Imperial Armguard: Ice and Fire Song!

"Ding—The host has purified the lingering souls of the Ice-and-Fire Spirits and obtained the Imperial Armguard—[Ice and Fire Song Armguard].

Equipping [Ice and Fire Song Armguard]

permanently increases magic power by 200%.

By simultaneously consuming physical stamina and vital energy, the unique skill—[Ice and Fire Song]—can be unleashed.

Within the skill's range, the roar of the Ice-Fire Elves will be granted."

Carl extended her right hand and looked at the armguard on it, along with the radiance blooming across its surface.

She immediately grinned from ear to ear.

This little act of heroism had really earned her something worthwhile.

This item alone made the whole trip an absolute steal.

The aura on the armguard flickered unsteadily.

Carl clenched her fist. Blue and red magical auras bloomed simultaneously.

Two thumb-sized figures sat side by side atop her fist.

The two froze for a moment before tightly embracing each other.

At the same time, Carl's [Ice and Fire Song] Imperial Armguard seemed to respond to something, humming and trembling.

A powerful magical aura spread wildly in every direction.

The two Elves wept with joy.

They had never imagined that they would truly be able to reunite, while even retaining part of their consciousness.

At that moment, they leaned tightly against one another and gave Carl a slight nod.

The next instant, the two figures dissipated once more and merged into the armguard.

The vast amount of pure magical power around them swiftly gathered and, under Carl's guidance, flowed toward Charlotte.

Charlotte's face instantly flushed from the overwhelming magic surging through her.

"You? That pair of Elves... they actually submitted to you? How is that possible?"

Sol Marron raised a finger, pointing at the Imperial Armguard on Carl's hand as its aura slowly subsided, as though it had never appeared at all.

Sol Marron was not exactly simple-minded, but she was indeed far too pure-hearted.

Under Charlotte's influence, she usually despised men to the extreme, yet also worshipped the strong.

Now, watching Carl turn the tide alone, not only saving all four of them but also obtaining this terrifying Imperial Armguard—

it was impossible for Sol Marron to feel nothing.

Her gaze at Carl held both admiration and an indescribable emotion.

Once certain seeds were planted, they quickly took root and sprouted.

After a long while, Sol Marron finally saw the smile on Carl's face and scratched her somewhat messy hair.

"Carl... you really have some skills."

"No matter what, it seems Charlotte's judgment really was right."

"Hmph, I acknowledge you.

You really are worthy of the Blue Rose Knights."

Seeing Sol Marron publicly acknowledge her, Carl immediately burst into laughter.

"Who would've thought? Sol, the one who always wants to kill people at the drop of a hat, actually has a day when she softens up."

Seeing her adorably awkward expression, Carl nodded at her.

At that moment, Noelle and Vanessa also rose from the ground.

Their eyes were filled with excitement as they looked at Carl.

"That's amazing, Carl! You've gotten stronger again!"

All along the way, Carl had protected them as they continued to grow, overcome the knots in their hearts, and gain control over their magic.

They had even regained control over their own fates.

Combined with that dashing rescue just now, it undoubtedly created an extraordinary resonance between the two women and Carl.

What was more, Vanessa had always been able to establish a brief mental link with Carl.

All of this left the two women incredibly excited.

"As expected of our captain, you're absolutely amazing!"

The mature and sexy Vanessa, along with Noelle beside her, no longer cared about being reserved.

One on each side, they directly hugged Carl's arms.

Vanessa was even bolder, leaning in and kissing Carl on the cheek.

Carl froze for a moment. Seeing the smile in Vanessa's eyes, Carl noticed Noelle's silver hair fluttering beside them,

her former ponytail now cascading loose, making her possess an even more distinctive charm.

Vanessa had taken the lead,

so naturally, Noelle refused to be outdone and leaned over to kiss Carl as well.

Noelle said to Vanessa:

"Carl belongs to everyone. Why do you get to sneak in an attack?"

Vanessa smiled faintly.

"Because I'm the big sister."

Listening to the two of them bicker with smiles, Carl felt almost too happy.

Besides, this little dispute was not important.

What mattered was the constantly refreshing favorability they were giving her.

It was also at that moment that Carl suddenly sensed an inexplicable killing intent.

She looked up.

Charlotte's face had already darkened.

At that moment,

her blazing gaze was fixed on Vanessa and Noelle.

"What are the two of you doing, clinging all over Carl like that? Look at the state you're in. It's simply disgraceful!"

As an aristocrat, Charlotte really was shocked by their boldness.

What was more, she was the captain of the Blue Rose Knights.

Among everyone present, her bond with Carl was certainly not shallow. But asking her to be as proactive as those two was something Charlotte could never do, even if it killed her.

At that moment, she hated her own aloofness and reserve to the core. She could not even enjoy that warm post-battle embrace.

Watching the two pull Carl along from either side, Charlotte was nearly consumed by rage.

Meanwhile, feeling Charlotte's waves of resentment transform into favorability, Carl immediately flashed a grin.

This woman was as stubbornly sharp-tongued as ever.

Carl stepped forward and openly gave Charlotte a hug.

Carl's firm, tight muscles and intense masculine hormones instantly made Charlotte's whole body stiffen.

Carl said with a smile:

"Captain Charlotte, we've been through life and death together. We can be considered comrades who fought side by side."

"Besides, I'm a member of the Rose Knights too.

A hug isn't too much, is it?"

Charlotte's heart pounded wildly, but she still forced a cold expression.

"Y-you... what are you doing?

How presumptuous!"

Yet her hands showed no intention of pushing Carl away at all.

Sol Marron had already felt somewhat awkward toward Carl.

Now, seeing Carl actually dare to so boldly "profane" the object of their faith—the captain of the Blue Rose Knights—

Sol Marron froze completely.

Earth magic rapidly gathered and formed the Giant's Hammer.

It was about to smash down on Carl!

"You damned bastard! How can you repay kindness with hostility?"

"How dare you lay those filthy hands on my sister? Are you looking to die?!"

However, Carl had already released Charlotte.

The next moment, she naturally wrapped Sol Marron in a hug as well.

Sol Marron's Giant's Hammer crashed down beside them, kicking up clouds of dust.

Carl said with a smile:

"Of course, our vice-captain of the Rose Knights also deserves credit for everything that happened today."

"Thank you. Without our sincere cooperation and unity, I could not have accomplished that feat just now."

"No matter what, I should thank you."

Sol Marron stood frozen in place like a piece of red-hot charcoal.

She mechanically turned her head to look at Charlotte.

Her eyes were filled with disbelief, and steam even began rising from above her head.

"S-sister...

She... she hugged me just now, didn't she?"

"What do I do? I think I've been poisoned! Save me!

I can't move at all!"

Sol Marron stiffly shuffled as she pleaded to Charlotte for help.

Meanwhile, Noelle and Vanessa were already laughing so hard they could barely straighten up.

[Congratulations, Host: Obtained 20x Charlotte's Bond, 15x Vanessa's Bond, 10x Noelle's Bond, 22x Sol Marron's Bond]

Carl burst into laughter.

"Want me to hug you again, then?"

Sol Marron instantly leaped away.

"Absolutely not!"

"It's just... the way you three are dressed,

are you sure you can still go back?"

"Won't people mistake you for exhibitionists?"