After a carefully prepared mobilization speech, the momentum of the crusade rose to its peak, and Liliana gave the marching order. Under the command of officers at all levels, the expeditionary army began to march in an orderly manner along the passage specially set aside by the residents of the imperial capital.
Xiaoyue bid farewell to Liliana and Leonhardt.
Unfortunately, the theater troupe was unable to appear below to see her off, so they could only wave from afar.
Xiaoyue stopped, nodded in the direction of the troupe, and then boarded the carriage prepared for her.
"Be sure to protect Xiaoyue's safety!" Liliana emphasized to the hooded man again.
"Your Highness, don't worry, as I said before..."
The hooded man had previously promised that even if she died, Xiaoyue would be safe and sound.
Liliana waved her hand and said, "You don't have to make such an oath, you have to pay attention to your own safety. If necessary, you can discuss it with Xiaoyue. She is not as fragile as you think."
The hooded man was surprised that Liliana cared about him, which made her speak a lot softer:
"...the humble position will be engraved in my heart."
Liliana nodded: "Let's go."
The hooded man saluted, and then boarded the same carriage as Xiaoyue.
The whole expeditionary army began to march.
Liliana stopped and watched them off, and the people of the imperial capital sent the crusade out of the city. Amidst the sounds of blessings and exhortations, the expeditionary army disappeared from the sight of the imperial capital.
The people were hotly discussing the conduct of the crusade, but they did not delay the work at hand. What they faced was another "battlefield" - maintaining the prosperity of the imperial capital.
The facilities and stalls that were moved specifically for today were restored one by one. The flowers that fell on the ground and the fruits and food left on the way were picked up. The usable ones were recycled, and the unusable ones were classified into garbage...
It didn't take long, and thanks to the spontaneous actions of all the people, the imperial capital returned to its former noisy and prosperous state. Only the lively discussion proves the existence of the recent expedition.
In the high-rise room, Miku found An staring at this scene for a long time, and there seemed to be a light in his eyes.
"Ann, are you happy?"
"Isn't this rare?" An turned around with an unstoppable smile on her face.
Recalling the spontaneous behavior of the people in the imperial capital, everyone in the theater group nodded unconsciously.
Hairen, who was deeply touched, couldn't help but said: "It's really incredible. What kind of person is that regent, who can make the imperial capital like this?"
"This is no one's fault... He has disappeared for seven years, remember?" An crossed his arms, as if to remind Hairen of something.
Hairen didn't understand what he heard and asked: "What do you mean?"
"No matter how excellent and advanced the institutional system the original regent left for the empire and the imperial capital, these achievements and scenes today are the result of the people of the empire's own choices and efforts."
Hairen still seemed to understand, but his vision seemed to be broadening little by little.
"People..." Hairen muttered this word, and a smile slowly appeared on his face, "I see..."
He looked at An and suddenly said without thinking: "An, after everything is over and we have traveled enough places, how about everyone settling in the royal capital? I will be responsible for taking care of everything."
An understood almost as soon as Hai Ren finished speaking that he was planning to make her a "strong man". He raised his eyebrows and asked in surprise: "Have you developed a sense of responsibility now?"
They laughed together.
An thought about it seriously: "Although it's still early, when everyone is tired from walking, it would be good to have a place to settle down. As for the location, you don't need to be so serious about it. The royal capital is also good, but by then it will probably be There’s nothing more I need to do.”
With Hutto in the kingdom, over time it will definitely become another empire with a different form.
The other companions looked at each other in confusion, not understanding what the two men were talking about. They could only hear the two men talking about settling down. No one has considered this yet, but if you really have to choose, both the Imperial Capital and the Royal Capital are very good choices...
Squeak——
The door to the room opened, and Liliana and Leonhart walked in.
Surprisingly, Liliana rushed towards An as soon as she came in, until she bumped into his arms.
Miku's eyes widened a little. Then Liliana spoke, allowing her to calm down.
"Sister Xiaoyue will come back safely, right?" Just by listening, you can tell that Liliana is extremely worried about Xiaoyue's safety.
She said hello because she wanted to get a reassuring answer from someone she trusted.
An looked at Leonhardt, who looked calm, but the timing was abnormal.
The two siblings must be in exactly the same mood at the moment.
"Of course, this is the last thing you need to worry about..." An patted Liliana's slender shoulder like a brother, her tone was serious at first, and then turned to a joke, "You should first think about what to do for today's afternoon tea. "
Liliana's afternoon tea is usually prepared by Xiaoyue, and she is most satisfied with Xiaoyue's craftsmanship.
…
I made some snacks early today, which should be enough for her...
The carriage moving forward would shake a little, but Xiaoyue's figure was not affected at all and remained upright and elegant.
She seemed to be thinking about something, a little absent-minded.
The hooded man was sitting opposite. Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but say: "Don't worry, as I said before, under my protection, there will be no mistakes in your safety!"
Xiao Yue came back to her senses and looked at her coldly.
The hooded man felt the pressure and couldn't maintain his vowed movements.
After a while, Xiaoyue repeated what the hooded man said: "Under your protection?"
"..."
The hooded man immediately put down his hands and folded them neatly on his lap. Although her movements are as graceful as those of a noble, her way of speaking is as lively and playful as the girl next door: "Don't you have to say that in front of Her Royal Highness? I will do what I say!"
"Behave yourself, Froya. At least now that we haven't seen each other for a long time, the first thing we should do is say hello formally."
Xiaoyue stared at the hooded man.
Froya couldn't bear the pressure and took off her hood, revealing her brown hair and young and beautiful face. She looks about the same age as Xiaoyue.
Froya's temperament changed and she became somewhat similar to Xiaoyue. With a faultless smile on her face, she said elegantly: "Greetings from my old friend. Due to my duty, please forgive me for my rudeness..."
Floya looked at Xiaoyue's face and said softly: "Chief Sir."
It's a pity that Xiaoyue doesn't seem to appreciate it at all: "There is no need to call me chief unless it is a mission."
"Hey, what should I be called? Maid-sama? Onee-sama?"
This sweet voice made Xiaoyue frown.
Froya has outstanding talents and abilities, and her achievements are second only to Xiaoyue. But her personality has always made Xiao Yue feel that she can't get along with her.
It was Xiaoyue who was ordered to teach Froya the etiquette step by step. On the day of the assessment, she obviously performed as well as Xiaoyue, but in the end her temperament didn't change at all.
I don’t know if it’s natural or intentional.
Xiaoyue said decisively: "Call me the head maid!"
"Okay, onee-sama~" Froya slipped over and held Xiaoyue's hand, "Little Froya misses you. As soon as I heard that the escort team was contacting you for a mission, I was the first one to contact you. Run to contact Lord Leonhardt!"
"Also, there was clearly an investigation mission before, but you didn't contact me and instead called your colleagues at the empire border... Humph, sister, I'm jealous!"
Xiaoyue took her hand away and glared at her.
The chief's majesty was still there, and Froya became more restrained by this glare.
Xiaoyue ignored Froya's aggrieved look, and said in a cold tone with a hint of threat: "If you don't talk nicely, I will replace you."
When the escort team contacted me, they should have found an excuse to reject it first!
This thought flashed through Xiaoyue's mind.
"No, no, let me tell you this. It's rare for us to get together." Froya waved her hands quickly, her tone and demeanor becoming much more normal.
Judging from her successive changes, it was as if she was a different person. She could only be said to be an intelligence agent.
Xiaoyue let out a breath and adjusted her expression.
"Long time no see, Sister Floya." There was a smile on her face unconsciously.
Until this moment, Flora acted like a real lady and greeted her gently: "Long time no see, Sister Xiaoyue."
