Sain stood guard for Jessica, but seeing her endlessly chatting with the Saint-Tirolean general and delaying her return, he grew impatient.
“What is that girl doing? Why is it taking so long?”
Ge Gong beside him smiled and hesitantly asked, “My King, do you think… the young lady has taken a liking to this young general of Saint-Tirolean?”
Sain’s face contorted, “Nonsense! This kid looks so frail, how could my girl fancy someone like him?”
While Hecate appeared strong and healthy among ordinary city dwellers, he seemed thin and weak compared to the barbarians. Moreover, his features were delicate, making him not appear particularly imposing at first glance. This was a stark contrast to the barbarian aesthetic, so in Sain’s eyes, Jessica should naturally prefer tall and mighty barbarian warriors.
Hecate and Jessica chatted at the front line for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Hecate urged Jessica to surrender soon and end the Western Barbarian conflict. Although Jessica did not give a clear answer, she had already decided internally to persuade her father to surrender. Thus, their conversation was quite congenial. Seeing Otrys on his horse about to fall, Hecate finally stopped talking and handed five resplendent blades to Jessica. As he was about to return to his own lines with Otrys, Jessica suddenly called out, “Hey! Hecate!”
Hecate turned around, looking at her in surprise. Jessica raised her head, “Do you still owe me something?”
Hecate blurted out without thinking, “What thing?”
“Where is my bell?”
Hecate smiled nonchalantly, took Jessica’s silver bell chain from his chest, and shook it in his hand, “This?”
Jessica blushed deeply. She hadn't expected this kid to be carrying it all along. She glanced sideways at her own lines, and seeing no reaction, she lowered her voice and chided, “Are you going to return it or not?”
Hecate, however, put the silver bell chain back into his chest, turned around, and strode away.
Jessica shouted angrily, “Hey!”
Hecate replied without looking back, “Once Barbarian Saint-Tirolean is at peace, I will return it to you!”
Jessica stomped her foot in anger, turned her horse around, and returned to her own lines. However, the tips of her ears remained flushed. Although they had been far apart when talking, she didn't know if anyone had seen her nine-bead silver bell chain in the hands of that Saint-Tirolean general. If people found out… Jessica’s ears flushed even more as she thought about it.
Upon returning to her own lines from the front, she didn’t see her father, the Barbarian King, only Uncle Ge Gong standing at the front. She asked in surprise, “Uncle Ge Gong, where is my father?”
Ge Gong’s face was solemn, “Miss, your uncle has returned with reinforcements, and your father has already gone back.”
Jessica gasped in shock. It seemed that peace for Barbarian Saint-Tirolean was still a long way off, and a tough battle was likely. Ge Gong, seeing Jessica’s worried expression, smiled meaningfully. Jessica sensed something and glanced at Ge Gong, meeting his gaze as if her heart had been seen through. For a moment, Jessica felt inexplicably nervous and quickly turned her horse towards the direction of the legion.
When Hecate returned to the main camp to report, Xiao Xun was gazing afar towards the Bolo Legion. Aaron and other generals also wore somber expressions. Unaware of the situation, Hecate reported to Xiao Xun, “Your subordinate Hecate has returned with Otrys to report!”
Xiao Xun nodded slightly but did not turn around, murmuring, “This fierce aura is beyond human power. It seems a summoner has arrived, and we cannot contend with them!”
All the generals nodded in silent agreement. Hecate then looked towards the Bolo Legion and saw that dark clouds were gathering above it, containing a primal beastly aura that was extremely ferocious.
Xiao Xun withdrew his gaze and looked at Hecate, his grave expression replaced by a smile. “Are you acquainted with this young lady?”
Hecate dared not hide anything and honestly replied, “Reporting to Lord Sveinn, your subordinate has fought with this woman twice, so we know each other through combat. Previously, your subordinate released this woman as ordered by Lord Sveinn, but we are not acquainted.”
Xiao Xun nodded, “She has the Barbarian King himself guarding her; it is likely that her relationship with the Barbarian King is extraordinary.”
As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Fa Louis. Fa Louis said with admiration, “Lord Sveinn’s guess is correct. This young lady is indeed the Barbarian King’s beloved daughter—Jessica!”
All the generals were astonished, and some even joked covetously, “Little General is quite fortunate!”
Hecate’s small face turned red, and he hurriedly bowed, “Lord Sveinn, please forgive me! Your subordinate is loyal to the Saint-Tirolean Empire with all his heart! There is absolutely no intention of collusion!”
Xiao Xun helped Hecate up and couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “I did not intend to accuse you; I merely saw that you are of similar age and are a perfect match, and I had intentions of arranging a match.”
Hecate’s pretty face flushed, “As I have not achieved any merit yet, I dare not think of personal matters…”
Xiao Xun laughed heartily, “This is only natural, what does it have to do with military achievements?”
Although Hecate did not express his feelings, Xiao Xun could see that Hecate was quite fond of the Barbarian King’s daughter. If a marriage could be arranged with the Barbarian King, it would be the best way to resolve the Western Barbarian issue in the future.
Meanwhile, on the continent of Atlantis, General Xiong returned to the Plains Grand Alliance, where King Wolf had, according to plan, set up a hundreds-of-miles-long enclosure. After all, the Winter Legion was powerful, and it would be best to subdue the enemy without a fight. However, King Wolf and his senior generals knew that forcing the Winter Legion to retreat without a fight was no different from a fool’s dream. Most of the beast tribe generals did not think highly of King Wolf’s plan, but King Wolf and General Xiong were deeply convinced of its merit.
“General! The Great King has entrusted you with an important task, intending for you to break the Winter Legion and capture the ringleader. If you do not cross the river and engage the enemy in the west early, it will be too late when Tyradarell arrives!”
Although some had always doubted the practice of consuming vast human resources to build enclosures, the generals were still sensible enough not to bring it up to avoid attracting trouble. They did not expect someone to voice their dissent publicly today! King Wolf looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged general. Upon seeing this person, King Wolf had to suppress his anger because this person was none other than Jerev, a relative of the Beast King.
“General Yangwei, Tyradarell is powerful and has many famous generals renowned throughout the world as vanguards. We must not advance rashly across the river! Wait until the Winter Legion is assembled on the north bank, and I will have a clever plan to defeat them.”
King Wolf spoke politely, but Jerev seemed unappreciative.
“King Wolf! This subordinate deeply understands the terrain of the Plains Grand Alliance and is willing to lead his own troops across the river to resist the enemy and fight Tyradarell to the death!”
King Wolf’s expression showed a hint of anger, “You cannot! I have a plan already; how can it be changed because of you alone?”
Jerev, however, seemed very persistent, “King Wolf! This subordinate is willing to sign a military order! If I fail, I will present my head!”
King Wolf was commanding for the first time and had not previously displayed outstanding talent, so many generals under him did not respect him. Seeing the varied expressions of the generals, he immediately grew angry, “If everyone is like this, how can I lead this army! You need not say another word!”
Jerev said urgently, “I will only take my own three thousand troops and will not affect your military deployment. Why must you be like this?”
King Wolf refused to look at him and turned away coldly, “If you disobey again! You will be dealt with according to military law!”
Jerev said hatefully, “King Wolf, do not try to suppress me with military law!”
“Guards!”
King Wolf’s tone was irrefutable. The central army rushed in, and Jerev’s personal guards stepped forward to shield him. The clanging of metal and the drawing of swords erupted in the military tent, and a heavy killing intent spread instantly. King Wolf slowly turned his head and said leisurely, “What? Are you trying to rebel?”