212 Trichia Duchy

At the forefront, rode prince Victor Del Lagos, within his close embrace, Daisy. The woman was no longer dressed as a maid, although she had argued for it, the prince managed to convince her to dress more like a lady now that she was his lover. Dressed in royal colours, the dainty maid appeared gentle and sophisticated. After years of receiving the best skin care Loha coins could buy, as her main role was to be aesthetically pleasing after all. Her beauty and image remained pristine.

There was once a maid who didn't take care of her hands, and although her face was beautiful. When a noblemen held her hand, that man found himself shocked, he had to visually confirm whether he was holding a human hand or a piece of wood. That was how dry and rough the woman's hands had become. Thus, Victor had ensured his personal maids always had the best skin care, especially those who closely served him, warming his bed.

Following closely behind the prince was Istvan and the 10 captains under him. Whilst his elite, cream of the crop templars would escort him through the many territories they'd have to travel through, via the far south up to the far north. The rest of the paladin corps would maintain their own march mostly out of sight.

A force of 1000 elite templars would scare any old baron or viscount. Thus, Victor had to travel ahead and send messengers to notify the individual lords of his intention to peacefully pass through.

Currently, the northern world was an open secret. The general population were only told of the Queen's plan to build more defensive forts to better protect the humans from monsters. Which also generated more work opportunities. Only the high nobility knew of the true reason. The many missing scouts and mercenaries who were never heard of again after passing the great mountain path north. The potential threat of another foreign army.

Approaching the prince were two knights on mighty horses. Carrying the flag of Trichia.

Victor Del Lagos remained seated upon his steed. Daisy fidgeted around, usually she would be standing, considering her position. 

The silver haired beauty, who wasn't busty enough for the tastes of the prince approached. Dismounted and kneeled upon a knee, another beauty who sported hair that was jet black clumsily copied her.

"This lowly one, Robin. Greets your Highness. Welcome to Trichia Duchy." Victor's eyes scrutinized the petite woman. She had no weapons on her person as far as he could see. How was she supposed to escort him? Was this duchy that unaffected by monster outbreaks?

"This lowly one, Chloe. Greets your Highness." 

"You may rise, I thank thee for coming to receive me. Tell me, what is the current status of Duke Asai Trichia."

The two half-elves rose, before answering the prince.

"Duke Trichia, under the orders of Her Majesty has travelled to the kingdom of Via Marea. There, he will assist our ambassadors in securing an alliance."

When Victor noticed Chloe's particularly long ears. Longer than a human's yet shorter than an elves. He immediately realised what she was. Conflicting emotions and thoughts swarmed his mind. The man was actually happy to be sent up north. The further away from the elves the better, he figured. 

Istvan noticing the prince's inner turmoil unsheathed his blade, the 10 captains behind him following him in doing so.

"You. What are you?" Within Istvan's mind, he still clearly remembered how helpless he thought, surrounded by the elves and the corpses of his comrades. The extreme confusion and weakness of humanity as he watched an elf behead their king. He quickly inspected their gears once more. Apart from the flashy black military outfit, they sported no weapons.

Chloe's hands shot up in surrender. "I-I'm Jus-"

"-Your Highness." Robin took a single step forward, positioning her between the two. "I assure you, Chloe here is human. Her mother was but a villager who was raped by an elf. She has spent a life time serving and contributing to our great kingdom and she hates the elves as much as we do Your Highness."

"You hate the elves, yet your lord is out there securing us an alliance with them? Befriending them?" Istvan questioned. Perplexed with how he should view Chloe. 

"Sir. Our feelings matter not. Her Majesty has ordered us to befriend the elves, and thus, we shall do as ordered. For the greater good of the kingdom." Robin bowed her head a little, Chloe followed suit. "I knew I shouldn't have taken Chloe along, but it's not like she can forever evade situations like these. She needs to experience more conflicts to grow and develop as a person. I won't be here to protect her forever."

The templars sheathed their weapons. Istvan polite bowed to his prince, before reigning his horse back into rear guard.

Unknown to the men, high above their heads. The 10 astral swords dematerialized.

Prince Victor gazed upon the half elf.

"It's not her fault her mother was raped by a elf. Why would an innocent child be held accountable for actions out of her power. I understand this, yet. I still feel tempted to draw my blade and to draw her blood. What the fuck is wrong with me?"