Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 962 - 79: Catherine’s Farewell

Chapter 962: Chapter 79: Catherine’s Farewell

At today’s military meeting, the members of the adventure team were not the main focus, their attendance was merely a formality, a polite gesture, and nobody paid much attention to them. Even though Duke Greenfar’s salute to Pannis had briefly drawn some attention earlier, it was quickly diverted back to the deployment of the Faral Knight Corps and the ensuing entanglement of interests. Therefore, when the men and women of the adventure team exited the meeting early, hardly anyone noticed their departure. Of course, they were not the protagonists, and it would not have mattered if they had not attended at all, let alone left early. No one would be displeased by their departure, nor would anyone think to stop them.

Before descending from the high platform, the young knight girl looked back for the last time, deeply observing Prince Nicholas, who was still negotiating for more advantages for the Empire using the military’s numbers as leverage with other races. She glanced at the old knight Greenfar standing upright behind Nicholas, whose every move radiated a military bearing but whose expression bore traces of desolation and helplessness. She couldn’t help but shake her head silently. In truth, before Pannis appeared and after Catherine herself had advanced to a Gold Rank professional, Prince Nicholas had extended an invitation to her more than once. Whether it was a private marriage proposal or an official invitation on behalf of the Empire for her to return to the Falar Empire to restore the glory of the Field family, there had been several instances. Even during the last negotiation, Nicholas somehow learned about Catherine’s debt issues and promised that if Catherine returned to the Empire, the royal family would settle all her debts within a few years. Yet even so, the answer she gave was still a refusal.

Catherine was very aware that the Falar Empire was interested in her potential—a 23-year-old Gold Rank knight undoubtedly had great prospects for advancement and a high likelihood of rising to the Legendary Rank. Looking at the entirety of the Falar Empire, there were seven professionals serving the Empire at the Legendary Rank, but only two were soldiers, who were also the only two legendary knights of the Yarran World living at the time. Therefore, in order to increase the number of Legendary Rank knights serving the Empire and to enhance the military’s power in a substantial leap, the Falar Empire was willing to court her with such humility before her ascension to Legendary status, amounting to a strategic investment. However, unfortunately for the Empire, despite its low posture and the high conditions it offered—including condoning Prince Nicholas’s request for marriage—Catherine ultimately chose to refuse.

It was not that Catherine particularly disliked Nicholas—in fact, as a prince of the Empire, he was quite successful. Handsome in appearance, well-educated, of distinguished status, with a bright future, solid character, quick thinking, determined will, and knowing when to measure and choose his battles, he was even thoughtful of others under certain circumstances. Because of these numerous qualities, his mentor, a professional of Legendary Rank, willingly stayed by his side to protect and guide him. To be pursued by such a man, even if the suitor’s intentions were not entirely pure, the woman being pursued, even if not accepting, would hardly harbor true dislike for him, and Catherine was no exception.

So, Catherine didn’t hate Nicholas, it was just that she disliked such people, but Nicholas’s proposal was too tempting. The burden borne by her family for three generations could be solved easily. For the knight girl, it was undoubtedly a very appealing offer. She didn’t even need to marry Nicholas, just returning to the service of Falar Empire would fulfill this long-cherished wish. Catherine hesitated for a long time, nearly agreeing several times, but after reconsideration, she still refused. She knew that once back in Falar, she would have to involve herself in politics she disliked, like old knight Grinfar, forced to wield her sword for purposes not necessarily just, becoming as ugly as those vying for benefits on the high stages.

She always remembered the words Nellie had said, words that were recorded in the historical archives of all powers other than Falar Empire and held as truth by countless knights not of Falar Empire. Nellie had said, "Knights are born of war, but the purpose of their existence should not be to perpetuate war. On the contrary, a true knight’s purpose is to quell wars. We swear to protect the weak, we swear to fight evil, we swear to resist all wrongs, we swear not to harm the innocent. These are the vows we took when we became knights, etched deep in our souls, never to be erased. But look back at what we have done. We have wielded weapons, we have waged wars, but not against evil—against the innocent people and soldiers of other countries. What stands behind us are not the weak in need of help but the might of a nation’s power. Our blades have struck down the weak, our actions have embodied evil, we have been creating wrongs, and with every battle, we harm the innocent. The battles with other nations have brought us countless rewards and medals, but these are not honors; they are endless shame, each medal reminding us that we fight in unjust wars, that we are sinners with the blood of the innocent on our hands. So, today I have finally awakened. I will correct my mistakes. From now on, I will leave the military, leave my country, and spend the rest of my days atoning, picking up my beliefs anew; I will fight like a true knight for fairness, for justice, for true honor. I will do my best to abolish all wars, to protect every innocent citizen, until the day I fall. I swear this once more..."

"I feel ashamed for having wavered over the benefits they offered. I take my oath once again..." Catherine, with a calm gaze, looked towards those still entangled in disputes for benefits not far away, watched the heir of the empire known as the land of knights, and whispered to herself as if in soliloquy, "I will be kind to the weak, I will bravely confront all evil, I will resist all that is wrong, I will never harm the innocent, I will stay true to faith, humility, honor, sacrifice, bravery, mercy, honesty, determination, and justice. I will adhere to these knightly virtues until I fall."

"Everything begins today." The knight girl cast one last look at Nicholas and Grinfar, a faint smile emerging on her calm face: "Goodbye, Nicholas, goodbye Falar, and farewell..." (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)