One week later, Cascia and I arrived in Gianda safely. Along the way, we encountered neither ferocious beasts nor earth dragons, nor did we run into bandits who would take girls up the mountains as pleasure tools. Instead, we arrived safely and even had merchants who were willing to give us a ride in their horse carts and invite us to dinner.

"It's great, Dad. We finally arrived in Gianda!" Cascia, who had been nervous the whole way, said with relief.

"Yeah...yeah." Indeed, Cascia's worries seemed to have disappeared, but as for me, my own fears were just beginning.

After so many years, I returned to Gianda. My heart didn't feel too good, my thighs were trembling as I went through customs and signed some documents. The gaze of every soldier looked fierce as if they could press me to the ground and take me away at any moment.

But fortunately, Nils had experienced a chaotic period many years ago and the village chief had registered me and Cascia in the census two years ago, so there was no need to be anxious about our legal identities. The immigration process went relatively smoothly.

However, I couldn't calm down no matter what. Spring in Gianda, starting from downtown, was lined with many big trees on both sides of the imperial city. Even in such a cool environment, the sweat on my back had already soaked my shirt.

Because I saw the majestic imperial palace in the distance...

"Dad, you have a lot of sweat on your forehead." My daughter wiped my face with a scented handkerchief and asked, "Is it so hot today?"

"Ah, yeah, maybe Dad is a bit tired." I wiped my own face. "Dad... Dad may not be in a great condition today."

Yes, as long as I stay in Gianda, how could I possibly calm down? This is the place where I escaped with Princess Elektra, that is, Cascia, back then.

"Dad, let's go rest for a while."

"Oh...oh, okay."

We happened to pass by the square, and Cascia supported me to sit on a bench.

Calm down, calm down.

I told myself this, even after all these years, no one would know, no one would know the truth.

The so-called hero Nils, the Knight of the Temple Abbott, died in the defense of Gianda fourteen years ago.

This secret would also be buried with me in the grave, never to be revealed.

As soon as I completed the procurement mission, I would immediately leave with Cascia and never come back. Even if the village chief had a third leg interrupted by his wife next year, I would never step into Gianda!

Alright, alright, so be it, a happy decision.

Moreover, my appearance has changed over the years. It's fine, it's fine, it doesn't matter. No one will recognize me, no one will know who I am!

Even the holy sword Adis, I sold it for a ridiculously cheap price of two silver coins during the chaos... Who would know that I am Abbott?!

Yes, no one!!

Yeah, thinking of this, I suddenly gained confidence.

That's right, why do I have to be so suspicious? It will only raise suspicions from the guards who maintain order. Isn't it better to be open and upright? How could anything go wrong? Maybe I'm just too neurotic.

Thinking of this, I finally showed a relieved smile.

Ah, it will definitely be alright~

"Dad, what are these statues?" My daughter suddenly pointed to several character statues in the square.

Because Cascia was visiting Gianda for the first time and had grown up in the small mountain village of Shiloh, she was curious about everything and had been in a high-spirited state since we arrived.

"Well, that...they are the twelve Knights of the Niels Temple, the legendary heroes." The Knights of the Niels Temple fought bloodily in the defense of Gianda fourteen years ago, leading a force of 30,000 soldiers to resist the Moree army of 200,000 soldiers for a month. In the end, seven were killed in action and one went missing, while the remaining four, led by the elven Ines, protected the crown princess, who is now Queen Lilis, and escaped from the collapsing Gianda. They made significant contributions to the future path of restoration. It can be said that the Knights of the Temple were the purest heroes of Niels.These statues were probably erected later and there are several of them in various iconic places throughout the city of Gianda. The story of the Templar Knights is well known to everyone, including Nils. My daughter also grew up listening to their stories in Shiloh, so she immediately developed a sense of admiration when she saw the statues of the Templar Knights for the first time.

"Dad!" Cascia's eyes seemed to radiate an incredible anticipation. "Is the person in the middle Abbott?!"

Being the youngest, my daughter recognized him at a glance. And Abbott, who is me, is the person I boast about the most to Cascia.

My face twitched twice.

"Ye-yes," I stammered.

"The legendary prodigy, the Dragon Conqueror?!"

Abbott Sterling. He became famous even before the defense of Nils. At the age of twelve, he subdued a dragon that flew from the northern Dira Mountains and saved Princess Lilis from being devoured by the dragon. Now, she is the queen.

"Yeah," I stuttered a bit, "that handsome guy."

"Wow, he's really amazing," my daughter gazed up at my statue with admiration. "I love Abbott the most."

But my daughter, you don't have to be like this. The legendary man is just your scared dad in front of you. But dad will never tell you the truth.