Talk in the Dark Night

Kane strode from the stairwell, taking three steps to reach Punk's side. Ignoring the viscous blood still flowing on the ground, he plopped down, his armor clanking against the floor. The sound was crisp yet low in the blood-scented night.

Producing a bottle of ale from who-knew-where, Kane took a large swig while sitting on the ground. Without regard for whether Punk was listening, he began to speak in a nonchalant tone, "Hey! Think our lovely Princess can win?"

"Konola City's walls are already riddled with holes."

Punk's reply was less a response to Kane and more a self-muttering. He glanced sideways at the city walls, smashed by two Formal Level powerhouses earlier that day. The breaches were now plugged with vines summoned by Mainesi, but the green "band-aids" on the blood-stained ancient walls looked incredibly awkward. "Konola City doesn't have much food left either," Punk added, pointing at the homeless "refugees" below the city walls due to destroyed houses. His voice was flat and indifferent, without a hint of emotion. "And the enemy has the support of the entire Kingdom of Kamos." He then looked up at the enemy encampment, a blaze of fire in the distance.

"If you change 'lovely Princess' to 'Formal Level' Princess, then there's a slight chance of winning!"

Punk concluded with a hint of mockery.

"Ouch~" Kane stood up, stretching his arms wide with a groan. "But I haven't even gotten the Royal Battle Skill yet. While popping the heads of those weaklings is pretty satisfying, I can't just run off without getting paid for helping out, can I?"

Kane planted his lance heavily on the ground, its tip sinking deep into the city wall. He leaned back against the parapet, gazing up at the colorful starry sky.

"It's fine. If our Formal Mage wants the Princess to live, he'll have to make a move tonight. Otherwise, if the enemy attacks the city with the same ferocity as they did today, even if Mainesi can hold off Lunka, our ordinary soldiers won't be able to hold on!"

As it turned out, Punk's prediction was spot on. Just as he finished speaking, before Kane could even reply, a neatly dressed apprentice warrior jogged over and waved at Kane and Punk.

"Are you two Formal Level Professionals?"

"..."

"..."

The question was redundant. Neither Punk nor Kane had hidden their Soul Level; any Professional could tell their power levels at a glance.

The apprentice warrior realized how foolish his question was. He sheepishly scratched the back of his head and said shyly, "Lord Mainesi requests all Journeyman Level Professionals to proceed to the plaza!"

Kane glanced at Punk and exclaimed dramatically, "Wow~ Amazing, you guessed it!"

Punk ignored Kane completely. He cast Lesser Levitation on himself and leaped from the city wall, landing lightly on the ground. Kane followed, but his landing created a crater, the loud noise drawing the cautious glances of many commoners.

The plaza wasn't far, just a few steps away. Everything happening here was clearly visible from the plaza. Now, after Kane's "flashy and imposing" entrance, everyone in the plaza turned to look at Punk and Kane, including the Princess and Mainesi standing on the high platform.

Punk paid no mind to the astonished gazes of the crowd. He silently walked towards the somber group of mages, while Kane, who loved the spotlight, made a completely different entrance.

He pulled out a vibrant red flower from who-knows-where and, with a standard noble gait, completely disregarding the "wailing and howling" jeers of the surrounding warriors, elegantly approached the Princess. He bowed with perfect noble etiquette and presented the flower.

"Princess Narsya, as beautiful as the moon Tor, Knight Kane humbly presents this flower to congratulate you in advance on your inevitable victory."

Kane, who hadn't made a sound with his armor from start to finish, handed the flower to the Princess with an elegant posture. The scene was instantly filled with a romantic atmosphere and flair!

"Th-thank you..."

Princess Narsya was clearly unaccustomed to such a display. The Princess, who had been wearing a serious expression, now looked like a shy little girl, flustered and blushing. It had to be said that while Kane's "performance" might have seemed ostentatious and contrived to truly mature individuals, it was quite impactful for a young girl like Princess Narsya, who was inexperienced in worldly affairs and at the age of first love.

Just as the Princess was about to accept Kane's rose, Mainesi's calm words interrupted this romantic "ritual."

"Alright, I am very pleased with Knight Kane's loyalty, but now I must announce important military arrangements."

Mainesi coldly blocked the Princess's half-extended delicate hand and said to Kane with a hint of coldness.

Returning to the ranks, Kane received a message from Punk. Short-range telepathy, a spell that could establish a two-way mental link for a short period, proved useful in the noisy environment. Mainesi could certainly detect Punk using telepathy, but he wouldn't know the content of the message.

"You don't need to make such a big fuss to test the relationship between Mainesi and the little Princess!"

Punk questioned Kane with a somewhat cold tone. Kane's "flashy entrance" had undoubtedly drawn attention to Punk, who was standing right next to him. It was clear that Kane had set up the low-key Punk.

"Hahaha~ It's alright, and there's a deeper meaning to me doing this~"

Kane wickedly chuckled and brushed off Punk's question with a casual air.

"Let's hear it."

"I'm leaving a good impression on the Princess. When we lose and have to flee, she'll follow me. Then I can sell her to Prince William or something and make a profit."

Punk considered the "deeper meaning" Kane mentioned and replied with some indifference, "This plan is too risky. Mainesi might not fall, and we know nothing about Prince William's situation. I'm not participating." Punk's answer was decisive and firm.

"Tch~ It's just a plan. Honestly, I observed the combat of those two big shots today."

Kane subtly gestured towards Mainesi on the platform.

"Lunka's strength is at least one Professional Level higher than Mainesi's, and Mainesi is just one Professional. The Kingdom of Kamos has a bunch of Professionals waiting for Mainesi. What are you afraid of~"

"The risk is too great, I'm not participating!"

Punk still replied without hesitation, then broke the telepathic link. He wasn't like Kane, a poor warrior who desperately lacked even Journeyman Level skills. His Journeyman Level knowledge was sufficient; there was no need to take such big risks for meager gains.

Now, the urgent matter was to acquire some Alchemy recipes, and this still depended on Mainesi. Punk narrowed his eyes, gazing intently at Mainesi, who was beginning to announce the news on the platform.

Haha, the next chapter is a night operation, come and collect it!