"Thud, thud."
Hearing the orderly footsteps rapidly approaching, everyone turned to stare behind them warily.
"Stop!"
At the command, the blue-black formation immediately halted. A tall, burly blond young man marched up before them and gave a standard military salute.
"Commander Colverman of the Third Fleet, Southeastern Province of the Erus Empire, greets the two Princesses!"
Faced with the sharp longsword the young commander held out flat before her, the always impeccably mannered Fairy Queen was completely dumbfounded.
"Tap, tap."
Just as the atmosphere became unbearably awkward, a light yet rhythmic set of footsteps rang out. A dignified, elegant pink figure stepped out from the crowd, walked up to the young commander, and gently stroked the flat of his blade.
"At ease, General!"
The instant the final word fell, the young commander shifted his sword ten centimeters back, then smoothly sheathed it.
"Thank you, Princess!"
Watching this, the teasing demon leaned close to Crimson's ear and whispered, "Oh my... oh my, a real Princess really is different."
"Midriff-baring freak, do you want a beating?"
"Armor Fatty, what did I ever do to you?"
"Hmph! You know perfectly well!"
Just as White-Haired Big Sister was about to fire back, a fierce argument erupted ahead.
"Impossible! I will never abandon Father and retreat alone!"
"Your Highness, you heard His Majesty's order with your own ears. Please do not make things difficult for your subordinate!"
"General, do you know what you are doing?"
"Of course I do!"
"Then do you know that fearing the enemy and avoiding battle is a soldier's greatest disgrace?"
"I only know that obeying orders is a soldier's sacred duty!"
"You...!"
"Cole, you should listen to this general and leave aboard the warship."
"Kana, how could you..."
"Anything that could make Uncle remain so cautious for so many years