The White-haired Dragon Lady and the Wolf-eared Maiden were absolute, peerless powerhouses. Once they ascended to the Legend Tier, they would basically become game-breaking monstrosities, making it a trivial matter to dominate the current era.

The same was true for Westheid, who shared both of their Tier T0 Talents. Even if there was a slight gap in terms of a true powerhouse’s spirit, it didn’t matter. As long as his stats were high enough, nothing else was important. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

’With the three of us united, what foe could possibly withstand a single clash?’

Westheid’s thoughts were quite optimistic. In high spirits, he went to find Mivana.

The Lady Knight had already packed her bags, ready to depart first thing in the morning.

Westheid looked at the striking and handsome Lady Knight, dressed in a trench coat and shirt, and sighed.

"If I weren’t so tied up here, I would’ve gone with you. It might be difficult for you to hold off the Expeditionary Army on your own."

Mivana shook her head.

"The situation might not be that dire. I’ll try to de-escalate things. In any case, Teacher Viona’s Silver Sword is still in my possession, and I am an official Knight Lord of the Country of Yonglan."

Westheid sat down on the edge of the bed and promised,

"As soon as I’ve stabilized the situation here, I’ll come over immediately. I’ll help you complete your pilgrimage, and even seize the title of Knight King."

"Okay. If the situation becomes too dangerous, I will ask for your help."

Westheid’s eyes widened in slight surprise.

"...I thought you’d politely refuse. Doesn’t the Chivalry Knightly Path forbid accepting this kind of help?"

"Is the Knightly Path such an inconvenient doctrine?"

Mivana’s handsome face remained impassive as she slowly replied,

"My heart and my actions are as clear as a polished mirror. As long as I know what is right, all paths are open to me."

’She’s a bit too enlightened,’ Westheid thought. ’But on second thought, the Knights of Chivalry seem to have many rules, but they’re all forms of self-restraint. In essence, their path is about achieving a just result.’

’The standards are completely flexible.’

"Besides..."

Mivana sat down beside Westheid, a move that immediately put him on alert. Considering they were parting tomorrow, it was hard not to suspect that the Wolf-eared Maiden intended to wring him dry one last time before she left.

However, Mivana didn’t give Westheid that familiar look. Instead, she shifted closer, rested her head on his shoulder, and whispered,

"Relying on Teacher West isn’t a bad thing, is it?"

"Let me borrow your shoulder. I just want to rest for a moment."

The Beast-eared Maiden’s fluffy ears pressed against Westheid’s cheek. The fur was incredibly soft and twitched from time to time.

Her large tail also swayed back and forth, now and then patting against or wrapping around Westheid’s waist.

’What’s with this sudden display of pure, innocent affection?’

Westheid was a little surprised, but he still wrapped an arm around Mivana’s slender waist. He glanced at her drowsy, sleepy-eyed face, which had an adorably dazed look.

’He really wanted to use his higher Tier to put her in her place and reclaim his confidence, but this wasn’t the right atmosphere for that.’

’Even if he won by using his Tier advantage, it would be a hollow victory. It wouldn’t do anything to steady his resolve!’

「The next morning.」

Mivana said her goodbyes and departed. She set off from Qinghui Territory, taking a Floating Battleship through a Star Gate to an Imperial Province bordering the Country of Yonglan.

From there, Mivana would travel alone back to Dusk Lamp Territory. Though the world was in chaos, with the Wolf-eared Maiden’s power, it was hard to imagine anything that could threaten her.

Mivana’s departure wasn’t a long-term separation, however. Westheid had already designated the Country of Yonglan as his next strategic objective; he was determined to conquer the Knight Army.

But first, he needed to stabilize the current situation. The Age of Strife had just begun, and this was the period when the Chaos Tide’s assaults were at their most ferocious. At the very least, Westheid needed to establish a foolproof defensive system.

This was no easy task. A few days later, however, Westheid learned something from the Half-Elf Maid.

"Yuanshi Territory wants to deepen its cooperation with us?"

Rozana nodded. "Yes. Yuanxi Palace’s intent is to deepen its cooperation with Qinghui Territory by signing a defensive alliance. We would each handle the defense of one of the other’s borders."

"So things are tough for Yuanshi Territory as well..."

Westheid couldn’t help but muse.

Yuanshi Territory’s immense prosperity, which rivaled that of a nation, was thanks to its highly developed Star Gate system that made it an absolute commercial hub. However, without the [Radiant Holy Tree] to maintain it, any discerning eye could see the Star Gate system was on the verge of collapse. The days when Yuanshi Territory could make a fortune simply by collecting taxes were gone for good.

That said, Yuanshi Territory wasn’t down for the count. The [Branch of Prosperity] was a Shubang, a border territory, not some Imperial Province in the heartland that hadn’t seen war in ages. The prerequisite for profiting so handsomely from its central location was possessing the military might to defend it.

As far as Westheid knew, Yuanshi Territory’s unique Extraordinary Path specialized in Barrier Techniques. As long as they were willing to pour resources into it, they could erect a net of defenses from which there was no escape. Any who dared to invade would be met with a crushing defeat!

But having lost its status as a commercial hub, Yuanshi Territory would have to live off its reserves, and it would certainly go through a painful period of adjustment.

’Is Luyetan also worried something might happen during this time? If they concentrate their forces in the core region and can rely on Qinghui Territory to cover their back, it would indeed save them a lot of trouble.’

"Duke Qinghui... what is your answer?"

Rozana asked, tilting her head as she saw Westheid lost in thought.

Westheid slapped the table.

"Of course! Absolutely! Both Qinghui Territory and Yuanshi Territory are part of the [Branch of Prosperity] and are located in the Southeast Imperial. We’re friendly neighbors. Signing a defensive alliance is the most reasonable thing in the world."

"Besides, Yuanxi Palace is my creditor and has given me so much help. Trade between our territories is incredibly frequent. I think this should be more than a simple defensive alliance. We should cooperate on a much deeper level. I believe our two territories can absolutely sign a mutual military assistance pact. As for the southeast of the Imperial... we will carve... I mean, *protect* it. I imagine Yuanshi Territory wouldn’t mind expanding its own lands a bit, would it?"

The beautiful Half-Elf stared, stunned. "This... you mean to..."

Westheid said with a grave expression, "To mutually guarantee each other’s independence. To refuse unjust orders from above. To ensure that petty opportunists dare not cause trouble."

’We in the [Branch of Prosperity] have suffered for so long,’ he thought. ’What’s wrong with chipping away at the Imperial’s foundation?’

Hearing this, a delighted expression bloomed on Rozana’s face. She immediately pressed herself against him, her scandalously voluptuous figure tight against Duke Qinghui. With an obsessed look, the Half-Elf Maid began to gently nuzzle his neck.

"Your proposal is most constructive," she said. "Yuanxi Palace has fully entrusted the negotiation of the specific treaty to me. The situation in Yuanshi Territory is rather complicated at the moment, so the master of Yuanxi Palace cannot leave the territory to meet you in person. I hope you understand."

"Of course."

Westheid patted Rozana’s shoulder.

"However, to achieve this Southeast Mutual Protection, we’ll need to wait a little longer."

"We need to wait for news of Reiya’s ascension to the Legend Tier. When that happens, the final piece of the puzzle will be in place."