Chapter 162 : Chapter 162

Chapter 162. The Storm Pledge

After ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍greeting all the important figures present, Eli sat on the soft stool beside Lucius as instructed.

His ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍posture was respectful, while his ears carefully caught every word exchanged by these top nobles of the Western Frontier.

Sure ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍enough, the casual conversation did not last long before Marquess Claire steered the topic toward a more practical matter.

“Sir ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Lucius, there is one more matter I need to report to you.”

He ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍paused, seeming to consider his wording. “Speaking of which, Marquess Toscana of the Royal Domain secretly warned me not long ago… asking me to secretly prepare my army and keep them on standby at all times, in case of unforeseen events.

But ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍strangely, afterward, he urgently sent another letter canceling that order…

I suspect that perhaps… His Grace’s situation in the royal capital is not as smooth as it appears.”

As soon as these words came out, the originally fairly relaxed atmosphere instantly froze.

“What? How dare they!” Count Hanard, whose temper was the most impatient, slammed the armrest of his chair, his eyes wide with fury.

“They only just witnessed the military might of our Western Frontier!

If anything truly happens to His Grace in the royal capital, I will be the first to lead troops in! Let us see who dares touch even a hair on His Grace’s head!”

“Count Hanard! Calm yourself!” Count Quintus shouted in a deep voice, his brows tightly furrowed.

“The situation in the royal capital is complicated. It is far from as simple as slaughter on the battlefield. Acting rashly will only give others a handle and place His Grace in an even more dangerous position.”

The kind-faced Marquess Winterbourne slowly nodded. “Count Quintus is right.

Mm… Marquess Toscana would not have issued a warning and then canceled it for no reason. This reversal likely means that the situation in the royal capital… is indeed not going very smoothly.

Therefore, we must recover all the lost territories of the Western Frontier as quickly and thoroughly as possible, stabilize our defensive line, and ensure that our rear has no worries.

Only when the Western Frontier itself is as stable as a boulder can we possess the confidence and strength to respond to any changes, and only then can we truly help His Grace, who is far away in the royal capital.”

Lucius had been listening quietly the entire time. His deep gray eyes revealed very little emotion.

Only after Marquess Winterbourne finished speaking did he slowly say, “Marquess Winterbourne is correct.

At present, our primary task is still to recover the lost territories as quickly as possible. As for my elder brother… I believe he is capable of handling the whirlpool in the royal capital.”

His gaze swept over everyone present. “As for the recovery campaign, it will largely proceed according to the plan we discussed earlier.

Marquess Claire, Marquess Marcus, the two of you have the heaviest task. You will be responsible for recovering the cities along the central line.”

“Yes!” Marquess Claire and Marquess Marcus answered in unison.

“Marquess Kola, the recovery of the northern line will be entrusted to you. In addition, you must ensure Frostwind Pass’s safety and prevent any force from taking advantage of the situation to enter.”

Marquess Kola nodded expressionlessly. “Understood.”

“Marquess Winterbourne, the southern line’s Kael City and Emerald City… will be recovered under your responsibility.”

Marquess Winterbourne nodded with a smile. “I will do my utmost.”

“As for the specific mission assignments and affiliations of the counts,” Lucius continued, “I will explain them in detail at the military meeting after the ceremony.

The first batch of supplies promised by the royal capital has already arrived in Thorne.

Together with the stockpiles Thorne City can currently mobilize, I will discuss with Count Habe and distribute them reasonably according to each unit’s mission and needs.

Logistical coordination will also be mainly handled by the two of us.

In addition, all Frontier Lords along the routes will be placed under your unified command and will be responsible for assisting the operations.”

He paused, his gaze turning sharp as a hawk’s. “Everyone, what I want is one month!

Beneath Storm City, at the place that was once the glory of our Western Frontier, I want to hold the Western Frontier’s victory celebration!

I will use their blood to wash away our previous humiliation and reforge the glory of the Western Frontier!”

“Yes!” Every noble in the room, whether marquess or count, answered in unison at this moment, filled with battle intent and determination.

Just then, the lounge door was gently knocked, and an attendant’s respectful voice came from outside.

“Lord Lucius, my lords, the auspicious time has arrived.”

Lucius nodded, then said to everyone in the room, “Good. Everyone, please move to the front hall first and prepare to witness the ceremony.”

“Yes.” Everyone rose one after another, carrying various complicated thoughts as they filed out and left the lounge.

In the blink of an eye, only Eli and Lucius remained in the luxurious room.

As the noise faded, silence descended once again.

Lucius looked at Eli beside him, dressed in grand attire. Perhaps he felt that on such a joyous day, they had discussed too many topics of war and bloodshed, which was somewhat inappropriate.

He revealed a trace of elder-like gentleness and reached out to pat Eli’s shoulder.

“I am sorry, Eli.” Lucius’s voice was somewhat softer than usual.

Eli looked at him in confusion, not understanding the reason behind this sudden apology.

Lucius did not explain. He merely patted his shoulder firmly again. “Be ready.”

After that, he turned and left the lounge first, heading out to preside over the ceremony.

……

At the same time, in another carefully arranged room, with the combined help of many experienced maids and several noble ladies of high status, Lynn had also finished preparing.

Before the mirror, she wore an engagement gown made in haste by the finest tailors. It was exquisitely gorgeous, and every detail displayed the nobility and foundation of the La Roche Family.

Her long hair had been skillfully arranged, adorned with rare pearls and gems, making her already delicate face even brighter and more moving, like a goddess stepping out of a classical oil painting.

Only, her hands were slightly clenched, revealing the nervousness and anticipation in her heart.

Inside the banquet hall, the lights were brilliant, and guests had gathered like clouds.

Lucius walked steadily to the high platform at the front, his calm gaze sweeping over the packed nobles of the Western Frontier below.

Naturally, the ones seated in the front row were the four marquesses and their families. Their very presence represented the power structure of the Western Frontier.

Lucius cleared his throat, and the originally somewhat noisy hall instantly fell silent.

“Everyone,” he began, his voice steady, “today, we gather in Thorne, inside this fortress that has carried the glory of the La Roche Family for a thousand years.

We are not only here to witness the union of two young people, but also to celebrate the hope and strength the Western Frontier has gathered once more after enduring hardship!”

“Not long ago, the Federation’s iron hooves trampled our lands, and beacon fires reddened our sky.

But the lion of the Western Frontier has never slept!

All of you present, as well as countless brave soldiers, used your loyalty and blood to defend our homes and protect the dignity of the Western Frontier!

The previous victory beneath Thorne City belongs to every person of the Western Frontier!”

He paused slightly, letting the stirred emotions echo through everyone’s hearts.

“And today, here, we entrust this glory and hope to a new generation.”

He raised his voice and pointed toward the side of the platform.

“Now, please welcome with the warmest applause and cheers the hero who defended Thorne, Viscount Eli Pendragon!”

Under the gaze of everyone present, Eli steadily walked out from behind the platform and ascended it.

His heroic black-and-blue attire, with dragon-claw pauldrons rising on his shoulders, paired with his eye-catching white hair and handsome face, instantly ignited the crowd’s enthusiasm!

“Black-and-White Blade!”

“Baron Eli! Oh no, Viscount Eli!”

“Heavens! He is even more handsome than the rumors said!”

A tsunami of applause, cheers, and uncontrollable exclamations from young ladies immediately rang out below the platform.

Then Lucius’s voice sounded again. “At the same time, please welcome the one who has inherited the blood of Golden Lion La Roche—Aila La Roche.”

All eyes gathered at the entrance on the other side.

However, when Lynn, dressed in that exquisitely gorgeous gown, slowly walked out and appeared before everyone,

the originally boiling banquet hall actually fell into a strange silence.

She was too beautiful.

It was a beauty beyond what ordinary words could describe, as though all the radiance in the world had gathered upon her.

Elegant, noble, pure, and yet not lacking a young maiden’s shyness.

At that moment, all the nobles present, men and women alike, were deeply stunned and forgot to speak.

After a brief and absolute silence came even more fervent cheers and praise!

“Gods above! This… this is simply a goddess descending!”

“If I had known Miss Aila was this beautiful, I would have risked my life to stand on Thorne’s walls back then!”

“What beauty!”

Even the experienced marchionesses and countesses in the front row could not conceal the amazement and admiration in their eyes.

At this moment, Eli looked at Lynn, who seemed to be bathed in light, and his mind also went blank.

The tension and schemes from the lounge just now all vanished like smoke and clouds, leaving only that breathtaking figure in his eyes.

Listening to the thunderous applause and deafening cheers below the platform, and feeling countless gazes focused on her, Lynn’s cheeks flushed red, and her heart grew even more nervous.

She could not help quickening her steps, almost hurrying in a flustered manner to Eli’s side.

She quietly reached out and gently held Eli’s fingers, as though only by doing so could she find a trace of support.

Feeling her warm fingertips, Eli instantly returned to himself.

He turned his head and met Lynn’s beautiful eyes, which carried nervousness, shyness, and incomparable trust. A warmth difficult to describe surged through his heart.

Lucius saw this scene, and a genuine smile appeared on his face.

He stepped forward, gently took Lynn’s other hand, and then, under everyone’s gaze, solemnly placed that hand into Eli’s.

This action symbolized that the La Roche Family was officially entrusting this noble-blooded pearl to the young man before them.

Eli received Lynn’s hand with both hands as though it were a treasure.

He raised his head, his gaze clear and firm as he looked at Lucius.

“Lord Lucius, I swear that I will use my life to protect… Aila.”

After a brief silence below, even more fervent cheers erupted than before!

Applause thundered, and many young nobles even excitedly whistled.

At this moment, Lucius raised his hand again, pressing down the boiling wave of noise.

His gaze swept over the entire hall, and his voice clearly entered everyone’s ears, carrying an unquestionable declaration and ambition.

“I, Lucius La Roche, hereby announce!

The official wedding of Eli Pendragon and Aila La Roche will be held in the near future at the lost land of glory of our Western Frontier—Storm City!”

Storm City!

That name was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring a thousand waves.

The nobles below were first stunned, then almost all of them understood the undisguised implication and determination in Lucius’s words.

He intended to hold the wedding for the two of them there after recovering Storm City.

At that time, this would no longer be merely a wedding, but the strongest declaration that the Western Frontier had risen again!

“Good!”

“Recover Storm City!”

“Hold the wedding in Storm City!”

Fanatical cheers nearly broke through the vaulted ceiling of the banquet hall!

Some nobles were even so excited that they could not control themselves, standing up and dancing impromptu with the companions beside them to the cheerful music.

No one knew who was the first to shout, but soon, that shout gathered into a unified, deafening wave of sound, echoing through all of La Roche Fortress.

“La Roche! Supreme Might! Sovereign Authority!”

“La Roche! Supreme Might! Sovereign Authority!”