Chapter 409: The Welcome and The Punishment

ROAR!

That gout of flame was only the beginning. The dragon roared once more, then beat its wings and soared along the line of the Federation cavalry.

It continued to spew forth flames onto the ground below, and wherever it passed, the monsters charging at the cavalry were engulfed in a sea of fire.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

At the same time, enormous magic circles suddenly materialized high above the battlefield.

Their dazzling radiance seemed to outshine the daytime sun.

BOOM! BOOM......

Powerful spells rained down relentlessly from the circles, and the monster horde was instantly routed and scattered by the bombardment.

“Reinforcements are here! Everyone, follow me—charge out of here!”

Sandor realized the dragon had come to their aid and immediately rallied his troops, launching another ferocious charge.

With the dragon and the figure on its back assisting them, the monster horde could no longer hold them back. They soon cut a path through the enemy lines.

The cavalry unit broke free from the encirclement and escaped.

“Dammit! What in the world is that cursed dragon doing here!?!”

Hidden deep in the forest, the figure watching the scene cursed furiously as he saw the cavalry unit fleeing to safety.

But before he could finish his rant,

Whoosh——!

A wind arrow, blazing like a comet, suddenly streaked down from the sky, hurtling straight toward his position.

“What—!? I’ve been found!?”

He was so shocked that he scrambled to run away.

But he had barely turned around when the arrow struck the ground right where he stood.

BOOM——!

In the blink of an eye, everything within a radius of several hundred meters was reduced to ashes......

“......Irus, was there something over there?”

Hulim turned her head, asking in confusion.

“It was nothing important.”

Irus replied with a smile.

“Just a sneaky little rat.”

“I see......”

Hulim didn’t press the issue further. After all, even if there had been someone hiding there, they were certainly nothing but a pile of ashes now.

She patted the dragon beneath her.

“Ignir, land at the allied camp over there.”

“Got it!”

Ignir responded with a roar, then turned and flew toward the Indam Federation army’s camp......

“They’re coming——!”

Inside the Federation camp, a soldier shouted loudly.

Immediately afterward, several officers issued hasty orders.

Taken from NovelBin, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Clear the area! Hurry!”

The soldiers quickly moved aside, making an empty space in the center of the camp.

The camp had witnessed Ignir attacking the monster horde and naturally recognized that this was an ally coming from afar.

Whoosh——!

In the blink of an eye, Ignir flew over the heads of the retreating cavalry on the ground.

The cavalrymen felt the thunderous roar of wings overhead and looked up one after another. Many raised their right hands and waved vigorously to express their gratitude.

THUD——!

With a deep, resounding thud, Ignir landed heavily in the cleared space inside the camp.

Seeing the dragon touch down, the surrounding Federation soldiers swarmed forward, their eyes wide with awe.

“Sylvia Tian, Supreme Commander of the Indam Federation Forces of the Himril Allied Army, on behalf of all Federation soldiers, extends our sincere gratitude and welcome to our friends who have come from afar to lend us a hand!”

Click! Clack!

As soon as Sylvia finished speaking, the surrounding Federation troops saluted in unison, their movements crisp and precise.

“Ms. Sylvia, long time no see.”

A faintly familiar voice rang out from the dragon’s back.

Sylvia was still feeling confused when,

Ignir knelt down, and two figures jumped down from its back.

“Huh? You’re...... Hulim!”

Sylvia was astonished, never imagining that the one who had come to their rescue would be Hulim.

“I’m truly amazed. I can’t believe how much you’ve changed in just two years. By the way...... may I ask who this is beside you?”

Sylvia turned her gaze to the woman standing next to Hulim.

“She’s——”

Hulim was about to introduce her when Irus spoke first, cutting her off.

“So you’re the Fox Queen, Sylvia Tian?”

“Heh. You’re even more beautiful than the rumors say.”

“Umm...... well......”

“Oh? Right, introductions. My name is Irus Verdant Star Feyl.”

“What!?”

Sylvia’s eyes widened in shock at the name. The several generals standing behind her wore expressions of equal disbelief. However, most of the ordinary soldiers had no idea what the name meant, so their faces were filled with confusion instead.

“I never dreamed that the Saint, Lady Irus, would grace us with her presence. I apologize for my earlier lack of respect!”

Sylvia quickly bowed her head in a deep salute. The few generals behind her who knew the significance of Irus’s title followed suit, bowing respectfully as well.

“No need for formalities. We don’t have much time to spare. Tell us—what is the current situation?”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

Sylvia raised her head again, gesturing for them to follow with an outstretched hand.

“Lady Irus, please come with me.”

THUNDER RUMBLE......

Just then, Sandor led his cavalry unit back to the camp.

He ordered his two deputy generals to take the troops to rest and recuperate, then mounted his Swiftfoot Beast and rode toward the crowd gathered around the dragon.

“I don’t know which brave friends have come to our aid, but I, Sandor Ganze, will always remember this debt of gratitude!”

His voice boomed out before he even arrived.

The crowd quickly parted to make way for him, and Sandor rode forward.

He dismounted from his beast and turned to face Hulim and the others, about to speak when,

“Sandor, how dare you show your face here? Do you even realize what a grave mistake you’ve made?!”

Sylvia spoke first, her voice cold and sharp as she reprimanded him.

Sandor froze, his brows furrowing deeply.

“I know...... I will accept whatever punishment you see fit later. Hang me up, whip me—anything. I’ll take it without complaint.”

“I’d love to hang you up and flog you within an inch of your life. But the one who gets to decide your punishment is Her Ladyship, not me.”

Sandor looked at the woman standing beside Sylvia in confusion.

“This is the Saint, Lady Irus.”

Sylvia explained.

“It was Lady Irus and Hulim who saved your life.”

Sandor’s eyes widened in shock at her words. He quickly bowed deeply, his voice filled with respect.

“Sandor greets Lady Irus!”

“So you’re the Bear King, Sandor Ganze?”

Irus looked at him, her voice calm and measured.

“I’ve long heard that you have a fiery, impulsive temper. But I never imagined you’d be so reckless even on the battlefield.”

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Sandor’s forehead, and he bowed his head even lower, his shoulders slumping in shame.

“......I am truly sorry, Lady Irus.”

“Apologizing to me means nothing. You should be saying those words to the men who died because of your recklessness.”

“Yes......”

Sandor hung his head so low that his chin nearly touched his chest.

“Hmm...... let me think.”

Irus paused for a moment, deep in thought. After a few seconds, a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she seemed to come up with something.

“Ah, I know. Your punishment will be to build graves for every soldier who fell today—by yourself, with your bare hands. And remember—you are not allowed to use any tools or magic to help you.”

“Yes! I will gladly accept this punishment!”

Sandor nodded vigorously, relief evident in his voice.

“Very well. That settles the matter of your punishment. Now, everyone—follow me to the command center at once.”

“Yes, Lady Irus. Please come with me.”

Led by Sylvia, the group quickly made their way to the command center.

A few minutes later, all the main generals of the Federation army had assembled.

Sylvia scanned the room, then raised her voice so that everyone could hear her clearly.

“Fellow officers of the Federation! Before we begin this meeting, I have an important announcement to make——”

As she spoke, she turned to look at Irus standing beside her.

“In accordance with the Wartime Regulations of the Himril Allied Army, from this moment onward, the supreme command of this unit is hereby formally transferred to Her Ladyship, Irus Verdant Star Feyl! That is all!”