Chapter 314: The Cat-Girl I Promised Last Time
Silver-armored knights formed a protective circle, containing the diplomatic officials who resembled dark clouds within a silver vortex.
The knights stood vigilant while the diplomats, dressed in uniform navy-blue robes that evoked the night sky, arranged themselves in formation around a central figure, their expressions solemn.
In the center stood a young woman wearing armor of exceptional craftsmanship. Her pure white dress flowed like a swallow's tail, moving with natural grace.
Thick armor plates overlaid her dress, their surface gleaming with an otherworldly luster. Magical patterns and ancient runes flickered between the armor's joints.
Her brilliant silver hair melded perfectly with the armor, resembling a silver star shimmering in broad daylight.
Aurelianne led the knights and diplomats as they waited quietly on the bustling train platform for the approaching magical train.
The surrounding platforms teemed with people pressed shoulder to shoulder, all eager to catch a glimpse of the princess.
The Karenthia Empire never neglected diplomatic affairs.
Each year, delegations from neighboring nations would make their visits.
The Kingdom of Kant was no exception. As neighboring powers on this continent, their interactions were naturally frequent.
However, Emperor Aubrey's decision to send Aurelianne with the diplomatic mission to the Kingdom of Kant this time was unexpected.
Even the seasoned diplomatic ministers harbored numerous speculations when they learned of the emperor's decision and saw Aurelianne.
Clearly, the emperor intended for Aurelianne to continue the royal dynasty.
Why else would he send her as the empire's representative to visit another country just before her birthday celebration?
Recently, Aurelianne Sol's reputation had spread far and wide - everyone knew she would be the empire's future ruler.
The current emperor apparently wanted Aurelianne to accumulate political achievements before ascending to the throne, thereby demonstrating her leadership capabilities to both ministers and citizens.
Though the train had arrived, no one boarded. The diplomatic team continued waiting, none daring to question Aurelianne.
After all, one person had yet to arrive.
At that moment, Aurelianne's knight guards watched as the crowd parted automatically, creating a path for an approaching figure.
A silver silhouette emerged from the crowd's edge.
She wore silver beast-faced armor, sharp fangs protruding from the massive maw on its chest, gleaming with a metallic chill.
A sword hung at her waist - though sheathed, waves of scorching energy radiated continuously from the blade.
Her long silver cape billowed in the wind like brilliant wings.
Gwen led her contingent of demi-human guards, cutting an impressive and commanding figure.
The knights' faces lit up with joy at the sight of Gwen's familiar beast-faced armor.
"It's Knight Commander Gwen!"
"Show proper respect - she's Countess Gwen now, no longer Knight Commander!"
Gwen had resigned her position as Royal Knight Commander to return to the Delin family and assume leadership - news all knights were aware of.
Yet this very fact only increased the knights' admiration for the great warrior.
All knights knew this family's legendary status among their ranks.
They guarded their territory with unwavering justice, governing cities and defending against threats from their snowy domain.
They were the North's guardians, paragons of righteousness and resilience.
Those great knights from the Northern territories had names that echoed across the continent.
And Gwen, who had inherited the family leadership, was truly a hero in countless knights' hearts.
Unreachable.
However, Gwen's small squad appeared to contain no knights at all.
Instead, they were young women in their teens, each wearing unique beast-shaped masks that concealed their features.
Only their mysterious eyes, noses, and mouths remained visible.
Their petite frames, topped with differently colored cat and dog ears, left an indelible impression on every observer.
Yet their distinctive armor - a composite of beast bone and cold iron unlike the knights' gear - testified to their extraordinary status.
The Kravina family's demi-human guard squad.
Everyone knew of the Kravina family's deep connections with demi-humans.
After all, only the Kravinas maintained such a specialized force.
Gwen strode to the knight formation's front, turned, and fixed her steady gaze on the demi-human squad in the distance.
The demi-humans advanced with perfectly synchronized footsteps.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Dozens of demi-humans marched in perfect unison, their footfalls completely overlapping, their movements swift yet powerful, disciplined and dignified.
Their eyes locked straight ahead, every minute motion executed flawlessly, their coordination honed to an awe-inspiring degree.
As they proceeded through the crowd-cleared path, their rhythmic steps rose and fell like waves.
Onlookers stood transfixed by the demi-human squad's martial precision, unconsciously stepping back.
Each step of that powerful formation seemed to carry an edge of steel.
The knights watched in equal amazement.
They had never imagined a unit could achieve such perfect uniformity.
The visible discipline of the demi-human squad before them surpassed even their own high standards.
It left them feeling humbled.
Such achievement must have required countless hours of grueling practice and dedication.
They had heard rumors of the demi-human squad's strict training, but seeing it firsthand proved those stories were no exaggeration.
However... both diplomatic ministers and knights found themselves puzzled.
This was merely a diplomatic visit to the Kingdom of Kant.
Why bring such a substantial security detail?
The combined numbers of knights and demi-human guards already exceeded expectations.
Even the legendary Gwen had come personally to protect Aurelianne.
Was such extensive security necessary for a princess's diplomatic journey?
The emperor's protective nature toward this daughter was evident.
The diplomatic ministers' thoughts went further.
With both Gwen and the Kravina family's demi-human squad present...
Did that mean...
Viktor would appear as well?
As if in answer to their thoughts,
A fierce wind suddenly swept across their faces.
All eyes turned skyward.
Above, a chaotic whirlwind had materialized among the clouds.
White clouds twisted into a massive eye-like vortex, rolling winds descending like a coiling serpent from the heavens.
Whoosh—
The storm descended, air swirling violently around them.
Aurelianne's armor rattled in the gale, while knights struggled to maintain their footing against the powerful winds.
White vapor gathered slowly, then explosively dispersed.
As the storm subsided, a black figure wrapped in white patterns materialized within.
Viktor Kravina had arrived.
Under the crowd's awestruck gazes, Viktor landed before Aurelianne and executed a graceful bow:
"Your Highness."
The moment the demi-human guards spotted Viktor, they too faced Aurelianne and dropped to one knee.
Their bone armor clashed with sharp, crystalline sounds.
Their voices, though delicate, carried underlying strength as their unified cry rose from the formation:
"Your Highness!"
The gathered onlookers, waiting knights, and solemn-faced diplomatic officials trembled at the scene.
Viktor Kravina had truly come!
Everyone recognized Viktor as the empire's most authoritative fourth-tier mage.
And he had achieved this rank mere months ago.
Such a young yet powerful mage would now accompany their mission.
The diplomatic ministers and puzzled knights felt growing unease.
Could this visit to the kingdom have purposes beyond mere diplomacy?
The formation gradually organized itself, knights leading horses toward the train cars.
Viktor and Aurelianne walked side by side.
Behind them followed Gwen and the demi-human squad.
The demi-humans encircled the diplomatic officials protectively.
The officials shifted nervously, sweat beading on their brows as they maintained careful distance from the surrounding demi-humans.
Despite their obvious discipline, the officials still viewed demi-humans as inherently bestial.
As they approached the train, Viktor offered Aurelianne some counsel:
"Your Highness, during this visit to the Kingdom of Kant, please remember your status as princess and conduct yourself accordingly."
"You represent the entire empire's dignity."
Aurelianne absorbed every word Viktor spoke.
She nodded quietly, taking his advice to heart.
The Kingdom of Kant's political structure differed notably from the Karenthia Empire.
The empire maintained highly centralized monarchical authority - though officials held titles and responsibilities, final decisions required imperial approval.
But Kant operated differently.
Hundreds of lords governed under Kant's royal capital.
Royal decrees weren't delivered directly to individual officials, but cascaded through ranks of nobility to lower-level lords.
Orders implemented layer by layer.
Each lord ruled their city like a minor king.
They controlled their territory's economy, culture, politics, and local laws.
Common folk might live entire lives without seeing anyone more authoritative than their local lord.
Aurelianne nodded as she walked toward the front carriage.
Viktor continued:
"Also, Your Highness, this journey will be lengthy, and the train's accommodations may not match palace standards. Conditions in the kingdom may also differ from what you're accustomed to."
He turned to address the demi-human squad:
"Vanilla."
A white-haired cat-eared girl stepped forward from the formation.
She approached Aurelianne and executed a deep, formal bow before the princess.
Aurelianne couldn't hide her surprise at Vanilla's appearance.
A demi-human in a maid's uniform?
This demi-human maid's deportment and appearance defied traditional expectations.
Her refined manners and lovely countenance even stirred sympathy in Aurelianne.
She had never encountered such a cultured demi-human, so different from their savage reputation.
The Vanilla before her bore no resemblance to those rumored barbarians.
While Aurelianne pondered this, Viktor continued:
"Your Highness, she will attend to your daily needs throughout the journey."
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