Chapter 1, Crossing Over

Sometimes, he would think of the knight who had voluntarily sacrificed himself. Although he would comfort himself each time with the thought that the knight might still have had a chance to escape, in reality, he had a faint sense that the knight was no longer in this world

"Alright, alright, I admit I was wrong. Please tell me, what news did the envoy from the Kingdom of Ka'oqi bring?" the princess asked anxiously.

The people on the ground scattered in all directions, trying to escape from the areas where the slurry was dripping.

After listening to the princess, Qiao furrowed his brow for the first time. Although he would no longer encounter any bandits in this territory, danger still lurked everywhere, and its perilous nature might far exceed that of the desolate wasteland.

As the great mage Kobir Leo recited the incantation within the barrier, a sphere of red light enveloped everything within the barrier, rendering it completely invisible.

His words left everyone present in a state of shock. Could there be a third route through the Varkas Mountains? This was the question on almost everyone's mind

After listening to this explanation from Kobe Liao, Joe and the princess finally felt relieved. If what this powerful archmage said is true, then there were originally divisions within the Kingdom of Ka'aoqi regarding the initiation of an invasion. Moreover, this formidable archmage before them belongs to the faction that opposes external expansion.

The red light grew increasingly bright, rendering those nearby unable to open their eyes at all. After a full half hour, the red light gradually diminished. Eventually, it shrank into a fireball the size of an ordinary fireball spell.

If there is anyone that Qiao is most unwilling to face, it would definitely be the Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo.

After this battle, the princess will undoubtedly have a very clear definition of the term "sacrifice". When this princess is faced with the necessity to sacrifice someone again in the future, her decisions will inevitably be more mature and cautious

If there truly exists a secret passage, then the Sophiean Kingdom would be able to take the initiative, and even if this diplomatic effort fails, it would have little impact.

At this moment, the Grand Sorcerer Kobir Leo arrived at the front. The princess and Joe closely followed behind.

"Yes, for the benefit of both countries," the princess's voice sounded like that of a guilty prisoner. She then turned to leave the city wall.

If they are not currently within the range of this forbidden spell's direct impact, he would be delighted to admire this extraordinary spectacle from the sidelines, as not everyone has the opportunity to witness this legendary magic

Jack glanced back at Enlaike and reassured him, "Rest assured, the Qisila Valley has the largest military fortress in the western part of the Ka'oqi Kingdom, Meikalusi. The bandits would definitely not dare to come to this place. Meikalusi houses ten thousand elite troops; originally, it was the most daunting obstacle on our way back home, but unexpectedly, it has now become our greatest hope."

Kobe Leo clearly noticed the doubts in the hearts of the two and smiled, saying: "I have received news that a group of robbers and some other ill-intentioned individuals have gathered in front of the Mechalus Fortress with ulterior motives. These people have long been a significant threat to our country. I came here to take this opportunity to eliminate these two dangers in one fell swoop and to ensure the safety of Her Highness the Princess. Now that the second task has been completed, for the benefit of both our nations, let me complete the first task as well"

Qiao did not answer Hao Meng's question; he squinted for a moment and then said, "We will know soon, someone is coming from their side."

Does Qiao intend to bypass the entire Valkus Mountain range? It is feared that it would take at least one month to accomplish this, which would inevitably delay the current diplomatic mission.

Taking advantage of the moment when the two knights watching over her were momentarily distracted by their own amusement, the princess urged her horse forward. The two knights, just regaining their senses, hurriedly followed in an attempt to stop her, but it was already too late

Although Enleiko felt somewhat relieved upon hearing Jack's words, an ominous premonition still lingered in his heart

The knights surrounding Enleco stared wide-eyed at him, convinced that something must be wrong with his mind, as he believed he could resist the most powerful magic in the world and withstand the attack of forbidden spells

Upon hearing this news, the princess immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. The Holy Knight Order is one of the main combat forces of the Kingdom of Ka'oqi, usually stationed near the capital, and rarely ventures to such border areas

Conversely, from the words of the princess of the Sofien Kingdom, it is evident that she is equally uninformed about this matter. Moreover, the seemingly enigmatic commander appears to be quite curious about this situation as well, which further indicates that they did not orchestrate this scheme.

I am quite unaccustomed to this Enleike.

The slowly converging smoke seemed to transform into a tangible substance. It resembled a mass of black mercury, gradually unfolding in the air, flowing through the atmosphere

They can only rest for two hours before the storm, which will last until midnight, begins to rage. Once the storm has passed, they must continue their journey.

There was no one who fainted, only Joe, who had become familiar with death on the battlefield, and the knights beside Enleiko

After speaking, she turned around and instructed her personal maid to carefully attend to the old wizard, and then she led her warhorse towards Qiao, galloping forward.

Standing beside him, Qiao was stunned by the loud shout, which left his ears ringing. He secretly resolved that he absolutely could not confront this magician head-on. From the confidence in that voice, it was clear that this magician possessed a formidable combat strength that was certainly not inferior to that of the barbarian warriors

Enleco had originally considered finding a place to hide before dawn, but upon reflecting on the speed of the team's progress, he ultimately abandoned this decision. After all, the safest approach was to quickly distance themselves from this desolate wasteland of death

Before they could approach the forward, Deputy Commander Hao Meng came forward to intercept the hurriedly arriving princess

Therefore, she calmed herself and asked slowly, "Commander, should we change direction and head towards the Mechalus Fortress?"

As Enleike lost consciousness and fainted, the princess watching from the distant city wall also fainted at the same time

The only person I can rely on now is this uncle, who usually appears carefree and jovial but actually conceals much beneath the surface.

The Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo spoke these words to the princess for a reason. According to the intelligence, this princess is an absolute proponent of national interests. Even during this mission, she carries the responsibility of sacrificing herself in exchange for peace. The Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo holds deep respect for such a responsible heir to the throne

This matter itself is quite reassuring, after all, no one wishes to be an enemy of the forbidden spellcaster before them

The knights surrounding him suddenly found their minds completely blank

With a loud bang, the massive city gate exploded, and a corner of the city wall immediately collapsed

"No, there are only a few ordinary knights and a wizard's apprentice," the princess said

However, before she could fully turn around, Qiao had already grabbed her and turned her body around. He then said to the great mage Kobe Leo, "Respected Mage, please allow us to watch this splendid battle scene from the side."

After listening to this passage, the princess gradually sorted out her troubled thoughts

Kobe Leo nodded slightly, turned to the princess, and said: "For the benefit of both nations, Your Highness, would you be willing to make a small sacrifice in exchange for the lives of these exceptionally brave knights, to secure peace between our two countries"

The twelve golden-robed wizards who had been following him also took to the air simultaneously

Making limited sacrifices in exchange for the greatest benefit for both countries should be understandable for this princess

The princess glanced at Qiao.

The fully unfolded fabric is in the shape of a circle with a diameter of 3 meters, on which a magical array is embroidered with golden threads

The princess and Qiao were the first to rein in their warhorses, and both dismounted simultaneously. The knights behind them followed suit and also got off their horses. Two attendants quickly stepped forward to lead away the horses of Qiao and the princess.

All the thieves under the sky were scattering in all directions, even those wizards flapping their arms in an attempt to take flight. However, Enleiko could distinctly sense that all the various magical elements around were being dispersed by the enormous aggregation of fire elements in the sky

Jack repeatedly examined the map twice and shook his head, saying: "It is impossible; the entire Varkas Mountain range has sealed off this side leading to the Kingdom of Kaoci, and there is absolutely no way to cross over."

As the crowd urged their horses forward, they saw from a distance the old wizard Madosh bending down to draw a massive magic circle on the ground

"Why through the Qizila Valley?" Joe asked

"So where are we going now?" Joe asked

A deep and slow sound gently emanated from Enleike's mouth, a sound that seemed utterly beyond human capability. Upon hearing this sound, the souls of the knights appeared to be simultaneously drawn out, leaving them in a state of bewilderment, unsure of their whereabouts

The princess, filled with doubts about this matter, led Kate and the others to the front of the group

Jerry also realized that the statement he had just made seemed to have offended many people, and he still needed the protection of these knights. At this moment, offending these knights was truly unwise. Therefore, he quickly began to apologize to everyone.

It is not easy to spot them from a distance; this magic circle is specifically designed to deal with those wizards who can fly in the air

Beneath the feet of the Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo, there lies a similar magic circle, only three to four times larger than the twelve-sided one.

Enleike disregarded the astonished gazes cast upon him from all around and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the only magic he excelled at

Regarding this issue, the princess has a basis for such a question

The princess, filled with questions, hurriedly asked: "Esteemed Mage Mados, do you intend to use this magic circle to send us over the Valkus Mountains?"

Watching the princess ride over, Qiao shook his head helplessly. He had long anticipated that this willful girl could not be stopped, no matter what.

If this were another princess, I fear that lightning and flames would have already filled the sky.

The princess holds a considerable appreciation for all individuals with a particular skill, such as our four trial students, for whom she has a significant admiration for each one.

The princess knows that Qiao is merely pretending to be foolish; how could he not be aware of the Mecharus Fortress? Yet, what can she do about this uncle?

Once the bubbles swell, they immediately burst into a rumbling sound. From the broken bubbles emerges a dazzling golden light. The bubbles in the sky become increasingly numerous and dense, and the rumbling sound merges into a continuous roar

Having spoken, he pulled the princess in front of him, his hands passing under her ribs, tightly encircling her body with his arms. He forcefully held her cheeks with both hands, positioning her gaze directly towards the knights in the distance, completely disregarding the tears flowing from her eyes.

Enleke on horseback glanced sideways at Jack, who looked up at the dust swirling in the sky. He pulled the horse to a stop and instructed, "Proceed slowly"

In the Sofien Kingdom, where magical culture flourishes, there is a considerable number of mid-level and above mages (of course, this is in comparison to several other countries). Although the quality of Enleiko is quite good, in the eyes of the princess, it does not provide much assistance in overcoming the current crisis facing her country

If that is truly the case, then it would be troublesome, and currently, we are unable to obtain the assistance of the wizard Mados.

"You wouldn't think I like this godforsaken place that much, would you?" Joe shouted

"Why go to Mecharus?" Joe asked

However, in her eyes, these individuals are merely exceptionally useful talents for the country; finding them the most suitable positions and enabling them to exert their maximum potential for the nation is what this princess truly has in mind

While by her parents' side, the princess was consistently involved in various political affairs. Compared to her brother, who was still immersed in the excitement of games, she was much more mature and composed. Relatively speaking, the power she wielded was not something her brother could compare to.

Seeing Haomeng approach, Qiao, who was standing at the front of the line, turned around and asked, "So, that girl has finally agreed to stay behind?"

This entire itinerary arranged by Qiao was originally proposed by the princess herself

After a moment of silence, Hao Meng said: "Perhaps the commander is concerned about the possibility of an enemy ambush in the Qisila Valley"

At noon, everyone had arrived at the foot of the massive Varkus Mountains

At this moment, a group of bandits could be seen from a distance, surrounding several knights within a vast encirclement, which was gradually tightening. However, the bandits seemed to be hesitating over something, delaying their attack.

Enleike glanced at the map and asked, "Can we exit from another location?"

While they were discussing the Qisila Valley at Enleike, Kate and her companions were also deliberating on how to traverse the Walks Mountains

However, the team had only been moving forward for two hours, and the sky had not yet darkened, when the front team suddenly came to a halt

From the foot of the fortress, the entire structure resembles a grand gate, tightly locking together the Valcus Mountains on both sides

The members participating in the discussion include two royal family members, Haomeng, Kate, and Jerry, while only Madoshi the magician and the head of the delegation, Qiao, are absent

Enleco before them seemed to have completely transformed into another person. His pitch-black pupils appeared so profound, and his expression so solemn. Standing there quietly, he seemed to have existed in the world for tens of thousands of years.

This news stirred ripples in everyone's hearts like a stone thrown into water. Even Qiao was no exception, stunned by this news.

However, they immediately recognized the Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo standing at the front of the line, along with the twelve elite sorcerers flying in mid-air. One of the sorcerers immediately turned to report to the chief guard, while another quietly slipped away.

Upon looking around, I was surprised to see several knights nodding repeatedly. A hint of color had appeared on their originally pale faces.

In the flames, there are no cries of anguish, no wails of sorrow. All those consumed by the fire instantly transform into a wisp of smoke, completely vanishing from the world and from the pages of history. The only possible evidence of their past existence may be the small pile of ashes left on the ground

Upon hearing the report from the knight ahead, the heavy stone in the princess's heart was similarly set down, albeit temporarily

Thinking of this, the great sorcerer Kobe Leo said to Joe and the princess behind him: "Esteemed guests, please temporarily retreat to a safe place"

However, Enleike does not wish to die

"So you plan to bypass the Valkus Mountains?" the princess further inquired

Seeing the old wizard drenched in sweat and with a face full of fatigue, the princess understood that this was not the time to ask questions. She immediately ordered the two attendants behind her to help the old wizard into a makeshift portable litter, which was originally meant for the princess herself

The princess and Qiao stepped forward, and the magician hurriedly came out to greet them

Everyone was waiting for the old wizard to complete the enormous magic circle, and by the time it all came to an end, a full hour had already passed

In the past few days, they had not encountered that group of bandits again. Several times, Enleike thought to himself that perhaps those bandits had turned to deal with their main force. As he pondered this, he often worried about Kate and the others, wondering if they were in any danger now, and whether the two knights who had broken through had brought the news back to their unit.

Before the sun reaches its zenith and the temperature rises, they must walk a bit further and then find a shaded area where they can avoid the sunlight and any pursuers, resting until the sun sets before continuing their journey

The Qisila Valley on the map is a rather prominent landmark; if those bandits had any sense, they would surely set an ambush at this location

The princess had no choice but to ask directly: "Commander, do you not wish to enter the Kingdom of Kaoqi through the Qisila Valley?"

If no one can answer these questions, then..." The princess paused and said to Haomeng, "You go and invite the commander-in-chief over.

However, this is utterly meaningless; when the pulp splatters onto the ground, there is neither a loud noise nor any vibration. Only a sky full of flames erupts, and in an instant, the world is filled with the scenes of hell.

Despite the repeated contemplation of the Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo, he still did not wish to relinquish such a favorable opportunity. The two major concerns that had long perplexed him were now laid bare before him. While the thieves were manageable, the sorcerer secretly nurtured by his political adversary was his primary target

In such diplomatic situations, Joe was of no assistance at all. All matters were left to the princess to handle, and Joe merely needed to nod or shake his head at appropriate moments.

In the eyes of the princess, Enleike and his companions are indeed very talented individuals, but the princess does not consider them to be indispensable figures.

In this hellish environment, even the valiant and formidable royal knights appear pale and tremble with fear

Other knights likely understand the situation as well, after all, although they may not be very familiar with magic and the magical world, they have undoubtedly heard of the great sorcerer Kobe Leo and his forbidden spell "Cataclysm of Doom"

Indeed, soon everyone could see a warhorse galloping swiftly ahead, with a rider clad in blood-red attire, and a fiery red fox tail helmet fluttering in the wind, indicating that he was a member of the Sacred Knight Order of the Kingdom of Kaoci, a figure of great concern for the valiant.

Therefore, she was eager to obtain the answer to the question

Seeing the princess standing at the front of the line, Hao Meng glared fiercely at the two negligent knights behind her. He then approached the princess and reprimanded her, saying: "Your Highness, it seems you have not adhered to the agreement"

Haomeng did not answer the princess's question, but turned to Qiao and said, "Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, the Grand Sorcerer Mr. Kobiliao of the Kaoqi Kingdom is just ahead."

The sun gradually rises from the east, while the horses gallop, kicking up clouds of dust that scatter into the sky

Moreover, as the sorcerer trained by the Grand Magus Naga, he possesses considerable strength himself

Of course, Enlaike sometimes also worries about the footprints left along the way

The entire sky resembled a boiling furnace, churning with bright red bubbles.

At this moment, Jack gently patted Enleiko's shoulder and said, "How fortunate we are that we do not have to die at the hands of those despicable thieves; to die under the forbidden spell of the great sorcerer Kobiriao is indeed an honor for us"

A thick black smoke slowly seeped out from his skin, gradually enveloping Enlaike's body. Within the smoke, Enlaike slowly stood up.

The princess equally detested this arrogant personality, thus she turned around and shot Jerry a fierce glare

The princess is indeed a rather formidable opponent. Several times, Hao Meng was on the verge of compromise; fortunately, the knight's duty and honor often sustained him at the critical moment

However, Joe's response was far beyond what everyone had anticipated. He shrugged and said, "I don't believe there is the secret passage you mentioned"

"Is it possible that the war has already begun?" Hao Meng asked the question he had been contemplating.

The soldiers who were originally lounging on the city wall suddenly gathered together, and several hundred archers immediately ascended the battlements, followed closely by a few mages who also climbed up.

Since receiving the news, they have been traveling day and night, and the direction they are heading has completely diverged from the original planned route, which was not inherently wrong. However, along the way, they are increasingly distancing themselves from the only valley capable of crossing the Valkus Mountains, the Chisra Valley

When the magical power was stored to the extent that it could launch the "Doomsday Catastrophe," he shouted loudly. This shout echoed throughout the Mekalus Fortress

The valiant hero gallantly rode towards that knight

Regarding Qiao, the great sorcerer Kobe Liao at least has some understanding from the intelligence gathered. Qiao is a high-ranking noble and a royal relative. However, he voluntarily gave up all of this to become a mercenary. Mercenaries traditionally respect life, making it quite difficult to persuade him to sacrifice his subordinates

The great sorcerer Kobe Leo stood there, drenched in sweat and looking exhausted. However, due to his robust physique and remarkable stamina, he was the only one still able to stand.

Upon hearing that all of this was arranged by the wizard Mardosh, the princess finally felt at ease. The wizard Mardosh is a composed elder who would never undertake actions without certainty.

The Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo cast a glance at Joe, and indeed, Joe was as he had sensed—a person who appeared relaxed on the surface but was actually deep and inscrutable. It seemed that the intelligence received was not accurate, and it was necessary to include this commander in the list of individuals to be monitored closely

Haomeng shook his head; negotiating with the princess on this matter felt even more laborious to him than charging and slashing in a battle

Qiao still looked the same, as if he were a person with nothing to do, approaching everyone with a grin and completely ignoring the obvious displeasure displayed on the princess's face

The princess, living up to expectations, asked: "Do you know of any secret passages that can lead into the Kingdom of Ka'oqi?"

The Varkas Mountains stretch like a great wall for thousands of miles, tightly enclosing the Kaoci Kingdom, while the library serves as a natural protective barrier for the Kaoci Kingdom. The entire mountain range features sheer rock faces, with its sharp peaks resembling interlocking canine teeth.

Qiao did not want to truly provoke his magical niece, and quickly said: "Don't worry, Madosh said it's fine."

However, having lost the warhorse, how could one possibly escape the control of this vast magic, which spans a radius of ten miles, in such a short time within this desert?

Each team entering the magic circle will transform into a thick smoke after a burst of fog, instantly traversing the entire massive mountain range

Enleike's originally ordinary face was shrouded in a layer of gray shadow, appearing exceptionally eerie. The swirling, thick black smoke seemed to add some whiskers to Enleike. His once youthful face now looked particularly aged.

The black thick smoke transformed into a long robe, gently draping over Enleike's body. In the eyes of the knights, that robe seemed as deep as the entire night sky, boundless and vast.

His eyes, peering through the "Chaotic Crystal Wall," were fixed intently on that unusual sky

Only after everyone had crossed the Varkus Mountains did the old wizard enter the magic circle. As he transformed into thick smoke and slipped between the rocks, the magic circle on the ground gradually vanished.

In the red light, waves of golden brilliance often emerge. The golden light rolls within the embrace of the red, swirling in vortices, occasionally splashing out two points of golden brightness, only to be immediately drawn back by the red bubbles.

Haomeng tried hard to imitate Qiao's manner for a long time, but he saw nothing at all; however, he would never doubt Qiao's eyesight

Although this magic circle is quite large, it is still impossible to accommodate all the personnel. Therefore, the entire delegation was divided into four groups, each entering the magic circle under the leadership of their respective captains

On the city wall, the twelve elite sorcerers surrounded the Grand Magus Kobe Leo in the center

Kobe Leo furrowed his brow in thought, then raised his right hand high and began to chant a spell

Thus, he recited the incantation. As the incantation concluded, the "Chaotic Crystal Wall" emitted a faint starlight, appearing above the heads of the knights.

As one approaches, the Holy Knight Order can be seen clearly arranged in a neat welcoming formation, with a wizard clad in a golden robe standing at the forefront of the line

Perhaps the commander is concerned that we lack the strength to protect the princess and prince until they reach the fortress said Jerry from the side This statement alone explains why Jerry has been unable to associate with those knights since the delegation was formed

Certainly, he would not consider the other party's cognitive abilities to be so limited as to misjudge the situation; he has a profound understanding of his rival, Kobe Leo.

The two knights shook hands while on horseback. Upon witnessing this scene, all the knights felt a sense of relief.

Regarding the princess's inquiries, others do not dare to interject casually. However, each person harbors such a question in their heart

As usual, Enlaikob set up an illusionary magic circle

Isn't there the Mecharus Fortress in the Qisila Valley? Do those bandits dare to attack us within the range of the fortress's defenses?" Kate asked

The vanguard at the front has knocked on the door several times, yet the soldiers on the city wall remain unresponsive. Everything about this situation seems so unusual

Suddenly, a mass of foam dripped down around them. In an instant, the bright red flames engulfed everyone. Enleiko exerted all the strength he had. The immense energy tore apart all the nerves in Enleiko's body, and almost at the moment of contact with that powerful force, Enleiko lost consciousness

All the soldiers in the Mecharus Fortress clearly witnessed the scene that had just unfolded. The fortress commander, who had hurried out of the office, also saw this moment. His chubby cheeks turned pale in an instant, and large beads of sweat began to flow down from his forehead

If it were not for the astonishing red light just now, and the sight of the mage lying on the ground, severely drained of mental energy after the red light dissipated, no one would have imagined that the seemingly ordinary fireball in the hands of the Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo would be the super magic—Forbidden Spell "Cataclysm"

Moreover, at this moment, even his greatest reliance—Madoshi the Magician—was unable to assist him

After listening to the princess's words, the great sorcerer Kobe Leo was filled with doubts, and he could not comprehend the scene before him in any way.

Jack pointed to the nearest supply point on the map and said, "We must reach this place tonight. By noon tomorrow, we will be able to cross the Qisila Valley. Once we cross the valley, we will be safe"

"But are we really going to bypass the entire Varkas Mountain Range?" the princess asked

Upon closer inspection, one could see that this legendary magician was exceptionally tall, with a broad build and rounded shoulders, resembling not a magician, but rather a warrior

After a set of customary diplomatic pleasantries, the Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo inquired of the princess: "Your Excellency, if it is not too much trouble, may I request that my holy knight serve to protect your safety"

The Holy Knight Order, having already received the envoy, was not in a hurry to advance. After resting for one night, they set out the next morning. Throughout the journey, Joe and the princess remained together with the great sorcerer Kobelio.

Kobeli Ao, riding swiftly into the fortress, did not even glance at the commander, urging his horse directly onto the walls surrounding the fortress. Behind him, the Holy Knights and the delegation from the Kingdom of Sofien quickly passed through the blown-open city gates into the fortress, leaving the fortress commander choking on the dust kicked up by the galloping horses.

The princess found herself in a dilemma regarding the question posed by the great sorcerer Kobe Leo. As the princess of the Sofien Kingdom, she had the duty to protect her subjects, especially these loyal knights.

This, this, can only be directly asked of the commander-in-chief. Regarding this question, Haomeng also did not dare to answer casually

As this sound emerged, Enleike extended his right hand forward, and as his hand opened, thick black smoke gathered towards his palm

In fact, among the entire delegation, with so many wizards and monks, not a single person was able to discern its purpose

Because this magic can only be used by one person in the entire world—the Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo of the Kingdom of Kaqi.

The warhorses marched in a synchronized manner, gradually forming a straight line as they advanced forward

Several prominent veins were visibly raised on the princess's forehead

The old wizard did not decline, and after he lay comfortably in the sedan chair, he gently said to the princess riding beside him: "Your Highness, in the coming days, I will be unable to offer you any assistance, as that sorcerer has temporarily drained my magical powers. I can only ask you to take care of yourself."

In silence, the delegation from the Kingdom of Sophien continued its journey towards the westernmost city of the Kingdom of Kaolqi, Kaladan. At this pace, they should be able to reach their destination in two days.

It was reported by the scouting knight that they had encountered a cavalry regiment ahead. Moreover, it appeared to be the elite Sacred Knights of the Kingdom of Kaoqi.

"Your Highness, are there any important figures among those knights?" Kobe Leo inquired. He thought that if there were significant targets present, it would indeed attract the attention of numerous bandits, compelling them to gather here at any cost.

The princess suddenly felt flustered; it was not so much her own safety that concerned her, but rather the large-scale mobilization of the Holy Knights, which often heralded the outbreak of war. Could it be that the Kingdom of Ka'oqi has already launched an invasion against her homeland

As the direct heir to the royal throne, she is essentially the future Queen. As long as she does not marry, she can accept the throne in her capacity as the first heir.

Relying on the early morning and night to evade pursuit, this idea was proposed by Enleike. No one expressed any opposition to this suggestion, as if overnight, Enleike had become the commander of these knights

As the entire mountain range is a creation of ancient and vast earth-based magic, rather than a natural formation, there are no roads at all between the mountains, making it impossible to traverse this barrier

With that loud shout, a fireball shot straight into the sky. The princess's face instantly turned pale as she struggled to break free from Joe's grip, but his hands held her face like a vice, directing her gaze towards the knights in the distance

After a fierce struggle between life and death, the princess finally placed those knights upon the altar of fate

The captain of the vanguard reported to Kobe Leo: "We have been shouting for half a day, and only one guard came out to respond a couple of times, but there has been no further news."

All the knights gently held their steeds

The warhorses had long since lost control, completely disregarding commands, running wildly and blindly, biting and colliding with one another. The clever thieves had already jumped off their horses and fled on foot to save their lives

This magic circle is so complex that even the princess, who has considerable expertise in magic, cannot discern its purpose at all

In the magic circle, all the knights were seated around Jack. In front of Jack lay a map, which had repeatedly provided them with supply points to escape the wasteland over the past few days

Moreover, as soldiers, their understanding of the forbidden spell "Apocalypse" may even surpass that of Enleiko

A barrier enveloped them, and within the barrier, each magician spread out a piece of red cloth in front of themselves

However, apart from the princess, no one dares to raise this question

The clouds began to roll violently. Red and gold have already blended together, with several spots emerging from the clouds, violently spewing bubbles.

The black mercury gradually spread out, transforming itself into a nearly four-meter-long, extremely slender black spear

The old wizard, exhausted after drawing the magic circle, walked up to the princess

The great sorcerer Kobe Leo, standing quietly there, slowly gathered his magical power

Let’s take a gamble. Even if we reach Ka'aoqi, we must still confront this fellow. Moreover, given the current situation, even if we wanted to escape, could we really evade the pursuit of the Holy Knight Order? Even if we manage to shake off the pursuit, how could we possibly escape the forbidden magic of Kobe Leo? And don’t forget, you came here as an envoy; you surely don’t want us to have made this trip in vain.

Except for fire magic, any other elemental magic cannot be used under this forbidden spell "Apocalypse"

The backward-gliding wizard, upon reaching the other side of the fortress, floated up, intending to fly towards the encroaching circle in the distance. At that moment, a bolt of lightning suddenly shot from behind, transforming the wizard into a swirling fireball in the air

Suddenly, a rumble of thunder echoed. Dozens of bubbles in the sky merged into a massive blob of viscous liquid, dripping down from above. Within the dark red viscous substance, golden-red flames danced wildly.

"Esteemed Grand Sorcerer, thank you for everything you have done for us. Please take good care of yourself; this is my only request of you at this moment," the princess replied politely.

The scorching sun reached its zenith at noon, and on a sun-shaded hillside, Enleike and his companions found a place to settle.

Upon witnessing such a scene, the thieves quickened their pace to continue their escape

At this moment, Haomeng's duty was to protect the princess's safety, while the princess's first thought was to clarify the current situation. Therefore, under the insistence of both parties, the princess agreed to stay at the rear of the vanguard, and Haomeng assured that there would always be a knight available to report the current situation.

Strange, these fellows have no reason to make such a fuss over just a few knights?" Kobe Leo turned to glance at the princess

However, upon seeing Enleike, who had fainted, and the other bubble brewing above in the sky, everyone realized that the resistance just now was merely a temporary postponement of death

This commander truly lives up to being a descendant of the Twelve Heroes

Hearing the old wizard Madosh say this, the princess dared not question further and quickly ordered to enter the magic circle

Your Highness, you have the authority to sacrifice anyone for the benefit of the nation; this is your duty. However, if you make such a decision, you also have the obligation to fully acknowledge the contributions these individuals have made to the country. I do not wish to prevent you from making a decision, but I hope you will not evade the responsibilities that come with it. Come, let us take a moment to appreciate the final battle scene of our brave knights

Moreover, there are no signs indicating that this shrewd and proud princess is interested in anyone. Everyone in the court is quite familiar with her proud character. Of course, her pride is not the superficial kind that openly looks down on everyone.

The magician approached the princess and gently bowed, saying: "I am Kobe Leo Senavis, the court magician of the Kingdom of Kaoki, here to welcome Her Highness Princess Franny of the Kingdom of Sophie."

Those knights could never have imagined that Enleiko would actually be able to withstand the attack of that powerful forbidden spell

The knight stopped one hundred meters in front of the group, and from the royal flag of the Kingdom of Ka'oqi held high in his hand, it was evident that he was a messenger of peace

A super mage who excels in both close combat and ranged attacks made Joe shake his head and smile wryly at the thought. He truly did not want to be an enemy of this person right now

There has been no response at all up to now," Qiao said while looking ahead as he worked on the awning.

After leaving two knights to watch over the princess, preventing her from advancing on her own, he fiercely turned his horse back to the front of the troop

The Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo, witnessing this scene, could not help but develop a new understanding of Qiao in his heart. It seems that this commander is indeed the soul of the delegation, managing to think of using this opportunity to give a lesson to the future queen even in such circumstances

This certainly includes Enleike, who has embarrassed her, and Jerry, who possesses no other strengths and only knows how to talk big

Before the princess could comprehend what was happening, Qiao had already guessed Kobe Leo's intention and asked, "Great Grand Sorcerer, do you wish to use magic to eliminate those outlaws in one fell swoop at https://mhetushucom.com"

The princess and Qiao followed Kobe Liao to the top of the city wall together

The Holy Knights of the Kingdom of Ka'oqi, like the Royal Knights of the Kingdom of Sofien, are both upholders of traditional chivalric spirit. Once they have made a gesture of goodwill, they will not go back on their word; conspiracy and deceit are matters that have no connection with these two knightly orders

The princess rendered Qiao completely devoid of temper; she understood that with this uncle, neither getting angry nor arguing was of any use.

A non-human feeling

Indeed, before those thieves could escape from the area shrouded by the enormous red cloud in the sky, the red cloud had already undergone an incredible transformation

Originally, we were headed to the Mecharus Fortress, but unexpectedly encountered Her Highness the Princess on the way. Would Your Highness be interested in accompanying me on a trip to Mecharus?

At this critical moment, the greatest reliance—Mage Madosh—was unexpectedly unable to assist him, which left Qiao feeling unsettled

At that moment, a strange change occurred in Enleike's body

Enleike truly cannot comprehend what these knights are thinking. They are on the brink of death, yet they are still excited about who might have killed them; there is something wrong with all of them

For this unique forbidden spellcaster, Qiao has no means to deal with him

It is truly perplexing that one's political adversary would display such an astonishing spectacle for a few insignificant individuals

If I am not mistaken, he should be the Grand Sorcerer Kobe Leo

"Apocalypse"? Enlaike pondered, not expecting to witness this legendary forbidden spell.

Qiao Yi opened his mouth without a hint of seriousness: "Hello, my lovely little niece, is there something you need from your uncle? Oh dear, don't keep that face so tense, be careful, doing so will make you age quickly."

At that moment, the princess leaned forward and asked, "Dear uncle, isn't this too dangerous?"

After conversing with that holy knight for quite a long time, Haomeng turned his horse around and headed back towards his team

Is there any movement ahead? Hao Meng clearly did not want to discuss the question raised by Qiao

After walking for approximately one hour, the Holy Knight Order could be seen from a distance. On the turquoise green grass, the Holy Knight Order, dressed in bright red battle robes, appeared particularly striking.

No, I do not want to see it! the princess exclaimed

Moreover, what exactly are they afraid of? With so many people, it is impossible that they cannot defeat just a few knights, Joe interjected from the side. Years of experience allowed him to immediately discern that those bandits seemed to be approaching the central target with considerable caution, which only occurs when the opponent is quite formidable.

The old wizard glanced at his dim, gray eyes and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, the princess, please enter the magic circle quickly. If you have any questions, we can discuss them once we enter the Kingdom of Ka'aoqi. This magic circle is time-sensitive."

The hands of Enleike, emerging from the wide cuffs, were faintly visible under the shroud of smoke. However, the fingers that occasionally stretched out from the smoke made the knights feel as if they resembled the claws of some fierce beast

With great vigor, he set off. After a while, he finally saw Qiao urging his horse to come this way.

"What on earth is going on?" asked the princess, who was riding on horseback, with a look of confusion directed at the person beside her. Among the entire delegation, she was the only one qualified to criticize Joe and the wizard Mados.

Before dawn, he is never concerned about these matters, as the wind and sand before daybreak will cover all traces. The same kind of wind and sand will occur in the afternoon. Only the morning hours are the most dangerous.

Observing the imposing figure from a distance, he made a gesture, and the delegation slowly set off

Everyone was waiting on the other side of the mountain. As soon as the old wizard emerged from the mountain wall and returned to his human form, the princess eagerly rushed forward to greet him

The princess walking alongside noticed that the great sorcerer beside her was frowning, seemingly lost in thought, and thus inquired: "Esteemed Great Sorcerer, do you have any concerns?"

No one understands Qiao's abilities better than Her Highness the Princess. However, the recent journeys have raised some questions for the Princess

After listening to Kobe and Leo's explanation, Joe and the princess also began to worry. Indeed, if they had not encountered them, that group of bandits would have had no reason to continue holding the Qisila Valley.

Oh, Your Highness, I am merely concerned that since you have successfully crossed the mountains, the group you were supposed to encounter might abandon this operation. If that is the case, then my journey would have been in vain

The tears in my eyes have completely blurred the scene before me, and the only thing I can see is the blood-red, rolling sky

The peculiar phenomenon that appeared in the sky not only captured the attention of the princess but also astonished the knights of the Qisila Valley and the bandits alike

Qiao knew it was time to speak up. Since earlier, Qiao had been observing this legendary magician from the side. It seemed that this magician could be trusted.

Qiao furrowed her brows in deep thought for a while before commanding Hao Meng: "Let that knight lead the way; we must go to meet Kobe Leo"

The red clouds surrounding us continue to rush here swiftly, gradually connecting together, spreading out in the sky for a distance of ten miles.

The magician beside him nudged the dazed commander, and the two quickly ran to the front of the Grand Magus Kobe Leo

From among those thieves, a scream suddenly erupted from an unknown location, followed by someone shouting: "Not good, it is the 'Apocalypse'."

As the droplets of foam fell to the ground, flames spread outward in a circular pattern from the point of impact, with each drop transforming into acres of fiery zones

Haomeng glanced at the middle-aged fox in front of him. Qiao was clearly well aware of his niece's character, thus delegating this challenging task to him

As the sun gradually climbed to its zenith, the Mechalus Fortress was already in sight.

These words raised great suspicions for Joe and the princess

However, what comforts him is that the suggestion he put forward is quite effective

The mighty steed galloped forward, approaching the knight.

However, the great archmage Kobe Leo would not lightly let go of the excellent opportunity before him due to his own thoughts

Moreover, the aging that is revealed is not the ordinary kind of old age; rather, it resembles the deities carved in the royal tombs, displaying a sense that transcends the normal passage of time and exists apart from the mundane world, embodying the feeling of the natural passage of time between heaven and earth

Moreover, since they are confident in crossing the Varkas Mountains, there is no need for such a petty trick. Furthermore, if they were to employ a feigned attack, a mere handful of knights would indeed be too trivial.

However, as the princess of the Sofien Kingdom, she also has the duty to defend her country. On either side of the balance of her obligations as the heir apparent lie equally heavy weights.

Since ancient times, the Qisila Valley has been the only passage from the west to the Kingdom of Ka'oqi, where lies the renowned Mekalus, claimed to be the foremost military stronghold in the west. Therefore, the Kingdom of Ka'oqi can be said to be as solid as a fortress, and thus, it has always been the only power capable of launching an attack on the Kingdom of Sofien, while the Kingdom of Sofien has had no possibility of retaliation