"Father", Olivia ran towards High King Garron.
The lovely voice of her daughter jolted the burly man back into reality. His heart started beating fast, afraid that whatever he was hearing now could be all just a dream.
Garron's eyes fluttered multiple times until he saw his daughter's figure up close. She was wearing a strangely decorated navy-blue mage robe that had two lines encircling the edge of the half-sleeves of both her arms.
The high collar exhibited from Olivia's robe made Garron remember those high-ranking wizards he saw back at the Morning Star Empire ages ago.
Tears formed in his eyes, "She… she is alive…!", stuttering. The grip he had on the horse's reins eased up.
He subconsciously let go of it and got off his horse, staggering to walk as he knelt on the soft snow and opened his arms to hug the daughter he had long missed.
"O-Olivia! My daughter!"
"Father!", Olivia hugged him tightly. The touch of her father's calloused hands aroused a feeling of security within her.
Garron was careful to not be overwhelmed by his emotions. He might clutch Olivia too tightly and accidentally injure her.
They let go of each other after a while and looked into one another's eyes.
"Olivia… where have you been? How come you are here now of all times?", he nervously asked.
The magical beasts were attacking and the Siegfried Clan had turned their blades against him. If she stays here any longer, he will not be able to protect both his and Olivia's life.
"Father, I've come here to help you.", she said while wiping off the tears on her face.
Garron was dumbfounded. How could his daughter help him out in such a dangerous situation?
Her level was just something comparable to an adept wizard…
'Wait, she has an aura of an adept wizard?'
Realization struck Garron, putting his heart on another race. Didn't it usually take mages at least 3 years to reach such a level in magical cultivation?
How come her daughter's speed was undeniably fast and unrealistic?
"Olivia… how are you an adept wizard after three months?"
Olivia was not surprised, "About that father… I have met a great master who saved me in the middle of my adventure. He took me in under his care and now, I've come back after hearing what happened here in the northern glacial continent."
"A great master?", Garron was in disbelief, "Were they a wizard or something?"
"Yes.", Olivia said as she put a smile on her face.
His aides who went near him to listen to their conversation were baffled as well. They looked at each other, contemplating whether Olivia's words were true or not.
Several people walked out of the luxurious carriage in the middle of the caravan. This gathered the attention of everyone, scrutinizing each person in that group.
"Look, an elf! What a beautiful elf!"
"There are some humans with them as well. What sort of merchant caravan is this?"
…
Garron's eyes were settled on the elf at the back with short straight black hair.
'This person's aura is as strong as mine. Maybe he is the man that Olivia was talking about?'
He was doubtful of his conclusion. That elf was not displaying any sort of teacher-student affection toward Olivia.
If he was her master, the elf should have displayed a slight hint of elation on his face.
"Father…", Olivia's voice startled him, "Allow me to introduce those people to you."
Garron nodded. He stood up and dusted off the snow on his legs. Extending her arms, Olivia's eyes brightened and she started talking.
"Father, these are my classmates. They were taken in by that great master as well."
"This is Jinmu, our leader.", she proudly spoke. Jinmu bowed at Garron and greeted him respectfully.
"And that boy over there is Lucan."
Garron felt a hint of shyness from his daughter's tone. He raised his eyebrow and stared at Lucan.
The latter shrank his head and quickly put on a serious expression. He realized what happened and cursed at Olivia for making her father target him all of a sudden.
Olivia continued, "And she is…"
She hesitated. It felt awkward introducing Emi with the current relationship going on between them.
Her hesitance made Emi frown. Was Olivia not going to introduce her to the High King? Emi snorted and went by herself.
"I am Emi Moon, High King Garron. Since you are the High King, I would to request something of you.", the little girl boldly stated.
This irked the warriors under High King Garron, mocking Emi's rudeness and acting like that in front of their leader. Garron turned his head to the surrounding people, glaring at them for trying to intimidate the little girl.
"Let's hear what you have to say, Emi Moon.", Garron gave her the approval. He was interested in Emi's request.
If Olivia's master was that great, then that person should have been able to accomplish whatever they needed. However, Emi needed his help and it meant one thing.
"The Siegfried Clan has taken my sister under their custody. Please tell them to hand over my sister back to me.", Emi's voice was as cold as the weather.
Everyone became speechless. Was she setting an ultimatum upon their High King?
The atmosphere turned hostile.
The warriors weren't going to take such humiliation any further and were about to reprimand Emi when a strong magic aura burst out and apprehended all hostility.
Veron stepped forward and greeted Garron.
"I am Veron Zumfiel. It is my pleasure to meet the leader of Norva Assili."
The people were mad-stricken after knowing his name. A noble elf has arrived in their region and someone from a strong background at that?
Veron retracted his aura and returned to his usual self. He tidied his robe before talking.
"High King Garron, I advise you to conform to the wishes of this child. Furthermore, aren't you taking down the Siegfried Clan as well? You can do her a favor and she will be grateful to you for a lifetime."
Veron guessed that this could be a hidden opportunity set by the academy master of the Heavenly Magic Academy upon Olivia and her father.
It was only a thought that passed through his mind but it was better to be on the fortunate side of things. Furthermore, he wanted to increase the favorability of the students through his actions. Maybe Emi and the others would like him for it.
Or maybe not but he was willing to take a risk.
On the other side, Xerga couldn't take it anymore and angrily reprimanded Veron and the group of youngsters.
"Listen, elf! We don't care if you're from a noble household or whatever strong background you people have!"
"You don't have the rights to order our High King whatever you wish! This is not your territory!"
His retorts sparked the confrontation of the other warriors and started butting in on the issue.
"Silence!", Garron shouted.
The rowdiness calmed down and everyone stared at the High King.
Xerga and Misha went to his side.
"Brother, you must not listen to this nonsense! The Siegfried Clan may be our enemy, but these people have no right to take advantage of our hostility with them and order us on their will!", the older brother was angered by the disrespect shown by Olivia's classmates.
Misha remained silent but agreed to Xerga's arguments, nodding at Garron and showing his support on their older brother's side.
Garron simply waved his hands, dismissing Xerga and Misha without hesitation.
"Brother! You cannot do this!", Xerga was appalled. How could this stubborn younger brother of his suddenly turn submissive out of nowhere?
"We have a beef with the Siegfried Clan and rescuing this little girl's sister will not do us any harm now, or does it?"
"After this battle, we will turn our blades to the brothers that have betrayed us either way. There's no use arguing about this."
Garron furrowed his eyebrows and stared at Emi, "Though I hope that next time, you would be a little more respectful of your tone, Emi Moon. I don't care if you are acquainted with my daughter closely or not."
"I am the High King, and you should treat people, particularly your elders, with respect just like how you do to your great master."
The little girl did not back down at stared back at High King Garron as well.
No one can ever top the respect she will give to the academy master. High King Garron's words mocked her beliefs and perspective. It equated to indirectly disrespecting the academy master itself.
The problem was settled but Lucan felt another storm brewing. He grabbed Emi and dragged her behind him. He was profusely sweating earlier due to Emi's impolite behavior.
Garron turned to Veron, displaying a confused expression.
"Mr. Veron seems to be acquainted with my daughter and her classmates. May I know how are you related to them?", Garron asked.
"I will be assisting them on their mission here, High King. It has something to do with the magical beasts launching an offensive to your kingdom.", Veron calmly answered.
"Assist us? In what way are the Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary's interests affected on this matter?"
"No, how is the Zumfiel Noble Household even related to this?"
Garron was suspicious. There was no way the elves would act this courteously in helping other factions with their problems unless there was something important at stake.
"This action of mine is solely under my own motives and reasons, High King. The Sanctuary or my household is not connected to this no matter how hard you try to link them.", Veron told him the truth.
It was only a coincidence that he met Eluard at this place. Otherwise, he wouldn't be talking here right now.
"Then so be it…"
Roar!
A thunderous roar of a dragon instantly blaster their ears. Many warriors fainted on the spot, except for the high leveled ones and the people around Garron and Veron.
The latter managed to put up a sound barrier on time, deflecting the harmful soundwaves that would have knocked the youngsters out of their consciousness.
"Damn it, they're here already?!", Garron panicked.
They have yet to recover from the surprise attack and now, another one was on its way.
'The rest have yet to recover, and I don't know when will another surprise attack lands on our way!'
He was losing hope of winning the battle. His army was in disarray and he was unsure whether the rest of his subordinates were truly loyal to him after what happened with Harrow Siegfried.
Garron suddenly felt a soft sensation in his left hand.
"Olivia!"
"Father, what are you worried about?! We've come here to help you, remember? Don't worry, we won't hinder you in any way. Just let us help you. Let me... help you for once."
Garron shed a tear after hearing her words.
"Daughter, you have changed.", he muttered.
Olivia would usually turn a blind eye to him whenever they meet each other. For her to proactively approach him now, something must have happened between these three months.
"Fine, but you will stay in the backline. Do not negotiate yourself out of this.", Garron reminded her.
Olivia's heart was overjoyed, "I won't disappoint you, father!"
Garron only nodded and quickly walked to his horse. He channeled his chivalric will into his mouth and let out an order to the entire encampment.
"Everyone, set up the defenses and ready yourselves for another round of battle! Man the towers and prepare the traps! Those who can still walk, move! Those who are injured, rest for a while and join the battle later!"
His shout pulled the unconscious warriors back to their feet while the others rallied into position.
Garron turned to Misha, "Give me a scout report of the magical beasts, quick! We need to know the composition of their ranks, their overall strength, and whether they are attacking all at once or are they sending us waves!"
The surprise attack destroyed most of their stored reports during the battle. Garron had no choice but to send another group of scouts again.
A warrior approached him with disbelief in his eyes.
"What is it? Don't tell me the beasts are already upon us now?!"
"No, High King! Come with me, I can explain it better when you all see it!"
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