Chapter 114: A Gathering Storm and Unsettled Debts

Afterward, the forces from within the city marched out alongside the knight order from Thetor, apprehending all remaining barbarian troops, numbering roughly 2,500 soldiers. They escorted the entire force into the city and set up a camp inside the walls.

Meanwhile, Dion and Gina, restored to their original forms, gathered inside the command tent with Luna, Aria, Cleo, Mei, and Sheila, who had also reverted to their normal states, joining Olga, Astrid, Evelyn, and Haruto. Nearby, an unconscious Johan and Nala lay resting on a mat inside the tent, receiving care from several medical mages.

Gina perched on Johan’s chest, staring at his face, before hopping over onto Nala’s chest to observe her as well. She seemed to be keeping a watchful eye on both of them, her tiny hands gently patting their cheeks. Meanwhile, Evelyn dropped to her knees and bowed low before Dion. ℴ

"Greetings, Your Grace. Please forgive my lack of experience in defending your land," Evelyn said, bowing her head.

"Um... Please stand up and don’t do that... It feels really awkward," Dion replied helplessly.

"Get up, Sis! You’re embarrassing our kingdom," Aria interjected.

"Grr... Shut it, Aria," Evelyn snapped in irritation.

She stood up and glared sharply at Aria, making her younger sister flinch slightly and cling to Dion’s arm beside her. Evelyn then turned back toward Dion with a smile.

"Your Grace, surely you still remember me, right?" Evelyn asked.

"Yes, of course, Sister Evelyn. I still remember, and please stop calling me ’Your Grace.’ It feels uncomfortable being called that by someone I’ve known since I was a kid," Dion answered.

"Haha... Forgive me then. I also brought a message from Father. Your engagement to Aria is still on, so you are officially my future brother-in-law," Evelyn said, cheerful as she patted Dion’s shoulder and gave a thumbs-up.

"Huh? Father said that? He’s not arranging my marriage with Gred anymore?" Aria asked.

"Yeah... Father said so, and he hopes you won’t run away from the palace over this ever again. He wants you to visit once in a while, he misses you," Evelyn answered.

"Hmm... Fine then. I understand, Sis," Aria replied.

"As for Olivia, she’s married now and off who knows where... Rumor has it she’s in Millfrost, but no one knows for sure," Evelyn added.

Aria looked at her older sister’s smiling yet gloomy expression, a mischievous grin breaking out across her face.

"That’s why, Sis, you shouldn’t build so much muscle! You’re already twenty-seven and still no one wants you, hehe," Aria teased.

"Grr... You really have a death wish, don’t you, Aria?" Evelyn muttered, resting her hand on the hilt of her sword despite her smile.

"Hey... That’s enough. You two are sisters, stop fighting," Dion pleaded.

"Dion, why settle for this tomboy? Why not take me instead? I’m the commander of the Holy Knights, you know," Evelyn protested.

"Ha! I was the one betrothed to Dion from the very start, so step aside and butt out, Sis!" Aria yelled, shoving Evelyn.

"Cut it out, both of you," Dion said.

Evelyn and Aria devolved into bickering between themselves, throwing the tent into chaos while Dion fruitlessly tried to break them up. Off to the side, Olga and Haruto were locked in a serious conversation with Cleo, Luna, Sheila, and Mei. Astrid stood behind Olga, casting occasional glances at the resting Johan. Luna looked over at Astrid.

"Sister Astrid, I’m so sorry. Because we arrived late, Brother Johan got hurt," Luna said softly.

"It’s fine. He pushed himself too hard. If not for him, those three giant monsters would have obliterated us," Astrid replied.

"Still, I never expected the Kingdom of Northgard to harbour a general as formidable as General Dhorga and a summoner shaman like Nala," Cleo murmured.

"True. We miscalculated because we didn’t expect the general to launch an immediate assault. The Shadow Hand is interrogating him right now. We’ll soon find out why he attacked us and who pulled the strings," Haruto replied.

"There’s no need to even ask. My stepmother Helga and my half-brother Gred ordered it, plain and simple. The reason is simple: Gred is the son of General Dhorga and my stepmother Helga. They’ve been plotting to usurp my father’s kingdom for a long time, and hearing that I made an engagement with Dion made them feel threatened," Sheila said, her tone dripping with anger.

"So you think they attacked out of fear that you’d return to Northgard with Dion and claim the throne?" Mei asked.

"Isn’t it obvious? They panicked and struck first. That’s precisely why I need to head back there and settle the score," Sheila answered bitterly.

"You mean... start a revolution over there?" Luna asked.

"Yeah. The troops under General Dhorga whom we captured still clearly view me as their princess. We can use that to our advantage," Sheila urged passionately.

Silence fell over the group. Cleo, Luna, and Mei stared at Sheila, who stood among them with her arms crossed, looking thoroughly enraged. Olga and Haruto exchanged glances before looking back at her.

"Please... calm down first, Princess Sheila. Emotions are running high right now. Think carefully about what happens if you incite a revolution at a time like this," Olga reasoned.

"As I mentioned, the real threat facing us isn’t Northgard, but Minatheras, which has fallen to the undead. We must prepare to confront them," Haruto added.

"They’re right, Sheila. This time, the issue extends far beyond the Kingdom of Northgard. There’s a much larger crisis threatening the entire world," Cleo said, placing a comforting hand on Sheila’s shoulder.

"But if word of their failed assault reaches them, they might declare all-out war on us. Before that happens, we need to deal with it and we can’t drag the Kingdoms of Eredor or Thetor into this, can we?" Sheila countered.

"What is the actual situation in Minatheras, Sister Olga?" Luna asked.

Haruto and Olga relayed the latest status report on the Kingdom of Minatheras, explaining how the undead had seized the capital and the entire northern domain of Norlington, which directly bordered the Kingdom of Lutherias, all due to the crater Dion had created, making the situation exponentially more dangerous. Luna, Cleo, and Mei turned pale listening to Haruto and Olga’s account.

"Has it really gotten that dire... in just a few short days?" Luna whispered.

"That’s why we need to move fast. Their rate of expansion is utterly absurd and defies all logic," Olga replied.

"And because of that, we simply don’t have the luxury to deal with Northgard right now," Haruto noted, looking at Sheila.

"Rest assured, Lord Sion... or Uncle. I understand the situation. But don’t forget, Gred is hardly a wise ruler. If he thinks joining forces with the undead works to his advantage, he won’t hesitate to betray us. That’s why he needs to be taken care of before the worst comes to pass," Sheila maintained, holding her ground.

"That... makes sense... I know what Gred is like, too... On this point, I agree with Sheila," Mei said, lost in thought.

The tent fell quiet once more, save for the ongoing squabble between Aria and Evelyn as Dion tried to pull them apart. After a short while, a town defense soldier entered, approached Olga, and whispered something into her ear. Olga’s expression immediately hardened into a nod. She turned to face Cleo, Mei, Luna, and Sheila.

"It appears the city of Treevalley has entered our airspace and is currently within sight. We must prepare to greet them," Olga announced.

"Ah... I see. Very well, let us head to the command bridge," Haruto replied.

"May we tag along?" Luna asked Olga.

Olga looked at her younger sister’s expectant face, then smiled and nodded. She stood up and led Haruto out toward the bridge first. Once Olga and Haruto left the tent, Luna, Cleo, Sheila, and Mei turned to look at Nala lying beside Johan, with Astrid holding his hand. Sheila suddenly spoke up.

"We have to retake Northgard. If you guys can’t come along, I’ll go alone. It’s too risky if Minatheras contacts Northgard, because Gred will jump at whatever deal they offer," Sheila insisted.

"Hey... don’t talk like that," Mei said, nudging Sheila’s shoulder.

"Yes, please don’t be reckless," Cleo added.

"Don’t worry, Sheila. I’m sure we’ll help you take your kingdom back," Luna reassured her.

They all turned to look back at Dion, who was still frantically trying to break up Aria and Evelyn, who had now drawn their weapons. The four girls shared a collective look of utter gloom.

"Looks like we can’t rely on Dion this time around," Luna sighed.

"Yeah. What if we just go by ourselves?" Sheila suggested.

"The last time we went off on our own, we ended up coming back to Mageford with Dion anyway," Mei reminded them.

"Exactly. So please don’t get any crazy ideas. I’m not getting paid to act independently," Cleo grumbled.

In the end, they remained quiet without reaching a decision, left only to watch the ongoing brawl, the two war casualties resting nearby, and Gina, who had curled up sound asleep sprawled across the chests of both Johan and Nala.