The Knight’s Resolve and a Sister’s Heart

In the darkness, Reinhardt regained consciousness.

Yet, he did not awaken.

He was aware that his body remained in a deep slumber.

‘Was this a lucid dream?’

‘But why was he sleeping?’

[You remember, don’t you?]

Reinhardt recalled that he, Xie Shenhong, and the others had gone to rescue Xie Shenai.

Initially, everything proceeded smoothly, until the Empire’s Battle Lord made an appearance.

In an instant, they were all defeated by him.

To save his companions, he had once again unleashed the forbidden power.

After that, he remembered nothing.

[Do you truly not remember?]

‘No.’

‘He remembered.’

‘He simply refused to think about it.’

He had wielded the forbidden dark magic, yet he had still lost.

Moreover, his opponent had held back.

[That’s because you never used your full strength.]

‘Shut up.’

Reinhardt was beginning to understand his current predicament.

[Understanding is useless. The more you evade, the deeper you’ll sink, eventually becoming uncontrollable. You might as well let go and accept it all.]

‘Shut up.’

‘He wouldn’t fall for it.’

[How can using the power that is inherently yours be considered falling for something? Besides, you crave power, don’t you? To help that gentle and beautiful Saintess, to win her heart…]

‘Get lost!’

‘You are not to speak disrespectfully of Saintess Haizhu!’

[I’m merely reminding you that, as you are now, helping her is out of the question. Even avoiding being a burden would be a luxury.]

‘How annoying! He would work hard.’

[If effort was enough, would you still be struggling? Give up, accept me, and then—]

Reinhardt opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.

And a beautiful, familiar face.

“Are you awake, my knight?”

It was Saintess Haizhu.

And once again, he lay upon her lap.

A warmth enveloped him, identical to the last time, yet even more profound. It was a sensation akin to being an infant cradled in a soft embrace.

Consequently, all the fear and unease from his lucid dream vanished without a trace, and his body swiftly regained its warmth and sensation.

“Saintess Haizhu… I apologize for making you worry.”

Saintess Haizhu’s presence here indicated that the incident had been resolved. Judging by the faint smile on her face, it was safe to assume that everyone else was out of danger and had likely recovered their spirits quickly.

Only he felt like such a fool, having fallen unconscious for a short time after using forbidden power.

“You worked hard, but don’t push yourself so much next time. The power within you is too crude and wild; it’s best to wait until you become a Battle Lord before you start using it.”

“I will.”

Reinhardt had never considered concealing his dark power.

What he hadn’t anticipated was Saintess Haizhu trusting him so completely, believing he could control the power within him.

Truthfully, ever since he had met Saintess Haizhu, he had constantly been under her care and received her help.

Beyond making grand boasts, he had shown no real capability, unable to offer any assistance.

Even considering the matter with Xie Shenhong, if Saintess Haizhu hadn’t intervened in the end, his words would have remained mere boasts.

He was truly too weak.

This couldn’t continue.

“Reinhardt?”

Seeing him lost in thought, Saintess Haizhu gently called his name.

“Forgive me, Saintess Haizhu, I was contemplating how to become stronger.”

Reinhardt confessed openly.

Perhaps recalling Reinhardt’s earlier promise, Saintess Haizhu smiled reassuringly.

“Yes, keep at it.”

He met her gaze, filled with expectation.

Reinhardt would not succumb to inferiority.

Just as he had told Xie Shenhong, rather than wallowing in self-pity and stagnation, the correct path was to continuously strive and find ways to improve.

The temptation of the dark power he had encountered was no exception.

The right approach was to overcome this darkness, cling to the light, and constantly remind himself not to drown in it.

Beyond that, countless other matters also had a correct way of being handled.

Reinhardt had always persevered, striving forward in the right direction and doing the right things.

Unknowing of fatigue, unyielding to slackness.

Fearless of injury, undaunted by pain.

He never paused for a single moment.

Like the sun, eternally illuminating the earth.

“Saintess Haizhu, I shall take my leave now.”

Soon after, dispelling the lazy thought of lingering on Saintess Haizhu’s lap, Reinhardt rose, bowed to her, and quickly departed the medical room.

He still had many tasks ahead of him.

He needed to find Xie Shenhong and offer comfort to Xie Shenai. He would also speak with Li Tianming and his teammates, inform his family of his safety, and report the situation to Commander Duanmu Yun. Further tasks included learning the details of the previous battle, undergoing sword training and mental conditioning, and conducting patrols.

There were too many things to do.

Each one was incredibly important.

No one’s affairs were trivial.

Whether it was battle or giving commands, everything held significance.

[Heh heh, aren’t you tired?]

These were matters where he couldn’t afford to feel tired.

[Is it because you’re an Imperial Prince, not a native of this country, that you force yourself to do so much?]

‘That’s right.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with it.’

On the day Xie Shenai left the capital, the Imperial army launched a small-scale attack within the city to buy him time. However, they were swiftly dealt with by the prepared Duanmu Yun and Dongfang Qinglong, who had remained behind. Few buildings were damaged, and most citizens only suffered a fright.

Thus, in merely three days, everything had returned to normal.

Wendy and Li Tianming had reconciled, and the Deep Sea Crimson personnel had rescued her parents in time. Moreover, with the Shogunate Faction completely exposed, she and her family no longer had to worry about such threats.

Given that the incident with the Sakura Nation remnants had largely concluded, most of the Seven Heroes of the Eastern Expedition had returned to their respective areas of responsibility.

Li Tianming had temporarily remained behind, as he had previously agreed to conduct exchanges between the two academies under the identity of “Crimson Eagle.” Nevertheless, his return to the east was already on the itinerary and known to the public.

“The Seven Heroes of the Eastern Expedition crushed the schemes of the Empire and the Sakura Nation remnants!”

“They’re magnificent! Our nation’s heroes!”

The Vermillion Bird Kingdom did not entirely conceal the incident, instead choosing to publicize the truth.

While inspiring the people, they also made it widely known, as per their agreement, that Rayne had been successfully apprehended.

Besides these major events, Xie Shenai’s legs had also returned to normal.

Xie Shenhong was naturally overjoyed by this, but a small problem quickly emerged.

A situation that made her incredibly nervous.

“Shenai, are you truly alright?”

“I’m fine, Brother. I can do it.”

Having just regained her mobility, Xie Shenai, still a little unsteady when walking, invited everyone who had cared for and protected her. She personally cooked a feast to treat them all.

“Please don’t overexert yourself.”

“Brother, rest assured, I’m not forcing myself.”

On this point, Xie Shenhong could tell that Xie Shenai wasn’t lying. She was clearly enjoying herself.

She found joy in being able to do even the smallest things to repay everyone.

“Call me if you need any help… Keep it up.”

“Mm, I will.”

Xie Shenai nodded lightly, immersing herself in her cooking.

To this day, she still didn’t believe her cooking skills could rival Xie Shenhong’s.

However, she no longer hesitated. Forgoing questions of worthiness, skill, or status, what mattered most was her heartfelt intention and attitude.

People become friends through mutual interaction and exchange.

Becoming family was no exception.

It was because of “wanting” and “doing” that their relationships blossomed.

Three days prior, Saintess Haizhu had spoken freely with Rayne and Li Tianming about state affairs in front of her, discussing topics she had never heard of before.

This revealed to her just the tip of the iceberg regarding the duties of a nation’s Saintess.

It made her understand what awaited her as the Saintess’s sister.

Yet, it wasn’t a dissuasion, but rather a hope that she would understand what she could do, what she should do, and what she needed to prepare for.

Because Saintess Haizhu wanted her to become family.

And she felt the same way.

So, what she could do… was still much the same as before.

She would try her best not to worry Xie Shenhong and strive for independence.

One might say that after all the twists and turns, she had ultimately returned to where she started.

But this was often how relationships between family members progressed.

Conflicts, misunderstandings, arguments, cold wars, pretending not to see each other—then cooling down, understanding, forgiving, apologizing, and returning to normal.

Her relationship with Xie Shenhong was precisely this ordinary.

“Brother, could you guide me with this dish?”

But ordinary was good.

It was the best.