Once Olmedo learned what Annan needed them for, she sent her finest household knights.
They included fifteen elite knights, three elite mages, a hundred-strong knights' order, and an accompanying mage corps. Though they had no Archmage or Grand Knight, they could face an adult Dragon head-on.
The armor-clad force stood outside the Stinking Swamplands, looking more like they had come to subdue a lord than pay a visit.
Annan boarded the carriage. Blom, one step away from becoming a Grand Knight, drew his longsword.
"Move out!"
Metali Fief.
Viscount Tomash was painting the view outside his castle study.
Thud, thud, thud, thud—
Boots pounded dully on the corridor carpet, and a young man burst into the study.
Bang!
The door shook Tomash's hand, leaving a blotch of gray paint on the land he was painting. He calmly turned it into a small hill.
"Father, something's wrong—"
"Haiman, composure is essential for a noble." Tomash turned his brush, smoothing the mistake into a hillock. "You're so flustered that I assume the Princess Knight is outside the castle?"
"Yes! He brought dozens of elites and a mage corps!"
Tomash's face drained of color. "Fucking Fitzsnag above!"
Abandoning his half-finished painting, Tomash ran out of the castle and saw the elite force beyond the moat.
Wasn't Strange Tales City finished? Where had the Princess Knight found so many knights...?
His subjects stood at a curious, respectful distance, staring at warriors who looked more knightly than the Territory's own knights.
Tomash steadied himself and went through the castle gate to the moat. He bowed to the black-haired boy, who looked more noble than the nobles themselves. "Female Knight..."
"You wanted to see me, so here I am."
Annan's bluntness drew a rueful smile from Tomash. "This is actually a misunderstanding... Please, come inside."