"Even after being tempered by war, such explosive growth was still astonishing. A talent of that caliber—"
Before he could finish, Her Highness's eyes widened slightly.
She knew her Shadow better than anyone. For him to offer praise of that level was already rare enough.
Yet the more she thought about it, the stranger it felt. Why would her brother send someone so outstanding to her?
"You mean… we could draw him away from the Haligtree?"
A spark of interest rose in Ranni's heart.
The image of her usually self-possessed little brother throwing a fit over it almost made her laugh.
Almost.
She could clearly sense just how terrifying a mind lay hidden beneath that childlike exterior.
The werewolf's sharp hearing seemed to catch a faint, barely perceptible note of excitement in the princess's voice.
He shook his head lightly, a trace of helplessness and reflection in his tone.
"No. I simply think he has real ability. Besides, as a guest commander in Caria, he's already half one of our own."
"A little goodwill will make him more willing to serve you wholeheartedly. That's the way of ruling others."
Those words only heightened Ranni's interest. Just then, she noticed a figure slowly emerging from the shadowed, ancient staircase.
She subconsciously stopped swinging her legs, her posture straightening as she grew solemn and dignified. Narrowing her deep eyes slightly, she spoke in a low voice.
"Still, everyone has their own will. We should let him decide for himself."
Freedom was what Her Highness pursued above all else. She refused to be bound, and she would never impose such shackles on another.
Nolan stepped off the staircase. The courtyard walls were little more than a thin shell, giving the impression they might topple with a single shove.
The terrain here was high and treacherous. Unless an enemy could fly, the only way in was to force their way through the wide, imposing main gate.
And against foes capable of soaring through the sky, even walls built like solid bronze would be utterly meaningless.
"Nolan, go and pay your respects to Her Highness. I'll wait here."
Raziel stopped at the doorway, his hand gripping the hilt of the knight's sword at his waist. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, swept over every corner of the surroundings.
His tense, battle-ready stance made Nolan pause in mild surprise. After a brief moment of thought, he understood why.
Ranni was, after all, one of the participants in the Night of Black Knives. She had personally set in motion the first step toward the death of a demigod, causing a fatal flaw in the Golden Order that sealed away death.
She had even abandoned her Empyrean body and struck the Two Fingers across the face, trampling the authority of the Greater Will beneath her feet.
The Two Fingers might allow different Orders to rule the Lands Between, but they would never tolerate anyone who dared to profane the Greater Will itself.
"Her Highness has always pursued freedom, yet now she's more constrained than ever. I imagine the Two Fingers' devout followers have already come knocking."
Nolan nodded. He had fully grasped Ranni's current predicament. Growing stronger remained his foremost priority.
He passed through the ancient, heavy door and walked forward at a steady pace.
As his gaze reached ahead, he could clearly see the tall, imposing werewolf. Beside him, a young woman sat quietly, bathed in pure moonlight.
She sat with elegant poise in a high-backed chair facing the entrance, her slender neck slightly lifted. Her clear eyes rested on the knight who had come from afar, silent and unblinking.
The scene felt dreamlike, reflected like a mirror in Nolan's deep eyes.
As if touched by some unseen magic, the restless agitation in his heart slowly settled.
Both children of Radagon, yet how could the difference be so vast? That violent woman, Malenia, really ought to learn something from this princess.
Cool moonlight flowed down like water, spilling into every corner.
The surface of the pool rippled gently, as if whispering secrets, lending the entire scene a soft, hazy, almost illusory beauty.
The vast expanse felt especially desolate at this moment. Nolan stood before the pool, staring at everything in front of him in a daze, his thoughts drifting in all directions.
The witch's hat tilted slightly upward. Those deep sapphire eyes were not sharp, but softened with a hint of warmth. The corners of her lips lifted gently, forming a refined, elegant smile.
"Long time no see, Knight Nolan."
Nolan addressed her as "Your Highness," clasping his right fist to his left chest and bowing slightly in a simple knight's salute.
His expression remained calm and composed, though inwardly he had already begun to complain.
Why did it feel like Her Highness's seat was higher than the others? Was something padded underneath it?
Setting aside such irreverent thoughts, Nolan maintained a serious demeanor. After all, that petite figure before him could bloom with moonlight at any moment.
"No need to be so formal. Please, sit."
Ranni lifted one hand lightly, her long fingers indicating the seat across from her.
Nolan complied without the slightest hesitation and sat where she pointed. Other than noticing that the distance between them was rather far, he felt nothing in particular.
"I've already heard from Raziel. In this battle, you were the greatest contributor."
Ranni had no idea that the Golden Needle Knight before her had been entertaining thoughts that undermined her authority. She simply rested her hands on her lap, gently overlapping her fingertips, and spoke in an even tone.
"My apologies. As your sovereign, I was unable to fight alongside you. I, too, have my own battlefield."
Her words carried a trace of helplessness and guilt. A faint shadow of sorrow surfaced on her composed, dignified face.
If the enemy Ranni had faced were not so terrifying, there would have been no need for the Caria soldiers to charge into battle at all.
With a single Dark Moon strike, no matter how many there were, wouldn't the Cuckoos still flee in panic, tails tucked between their legs?
"You are the commander. It is only right that you remain in the rear and oversee the whole. As a knight, failing to guard Your Highness's side is what truly counts as negligence."
Nolan answered calmly. A knight seeking protection from their lord would be completely backwards.
"Your words are reassuring."
Ranni nodded slightly. She had already confirmed that this Golden Needle Knight showed nothing out of the ordinary. Shifting the topic, she continued.
"You are an outstanding knight. My brother never lacks praise for you. It seems he is very fond of you."
"So I want to know, why did you choose to stay and fight here, instead of returning to the Haligtree?"
The question caught Nolan by surprise. Clearly, Miquella had not shared much with his sister. Without thinking, he replied,
"For peace of mind, I suppose. Leyndell has Her Highness Malenia, the Golden Needle Knights, and the Cleanrot Knights. There's little I can contribute there. But here, perhaps I can do more."