Chapter 241.

When the expedition team were led to the plains by the long-distance patrol, they saw it was so packed with soldiers that it wouldnt be strange if they were preparing for war.

Its the Adenstein heavy infantry and the Royal cavalry corps, sir.

The infantrymen holding massive shields that could cover their entire bodies were the heavy infantry of the Royal Adenstein Defense Force while the men wearing bright red coats sitting atop purebred warhorses were the elite members of the Royal Cavalry.

The Royal Guards and the Central Knights are also here, sir.

It was such a tremendous power that, even if there was an all-out war, they would not lose. However, all of this didnt feel excessive. The person they were protecting was worth all this protection.

Amongst the flags indicating the affiliation of each corps, there was a golden flag that was flying higher than the others, and that flag was the reason why the most elite people of the kingdom had gathered here.

It was the royal flag symbolizing the House of Adenstein, the ruling house of Adenburg.

Tap, tap.

The heavy infantry that was blocking the center moved out of the way and created a path while the grandly dressed Royal Guards and the Central Knights stepped forward in front of the ranks.

And when they also stepped back to either side, a woman appeared on a pure white horse without any blemishes.

Ophelia Laurel Ro Adensten, the next queen and current regent of Adenburg, had appeared.

I, Heinrich Paulgram Reinhardt, have faithfully carried out my orders, Your Highness.

Marquis Reinhardt dismounted from his horse and knelt down on one knee.

Well done.

Ophelia praised the marquis for his hard work with a solemn expression. Then, she slowly turned her head.

I, Seon-Hyeok Rheinperle Kim Drachen, greet Her Highness the Regent Ophelia Laurel Ro Adenstein.

Even as he knelt on one knee to greet her, his heart ached.

He had gotten a glimpse of her before he bowed his head. Ophelias face had become so emaciated that it was incomparable to how it was before he left.

He didnt know whether it was because of the heavy burdens as a regent, or if it was because she had been worried about her husband who had gone around causing trouble.

He could only feel apologetic over and over.

Clipclop clipclop.

Despite there being over a thousand troops, the plains were so quiet he couldnt hear anyone breathing. And in that quiet, he could hear the clack of the horseshoes.

Soon, even that sound disappeared and he could sense Ophelia dismounting. And with the soft footsteps, he saw a beautiful colored dress appearing before him even as he kept his head down.

Lift your head.

Yes, Your Highness.

Kim Seon-Hyeok raised his head as he answered. He stared at her wide-eyed.

He was shocked because Ophelia was so close to him that if it were winter, her exhaled breath would touch him.

Ah

Looking at her this closely, he could see that time had flown. And during that time, she had changed so much.

She was just as beautiful as before, but she had become mature in every other aspect that it was difficult to recognize her.

If someone were to ask him how she had changed, he wouldnt be able to answer, but the atmosphere around her was different.

It was to the point that he could no longer remember her childish appearance from when he had first met her.

But now wasnt the time for him to enjoy the reunion with her. She began talking to him, almost reprimanding him.

It took a while.

Her voice was full of reproach as she sighed out her words.

Im sorry, Your Highness.

He was obviously guilty of leaving his newly wed bride to wander far away and return after more than a year. Even if he had ten mouths, he wouldnt be able to say anything.

I didnt say that because I wanted to hear an apology. Im not so narrow-minded that I would reproach the knight who has devoted himself to the well-being of the continent

Ophelia had been calmly whispering words that clearly held a different meaning from what she was actually saying, when she suddenly closed her mouth.

Your Highness?

She had closed her mouth but her expression was unusual. Her pale face seemed to express shock, and in a way, she seemed extremely angry.

How did you get such a terrible wound on your face?

Her subtly trembling voice told him how much she was suppressing her emotions right now. But that was why Kim Seon-Hyeok felt his heart pounding more.

Answer me. I havent heard about such an ugly wound on your face in any of the reports.

When her voice became even lower, Seon-Hyeok closed his eyes.

***

Swish.

The knights of the Royal Guard spread their capes swide and surrounded Ophelia and Kim Seon-Hyeok. With that, the knights had created a wall between the two people and the soldiers.

From behind the red curtain, Seon-Hyeok could feel Marquis Reinhardt and the others stepping further away.

I wanted to hear about everything once we got back to the castle, but now that I see your scar, I must hear your answer now.

At Ophelias grim voice, Kim Seon-Hyeok dropped his guard and honestly explained everything that had happened. Of course, the explanations and results had to be brief because of their location.

Ophelia didnt respond after she heard everything.

While she knew there was a fierce battle, it was only after she had personally seen the scar across his face that she properly understood the ferocity of the battlefield.

You almost went blind.

After a while, she finally answered coldly, but there was a sense of deep concern in her voice.

Unlike what it looks like, its not actually a deep wound. The scar hasnt completely disappeared because the demons poison was strong.

It was a lie. He had almost been blinded by this wound, but, he didnt want to add to her worries by saying it so straightforwardly.

How foolish. Just how important was that dragon for you to risk your life like this?

Kim Seon-Hyeok sighed in relief when she relaxed a bit.

I hope that this is the last bit of recklessness I see from you.

Ill keep that in mind, Your Highness.

Seon-Hyeok thought he could escape this situation much easier than he had worried about. But that was an illusion.

Which one is Najima, the Qeisha?

He had overcome one difficulty, but he still had a bigger one.

***

Are you the one called Najima?

There was no way a noble and royal lady would grab a Qeisha woman by the hair while shouting.

You are dismissed.

After summoning Najima and looking at her once, Ophelia didnt show any further interest in her.

For Kim Seon-Hyeok, who had prepared all kinds of excuses, the reaction was so bland that it drained him of energy.

However, that didnt mean Ophelia was satisfied with Najima. Ophelias gaze as she looked at her clearly showed signs of displeasure.

Traditionally, there are many meanings to companion, but you and her will be no more than colleagues.

The Qeishas laws that Najima follows says that it does not necessarily contain the meaning of lover. I think of her as a colleague as well, and have never thought of her like that.

Although Seon-Hyeok and Najima had gone through many things in the west and formed a deep bond, the feelings between him and Najima were quite different from those of lovers.

For him, Najima was nothing more than a reliable partner.

Ophelia seemed to like his firm answer as her expression visibly relaxed.

However, Kim Seon-Hyeok couldnt relax. He had caused so many issues that he didn't know what he would be reprimanded for next.

Fortunately, Ophelia didnt scold him any longer.

This was the plains outside the royal capital, it wasnt a good place to continue talking.

In a way, Kim Seon-Hyeok could be considered lucky. Ophelia wasnt the type of person to point at something she had already scolded for before.

***

Our Adenburg welcomes your clans visit.

Having finished her reunion with Kim Seon-Hyeok, Ophelia welcomed the Qeishas.

Our reception of our guests may seem inhospitable, but there were things I had to deal with so my conduct may have been lacking. Please excuse me for it.

We understand each others differences. My clan has no complaints about this.

Although there were hundreds of knights exuding fighting spirit, the atmosphere between the elder Qeisha and Ophelia was gentle from beginning to end.

Which made sense since there was no way a blood relative of the Adenstein F