Whatever happened yesterday, the sun always rises again.

“Good morning,” Croix said while eating bread.

“Good morning to you too, Highness,” Viers replied.

“Master, your breakfast,” Boram delivered a plate of food on the table for his master.

Even though Croix was royalty, he wasn't a big fan of rigid etiquette. His experience as a part-time adventurer molded his mentality rather than his title of prince. Besides, these were not strangers but his closest allies. Therefore, he told them he wanted no ceremony between them a long time ago.

Another day, another task for the Grand Prix. However, two more tasks and they should reach Gryphon’s Reach for the final task for Round 3.

However, not all was of the ordinary. Croix and Viers had a bit of a gloomy aura on them. Croix was worried about his mother and aunt after the latter was branded a traitor. Viers felt the development of Ciel’s story arc left a bitter taste in his mouth.

His primary objective had been met. Ciel had been successfully brought closer to his side. His Horizon went up a nice number after simulating multiple romantic scenes, including Bridgerton, Zorro, and FFX.

Then yesterday happened. What he said to Ciel wasn't a lie. He wished he was stronger so Ciel wasn't forced into such a difficult position.

Not that Viers was in the dumps. His feelings for Ciel weren't so great they eclipsed his rational mind. Neither did he regard Ciel's questline as truly over. It was clearly still in progress so the ending was yet to be written. Yesterday’s debacle was just too fresh.

“Morning! What a nice day we’re having, aren’t we?” Ciel appeared with a brightly glowing face and slapped Viers’ back with gusto. “Hey, why the long face?”

Viers gasped. “Ow. That kinda hurt.”

“Your fault. That kind of face will make the good things run away in the opposite direction. Prince Croix, you too. Want a special backslap to put some spirit in you too? Better than a cup of coffee according to one of my Legion teammates.”

“N-no. I’m good.”

“Then let’s begin today with a cheer! Boram, good morning to you too~”

“Yes. Miss Ciel, your breakfast,” Boram brought another plate for Ciel.

Cheerful and lively. Seeing Ciel like that as she commented about how delicious the bacon smelled, Viers let out a small sigh. So that’s how you’re going to play it, eh? Bury the sadness and look up to the sun... You’re stronger than I thought.

The last to join them was Tinade. The Valentine House’s vassal that the duke sent to monitor his daughter gave Ciel a look of worry before landing her eyes on Viers. It seemed she had been informed about Ciel’s falling out yesterday, probably by Ciel herself.

With Falmerion who urged the team to eat their first meal of the day, the gang began to eat. Ciel’s positivity seemed infectious and the mood changed. She shared a funny story about her travels that invited a small smile from Viers and everyone.

“That’s the way. Smile. Whatever tomorrow will bring, I’ll face it head-on. If I can do it, so can you.”

Ciel whispered those words to Viers in a way so only he heard them.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Viers adjusted his training menu to higher intensity in light of what happened yesterday and anticipating future troubles.

“May I have your attention please,” Croix said after they finished their breakfast. “While Ciel and Avel were away yesterday, Alfred came bearing news from Stormberg.”

Viers thought about Croix’s guardian knight. He last saw him accompanying the elf mother-daughter to the elven forest of Liapris, which was around Stormberg.

“He’s not joining us?” Ciel asked.

Croix shook his head and told what Ciel missed yesterday; that Countess Grace Weiss of Stormberg had been accused of being a traitor to the kingdom.

“One of Aunt’s men intercepted Alfred on his way back with a message. A message that he passed on to me.”

Viers sat with his back slightly leaning forward.

“Mother and Aunt Giselle have returned to Stormberg. They are well and not in any danger. The Chancellor most likely will send a punitive force and lay siege on Stormberg. However, Aunt has fortified the city for this very moment. She doesn't need my concern as she can take care of herself and my attention is better directed towards the Grand Prix... Well, that’s the gist of it.”

“I see. The Countess is a powerful Level 5 and Stormberg is the seat of her power. With how prepared she is, even another Level 5 might not want to risk attacking her. Incidentally, what Level is your mother, Highness?”

“She’s a non-combatant. Always has been, if I remember correctly. Probably she’s now Level 3 peak or early Level 4. Years of captivity in the palace don't provide much room to grow, especially since it’s in the Chancellor’s interest to keep them at a manageable Level.”

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“I can't imagine what your mother and the other women went through,” Ciel sighed.

“After delivering the message, Alfred asked permission to go to Stormberg. He wanted to lend whatever aid he could. I sensed he would go whether I gave permission or not. In all my years with him, I’ve never seen him like yesterday... After giving him whatever supplies I could spare, he departed to Stormberg. Hopefully, he reached it in time before the siege began.”

“Since Mister Alfred can't join us in the Grand Prix, his power would be better served at Stormberg,” Boram commented.

“Just so,” Croix nodded. “Stormberg isn't a populous place. A Level 4 like Alfred will be a boon for the defense. And that’s all from me. I'd like to hear what happened on your end. If you are willing to share it, Miss Ciel. I will not force you.”

“Of course. Sorry for troubling you.”

Ciel told them the summary of what happened. She skipped the details about the romantic parts between her and Viers though.

“...So Master and Miss Ciel are married?” Boram asked.

“No, just that it can be assumed as much from the outside. I’ll do as much as I can to not be a bother to Avel.”

Boram nodded then scratched his head. Why are marriages among nobles so complicated, he wondered.

“Well, then. I wish you two the best. If there are no objections, shall we discuss our next Grand Prix task? Miss Tinade, where are we going next?”

While they were strategizing, something was happening outside the temporary house they were in. He saw unusual activities among the town guards and local Knight Order. They were gathering. From the look on their faces, it wasn't a drill.

“Everyone, we might have a problem,” Viers said. Not that they needed the notification. There were shouts of panic coming from the streets.

Boram’s gait turned into battle mode as if he was no longer in a civilized place and was in a wilderness where vicious monsters lurked behind every corner. He grabbed his hammer, which was ever close.

The party went outside and saw something they didn't expect. Hundreds of meters away, there was a flying fortress approaching in their direction. It was a sight that shocked the soul. On top of what looked like a glacier, stood an imposing fortress. The size of that thing was massive. It was capable of housing a hundred thousand troops at least.

No wonder the people were in an uproar.

What shocked Viers the most was not the fortress itself but how close it was before it was detected. By all rights, something so big should have been seen days ago.

“What is that thing!?” Croix was aghast. “This isn't for the Grand Prix, is it?”

“Enemies! Definitely. There can be no other explanation since the other side is bringing a whole fortress! Tinade, send word to the duke immediately!”

“Already on it, but I’m afraid it’s not getting through. Communications are jammed!”

“Hells and Damnations!” Ciel cursed.

“...Temperatures are dropping,” Boram said. The fortress was closing in while they were conversing. “I detected a huge mana reaction! Incoming attack!!”

Suddenly, the flying fortress rained down ice needles. Each of the needles was sharp on both ends and as big as a man's arm. The amount was so numerous it was impossible to count. The first to be hit was a man riding a wyvern, a scout. He was in an unfortunate position as he was doing his duty. Multiple projectiles hit the man and beast and they catastrophically fell. What hit the ground was not flesh and blood but ice.

The barrage swiftly blanketed the border town. It hit the roofs, the roads, and the people running away. Where the icicles hit, frost spread, turning their surroundings into ice.

It didn't take long until the ice needles ceased. When they did, the town had been frozen in ice. The people running away turned into statues. The insides of houses were not exempt from the chill. Minutes ago this place was bustling with activity. Now, it was a snow-white, cold graveyard.

The flying fortress didn't stop its bearings. It flew past the town like a man passing a pebble on the road, inconsequential. After it finished raining down the icicles of death, the glacier and the fortress were slowly turning invisible and see-through, like a magical version of optical camouflage. Not only its form but even its mana signature was hidden.

Stealthily, the death-raining monstrosity flew onward with a speed that surpassed ships.

Meanwhile, there was activity on the ground. People, soldiers from their uniforms, were entering the frozen town.

“Alright boys, same as before. Sweep the area, secure it, install the magic node, and back to marching we go,” the one that looked like the leader had three dozen men following him.

“Hehehe, you got it, Boss.”

“Not that there would be anyone living anyway. None has survived the onslaught from the previous towns either.”

“Damn my beard. I wish every war would be this easy.”

The soldiers’ mood was lighthearted. These Level 2s and 3s began to spread out.

Then the leader saw a pregnant woman who had been turned to ice, her horrified expression forever etched on her face.

“Welp, sorry old girl. It’s just a job. Don't hate me.”

“Denied.”

Before he could say “Who’s there!” Viers lobbed off his head.

The rest of the party also sprang their ambush. They had taken positions to box in the soldiers. Croix and Falmerion turned the soldiers into human barbecue while Boram turned the soldiers into minced meat, armor and all.

For Ciel and Tinade, it was more personal. This was the territory of Valentine Duchy. This was their land and people.

The disposal of the soldiers was done in a somber mood, quick and bloody. Even Viers was unable to joke around. From the encirclement, they tightened the circle until no soldiers were left standing.

The pristine ice town had been painted with the red blood of the invaders. Standing among the pool of blood and strewn body parts were five people and one dragon.

The soldiers carried banners which had fallen to the ground. The symbol was easily recognized.

“...Harkelan Empire.” Ciel’s eyes were murderous.

“Invasion,” Boram murmured.

“This is an outrage! There’s not even a declaration of war. Cowards!” Croix’s anger was justified.

“The fortress flies towards Gryphon’s Reach, the main city of the duchy. If it falls, the consequences will be disastrous,” Tinade said while looking at the fortress that was no longer visible.

“Let’s go,” Croix said.

There were no objections.

Before they left, they offered a brief prayer for the dead led by Ciel.

“May you find peace in the embrace of the Radiant Lady. In the name of House Valentine, I’ll see to it that justice is done.”

Viers made sure the souls of the dead heard it.

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Chapter 467 - Invasion