Meanwhile, on the training ground, the elven knights were training together, practising their swordsmanship and archery.

    Ciela stood with her black bow, calm and focused on the target over two hundred metres away. She knocked an arrow, dragging the bowstring at a calculated pace.

    —Phew~

    A single breath, as her eyes narrowed slightly, the target enhancing in size as she loosed the first arrow, the immense pressure and force causing the string to flick back. Ciela''s agile fingers rolled while grasping a second arrow, this time rapidly drawing the bowstring.

    With a hasty full draw and with a slight grimace, she loosed a second arrow within half a second.

    —Da—Dah!

    Both arrows penetrated the distant target with an echo from the steel tips, penetrating the black metal bullseye at the same time.

    "Oh! Princess what an amazing shot!"

    "A fabulous Double Shot!"

    Many of the knights adored the princes in the past, so when she left for Grigor, their worries increased. Not to mention what happened with the king, they wondered how the princess grew in the forest''s absence.

    However, seeing her like this, many of the older elves nodded with a smug grin.

    As if to say, "The princess is alright."

    "That shot was a little sloppy..." Ciela muttered to herself, her eyes flickering with a deep shimmer.

    The moment she reached for the next arrow, a muscular and rough hand grasped hers, and she immediately gazed up. "Asmodeus!"

    His calm face made all the worries and thoughts in her mind vanish about her mother, father and the trial all she could think about when seeing him.

    It was how his eyes shone beautifully, like the ocean.

    "Ciela, your skill with a bow is always a wonder to see. Haha."

    "Don''t give me that lip service... you''ve seen me complete far greater shots!"

    Asmodeus couldn''t help but curl his lips into a smile, stroking her fingers as he massaged the slightly tingling muscles around her index and middle fingers.

    Haaan~?

    A gentle squeeze and powerful rub made her gasp and stand on tiptoes from the sudden mixture of pleasure and pain.

    "Your fingers seemed a little stiff, my darling elf." Asmodeus then leaned closer and pecked her on the cheek, whispering. "Whenever you focus on a shot like that, I your beauty is breathtaking."

    "Asmodeus!"

    Ciela''s face turned bright red, her lips trembling while touching her chest—the heat and slight ache in her fingers vanished from his touch... instead, her heart pounded, causing a slight pain.

    "I mean it, don''t doubt me."

    His smile and the way his lips curled made Ciela''s throat dry. She wanted to cover them, hide them from others and monopolise him.

    ''I hate it... he makes me feel so crazy, but what if the others make fun of me?!''

    Asmodeus wrapped around her side, his gaze floating across the training field because he saw something strange.

    ''Hmm?''

    Although most elves and servants looked at the princess with great respect and awe, some of them more than others. Yet, he noticed a small group who didn''t react that way. They gazed at her with slight disgust, maybe even hatred.

    ''Let''s not their features... five archers... two knights, and a few maids.''

    —Clang!

    "Command us!"

    "Arinea, a barrier for sound and vision."

    "Yes, your Majesty!"

    —Snap!

    With the snap of her fingers, a sudden black sphere wrapped around them, hiding everything from the other elves and knights, both their vision and sound.

    Arinea''s sharp and intelligent gaze, coupled with her beautiful face, made Asmodeus look at her with a slight smile. He really believed that she suited the huge Erunda perfectly.

    A sort of Beauty and the Beast vibe.

    "Protect my daughter with your lives and help her husband protect the forest!" Sarina announced her orders, causing everyone in the area to freeze.

    "I order you to guide them north, take them through the Dragonspire Canyon and into the Sacred grove." A solemn voice caused the pair to tremble.

    "Your Majesty... is that... your true order?" Even Arinea looked stunned. "If the Princess and the Prince Consort are to go there, shouldn''t we take more knights and guards with us?"

    "That is unnecessary. The journey to the Dragonspire Canyon will be difficult enough for a small group, and this mission cannot be leaked..."

    Erunda gazed back, looking at the princess with a slightly worried gaze. His brows furrowed when his eyes crossed Asmodeus, and they looked at each other.

    "Are you sure we can trust this demon, your majesty?"

    His words made everyone flinch.

    "Hey, old man... I have a name." Asmodeus snorted, rolling his shoulders. "I am also more than trustworthy; the princess is my woman already."

    Arinea followed her lover''s gaze before looking back at him. "These idiots seem similar..."

    Her thoughts lingered on how stubborn the two of them were. "Princess, are you alright with these orders? I don''t mean any offence to the prince, but the dangers of such a place cannot be understated... the bronze dragon is not dead. It only sleeps!"

    The Bronze Dragon was an enemy that once protected the Silver Forest from the demons.

    However, after fighting the monster that now rules the north demon lands—Alan''s enemy—the legends state the dragon vanished, entering an eternal slumber after losing its sanity.

    "It is true... the dragon, after being wounded heavily by that filthy monster up north, he lost his sanity and with the last vestige of his sane mind, sealed himself in that canyon where he fell." The Empress added, her voice stern and serious.

    "However, that canyon is the only passage to the trial grounds... Normally, a priestess would have herbs and abilities to help it slumber when passing. Asmdoeus... please be careful."

    Ciela''s eyes darted between her Mother, Arinea, and Asmodeus.

    ''I''m not sure... but if that is what Mother wants and needs, I must go!''

    "I am ready to go!" Ciela announced, standing forward.

    "I see. Asmodeus, I believe you have the power to protect her, but I know that you will help nurture her rather than hide her away." Empress Sarina''s eyes became softer, and Arinea and Erunda watched with stunned faces.

    "If the dragon should awaken, I will face it alone. Mother." Asmodeus didn''t move his gaze and spoke honestly to the Empress.

    He shuddered because the moment he spoke those words—her face changed, almost as if she had waited for him to say that exact thing. Her lips curled into a deep smile, and her stern gaze vanished.

    "Knight Erunda, Magus Arinea! Escort them through the forest and back. Asmodeus I hope you keep your word, fufu."

    "By your command!"

    "Your Majesty, I''ll do my best!"

    ''Did I just get tricked by my mother-in-law?''

    With the final details exchanged in the black sphere, the ground finally set off for their journey to collect the tears of Aristella.