Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Diplomatic Mission

Andy and Catherine left the city of Dallas and headed south along the official road.

During their journey, Andy had no idea that Catherine had quietly released two ghosts, namely young Macken and the little maid from the city lord’s mansion. Due to peculiar restrictions, the ghosts could only move within a certain range and could not leave the territory of Dallas.

After spending a night at a tavern by the roadside, they arrived at Finlan City, south of Dallas, by the evening of the following day.

Upon entering Finlan, Andy and Catherine noticed the city adorned with lanterns and decorations, reminding Andy of the Crown Ceremony festival in Dallas not long ago.

Curious, Andy asked a passerby what festival was being celebrated today, only to learn that it was a celebration for the queen’s coronation.

It was said that the old king had passed away in the palace a few days prior. The eldest princess presided over the royal funeral and simultaneously received news that Prince Will had been assassinated.

Thus, the princess took on the burden of leadership in a time of crisis, and within two days, with Marshal Vaughn’s assistance, she captured the assassin responsible for Prince Will’s murder.

Rumors had circulated that the princess had seized power by killing her father and brother, but soon the heads of the four great families of the royal capital stepped forward to testify on her behalf, providing the old king’s decree of succession.

The decree, written in the king’s own hand, stated that upon his death, the throne would pass to his eldest daughter, Linda Eran.

Both the wizards of Grimm Academy and the nobles of the royal council had seen the decree firsthand; many had witnessed the king’s handwriting and could confirm its authenticity. Linda Eran’s mother, the king’s wife, also vouched for its truth.

Some even sought the counsel of wizards adept in divination, who confirmed the decree was genuine.

Since the old king had intended Linda Eran to inherit the throne, the rumors that she had orchestrated her brother’s murder lost all credibility and evaporated.

At this time, the newly crowned queen acted with thunderous resolve, capturing numerous enemy spies who had spread rumors and sought to destabilize the Eran Kingdom.

This world’s regard for funerals was far less than Andy’s previous life; even a king’s funeral was concluded in a single day. Yet the importance placed on festivals, celebrations, and weddings far surpassed that of Earth.

Thus, even in distant Finlan, the queen’s coronation was celebrated with great fanfare, which Andy and Catherine happened to encounter upon their arrival.

After wandering through Finlan with Catherine for a while, they found an inn to stay for the night, knowing they would resume their journey the next day.

The following morning, as Andy and Catherine prepared to leave the city, they discovered the gates blocked.

A large convoy was slowly making its way out of the city. Upon inquiry, Andy learned it was a delegation sent by the local lord to deliver gifts for the queen’s coronation.

When leaving Dallas, Andy had only purchased a rough map from a merchant bound for the capital, which left many areas unclear. He had intended to ask directions along the way, but seeing this delegation also heading toward the capital, he was delighted and decided to follow them from a distance.

The horse, trained by Catherine, was remarkable—it followed the convoy at a leisurely pace without needing Andy’s guidance.

Andy and Catherine lounged comfortably inside their carriage, free from the constant dangers of Dallas. Andy, relaxed, didn’t rush into meditation; instead, he chatted with Catherine and gazed out the carriage window, taking in the foreign scenery.

They traveled for most of the day without encountering another city or even a tavern. The surrounding farmland gradually gave way to wilderness.

Andy was growing bored when he noticed trouble ahead: a pair of fierce birds, each with wings spanning a yard, were attacking the convoy.

One of the birds seized a soldier by the neck and soared skyward. It climbed to a great height before releasing its grip, sending the soldier plummeting to his death, then carried off the corpse.

The other bird, assaulting the convoy, was intercepted by a young man clad in half-plate armor, wielding a uniquely shaped rapier with masterful skill.

When its attack failed, the bird ascended, scanning the situation. Spotting Andy’s carriage trailing behind the convoy, it suddenly veered and swooped toward them.

Andy watched this unfold with a faint smile. He cast “Lightfoot,” “Windstride,” and “Swift as the Wind”—all manner of wizardry—upon himself.

As the bird neared the carriage, Andy leaped to meet it, aligning with its position, and executed “Sword Technique: Cleaving Slash,” decapitating the creature in one stroke.

Cleaving Slash was essentially an advanced form of the sweeping sword technique, so Andy wielded it with ease.

He deftly avoided the splattering blood, his body gently descending under the spell’s effects.

Andy controlled his descent, even spinning midair in a full circle, his robes billowing in the wind, feeling as if he were some celestial being descending to earth.

When he landed safely, Andy gazed at the blood on his blade in silence.

With a hint of loneliness in his expression, he blew softly, and the crimson droplets slid off the sword’s surface. The blade of the Sword of Judgment gleamed like a mirror, leaving no trace of blood.

Andy smiled at Catherine, revealing a row of white teeth sparkling in the sunlight.

He couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret for not possessing a mane of flowing hair.

He was about to say something to Catherine when he noticed her little paw had traced a circle halfway through; Andy quickly abandoned his forced display of bravado.

Before he could speak, the sound of clapping echoed nearby, followed by a voice.

“Splendid, truly splendid! Who would have thought that in this desolate wilderness, with neither wind nor moon, one could witness such a heroic and elegant figure as yourself? A stroke of luck indeed!”

Andy turned toward the voice and saw it was the young man from the convoy, the one who had held off the fierce bird with his rapier.

Now closer, Andy could see him clearly.

He was somewhat handsome, but his attire was strikingly flamboyant. His half-plate armor gleamed, reflecting dazzling light. The scabbard at his waist was studded with rubies. His brown hair was slicked down with some unknown substance, giving it a glossy sheen. Whatever he’d applied to his face made it shine with a layer of oily whiteness under the sun.

Andy was about to respond when he saw Catherine’s paw mark the completed circle. His mouth twitched slightly.

The flamboyant youth suddenly stumbled, as if tripped by an unseen force.