The grand legion commander had nothing more to say. Apart from the soldiers responsible for defending the city walls, the rest of the troops followed Xiao Xun downwards, a magnificent and imposing sight.
The three of them stood there, not moving, not making a sound.
Xiao Xun walked up to the trio, a smile on his face. "Thank you for your help."
At this moment, the woman looked at Xiao Xun. "Are you their boss?"
Xiao Xun turned to look at the people following behind him. "We don't call it a boss here. I am their commander."
The woman appraised him from head to toe. "How did your city get occupied by a bunch of beastmen?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xun knew they were misunderstood. "We are not Midoans; we came specifically from Saint Roman to support the Blazing Moon Kingdom."
The woman glanced around. "Then where did the Midoans go?"
Xiao Xun spread his hands. "I have no idea. Perhaps they've all gone into hiding, or perhaps they were all killed by the Scourge Legion."
"The Scourge Legion!!!"
The three members of the Glorious Sun Tribe were all greatly alarmed. Clearly, the reputation of the Scourge Legion was known to everyone on this planet.
The woman was obviously the leader of the three. When she spoke, the other two never uttered a word.
"So, the Scourge Legion has reappeared in the world?"
Xiao Xun nodded. "That's right, and the Blazing Moon Kingdom has already been occupied by the Scourge Legion."
The woman lowered her head in thought. Xiao Xun asked her, "May I know the purpose of your visit, young lady?"
"I received a plea for help from the King of Midoya. Because he has some acquaintance with my uncle, I came on behalf of my uncle to investigate."
Xiao Xun looked at the beautiful woman before him and couldn't help but ask, "May I know your esteemed name, young lady?"
The woman was taken aback. "Esteemed name?"
Xiao Xun quickly explained, "What is your name!"
The woman displayed an air of extreme haughtiness. "Delvana."
Xiao Xun showed a pleased expression. "What a lovely name."
Delvana retorted, "And what is your name?"
"My name is Xiao..."
The grand legion commander stepped forward. "Our commander is Your Highness Sveinn, one of the Six Dukes of Saint Roman, known as the Peerless Strategist."
Delvana's tone was arrogant as she looked Xiao Xun up and down. "Sveinn! So you are Sveinn, the one who utterly defeated Sain."
Xiao Xun smiled and extended his hand. "Mere reputation, not worth mentioning. However, I would like to invite the three of you to stay and help us repel the Scourge Legion. Are you willing?"
Delvana replied without hesitation, "The Scourge Legion harms all living beings and the continent; everyone has the right to slay them. Since you have invited me so sincerely, I shall not refuse." With that, she grasped Xiao Xun's outstretched hand.
Just as Xiao Xun was about to introduce his Twelve Star Envoys to Delvana, his vision went black, and his head tilted backward.
Those behind him were greatly alarmed, thinking Delvana had done something to him, and they prepared to act.
Delvana directly pulled Xiao Xun into her embrace, also looking confused. "What's wrong with him?"
The grand legion commander pointed at Delvana. "Release our lord at once."
Delvana snorted. "Who wants to hug him?"
Cancer quickly came over and flipped Xiao Xun's eyelids. He said with relief, "He must be tired. Our lord hasn't had a full night's sleep in days."
Delvana scooped Xiao Xun up in a princess carry. "Then what are you waiting for? Where is his room?"
Xiao Xun felt a warmth, though it was a little awkward. Opening his eyes, he saw a expanse of white, and a fragrance aggressively filled his nostrils.
He closed his eyes again with a look of contentment and soon fell back into a deep sleep.
When he woke up again, he found Aries had returned, all Twelve Star Envoys were present, and Delvana was beside him.
Xiao Xun stretched and stood up. Since arriving in Midoya, he had never slept as comfortably as he did today.
"Let me introduce you."
He walked over to Delvana's side, introducing his Twelve Star Envoys, and then said to the Twelve Star Envoys, "This is the Valykrie of the Glorious Sun Tribe, what's-her-name?"
The atmosphere became instantly awkward. Delvana raised an eyebrow and thought to herself: This person praised my name earlier, and now after a night's sleep, he's forgotten it. "My name is Delvana, the Valykrie of Jinyang Peak."
Xiao Xun realized with a start and clapped his hands. "Right, Delkana."
The atmosphere became even more awkward. Delvana silently clenched her fists. "It's Delvana."
Xiao Xun chuckled twice, the laughter sounding as fake as possible. "You seem older than me, so I'll call you Sister Na."
Delvana shook her head helplessly. "Call me whatever you like!"
At this moment, Taurus said to Xiao Xun, "My lord, General Bortu of the Beastmen tribe has been waiting outside for a long time."
"What is he here for?"
Taurus looked embarrassed. "Didn't you ask me to invite the beastmen to catch rats?"
Xiao Xun was reminded by Taurus and instantly remembered. "Yes, there was such a thing." He then looked at Delvana beside him. "Sister Na, let's go meet him together! This person is quite interesting."
Xiao Xun, with Delvana, arrived at the command post. Bortu was sitting there, resting with his eyes closed. Upon seeing Xiao Xun, he stood up.
"Your Highness Sveinn, I heard you have delicious rats here, so we came without delay. To our surprise, upon arrival, all we saw were dead rats, not a single live one, and they were all burnt to charcoal. How is one supposed to eat this?"
Facing Bortu's complaint, Xiao Xun smiled. "General, you cannot blame me for this. This is all thanks to my Sister Na."
"Sister Na?"
Bortu looked at the woman beside Xiao Xun. "A little girl?" His words were filled with disdain.
Delvana's expression showed displeasure, as if she were suppressing her anger. "You seem to have a problem with my identity as a woman."
Bortu waved his hands. "No, no, no, don't misunderstand me. I just feel that battlefield combat has always been men's business, and we beastmen have always protected the weak and women and children, never placing them in a dangerous situation."
Xiao Xun saw that the two were about to argue and quickly said, "My Sister Na is no ordinary woman; she is the Valykrie of the Glorious Sun Tribe."
Bortu re-examined the woman before him, who stood tall and had a beautiful face, showing no signs of suffering.
She looked much like a character model from an anime show. If she claimed to be a princess of some country, he would believe it. But to say she was a Valykrie, Bortu did not believe it one bit.
"Since there are no rats here, I shall take my leave."
With that, he turned to leave with an displeased expression, but Delvana blocked him at the entrance.
"You seem to doubt my identity as a Valykrie. Shall we have a spar?"
Beastmen were naturally warlike and aggressive warriors. Seeing someone provoke him, his competitive spirit could no longer be contained.
"Fine!"
Xiao Xun, aiming to resolve rather than escalate the conflict, tried to mediate, but both spoke in unison, "This is a personal matter. Move aside, bystanders."
Seeing that he could not stop them, he took on the role of referee. On the principle of stopping at a touch, he had Aries set up a擂台 (leitai - arena) barrier in an open space, to prevent accidental injuries should the two get too carried away.
Bortu shook his head, which resembled neither a bear nor a tiger, and stretched his limbs, preparing to subdue the 'weak woman' before him at any moment.
Delvana, whom the other party considered a weak woman, drew her long sword from its scabbard. It gleamed with a dazzling golden light, its enchantments seemingly maximized.
Bortu did not hold back because she was a woman. With a roar, he charged. His hands suddenly swelled, his nails transforming into sharp claws, and he swung them at Delvana, the attack even carrying a gust of wind.