well consider sacrificing the entire Haligtree without hesitation.
To him, whether it was the golden-haired beauty standing before him or the Cleanrot Knights chasing Demigods across distant battlefields, all were pieces that could be discarded if necessary.
"Regardless, you've found your own path to Lordship. That gives His Highness more options," Leda said solemnly.
Every sentence was about His Highness.
Does she even have a personality outside of him?
Nolan pressed a hand to his forehead, feeling a bit exasperated.
I wish I had that kind of charm too.