CHAPTER 475: CHAPTER 453: WELCOME HOME

Sitting in a wheelchair, turning the leather-wrapped wheels, Hilov did not let Ah Fu push, but wandered aimlessly around the garden by herself.

The flowers under the blazing sun reflected a crystal-clear light, and the repaired bronze statue of the little Angel continued to spray mist in circles, used for watering the flowers.

In the garden square of the Mechanical Palace, under the guidance of several veteran instructors, about twenty young men aged between twelve and seventeen were running in neat rows.

Since Horn left, perhaps fearing Hilov would feel lonely, many Child Soldiers were assigned as companions under the guise of servants.

With so many people joining, although most were young, the entire garden of the Mechanical Palace was neatly maintained by them.

The broken bricks and weeds were all cleaned up.

The faded bronze statues were repainted, the mottled walls were whitewashed with slurry, and not to mention, the damaged flowerbeds were filled with mortar bricks by these Child Soldiers.

These Child Soldiers were carefully selected by Horn; they were orphans with Divine Favor, intelligent and persevering.

In return, they received lessons in mathematics, history, philosophy, and logic personally explained by Hilov.

Especially natural theology, which included a lot of mechanics knowledge, namely Gallar’s three laws of mechanics.

The geniuses of the Empire seemed to have the ability to independently derive the incomplete fragments they studied.

Horn shared his architectural knowledge and urban planning concepts with Vite, who invented "The New Ten Books on Architecture."

After teaching Hilov the remnants of high school physics and mathematics, she similarly derived the first draft of "Mathematical Principles of Natural Theology."

Unlike the historical "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy," this book had far less complex philosophical reasoning and mathematical proof.

Because many useful mathematical tools had not yet been invented; forcing them into one book would certainly be insufficient.

Therefore, Hilov might need to write several basic books like "Algebraic Methods" and "Geometric Methods" separately in the future.

Despite having quite a few errors, it’s already enough to teach these eleven and twelve-year-old children; let the culture first synchronize with Earth’s middle school students.

If Frick Grammar School is the key to opening the gates of the Salvation Army Government, then Hilov’s little seminar is the gateway to the Salvation Army Imperial Conference and the Senate.

The classes here are of significant importance, for example, the two nominal spokespeople of the Child Soldiers, Night Watch Commander Duvalon and Captain of the Military Police Raphael, are supposed to attend these classes theoretically.

Not to mention the other high-status but practically powerless Child Soldiers.

"Academy Head." Raphael, who did not join the expedition this time but stayed for a month of classes in the Mechanical Palace, said helplessly, "His Majesty said he would arrive in the afternoon, but it’s not certain; he might encounter a giant spider on the way, which could cause a delay."

"Who said I was waiting for Horn?" Hilov, her face cold as frost, turned her head, her beautiful green eyes fixed on Raphael and made him shiver.

It should be known that Hilov’s education method was classical, and these Child Soldiers had not been spared from receiving palm strikes from her.

"I’m just out for a stroll, can’t I?"

Just as she finished speaking, Hilov suddenly straightened her back, and her tail, which had been hanging down, suddenly stood up. She stared intently at the entrance of the Mechanical Palace, her pointed wolf ears perked up as if she heard something.

As a Wolf Woman, Hilov could hear things that humans couldn’t.

In the next second, she shivered slightly, quickly turned the wheelchair handles, and sprinted towards the entrance as her tail spun like a propeller pushing the wind to accelerate.

Before Hilov could approach, the iron doors of the Mechanical Palace began to open with a creak and the clinking of gears.

Through the slowly opening door seam appeared Horn’s languid face, clad in the Pope’s old Holy Robe, yawning.

Hilov’s tail spun with a whooshing sound.

Turning the handles, she was about to rush towards Horn but suddenly stopped, even her swinging tail came to an abrupt halt.

She cautiously perked up her ears, her eyes staring intently at the still not fully opened door.

It was partly out of restraint, but also because she smelled a strange scent.

Sure enough, as the doors opened fully and Horn stepped inside, two women wearing nun hats followed behind him.

Actually, these weren’t nun uniforms but Saintess Gowns custom-made by Lady Isode.

The appearance was adapted from the black nun’s habit, but the upper arms were changed into more loose, puffed sleeves, and the forearms were tight-fitting.

But Isode added many slit designs, exposing the white lining and lace trimmings inside.

Moreover, Isode reduced the long skirt to a short skirt that barely covered the hips, underneath which were black shorts.

She even replaced the trousers with long white stockings, which ran from the soles of the feet to the tops of the thighs, fixed with a garter.

A golden brooch was shaped like a wax seal, with a strip of yellow parchment below it densely written with Holy Path scriptures.

Due to the tailored fit and the animal tendon band embedded in the waistline, the slender belt and gears only served as a harness belt.

In the middle of the belt were two pure black, gold-embroidered tabs at the front and back, a design similar to an apron.

This tab is a product not of this world, but an adornment used by ancient lords and emperors from Horn’s homeland.

It’s not because Horn is a super conservative who doesn’t want to show a glimpse of a woman’s skin, but rather due to the characteristics of a witch.

In principle, nun outfits are the most suitable for witches because they don’t expose much skin, reducing the chance of spreading witch-related ailments.

However, in the Mechanical Palace, one can be a bit more casual since only the Blessed can enter, preventing secondary infections.

Having put on her clothes, even Hilov couldn’t recognize Jeanne immediately, but she knew the scent. Yet, who was the other woman carrying the witch’s scent?

Gazing at that mature and radiant face, Hilov’s eyes gradually shifted left to look at the smiling Horn who was approaching.

As Horn got closer, Hilov’s tail stood up straight.

With no expression on her face, her ears were fluttering, and she gracefully crossed her hands on her lap, maintaining a composed and elegant posture until Horn was within two or three meters.

Opening her mouth, Hilov was just about to speak when a dark shadow jumped in from the side, hugging Hilov tightly.

Smelling a familiar scent, Hilov helplessly patted Jeanne’s arm, "Long time no see, Jeanne."

"Hilov, I missed you so much." Upon seeing someone close, Jeanne grinned and leaned over, "Let me tell you, you have no idea what I’ve been through lately..."

Aside from Qianqian, as Jeanne’s first true female friend, Jeanne had so much to share with Hilov.

Even though she annoyed Horn for more than half an hour each night, it was clearly not enough for her talkative nature.

Some little thoughts and secrets definitely couldn’t be shared with Horn.

Hugging Hilov, Jeanne didn’t even give Horn a chance to greet or introduce Catherine, and began to chatter ceaselessly.

Watching Jeanne pinning Hilov’s wolf ears, leaning closely while casting glances at Catherine and Horn, she gestured animatedly.

No need to listen in, Horn could already guess what she and her best friend were chatting about.

Choosing not to awkwardly involve himself, he turned his head back toward Catherine.

However, Catherine was also quite occupied, as a group of White Mountain Hermitage Astrologers led by Robert were already waiting on the side.

At the moment, Catherine strolled over to the astrologers and extended her gloved right hand.

Robert then introduced Catherine, while the astrologers approached one by one to introduce themselves, giving a light kiss to her middle finger’s knuckle.

Currently, Catherine is quite likely to assume the role of head of the White Mountain Hermitage. Despite the downfall in the battle at Rapids City, she exhausted half a battalion, gaining much support from senior party members.

Horn couldn’t disturb her either, as he was counting on Catherine to procure a group of qualified astrologers for him.

The charging of the Ethereal Tower was relying on the calculations of the half-baked astrologer Hilov. With such a group of elite astrologers assisting, perhaps the charging frequency of the Ethereal Tower could be increased.

Jeanne and Hilov needed to catch up, Catherine wanted to meet with the White Mountain Hermitage people, and standing at the garden entrance, Horn suddenly realized he’d become an outsider.

Yet the awkwardness didn’t last long, as after a few final words between Hilov and Jeanne, they rolled the wheelchair over to Horn.

"How long do you plan to stay here?" Lifting her head, Hilov looked into Horn’s eyes.

"Why don’t you ask me if I got sick or injured? If I’m eating well? Sleeping well?"

"Jeanne already told me everything. You’re full of energy," Hilov smiled, glancing at Catherine.

Smiling slightly, Horn smoothly shifted the topic, "I plan to stay for half a month, take a few days off, and might spend the Winter Festival at Joan of Arc Castle."

"Not on Autumn Dusk Island?" Hilov’s wolf ears drooped.

"Since Joan of Arc Castle just fell into our hands, I must celebrate such an important holiday with its citizens, or perhaps next year on Autumn Dusk Island?"

"I can now extend my right elbow completely," Hilov responded rather irrelevantly, stretching both arms out like a small zombie, "The year after next, I can see the Ibe River, the Nao’an River, and I want to see the ocean."

"I promise you will definitely see it." Teasingly, Horn reached out and stroked Hilov’s furry wolf ears.

Sunlight shone on the grayish-purple fur, surprisingly giving it a semi-transparent ruby-like quality.

Though Horn was touching Hilov’s wolf ears, her human ears blushed as if on fire, coloring half her face.

Stiffening, Hilov pretended to sulk, clamping her soft, fluffy tail: "I’ve told you, without my permission, do not touch my ears... or my tail."

"Alright." Horn readily agreed.

Hilov knew he probably wouldn’t listen, but still held her breath, determinedly pushing her wheelchair towards the Mechanical Palace Main Hall.

However, she hadn’t gone far before she stopped suddenly.

"What’s wrong?"

"I almost forgot; I have one more thing to say to you."

Turning her wheelchair, Hilov swayed slightly, then sprinted a short distance, drifting skillfully to face Horn.

With two index fingers, she lifted the corners of her mouth, trying hard to open her jaw, showing a stiff but bright smile, "Welcome home."