Ranni turned and examined her own shadow.
Such a punishment was far too light for a traitor.
If you don't wish to punish him, just say so plainly. Why be so roundabout? I wonder who she takes after.
Those who value loyalty and devotion often touch others most deeply.
The wolfman was no exception. Though fierce in appearance, he was not some cold, bloodthirsty beast.
Everyone knew the Dark Moon Knight had not left for any shameful reason.
"He's creating his own legend," Ranni said softly.
"A legend?" Blaidd paused, then shook his head.
"He already has one. The bards of Liurnia have never stopped singing of the Dark Moon Knight's deeds…"
"No. This time is different. He may face an enemy he cannot defeat. What deserves to be remembered is the courage itself."
The wolfman narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling his time with Nolan in the royal stronghold.
They had never been particularly close. The lad was too smooth-tongued, always managing to win the princess's favor.
After that period, they had not met again, and Blaidd could only hear of Nolan's exploits through Ranni.
Retaking Tetsu's Rise. Capturing Gatefront. Slaying a magic preceptor. Facing a Golden scion. Shooting down a flying dragon. Painting a military camp in blood.
Now the man at the center of those stories was returning to the Haligtree. And with the princess looking like this, anyone with sense could tell something significant was about to unfold.
Blaidd fell silent.
He thought back to the somewhat inexperienced Golden Needle Knight of the past and couldn't help but sigh at how quickly time had passed.
The once-youthful figure was gone. In his place stood a hero stepping onto a greater stage.
"To be honest, I'm looking forward to what he'll do next."
"But if he dares disappoint Your Highness, I swear, even if I must chase him to the ends of the earth, I'll drag that traitor back myself."
"Nolan Bethel has never disappointed anyone." Ranni curved her lips slightly as she turned back. "Perhaps he truly might ascend a throne one day."
"He's still far from that. Do you really believe it?" Blaidd blinked in surprise. He thought well of the boy, but to speak of him becoming Elden Lord was going too far.
Among the lords now marching on the Royal Capital, who besides Malenia would even give him a second glance?
At Blaidd's doubt, Ranni froze for a moment, then puffed her cheeks slightly in displeasure.
"Well… at the very least, he's more than qualified to be a Dark Moon Knight."
It had just been a casual remark. Why take it so seriously?
If I declare my knight extraordinary, then extraordinary he is. Must that stubborn wolf truly deny his lady even this small dignity?
"My knight… your lady was being slighted, and you weren't even there. That's a serious dereliction of duty."
Ranni said nothing more, gazing out through the window toward the distant horizon.
...
After that brief exchange, Nolan boarded the ship bound for the Haligtree.
The fleet was hardly worthy of the name. A single large vessel drifted alone across the vast sea.
The Haligtree lacked no soldiers, so few accompanied the journey. Aside from seasoned sailors, there was no one else.
On that somewhat empty deck, Nolan, clad in Golden Needle Knight armor, stood out unmistakably.
"Hey. What are you staring at?"
Just as Nolan was losing himself in the view, a clear voice rang out beside him.
He turned to see Malenia standing nearby, watching him.
"The sea," he said with a smile, lifting a hand to point at the calm waters. "Don't you think it's beautiful?"
They were sailing slowly along a winding stretch of coastline. Far out at sea, a massive whirlpool churned at the center of the waters.
Fortunately, it lay at a great distance. Its pull barely reached them, and instead it formed a strange, magnificent sight.
"Boring. We see scenery like this every day at the Haligtree. Aren't you tired of it yet?" Malenia clicked her tongue dismissively.
The red-haired swordswoman leaned against the railing, lacking any of the Valkyrie's usual imposing air. For once, she wasn't picking a fight.
"Beautiful things don't grow dull, no matter how many times you see them."
Nolan winked at her. She really had changed. Less rigid. Less tightly wound. As if she'd finally exhaled.
The sea surged and crashed against towering cliffs, sending sprays of white foam into the air.
In the distance, rooftops peeked faintly above the edge of the land. A few adventurous children could even be seen craning their necks toward the horizon.
Huge windmills stood by the shore like silent giants, their heavy blades turning slowly with a deep, steady hum.
Everything looked peaceful. No sign of danger anywhere.
And yet that very calmness felt wrong.
"Too quiet. You're not fooling me, are you?" Malenia frowned, displeasure flashing across her beautiful face.
She watched seabirds crying overhead, fish snatched from the water and carried skyward.
If Nolan's intelligence was accurate, and if last night's disturbance had truly been that large, then the so-called Dynasty of Blood should have made some move by now.
If they simply let the "Valkyrie" return safely to the Haligtree, would those enemies hiding in the dark still have a chance to strike?
She did not believe those rats would give up so easily.
And the Golden Needle Knight beside her showed not the slightest urgency.
Did he even care about her sister?
"Relax," Nolan said lightly. "Rushing won't solve anything. It only eats away at your judgment and clouds your head."
Anyone could go mad like a beast. But the more critical the moment, the more one needed to stay clear-minded.
A cool sea breeze swept past, stirring the hair across Nolan's forehead.
One hand casually brushed the spirit ring on his finger. The other lowered naturally.
The wide deck stretched before him like a perfect runway.
His legs suddenly drove forward.
Wood splintered beneath his feet with a sharp crack.
A blur of motion cut through the air. A flash of cold steel. A haze of red flooded his gaze.
It happened in an instant.
The charging Golden Needle Knight stopped short.
In front of him, a crewman stiffened, dagger just drawn—only for a greatsword to punch clean through his body. The blade clanged to the deck.
The shock froze everyone on board.
Everyone except the red-haired swordswoman.
"Who is he?"
Malenia did not move to stop Nolan. She only asked the question.
Around them, the remaining crew drew their weapons.
Nolan seemed not to notice.
He crouched calmly beside the fallen sailor and began searching the body with steady hands.