As a villain, I really don't want to be pursued by the heroine.

When the fortress was finally settled, Natsu finally had time to host a banquet to welcome them.

Chapter 38 Brother

Due to limited conditions, the welcoming banquet was relatively simple.

But the substitution of tea for wine did not diminish the nobles' enthusiasm and respect for Charlotte. Their joy at surviving the disaster and their gratitude for the reinforcements combined to the point where toasts could not be stopped from the moment the banquet began.

"As expected of Her Highness Charlotte! At only Sequence 6, she can slay a pure-blooded dragon with a single strike. Even Her Highness Natsu in his prime wouldn't be able to do that!"

Praising one person while stepping on another is a taboo when praising the royal family, but Natsu was not unhappy at all. Instead, he laughed heartily and agreed with the statement. "Of course I need to say it. The new generation pushes the old generation forward. How can my princess be inferior to me?!"

"but……"

Natsu's gaze passed Charlotte and fell on the group of young faces.

"My sister's bravery is indeed extraordinary, but the fact that she was able to gather so many reinforcements at once is truly remarkable."

To be honest, even in Natsu's most optimistic estimate, he did not expect Charlotte to be able to summon 90% of the Lionheart students.

Loyalty and courage are never taken for granted. Only a qualified leader can lead everyone forward.

Not to mention that there are still a large number of magicians from the Citadel and clergy from White Harbor.

The Red Magicians, who excel at long-range attacks, are the most terrifying existence in war. Even the dragons find it difficult to withstand their firepower.

Clerics can provide astonishing medical support. A single Sequence 9 Cleric is more effective than dozens of medics. While the Kingdom's army boasts one melee transcendental warrior per hundred soldiers, there might not even be one Cleric per thousand. Trustworthy medical support is the cornerstone of every military force.

The Griffin Knight, the Magician, and the Cleric, when the three of them gathered together, it was hard for Natsu not to be overwhelmed by the power of their combined strength.

Charlotte raised her lips slightly in response to this: "As the Lionhearted Princess, this is just my duty."

"Although I want to say this, it's all thanks to Roy that we were able to bring so many magicians and clergy."

Natsu turned to look at the black-haired boy.

His black pupils, as calm and deep as the night, expressed a steadiness and composure that was completely different from other young people.

He has the spirit of the Iron-Blooded Marquis who has experienced life and death, but more than that, he has an extra layer of restraint.

Natsu didn't hesitate to praise him. He narrowed his eyes and smiled as he said, "Roy Ironblood, the princess's sworn knight, White Harbor's saintly guard, the Western Continent's number one prodigy. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is truly well-deserved."

"My sister was able to seize the initiative back then because of your secret help, right? It's really remarkable. That sense of oppression wasn't the ability of [Iron Blood], but more like the manifestation of the bloodline aura bursting to its extreme."

"Your Highness, you are too kind. I was just providing a little assistance to Her Royal Highness Princess Xia..." Roy was polite in his words, but he was secretly surprised.

Before this, few mid-level transcendents could see through Long Wei's distance.

"Ha, no need to be modest. Without you, Wang Mei wouldn't have won so easily."

While Natsu was looking at Roy, Roy was also looking at him.

He looked just like the Lionheart King, with a body as strong and angular as a bodybuilder, but a face as delicate and beautiful as a rose, with an expression that was neither a smile nor a smile, making it difficult to understand. Roy always felt something was wrong when he saw him.

There is no role for this first prince in the original work. It only says that Natsu has been stationed at the border for many years and has made outstanding military achievements.

Because of Leo's criminal record, Roy was inexplicably a little PTSD about the identity of the Lionheart Prince.

Fortunately, he shared life and death with the soldiers, so at least he didn't look like a bad person.

The only thing that surprised Roy was that Charlotte didn't seem to get along well with his brother, and was even a little restless.

You know, she didn't behave like this when she faced Leo.

Although he felt puzzled, Roy still raised his glass honestly on the surface: "I have also long admired your majesty's reputation."

"Defending the fortress for such a long time with insufficient manpower and scarce supplies is truly difficult. Your Highness is a truly respectable role model of knighthood."

"Hahahahaha, you're quite humble. I really hope my princess can learn from you."

"Hey!" Charlotte frowned in protest.

"But enough of the formalities, let's have a toast first!"

Natsu stood up and walked over with his glass raised.

Firstly, he was a royal family member, and secondly, he was an elder. Seeing him take the initiative to toast, Roy naturally had to stand up and raise his glass in response to show respect.

Normally, it should be the ministers who toast the royal family. Natsu's actions showed enough respect, and there was no reason for Roy not to feel good about it.

This prince is pretty good, way better than that Leo...

However, just as Roy was immersed in his good feelings for Natsu, the other party's broad palm fell directly on his shoulder.

This wasn't like the encouragement and recognition from an older brother patting his younger brother, but more like...

Touch him?!

"Hahahaha! Not bad, not bad. His strength and talent are beyond words. He has a strong body and a handsome face. He is truly a good man!"

Noticing the obvious favor in the other person's eyes that went beyond appreciation, Roy's pupils shrank, and he finally realized the seriousness of the problem.

Would a normal man praise another man as a "good man"? !

Why does this sound so... gay?!

It turns out that Natsu is clearly not normal.

Charlotte immediately jumped out, inserted from the middle, and blocked Natsu outside, looking like a cat with its fur standing on end, as if facing a great enemy.

"Don't attack my Oath Knight, you damned Nantong!"

It really is Nantong?!

No wonder Charlotte was so anxious earlier. No wonder King Lionheart said the First Prince wasn't fit to succeed the throne. So this is what's going on?!

Roy's mouth twitched, and he silently retreated behind Charlotte.

Like a little girl being harassed by a pervert.

Looking at his ministers, all of whom lowered their heads and pretended not to see anything, Roy suddenly felt deeply worried about the future of the kingdom.

"Hahahahahaha, just kidding. How could my brother steal someone's love?"

"Stop talking nonsense! You are not allowed to get close to Roy anyway!"

"Oh?"

Natsu stroked his chin and raised an eyebrow, "It seems you really like this kid."

"..."

There was a brief silence.

Roy was about to smooth things over for Charlotte, but the girl unexpectedly pulled his arm, raised her head and exclaimed in a shocking voice, "That's right!"

"Roy belongs to me, so you are absolutely not allowed to touch him!"

The resounding voice filled the night sky, and even some soldiers who were dozing off outside the banquet hall were suddenly awakened.

Looking at the red-haired princess's blushing but extremely stubborn face, Natsu first burst into laughter.

Black tea, dresses, chivalric novels, there are many things a girl likes, but there are few things that can make her let go of her reserve and pride and admit it from the bottom of her heart like she is now.

Strength, identity, and appearance are certainly important for a knight, but only the one who can win Charlotte's heart is the brother-in-law that Natsu recognizes.

Turning to look at Roy, Natsu put away the playful look on his face and said, "I'll trouble you to take care of Charlotte."

Realizing that the other party was just testing them and not really trying to flirt with them, Roy and Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

But Natsu finally threw a wink and said: "But if you are bullied by her, you are always welcome to come to my brother~"

"Get out of here, you damn Nantong!" Charlotte, who could no longer bear it, finally threw an uppercut and successfully knocked down the handsome Nantong man.

-------------------------------------

In the mountains and forests, wailing was heard continuously, and the dragons spread their wings and turned back.

When the dragons are leaderless, they will no longer waste their energy fighting and will return to the group to find a new leader. This is an instinctive consensus engraved in the blood of the dragons.

However, Claude led the followers of the [Evil Dragon Society] and stayed where they were, staring at the fortress with swaying bonfires in the distance with a ferocious look on their faces.

Chapter 39: The Man Behind the Princess

Claude said with deep sorrow, "Lord Frostclaw sacrificed his life for the cause of the dragon race, but now is not the time to grieve for him!"

The twisted blue scales devoured his flesh like worms, slowly wriggling as he spoke.

"The battle in the north is intense, and the noble dragons are going there to provide support. Therefore, we are the only ones left here."

"But even we can do our bit for the dragon race, even doing things that are inconvenient for the noble dragon race!"

Frostpaw's men had abandoned them all to fend for themselves—this was not the treatment an ally deserved. Yet none of the cultists present complained, instead sharing the same fanaticism as Claude.

"Master, please give your orders!"

"We are willing to go through fire and water for that lord, without hesitation!"

Claude's fang-filled mouth grinned, his pupils flickering with a terrifying blood-red light in the darkness. "Alright! As a dragon's servant, I must be aware of this!"

"Now, the two royal heirs have gathered in the fortress! Killing them would be enough to crush the morale of the mortals and deal a devastating blow to the kingdom's cohesion!"

"Everyone, it's time to prove our loyalty to that lord!"

The twisted smile was rampant.

Under the shadows cast by the starlight, the figures of the crowd gradually grew larger and distorted into deformed shapes that were neither human nor dragon.

----------

"The fortifications in the north still need reinforcement. Until then, have the magicians and griffin knights take turns on guard duty. Don't rely solely on the griffin knights for everything; leave some reserve forces just in case..."

"By the way, remember to have the clergy who don't have medical work on hand to help check the refugees. Don't let those guys from the [Evil Dragon Society] get in."

The moonlight is dim and bleak.

On the city wall illuminated by the bonfire, Charlotte walked around inspecting and issuing orders to multiple nobles in a swift and decisive manner.

Military command is a compulsory course for every noble in the kingdom, but not everyone can put their education into practice. As a member of the royal family, Charlotte not only did not neglect learning in this area, but also applied it to the extreme at this moment.

In just a few days, Charlotte had reinforced the fortress's defenses in an orderly manner.

It can be said that Charlotte's appearance greatly relieved Natsu's command pressure, allowing him to finally focus on recuperating from his injuries.

"That's all for defense for now. As for food..."

"Don't worry, the scouts have returned, and the granaries in the surrounding towns are intact. I've already sent people to transport the food back."

Roy stepped forward at the right time and relieved Charlotte's worries.

Theoretically, even a sworn knight has no right to command an army without the royal family's consent.

But Charlotte didn't care.

The girl's tense expression finally relaxed a little. She rubbed her swollen and painful brows and said with a wry smile, "I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Alas, I should have dealt with the food issue first, but it has been delayed until now."

"I can't help it. You have too many things to do. So if you neglect any of the aspects, I will take care of them."

Roy reached out and gently brushed the girl's haggard brows, feeling a little distressed: "Don't force it."

If a mid-level transcendent hadn't stayed up all night, he wouldn't be so tired.

Charlotte dodged Roy's hand awkwardly and snorted nonchalantly, "That's nothing."

"As a member of the royal family, you must personally take charge at times like these. Otherwise, what qualifications do you have to command others?"

Roy sighed and said, "That's true, but staying up late all the time will give you wrinkles."

"!"

No girl would remain indifferent to this statement. Even Charlotte was slightly startled, then took out a small mirror with a serious expression and looked at herself.

Fortunately, just a few days of hard work would not change the skin of a mid-level transcendent.

"What? There's nothing at all..."

Roy narrowed his eyes. "So you do stay up late these days, right?"

Charlotte was stunned for a moment.

"It's okay to work hard, but exhausting yourself is counterproductive. Go to bed early tonight."

"......oh."