Occasionally, one could see the tall figures of the Elves, commanding the City Guard and volunteer soldiers, busily moving up and down the city walls.

In the new district of Zelolan, in front of a newly built house.

A man and a woman stood at the door, holding each other’s hands, gazing into each other’s eyes.

The woman appeared to be in her twenties, wearing a clean, simple long dress, her eyes full of reluctance as she looked at the man.

The man was clad in armor, his face resolute.

"Dear, are you really going to the battlefield?"

Looking at the man’s shiny armor, the woman’s eyes revealed deep concern.

The man smiled gently:

"Of course, as a member of the Guard, now is the time when the Fengyue Free Territory needs me."

"But...but we’ve only just begun to enjoy good times..."

The woman couldn’t help but say.

The man sighed lightly:

"Dear, but you must know, our good days now exist because of the Life Church, because of the Fengyue Free Territory."

"If there’s no Fengyue Free Territory, then we...would have nothing." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

As he spoke, he reached out to gently smooth his lover’s hair and said softly:

"Don’t worry, with the help of the Elf Lords, I have completed my warrior training and am now a professional. I will take care of myself, wait for me at home."

The woman was silent.

She gently lowered her head, her expression unclear.

Until after a moment, she reluctantly let go of her lover’s hand:

"I will wait for you at home, you must come back safe."

"Don’t worry, I’m still waiting for the child to call me dad."

The man said with a smile.

After speaking, his gaze softened, looking at his lover’s belly with infinite tenderness.

But quickly, he turned serious, put on his helmet, and walked away.

Leaving only his wife standing in front of the door, watching her husband’s figure gradually merging into the crowd, standing there for a long time.

"Said goodbye to the wife?"

In front of the gates of Zelolan, watching the young warrior returning to the team, Captain Jason asked while taking a large sip of ale.

"Yes, I’ve said goodbye."

The young warrior nodded slightly.

"Sigh...actually you didn’t have to come, you just got married not long ago, and are soon to be a dad. Lady Sofia mentioned in the recruitment announcement that under such circumstances, you can stay in the city as a volunteer soldier, there’s no need to defend the frontier towns."

Jason shook his head and said.

"But, the territory needs us now. At this moment, to protect our home, to give the child a wonderful future, someone must stand up, not to mention, I’m one of the few who have been trained with heavy crossbows by the Elf Lords, very suitable for defending the border towns."

The young warrior responded solemnly.

Jason was slightly stunned, his expression turning complex:

"Did you not think that going there might mean sacrifice? If you die, what about your wife? And your unborn child?"

The young warrior smiled slightly:

"If that day really comes...I believe the Free Territory will take care of them, the Life Church will take care of them."

Seeing his fervent and determined demeanor, Jason fell silent.

His gaze was complex, after a moment, he sighed lightly:

"You remind me of a friend of mine..."

"Friend?"

The young warrior was slightly taken aback.

Captain Jason nodded, his eyes somewhat distant.

He took another large sip of ale, sighing:

"That was someone who fought to the end for faith, until the very end of life, he fought for the Goddess, fought for the future..."

The young warrior’s expression turned solemn, his eyes full of reverence:

"Sounds like a very respectable warrior."

"A warrior indeed..."

Jason murmured.

Images flashed in his mind of the figure shouting amidst flames seen in the Magic Projection Stone, recalling his old friend’s firm voice, his expression gradually softening:

"Yes...a warrior."

"He truly was a warrior worth respecting..."

Saying this, he reached out his hand, gently closed his eyes, and devotedly drew a symbol of the Life Scepter on his chest.

At this moment, the rhythmic sound of hooves resounded from outside the city, deafening.

The two warriors looked at each other, unable to resist looking toward outside the city.

Dust billowed from the direction outside the city.

Elves, fully armed, riding tall demon beasts, galloped towards the distance. As far as the eye could see, they stretched endlessly.

The golden iris banner fluttered continuously among the troops.

"It’s the elves’ Heart of Nature battle group. This should be their last departing legion, and it seems to be the core unit of the Heart of Nature, led by Lord Demacia."

Looking at that iconic banner, Captain Jason said.

"The Elf Army..."

The young warrior’s gaze carried a hint of admiration:

"I really wish I could be as brave as them..."

"Hey, that might be impossible. They are the powerful Chosen Ones, the clansmen of the Goddess!"

Jason laughed.

"No! We are also believers of the Goddess. We too must contribute our share of strength in this war!"

The young warrior said proudly.

Jason burst into laughter:

"Haha, well said! We are also life believers, we are also part of the Fengyue Free Territory. We too must contribute our share of strength! For the Goddess, for the Fengyue Free Territory, for a beautiful future!"

"That’s right! For the Goddess, for the Fengyue Free Territory, for a beautiful future!"

The young warrior said excitedly as well.

Seeing his high-spirited demeanor, Jason couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.

He drained the remaining ale in one gulp and laughed:

"Let’s go! Let’s teach those invaders a fierce lesson, let them know the might of our Fengyue Free Territory!"

"Yes! Let’s go!"

The young warrior also laughed and nodded.

They gathered with the other guards, joining the army heading towards the border defense line, and hurried to the front lines.

And behind them, on the city walls.

The Chief Governor of Fengyue Free Territory, Sofia, stood on the city wall, her gaze steady on the departing Elf Army outside the city.

Over the years, the girl had become more mature than before, exuding authority and confidence in her every move, no longer the once naive noble girl.

The rapid development of the Fengyue Free Territory over the years, besides the support of the elves, was also due in no small part to her efforts.

A gentle breeze blew, ruffling Sofia’s hair, her clothes rustling.

Her gaze followed the surging Elven army as they continued to march away, watching as the fluttering iris banners gradually disappeared.

She slowly withdrew her gaze after a long time.

"I will defend Fengyue Free Territory well."

"Good luck... Safe travels to you..."

She murmured softly.

Meanwhile, on the other side, leading the guild army forward, Demacia was momentarily stunned by the message of goodwill floating before him.

[Ding——]

[Sofia von Wels’ goodwill towards you increased by 1 point...]

Demacia: ...

He gave a peculiar glance towards the direction of Zelolan, scratching his head in confusion:

"How come goodwill drops when we meet, but increases after we part..."

Demacia looked bewildered.

But soon, he adjusted his mood and became full of fighting spirit once again.

Riding the Dragon Scale Horse, standing on the slope, Demacia’s gaze looked forward.

The boundless Fertile Plain lay unobstructed.

He raised his voice and shouted to the players behind him:

"Brothers, are the things I asked for ready?"

"Ready!"

Behind him, the players responded in unison.

"Haha, great! The whole army, move out! Let’s give the Eternal Church a solid poke! Show them why the flowers are so red!"

Demacia shouted loudly with his sword raised high.

"Hahahahaha!"

Behind him, the players’ laughter echoed.

"Go!"

"Go——!"

Everyone let out a long cry, accelerating their advance.

The mighty army surged forward like a rushing torrent towards the direction of the empire.

Very soon, they disappeared over the horizon.