When Daelin Proudmoore arrived at Jaina's palace, he found the daughter he had not seen in so long standing anxiously in the hall, with several unfamiliar men in strange clothes behind her.
Daelin Proudmoore ignored the strangers for the moment. The last flicker of hope he had harbored vanished at the sight of them.
"Jaina, why did you ask to meet me at your residence?" Daelin Proudmoore's expression was stern. Though he dearly loved his daughter, he had always played the strict father. Even in his disappointment, he had little desire to reproach her; he was simply accustomed to keeping a solemn face.
"Father!" Jaina looked at the stern-faced Daelin Proudmoore, struggling to speak. At that moment, she did not know how to explain her decision to him.
Just as father and daughter were about to fall silent, Sengoku stepped forward. Ever since arriving in this kingdom, he had sensed that some of the young woman's views might not align with those of its ruler.
"You're the young lady's father, I take it! We're Auxiliary Personnel of the Holy Church, here to help you withstand the Undead Scourge."
The moment Sengoku finished speaking, Daelin Proudmoore frowned. "We never asked heretics for assistance. Jaina, was this your decision?" His expression darkened as he looked at his silent daughter.
"Father, does the kingdom have any other options left?" Jaina steeled her resolve. Though she worried about the kingdom's safety, she was even more concerned for its people. The devastation she had witnessed in ruined cities along the way had left her deeply distressed. In such a short time, this once-peaceful nation had lost half its territory. How many people had been driven from their homes?
"Hmph! Don't you know what those heretics have done? Does our family mean so little to you?"