On the last night before the delegation was about to leave Spryce Island, Violet finally saw Hilda again.
Hilda took the initiative to come to the embassy station to meet them. The main purpose was probably to consult and confirm the upcoming itinerary with Feline, who represented the Human United Kingdom.
Since they had spent almost all of these three days wandering around, Violet and her companions happened to be in the embassy and hadn’t gone out. Felina received the news and immediately sent someone to inform them.
When Violet saw Hilda, the gentle and noble white-feathered Winged Person was still dressed in a formal palace dress, sitting at the table smiling and discussing with Felina. On the table was spread out a map depicting the entire Azure Sky Kingdom.
Because most matters had already been agreed upon earlier, Hilda came this time only for final confirmation to show courtesy and respect between the two countries. It didn’t take much time.
Violet, along with her three main companions — Leila, Rene, and Edwina, who happened to be with them, sat on the side for a short while, and the discussion was quickly concluded.
Rolling up the map on the table and handing it to the black-feathered Winged Person behind her, Hilda smiled and turned her gaze to Violet and her group, who had arrived not long ago.
“Good evening, Miss Violet. I heard that you specifically tried to find me in these past few days. Is there something urgent?”
Huh? Clearly knowing it in your heart, yet deliberately asking others. Feeling uncomfortable without teasing a bit, huh?
Could it be that this person is actually a schemer?
Although rolling her eyes secretly, Miss Priestess, skilled in managing expressions, did not show any hint of difference.
“Urgent matter... Well, not exactly, but can I ask where you’ve been these past few days?”
“Oh, are we already so close that you’re checking up on me? Inspection?”
Lady-like, she chuckled lightly, and Hilda, with a sense of propriety, shifted the conversation just as Violet was about to frown.
“Thanks for your concern, Miss Violet. Actually, it’s just some sudden domestic affairs that needed my attention. That’s why I left without notice. I hope you can forgive my negligence.”
“Sudden affairs?”
“Yes, just minor matters. They have been dealt with now, and it won’t affect your plans.”
Hilda glanced at the winged sisters behind Violet, temporarily folding her wings. With curiosity and exploration in the eyes of the winged sisters, she took a deep breath and quickly replaced it with a gentle smile.
“On the upcoming journey, Feathered Emperor has dispatched a dedicated person and a guard team. I also shoulders the responsibility of guarding and managing Spryce City. So, forgive me for not accompanying you.”
“If Miss Violet has anything to say, you can directly tell the leader of the guard team, my colleague. She’s a trustworthy and reliable person.”
The winged person stood up, bidding farewell to everyone.
“Well, it’s late now. Hilda won’t disturb you any longer. I wish you all a successful visit.”
Nodding to Felina, the head of the delegation, Hilda turned around, and with her winged guards and subordinates, she briskly walked away.
“............”
As Hilda walked away, Felina waved to dismiss the members of the delegation and other bystanders around. Once the room was left with only her, Violet, and a few others, she gazed in the direction the winged people had departed and spoke with a serious tone.
“Miss Violet, did you sense it?”
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“Yes.”
The black-haired girl nodded thoughtfully.
“What is the main purpose of her visit this time?”
“The route and itinerary were already determined, there’s not much to discuss. The only change is what Hilda mentioned just now – the leader accompanying us changed from her to a winged person named Sigrid Kulk, who is also one of the 【Four Wings】, a legendary-level expert.”
“I see...”
There is indeed a problem.
What Hilda said about the duty of guarding Spryce City and not being able to accompany them was clearly an excuse. Perhaps there is some truth to it, but the crucial reason is that she is injured, and the injury is quite severe. She can’t withstand the travel to Sky Island with boat and carriage, so she had to temporarily change the accompanying personnel.
Although she concealed her physical condition in some way, it’s simply unrealistic to hide it from a level 110 priest. Hilda only came here because of her duty to complete the handover with the Human United Kingdom delegation, dragging along with significant injuries.
Even because the situation is not optimistic, she has reached a point where she has to hurry back for rest and treatment. There’s not even time to discuss the matters concerning Leila and Rene that she was previously concerned about.
Something significant must have happened during the three days Hilda was away from Spryce City. Otherwise, with her legendary-level strength, how could she suddenly suffer such a serious injury?
Unfortunately, judging by her attitude, she clearly does not want too many people to know about the fact that she is seriously injured. The situation just now was not suitable for revealing this information.
In that case, let it be.
Whatever happened, it ultimately seems to be an internal issue among the winged people. Since the other party deliberately conceals information, Violet doesn’t intend to be a meddlesome fool and force her way into understanding everything.
After all, if it is a significant matter, it will eventually come to light.
The next day.
As Violet anticipated, until the delegation lifted off from Spryce City, Hilda, one of the 【Four Wings】of the Feathered Emperor, a legendary white-winged person, did not appear again.
In her place was a visibly much younger white-winged girl, roughly around seventeen or eighteen years old in human age. She wore handsome armor, tied her white short hair into a neat side ponytail, had a flat hill that felt familiar to the priest lady, and wielded a long spear. Her gaze was sharp and agile, giving off a heroic and spirited appearance.
This was Sigrid Kulk, the replacement. It was said that she is the youngest among the Four Wings of the Feathered Emperor, a rising star who had recently reached this level, not much older than the Leila and Rene sisters.
Though both are girls with a somewhat handsome style, there are obvious differences between her and Felina. First, there is a significant difference in the chest area. Additionally, one is indifferent and difficult to approach, similar to a poker face, while Sigrid gives a feeling that leans more towards being both delicate and heroic, with a sense of welcoming resistance.
If described in the words of the priestess lady, it’s like a silent and unremarkable falcon compared to a wildcat that likes to snarl and bare its teeth, but isn’t mature enough and can only resist contact by raising its paws.
Of course, they shouldn’t hear this comparison.
It is said that Sigrid had just completed a task assigned from above and planned to pass through Spryce Island on her way back to the Sky City in Feather Capital. Coincidentally, she took over the task of guarding and hosting from Hilda.
Interestingly, Felina actually knows this legendary-level white-winged girl.
She is the one who, back in the Norbos Iron-Blood Empire, was leading a group of elite winged individuals pursuing an escaped Abyssal Beast. They coincidentally encountered the delegation and warned Felina to be cautious. However, as Violet had already defeated the monster before them, they ended up returning empty-handed.
Violet did not conceal the fact that her group had killed the creature, so Sigrid was aware of it. When they first met, the young girl stared at the priestess lady and her companions for quite some time, and it was unclear what she was observing.
However, she didn’t express much, just verbally thanked Violet and others for their actions, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then briskly left to attend to her own matters.
This made the priestess perceive a hint of peculiarity.
It feels like the other party is somewhat guarded against her?
Even though it’s their first meeting.