"I will absolutely not… lose to that scoundrel."
Norn stiffened her neck, showing intense defiance.
"And you, you despicable… Ah, ah, ah."
The will that had just surged up was instantly interrupted by pain from the depths of her soul.
In just a dozen seconds, she had already collapsed into tears.
All her malice and capriciousness had been shattered by the blows, leaving only pain and weakness.
Finally, her eyes rolled back, and she completely fainted.
Slap!
Linde slapped her without hesitation, leaving a bright red handprint on her body.
"Ow!"
Norn, jolted awake by the pain, her gaze once again turned vicious.
But with just one look, the contract's punishment began to be unleashed.
"No!!"
Norn struggled frantically, trying to resist, but her sanity was instantly drowned by the pain.
"Sigh."
Linde let out a soft sigh, then whispered, "Actually, I'm helping you by doing this."
"What are you talking about… You… Ah, ah, ah!"
Ignoring her pain, Linde continued, "Actually, I understand you very well."
"From a young age, your sister was your aspiration; merely being looked at by her made you feel happy."
"But all of this changed when Freya became a Hero."
"A Hero is exalted, destined to enjoy countless honors, but your level cap was locked, and no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't advance."
"At that time, you were even called the royal family's waste."
Although Linde's tone was calm, it continuously shattered Norn's inner world.
All of this was the memory she least wanted to recall from the depths of her heart.
"And now, haven't you noticed that you have broken free from your shackles?"
"Has your level even reached a whole new height?"
Norn, who was trying to alleviate her pain, subconsciously felt the changes in her body.
She was surprised to find that her strength had indeed increased.
The magic power within her body had at least doubled compared to before.
Her physical strength had reached a level she normally wouldn't even dare to imagine.
"He's actually telling the truth?"
"Could this be the so-called benefit of being a Retainer?"
A burning glint flashed in the depths of Norn's eyes.
The pain from the depths of her soul also significantly weakened.
But Linde's words showed no sign of stopping; he continued, "Besides that, you will forge a brand new bond with your most beloved sister."
"For example, letting her assist you in leveling up."
Hearing Linde's voice, Freya curved a smile.
"Sister…"
Norn, who was deep in thought, felt Freya's support.
Memories surged through her mind like a spring.
That sister who had gently watched over her seemed to have truly returned.
The immense feeling of happiness made Norn burst into tears.
Linde was moved, seeing the two sisters finally reconcile, breaking all barriers.
As their master, how could he not lend a helping hand?
Fortunately.
The Level Breakthrough Potion was more than enough.
A few days later!
Linde and the others began their journey again.
After a few days of rest.
Except for the Star Spirit, Freya and the others' levels had all reached a critical point.
However, due to the heavy burden, they needed to rest their bodies well.
Even with Linde's tears of the phoenix and dual magic healing, the mental fatigue still needed time to recover.
Meanwhile, the Royal City was in complete uproar.
Eagle Eye's death and Princess Noren's capture caused a huge sensation.
Even ordinary people had heard the news of the Royal City's lockdown.
"Master, if we are to attack the Royal City, I think we can wait a bit."
Norn analyzed, "During this time, my father must have gathered a large number of troops."
"However, their momentum cannot last long. We only need to delay for a while, and we can avoid them at their peak."
After dozens of times of waking up and fainting, the Kingdom's strategist was completely Linde's now.
She began to plan wholeheartedly for him.
"It doesn't matter."
Linde pressed her head, his thumb rubbing her hair, and said with a smile, "Although tactics and strategy are very important in a war between two armies."
"But that's only when the strength difference between the two sides is not significant."
"…"
She thought of her crushing defeat.
Well, Master was right.
But, didn't that mean she was useless to Master?
She didn't want to be a mere trophy.
For a moment, Norn seemed like a deflated ball, her background turning dim.
"Miss Norn, are you alright?"
Anna stroked her forehead, fearing that something might be wrong with her body.
"Don't be like that, there will be many Other Worlds in the future, and you will definitely be able to use your skills on the battlefield."
Upon hearing Norn, her background immediately radiated light again, and she was fully revived.
Oh, right.
How could she have forgotten about this?
Master was going to conquer one Other World after another; she would shine sooner or later.
Norn quietly clenched her fists, her eyes glowing.
Subconsciously, she looked at Freya.
Freya: "???"
This sister, had she forgotten when she cried in pain just a few days ago?
Next.
Linde and the others soared into the air, accelerating their travel speed.
They were not far from the Royal City to begin with.
Now, at full speed.
In less than an hour.
The Royal City, majestic as a giant beast, standing on the land, was already faintly visible.
On the other side.
On the walls of the Royal City, soldiers were already lined up.
At the city gates below.
Incoming merchant caravans and travelers all underwent strict inspection.
Every soldier was on high alert.
Soon.
They noticed the six figures descending from the sky.
"That is…"
The pupils of several soldiers constricted, and then their expressions immediately changed drastically.
That man.
And the two Princesses, had they really appeared?
"The target has appeared."
After recognizing their identities, the soldiers immediately shouted loudly, while retreating backward and beginning to close the city gates.
Linde and the others, still far away, could already hear the sound of troops being mobilized within the Royal City.
By the time they arrived closer, the city gates were already tightly shut, and countless Kingdom soldiers had their bows drawn to a full moon.
"Halt."
The commanding general guarding the city saw Linde, and a hint of nervousness flashed in his eyes.
But then, thinking of the army behind him, he immediately gained more confidence and shouted, "Ah, I didn't expect you to really dare to come here."
"I advise you to release the evil spell controlling the two Princesses and surrender."
"Otherwise…"
Boom!
In just an instant, his body exploded.
Silence instantly fell all around.
All the surrounding soldiers were stunned, a flicker of fear in their eyes.
A commander whose strength reached that of a high-ranking warrior just died like that?
They hadn't even realized what had happened.
"You talk too much nonsense."
Linde withdrew his finger and waved his hand casually towards the city gate.
The next moment.
A visible vortex of magical power flew from Linde's hand, directly engulfing the main gate.
The terrifying impact caused the entire city wall to shake violently.
Boom!
The city wall rumbled, and eventually, along with a portion of the wall, it completely shattered.
"The power was still a bit too much."
Linde frowned as he looked at the city wall.
In his mind.
The entire royal city was already his property, so he naturally had to cherish it.
"Quick... quick, fire arrows."
Someone shouted, and countless arrows rained down like a downpour.
But!
Facing all this, Linde merely snapped his fingers, activating the Dimensional Array skill.
Buzz!
Light flashed.
All the arrows were instantly teleported back, piercing through their respective owners.