Chapter 171: The High-Lifter Knight

Fate never lacks chance or miracles; it merely lacks eyes sharp enough to see that exact moment.

From outside the window, at just the first glance, Li En felt his body go numb.

Princess Dainya was not alone; behind her stood a group of knights, fully armed and mounted.

Among them were even several Radiant Guards—clearly, they had left the city for an official mission.

Rush over and pick her up? Uh, charging through a ring of knights to forcibly embrace the Princess? You'd instantly become a honeycomb.

Li En realized: this cruel joke might actually get him killed.

But if he didn't fulfill it? Then wait for his vow to break.

Should he regret it? If he hadn't opened his mouth, maybe he wouldn't have faced this crisis?

No, never. Everything has its price.

The serpent currently exists in a state of "non-existence," yet the consequences of its ripples must still obey the principle of balance.

If Li En benefited from this without paying a price, the karmic debt would accumulate and eventually manifest as misfortune. This was what the serpent said afterward—he clearly enjoyed seeing Li En troubled, relentlessly pushing him to overthink with various "truths."

Watching the knights preparing to depart, Li En knew he had to decide—perhaps it was difficult, even deadly, but not entirely impossible!

"Ha. Now that's more like it."

After some thought, Li En had already formulated a plan.

At this moment, with this large force departing in the very direction he came from—what could their purpose be?

He didn't rush forward; instead, he glanced at his "mirror," his face breaking into clear delight as he strode forward.

"Your Highness!"

The young man's face showed urgency; his usually calm, serene expression now bore rare joy.

"I—I thought I'd never see you again." Speaking words he'd never utter in daily life, Li En approached the Princess before all eyes.

"Wait." But this enthusiasm made Dainya's expression turn wary.

If you were some shapeshifter or disguised assassin, you clearly didn't do your homework—how could Li En possibly show respect to someone who'd just scolded him days ago!

She glanced back at her guard, who touched his ring—and shook his head.

"Uh… it's real?"

And at that moment, Li En had reached the Princess's side.

"I have urgent news. If I'm not mistaken, you're heading to exterminate the ogre bandits blocking the road to Mosodilka."

It's easy to guess: your group includes several knights of Grand Knight caliber, yet you carry no sufficient supplies—you're clearly on a short-range hunt.

Within this range, there are few targets worth exterminating. Considering the recent treaty between the two cities, the Princess leading her knightly contingent to eliminate bandits blocking trade routes would serve as a political gesture of goodwill.

The next instant, more swords and arrows turned toward Li En.

Knowing the army's target—especially the royal party's movements—is never a good thing.

Yet Li En still smiled.

"I advise you not to go. Among those bandits is a lich—minimum eighth ring, possibly ninth. He nearly cast an eighth-ring spell instantly before me."

As soon as Li En spoke, the knights froze, then began murmuring among themselves.

"Got it right, indeed." This moment eased Li En's breath—he was right: they weren't just hunting bandits, and they hadn't gathered proper intelligence.

It had only been a few days; the bandits had been active for at most two or three. In such a short time, no caravan survivors had recognized that creature as a lich!

They might have sensed a high-ring mage or magical artifact—but the difference between fifth- or sixth-ring and ninth-ring is like comparing a World War II jet to an aircraft carrier.

The former is an outdated battlefield weapon; the latter is a national-level strategic weapon.

This force against that bandit group isn't without hope—but facing a ninth-ring spellcaster unprepared? Losing half your men would be lucky.

"I encountered it before. I barely survived."

The knight contingent halted, whispering among themselves. If this were true, they might owe Li En a debt.

Their gaze toward Li En now held greater respect—they'd known his abilities before, but now he'd escaped a lich above eighth ring.

"Truth."

The Princess's guard lady glanced at her ring and nodded firmly.

Instantly, the knights erupted—was the lich real? How did they go hunting bandits and stumble upon a top-tier monster?

All eyes turned to their leader, Princess Dainya, awaiting her decision.

"Knight Li En, thank you for your timely warning. I shall remember this deed, and later reward your unwavering loyalty." The Princess remained composed before the crowd.

She realized: the expedition was impossible now—and she owed Li En for his timely alert.

"As for the reward—could I please embrace you?!" Li En's words froze the scene.

You, a knight granted by the Princess, dare publicly attempt to violate the Princess?!

Spears and bows once again aimed at Li En—this time, fully drawn.

Yet Li En acted as if he heard nothing, saw nothing. His face brimmed with sincerity as he continued:

"In my dire encounter with the lich, I made a vow to a great being: if I escaped alive, I would embrace the beautiful lady I first met upon returning to the city!" Yes, force won't work—I'll do it honestly.

I helped you. At least help me avoid breaking my vow.

The knights might be the crisis blocking my task—but as knights bound by honor, they also yearn for romantic tales.

Perhaps they were a threat a moment ago, but with proper use, they could become allies.

The bows lowered. More eyes turned toward him, brimming with curiosity and anticipation.

Li En's pupils faintly glowed with a pale yellow light—he saw their longing, their desire. They too wished to witness the hero's return, the maiden's embrace. He even felt he could manipulate it, guide it.

The knights' expectant gazes fixed on the Princess. Unspoken subconscious currents coalesced into consensus.

Perhaps the next moment, someone would shout: "Let him embrace her!"

At that point, the Princess's image as the approachable ruler would be trapped on the fire.

"Lie!"

The crimson warning glow from the guard's ring instantly froze the scene.

The tugged subconscious shattered—Li En's ability failed outright.

Li En froze, drenched in sweat.

Every bowstring, each person feeling deceived, now pulled taut—waiting for a single command.

"Uh—I didn't vow to embrace a beautiful lady! I vowed to embrace the first person I saw!!"

"Truth."

Instantly, the atmosphere grew even more peculiar.

The previously tense scene relaxed again; amused glances flickered back and forth.

After repeated tension and collapse, the mood could no longer stay tight—the "subconscious" gradually loosened.

Countless gazes and thoughts turned toward the Princess—and this time, Li En felt he could easily tug at "them."

The difficulty was less than half of what it had been before.

So he gently probed with invisible tendrils, tugging lightly.

"Ha. Fine." Dainya sighed. What even is this?

She, too, had unconsciously been pulled by the external subconscious—her hesitation and wariness shattered.

"Forgive the impropriety." Li En set down his weapon and walked slowly forward, reaching out to gently embrace the Princess.

Light. Soft. Then—up!

In the next instant, his arms circled her, lifting her high—he hoisted Dainya upward with a sudden motion.

In full view of all, Li En lifted the Princess above his head—and spun her in a full circle!

The Princess, lifted high, looked down in utter shock.

"High enough? High enough?" Then Li En set her down and turned and ran.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry! My vow was to lift you up and throw you high!" The man vanished in a flash, while behind him, laughter erupted.

And behind him, the Princess's gaze—truly murderous.

Soon, stories of the Princess and her "High-Lifter Knight" would spread throughout the city.

This absurd, romantic, and utterly nonsensical tale bound Li En and Dainya together—past rumors of their conflict vanished completely.

Fate twisted again. The cheerful serpent flicked its tongue, waiting for more entertainment.

He had failed—and yet he was happier than ever.

"No wonder I'm me—even a path with less than 3% success rate can be walked. What story should I weave next to make it even more interesting?"

(End of Chapter)