"The guardian barrier of the royal capital truly lives up to its reputation. Even from this distance, the level of energy is so strong that it brings about an oppressive feeling. No wonder it claims to be able to withstand attacks from legendary heroes." A undead mage wearing a Magic robe commented with admiration on a hill several kilometers away from the city walls of the royal capital.

"After all, it is a kingdom with top national power on the continent, harnessing the power of an entire city." Beside him, the sword saint, Seino, said coldly while holding his beloved sword, Kurohaya, in his arms. He was not in a good mood, even though there were no casualties. After all, he had attacked civilians, which went against his principles of the way of the sword.

"Well, didn't this sword saint fail to stop me?" the undead mage retorted.

"That's a different matter! If it weren't for owing a favor to that guy, I would have killed you with a single stroke long ago!" Seino angrily brandished Kurohaya.

"Speaking of favors... Sword Saint-sama, I did save your life at least once. Isn't it improper to say such things?" The undead mage didn't care about Seino's threat and spread his hands, smiling. "If you really have to kill me in the future, can you spare me this time in exchange?"

Seino was momentarily speechless. On the day at the estate, he was amazed by Tiran's incredible sword strike. If this undead mage didn't save him at that time, even if he wasn't killed on the spot, he would definitely have been arrested and executed later.

Of course, he had learned a lot from that strike afterwards and had made progress in strength, so it could be considered a blessing in disguise.

"It seems that the royal capital has already realized what is happening. Hurry and let your pet run away, otherwise, being killed here would be a huge loss for you." The undead mage nodded, and a trace of radiance flashed on the staff he held in his right hand. The giant undead creature not far from the royal capital began to move and turned to run away.

The city gates of the royal capital opened wide, and a large group of armored knights quickly rushed out, riding their horses and chasing after the giant undead creature. At the head of the group, a flag with a cross emblem fluttered in the air.

...

"Hahaha, so you're saying that your first date yesterday ended with your date running away on the spot? Aya, you're really unlucky." Tiran sat on the bed, holding Ahu in his arms, laughing so hard that his belly hurt as he looked at Aya's complex expression.

"You're so happy... I haven't settled the score with you yet! You handed me over to Goldefit and went to play with an Elf girl by yourself. Have you ever seen such a heartless master? If I end up getting turned, the first thing I'll do is kill you!" Aya angrily flipped the table.

"Hehe, how could you say that? I had deep considerations for it." Tiran raised a finger mysteriously.

"Huh?" Aya looked at him sideways, clearly not believing him.

"Really, think about it. If all the men in the world were turned, wouldn't all the beautiful women belong to me?"

"Get lost!" (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Last night, a giant undead creature suddenly appeared on the outskirts of the royal capital and attacked the city, causing quite a stir. However, thanks to the protection of the guardian barrier, the city did not suffer any substantial damage.

There were even many curious people who were bored to the point of stomachache and went to the outskirts of the city to see the fleeing giant monster. After all, there weren't many people brave enough these days to attack the royal capital.

The Cross Knights of the kingdom were led by the Knight Commander, Godefite, to chase after the creature, which was the reason why Godefite abruptly broke the window of the Ferris wheel cabin in the middle of their date. Aya commented that such a person was destined to be lonely for life.

...

The Grand Cathedral in the royal capital, the Sacred Spring.

The so-called Sacred Spring was actually just a large pond, but the spring water inside did have some effects. For example, it never dried up and stored the purifying power of light, restoring the state of any light creatures that soaked in it, just like any other fountain in a game.

"Hey? Why is the Archbishop here?"

Johannes, who was busy back and forth by the spring, noticed the Archbishop entering through the door and was a little puzzled.

"You... " Archbishop Heinrich looked at Johannes with a vexed expression. "Did you cause trouble again yesterday? Some soldiers from the local security office came looking for you."

"Damn, how did they find their way here?" Johannes' face was filled with astonishment.

"So, you did cause trouble, didn't you?" Veins popped on Heinrich's forehead. Since this brat arrived in the royal capital, chaos had ensued in the Grand Cathedral almost every day. The local security office had paid several visits, and Heinrich even recognized the captain of the unit that came last time.

"Cough, cough, I was just going to judge the heretics… Well, yes, I am fighting for righteousness, for world peace, and for the happiness of the single dogs!"

"You little bastard! Haven't we said numerous times that we no longer do that? Burning heretics was something those narrow-minded folks did hundreds of years ago. Religious freedom has long been established!" Heinrich raised his foot and kicked, completely disregarding the Archbishop's demeanor and decorum.

Damn it, the royal family of Milanía had been at odds with the church for a long time, and this guy was causing trouble again! If it weren't for the fact that he was a genius recommended by the Pope himself, Heinrich would have beaten him up and sent him back tied up in a package long ago.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong! I won't do it again!"

"You're only straightforward when admitting your mistakes…" Heinrich sighed in exasperation. Johannes' timid personality, like a turtle, made him helpless. Even though Johannes admitted his mistake, Heinrich couldn't bring himself to continue beating him. But on the other hand, he could still cause a stir.

"Hehe, I have the personal recommendation of His Holiness the Pope." Johannes rubbed his head.

"The Pope…" The thought of the Pope made Heinrich even more frustrated. This Pope was no ordinary person, as can be seen from the people he recommended. Ah, headache! What was it with this feeling of taking medicine when dealing with the church?

"Forget it, I've sent the people from the security office back," Heinrich sighed in resignation. "The day of baptism is coming soon. How are the preparations for your side?"

"It's all taken care of, just enhancing the effects now." Johannes made a gesture that everything was fine, and took out a silver cross from his pocket. He murmured a few incantations, and a layer of holy light immediately enveloped the cross. After the holy light stabilized, he threw the cross directly into a fountain, and it melted away like ice in hot water.

"Well, tomorrow is the royal family's baptism day. The divine energy in the fountain must be in optimal condition."

"Understood, I will stay here all night. Don't you trust me to get things done?"

"It's precisely because it's you that I don't trust…" Heinrich wore a weary expression.

...

"Baptism day? What is that?"

Tiran looked at Brad, who was pouring tea in front of her, blinking in confusion.

"Are you really clueless about it?" Brad forced a smile, partly frustrated by his sister's ignorance, and partly because, damn it, why does he always have to come and help pour tea whenever he visits her?

"When did I give you the impression that I would know?" Tiran sat down nonchalantly on the chair, crossing her right leg. "And why is it always you, big brother, who comes to tell me about things? Isn't there anyone else around our father anymore?"

"It's because every time those court officials who come to inform you about something you dislike end up being teased and ridiculed by you. They are all terrified of meeting you, like they are facing the gates of hell. In the end, Father felt sorry for them and assigned me instead. I have to say, it's quite a talent for a princess to be able to do what you do."

"..." Tiran awkwardly laughed a few times, trying to change the topic. "So, baptism day is..."

"It's the church's baptism ceremony. According to tradition, it should have taken place during your coming-of-age ceremony. But on that day, you simply ran away, and have been staying in the Gilles Castle ever since, dragging it on for two years."

"Oh, that's right," Tiran touched her hair, vaguely recalling something.

...

"Hey there, old Cora. I've come to play with you."

"Hmm?" Korin, who was sitting in a chair contemplating a map on the wall, paused for a moment upon hearing the voice. He quickly stood up and bowed when he realized the King was entering. "Your Majesty? Why are you here? And why do you look like this…"

Looking up and carefully observing the King, Korin noticed that His Majesty... well, he looked a bit disheveled. Originally dressed in simple yet elegant noble attire, it now had two holes and was stained with dirt. The King himself also looked somewhat grimy.

Noticing Korin's strange expression, the elderly Granzon blushed, coughed twice, and sullenly said, "Um, it was Dyliah's doing... she said that I shouldn't wander around while dealing with official matters. Really, all I wanted was to come and have a drink with an old friend. Do they have to be so strict?"

"Oh, her...," Corinne also remembered the female vice-chancellor who always wore glasses and looked like a secretary on weekdays.

"Ah, forget about her. I finally managed to escape. Come, come, come, hurry up and have a drink with me. Otherwise, she'll come and tie me up again." Granzon shook the wine bottle he brought and casually found two tall glasses in the room. The strong scent of alcohol immediately filled the air.

"Your Majesty, I'm still working. I can't drink." Corinne sighed, spreading her hands.

"Well, you're just sitting here daydreaming anyway... Ah, forget it, if you don't want to drink, I can drink alone, right?" Granzon disappointingly picked up a cup and took a sip.

"By the way, we haven't seen each other much since that war ended, have we?" Granzon swirled the wine in his glass, and the dark red liquid splashed against the glass.

"Fourteen years and seven months," Corinne said.

"We've been guarding the borders for fourteen years... You haven't changed at all." Granzon looked at Corinne and suddenly laughed. "Just got older."

"Older?" Corinne finally smiled bitterly and touched her own face. "Your Majesty, you're still as energetic as before, just a different temperament and no longer with that killing intent in your eyes."

"Hmph, how could it be the same? Back then, I almost went into battle and killed people every day. Lately, I haven't even held a sword much. Besides, if I keep wearing a cold expression towards my beloved daughter, I'll probably be hated again." Granzon hummed a few times.

"Is that so?"

"Anyway, this time I specifically reassigned you to the capital city so that you can relax a bit. You've been staying at the border for too long. Enjoy the prosperity here for a while. But the Church has learned about my intention to enact measures against them. I have a feeling that old fox Heinrich will cause trouble. So, I'll leave the New Year celebration to you. Just make sure those guys don't create any big news."

"Of course." Corinne lowered her eyelids.

"General!" At this moment, a guard's voice came from outside the door. "Miss Delua, the female vice-chancellor from the palace, is here."

"So fast?!" Granzon almost choked.