Inori's Ambition

Deep-Seated Ambition? This woman seems far more calculating than she appears.

When Andres first saw Inori's Binding Quest, he was taken aback as well.

In the memories of his predecessor, Inori had always been gentle and kind despite her exceptional talent. As Duke Demian's third daughter, she was neither the family's first heir nor had she ever shown any interest in the title or family estate.

But now, it seemed those things had most likely all been Inori's disguise.

At that moment, seeing the way the surrounding citizens looked at Inori, Andres began to understand her intentions.

Inori clearly hoped to build a beautiful image in the hearts of the people and use it to strengthen her position in competing for the title in the future.

In truth, from Andres's perspective, if Inori wanted to inherit the Demian Family's title and estate, there was no need for her to waste time doing any of this. With her talent, she only needed to focus on cultivation.

As long as she became a Level Nine Warrior, the Demian Family would be hers.

Of course, Andres thought this way because of the system, which allowed him to accurately assess Inori's talent.

From Inori's perspective, she might know that her talent was exceptional, but she would not dare guarantee that she could become a Level Nine Expert.

After all, there was only one Level Nine Expert in the entire Oga Kingdom.

Under such circumstances, there was nothing wrong with making more preparations.

If his predecessor saw that the woman he loved had such a scheming side, would his thoughts change? Andres wondered.

He walked toward Inori.

When Inori saw Andres, a trace of surprise appeared on her face.

"Andres, why are you here? You should be resting more," Inori said with concern.

Andres had to admit that there was not the slightest hint of pretense in Inori's expression.

"Miss, I am almost fully recovered. As your guard captain, how could I leave your side?" Andres said with a bow.

Having absorbed his predecessor's memories, he could now naturally speak in the tone his predecessor had used.

Inori did not suspect a thing and said sincerely, "Andres, you have worked hard all this time."

Hearing Inori's grateful words, Andres's face flushed red with excitement. "No, it was no trouble, Miss. This is what I should do. Protecting you is my duty!"

Inori smiled. "There are still some wounded here. Come help as well."

"Alright."

Andres went over to help.

It was only two hours later that they finally finished.

Inori let out a slightly weary breath, stood up, and called out to the surrounding citizens, "Everyone, the Beastmen army has withdrawn, and the crisis in Black Mountain City has been resolved. I will return to the Royal Capital today. Thank you all for your support these past days. Without you, the kingdom could not have repelled the Beastmen attack. On behalf of the kingdom and the Demian Family, I thank you all."

Inori gave everyone a deep bow.

Many citizens were overwhelmed by the honor, and some hurriedly spoke up.

"Miss Inori, you are too gracious. We should be thanking you. Without you, Black Mountain City might already have been occupied by the Beastmen, and we would all have become their slaves."

"Big Sister Inori!"

A little girl of four or five walked up to Inori. Like everyone else who had endured the war, she was filthy and her hair was a mess. Only the handkerchief in her hand had been washed clean.

"Big Sister, this is for you. Your clothes are dirty. Use it to wipe yourself."

Inori lowered herself until she was level with the little girl, a warm smile on her face as she accepted the handkerchief.

"Thank you. What is your name?"

"My name is Irene."

"Irene, what a lovely name. Where are your parents?"

Irene turned and looked toward a couple by the roadside.

The couple held each other's arms. The husband wore the standard trousers of a Black Mountain City soldier, while his bare upper body was wrapped in bandages faintly stained with blood.

He was clearly a soldier wounded in the war, though his injuries appeared to have stabilized.

His wife looked somewhat exhausted, as though she had not slept for several days, yet her eyes held joy. She was happy that her family had survived the war safely.

When the couple saw Inori looking at them, they hurriedly bowed.

Inori smiled and nodded to them, then affectionately stroked the little girl's head. "Thank you for the handkerchief, Irene. Big Sister will treasure it."

Inori did not use the handkerchief to wipe away the blood and grime on her body. Instead, she solemnly tucked it inside her armor, keeping it close to herself.

The carriage sent to pick up Inori was already waiting. After watching Irene return to her parents, Inori rose and bid farewell to the surrounding citizens before turning and entering the carriage.

Andres silently followed alongside it.

The windows on both sides of the carriage were open, and Inori occasionally waved kindly to the citizens lining the street.

The carriage returned to the City Lord's Mansion, and Inori went back to the courtyard where she was staying.

Inside the room, the servants had already prepared everything needed for her bath.

Steam filled the air, and Inori was alone in the room.

At that moment, her face was ice-cold, completely devoid of the warmth and friendliness she had shown the citizens. She swiftly removed her armor and casually tossed it aside.

She took out the handkerchief Irene had given her from its lining and tore it to pieces with a look of disgust.

Only after stepping into the bath and washing away the filth on her body did her expression ease slightly.

While Inori bathed, Andres and the others busied themselves packing, preparing to depart for the Royal Capital.

A month ago, the Beastmen army had attacked Black Mountain City, and Inori had led troops from the Royal Capital to reinforce it.

Now that the war was over, it was time for them to return.

Several hours later, under the watchful eyes of Black Mountain City's citizens, officials, and soldiers, an army headed west toward Oga City, the Royal Capital.

Inori wore brand-new silver-white armor and rode a snow-white Level Seven Magical Beast, a Unicorn, at the very front of the formation.

Andres rode behind her.

The entire force consisted of warriors, without a single mage.

Andres had noticed this the moment he finished absorbing his predecessor's memories.

Although this was the Coiling Dragon World, there was only Battle Qi and no magic.

According to the original timeline, magic was created after the Sovereigns were born, when the Sovereigns of the various elements devised it to spread their faith across countless Material Planes.

The absence of magic meant that the war of faith among the Sovereigns had not yet begun. The Sovereigns themselves might not even have been born.

The thought made Andres feel excited.

In the Coiling Dragon World, the only way to become a Sovereign was by refining a Sovereign Spark.

The most likely time to obtain a Sovereign Spark was naturally when heaven and earth had existed for trillions of years and the Sovereign Sparks had just appeared.

I hope the Sovereign Sparks have not appeared yet. I hope I can make it in time, Andres thought.

In the original story, the Sovereign Sparks were scattered across the four Supreme Planes, and those qualified to contend for them were all Highgods.

I need to increase my strength as quickly as possible. Andres's resolve grew firmer.

He looked at Inori ahead of him.

His hope of becoming a god would most likely rest on Inori.