Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 711: 331: Golden Lion Attack_2

Chapter 711: Chapter 331: Golden Lion Attack_2

Such things can hardly be disguised from outsiders.

She apologized and swiftly turned to hide outside the main gate.

Leon wiped away cold sweat, breathed a sigh of relief, deeply feeling the false alarm.

But, a collar…?

Have I and Ines played this far? Clearly, even with Olivia I haven’t yet…

How come Ines never hides things well, although it’s nothing major, Agatha’s sudden comment almost made his heart stop, nearly thinking he’d been so indiscreet in the parallel world.

Calming down, Leon continued walking towards the main hall, and before long, without seeing both Ines, he heard footsteps chasing behind him.

“—Your Highness, Leon!!”

Looking back, he saw Lady Agatha quickly approaching again, and Leon involuntarily stepped back fearfully.

What now?

Have I exposed some indiscreet interest that cannot be explained?

But in a blink, he clearly saw the solemn expression on the Female Knight’s face and the leather tube in her hand.

“—Urgent report from Upper Beiso! The Golden Lion Queen, leading an army, has suddenly attacked and breached the Temorin Pass, advancing alone till they are now under the city walls of Kalantha Fortress!”

…

……

The autumn wind swept through the wheat fields.

The fertile land of Ostania suddenly trembled.

Farmers hurriedly gathering the autumn harvest suddenly stopped, raising their heads like startled marmots.

The distant emerging red-flagged royal banner frightened them, sending panicked cries echoing across the fields with the wind.

War erupted unexpectedly like wildfire, and farmers abandoned their fields and harvests, fleeing in panic.

Soon, like an earthquake, the iron hooves of warhorses and the paws of Horror Wolves thundered through the countryside, shredding the peace of Upper Beiso County…

…Upper Beiso County, Laisen County, Duwana County.

The war intelligence from these three places was sent back to Audoruk city almost immediately after the frontline Scout Riders delivered them with fast horses.

After nearly two years of truce, the sudden southern attack created a heavy atmosphere in the conference hall of the royal palace in Audoruk.

Duwana and Laisen are still in a stalemate, but… The Golden Lion Queen suddenly returned from the Eastern Border, unstoppable, piercing through the defenses of Temorin, violently charging into the depths of the North. This aggressive momentum inevitably reminded everyone of the deadly battle beneath Audoruk two years ago, which decided the current kingdom’s structure…

Once the emergency military meeting concluded, the leaders of the Sea Eagle Forbidden Guard swiftly went to summon the armies of King’s Domain in the North.

Throughout the royal palace meeting, Leon remained silent. After everyone left the conference, he followed Ines, stepping out of the conference hall to the castle terrace for fresh air.

Little Ines avoided attending the military meeting “to avoid suspicion.”

Yet Leon was earnestly implored by Ines to join the meeting, even though he wouldn’t say anything.

Leon understood her intention.

The Northern Commander, who had been missing for over a month, reappearing could uplift the morale of the Hecha Dynasty ministers.

And sure enough, merely appearing, pretending to be confident, being Ines’s backdrop, thrilled the ministers about the “Prince Leon” returning.

“Is the situation dire?” Leon asked as he approached Queen Ines.

With his limited understanding of the current Orland situation, unaware of troop deployment, army strengths, or local generals, he wisely stayed silent during the meeting, apart from offering words of encouragement, and did not interfere with Ines’s strategies and military decisions.

“It’s dire… and perhaps not so dire.”

Ines, looking slightly worried, leaned against the carved stone railing and turned towards her husband, who continuously denied his identity.

“I knew she would sooner or later obtain information about your ‘disappearance,’ but I didn’t expect it so quickly, nor could I fathom that the Golden Lion would dare to ignore the approaching Eastern Barbarians and suddenly strike the North, waging war on two fronts. I should’ve been more cautious in seeking you secretly these days, but you bizarrely vanished from beside me…”

Ines smiled wryly, “At one point, I suspected that a Wizard infiltrated the royal palace, using magic to assassinate you that day. Initially, as I pursued the ‘culprit,’ I did indeed lose a bit of composure.”

Leon looked at the emotions in her eyes, unsure where to cast his gaze; he opened his mouth, uncertain of how to console her, merely continuing: “Are you saying, Olivia… are you saying the Golden Lion Queen initiated the war because of ‘my’ disappearance?”

Ines nodded slightly, and suddenly, the girl revealed an admiring and proud smile.

“All of Orland… no, the entire Western Continent, only you, and only you, the unparalleled Snake Slayer can stand against the once invincible Valkyrie.

Remember? It was you who shot down her Mount Dragon two years ago, making the once haughty Golden Lion Queen taste defeat for the first time beneath the walls of Audoruk.”

The invincible Valkyrie?… Hearing Ines’s respectful mention of Olivia, an enemy and potentially perceived with animosity, Leon was speechless.

Truth be told, these days at Audoruk palace, despite the north-south rivalry, he hadn’t heard anyone disparaging or insulting the Golden Lion Queen, who was considered a Northern foe.

That such reverence could be held for an enemy, naturally impacted by character and reputation, as well as the legal legitimacy of restoring royal lineage, yet without formidable strength to demand respect, such prestige wouldn’t exist.

It’s hard to imagine how strong this world’s Big Lion has become, given the additional three years’ experience compared to the original timeline.

Nevertheless, to have defeated such powerful Olivia…

Leon was further astounded at how much stronger his vanished self, the version with three more years of growth, had become.

Helplessly shaking his head at Ines, Leon said, “I can’t say I remember anything, Queen Ines, those experiences are not mine, I’m really not ‘him’.” Leon sighed helplessly.

Hearing this, Ines’s shining eyes dimmed a little.

She lowered her eyes, silent for a while, then looked up and asked again: “Then, can I still rely on you now? Li Ang… or should I only call you Leon now?”

Even though, at the moment of receiving the war report, Leon was mentally prepared, he still furrowed his brows when facing the question seriously.

Olivia.

Even in another time and space, she remains Olivia; can I truly raise a blade against the ‘wife’ of another world?

This isn’t my world, nor my conflict.

But do I sit by as she battles with Ines’s forces?

Just from the map, one can see the south’s current strength over the north. If two years ago, Olivia could threaten Audoruk city, now without “Prince Leon” settling in the North…

“Can’t we… just sit down and talk?” Leon frantically wished to scratch his head.

Ines couldn’t help but smile weakly.

Understanding the other’s dilemma, she gracefully nodded, refraining from further comment, turning to check the army’s mobilization.

Watching her fragile silhouette depart, Leon’s heart inexplicably tightened; he glanced at Audoruk city beneath the fortress gate, gritted his teeth, and quickly caught up with the girl.

“Wait! Alright, I’ll try to help you, at least figure out how to temporarily halt this war…”

Leon could only reassure himself that it was perhaps his and Ines’s sudden arrival that led to this world’s “Leon Zangson’s” disappearance; he must help another self’s wife so that, before another self returns, she isn’t hurt by his other wife… Hmm?

This sounds roundabout…

Regardless, until everything is understood, he can hardly remain uninvolved.

Ines turned, her eyes full of joy.

“But with one issue, Queen Ines, I must be honest.”

Leon awkwardly said, “In my world, three years ago, Olivia was unbeatable… I honestly don’t know if I can stop the attack from the Golden Lion Queen here; you’ll probably need to provide me with more troops and Knights.”