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

Knowing she was in the wrong, Charlotte had to put aside her usual arrogance and responded obediently after Roy's advice.

However, just as she was about to turn around and leave, Charlotte turned back again.

The watery eyes were less stern and more tender. Under the flickering firelight, the light and shadow were confusing, like the blur of a butterfly.

"Are you coming then?"

Her hesitant gaze had already revealed her feelings.

Roy's lips moved, but he just smiled lightly and declined politely: "Just rest in peace, I'll keep watch for you."

".......All right."

The girl left with a sullen look on her face.

Only then did Roy sigh sadly.

Her Royal Highness the Princess's invitation to share a bed was certainly tempting, and it wasn't that he was unromantic, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary treatment.

Although the dragon army has been silent recently, no one can say whether these flying lizards will use their air advantage to spit out air power.

To be on the safe side, at least one mid-level fighter who is strong enough should be left to guard against any eventuality.

Her Royal Highness the Princess actually knew this, so she didn't dwell on it too much and just asked casually.

In addition, there is another reason.

It doesn't seem right to go back and sleep with her in front of her brother.

"Your Highness, you can come out now."

"Oh, very perceptive."

A brilliant smile and a large figure emerged from the shadows.

Even from Roy's perspective, Natsu was a truly muscular and handsome man. Ever since he learned of his sexual orientation, Roy could no longer look directly at that enigmatic, gay smile.

"Iron Blood shouldn't have any additional bonus to aura perception."

"The Lionheart bloodline also doesn't have any means of concealing its aura, right?"

It wasn't a supernatural ability, but rather a skill honed through repeated experiences in a specific environment. The two of them tacitly understood each other and developed a mutual appreciation for each other.

Roy was inexplicably sensitive to other people's auras because he had been hunted by cultists too many times.

However, why would a prince who was so powerful on the battlefield develop the skill to hide his aura?

The thought was terrifying. Roy didn't delve into it any further.

"Your Highness's injuries have healed?"

"Almost. I've been busy for so long, I'm not used to lying in bed all of a sudden." Natsu moved his unbandaged arm and complained.

Each extraordinary bloodline has its own specialization.

Unlike Roy who has [Blood Recovery Demon], even though [Lion Heart] is a gold-level bloodline and has terrifying explosive power to compete head-on with the dragon clan, the recovery speed of his injuries is still the same as that of an ordinary mid-level transcendent.

"I just happened to see you guys, so I wanted to come and chat."

"If you want to speak privately with Her Highness, catch up now."

"No, I came here to talk to you... Uh, even I'd get hurt if you acted that defensive."

But what you said sounds weird!

Instead of looking for your sister late at night, you come to me, a "good man". It's dangerous no matter how you think about it!

Natsu reluctantly kept a safe distance, watching the yawning red figure gradually disappear beneath the city wall, revealing the concern of a brother. "Getting back to the point, I came here to thank you."

"Thank you for supporting her along the way."

"I'm not fit to be king, as you can see. I'm more suited to the battlefield than politics. In my mind, Leo is the most suitable candidate to be my king."

At this point, Natsu's smile became a little lonely.

"It's a pity that he went astray. There's nothing we can do about it."

"So, the mantle of king fell upon Charlotte's shoulders. Her abilities are unquestionable, but I never felt she was fit to be king."

"The throne is too lonely, the crown too heavy. With her stubborn nature, she will be crushed one day."

"Unless there is someone who can assist her, support her, care about her, and go along with her all the way."

Natsu turned his head, and his fiery red eyes, similar to the girl's, looked straight at him, full of sincerity and gratitude.

"So, I must thank you."

Chapter 40 Delivered to your door

The prince's solemn gratitude made Roy dazed.

When I think about it carefully, it seems that I have really helped Charlotte do all kinds of things.

but......

Without the complacency of having made a contribution, nor without any concern for the risk, Roy simply replied calmly: "Charlotte did the same for me."

No matter if it was defending her to the death when she was being hunted by the [Evil Dragon Society], or helping Alice when she was in danger, as long as she was in danger, Charlotte would always be the first to stand up and stand on her side.

Whether it was a knight's responsibility or emotional dedication, Roy himself didn't know how to explain it clearly.

He only knew one thing.

"Everything I do, Charlotte will do the same for me. So, there's really no need to say thank you between us."

Natsu was slightly startled, and saw the calmness, peace, and a hint of imperceptible happiness in the boy's expression, and he began to understand his new talent.

It is not a risk without seeking return, but a mutual support and help between equals.

Loyal sworn knights need gratitude and rewards, but perhaps they no longer need these ceremonial things.

That is a more valuable bond of trust between the ruler and his subjects.

Natsu's lips curled up: "Really, with a guy like you by my side, I'm a little envious of my sister."

Roy's smile froze and he took a step back silently.

"Hahahaha, I just said it casually. No matter what, I can't take away the prince's man!"

So, it's okay if he's not Wang Mei's man, teacher?!

For the first time, Roy was so glad to be with Charlotte. Otherwise, wouldn't he have been targeted by the Prince of Nantong?!

"Your Highness, let's put Charlotte and I aside for now. Now that the fortress is basically completed, it's time to consider the next step, right?" Fearing the other party's sexual orientation, Roy quickly changed the subject.

Fortunately, Naz prioritized his responsibilities as a royal family over Nantong, and his expression soon became serious.

Just as Roy said, the fortress is safe now, but the kingdom is still mired in war, and it is far from time to rest easy.

"No matter what, we must go to support the North first."

Without saying anything more, Roy believed that the prince must have mastered certain intelligence to come to this conclusion.

"These dragons are very cunning. They know how to deploy hunters in various airspaces to hunt down carrier pigeons. This has caused our intelligence to lag far behind, but there is no such thing as a leak-proof network."

"At the beginning of the war, my father immediately summoned the Hui people from all over the country to the capital. Although the Dragon Clan initially launched attacks from the mountains and forests in all directions, according to intelligence from refugees and defeated soldiers, the Dragon Clan was also gathering troops in the north."

Roy also remembered some details and added: "Frost Claw is dead, but his men were not completely defeated. It was more like an organized retreat."

Natsu's eyes narrowed, a glint flickering in his eyes. "So, right now, the dragons are probably still fighting with Father and the others, and the outcome is still undecided."

Roy, who had no experience in leading troops and was only a dabbler in marching and fighting, did not speak rashly.

After listening to the prince's analysis, Roy nodded slightly, thoughtfully: "So, next we have to support the main force in the north to fight the dragon tribe?"

Carl had taught him that the dragon army relied entirely on the head dragon. As long as they concentrated their forces to defeat the head dragon, the remaining dragons would naturally lose their leader and their fighting spirit, becoming a true leaderless group.

"That's what I'm saying..."

Natsu scratched his head, his fierce expression suddenly falling, "But I don't know exactly how to go."

"Why don't you know? It's just heading north...ah."

Roy reacted quickly.

His half-baked military knowledge was enough for him to recognize the current situation.

They said they were going to the north, but there were problems such as how many troops they would need, how long it would take to arrive, which route they would take, and where in the north they would go.

The Lionheart Kingdom has many mountains and forests, which are perfect hunting grounds for the dragons to set up ambushes. Suffering too much loss or wasting time along the way will seriously affect their support capabilities.

"Relying solely on those scattered refugees, many of whom only have information from last month, the information is still too little."

"It would be nice if I could catch a dragon's tongue."

Listening to Prince Lionheart's complaints, Roy could only smile bitterly.

How can things be that simple?

That's the trouble with fighting alien races.

Not to mention whether the arrogant dragons will surrender, the low-level dragons can't even communicate with them in language. What's the point of catching them if they can't understand?

As for catching a pure-blooded dragon...

Capturing them alive was several times harder than killing them. He could try with other Sequence 5 supernatural creatures, but once the dragons attacked, they would fight to the death. Even Roy wasn't sure of that, otherwise he would have attacked Frost Claw before.

The atmosphere became depressed.

But at this moment, a column of fire streaked through the sky, followed by the cries of refugees and the warning calls of soldiers.

Immediately afterwards, dragon wings spread out, and terrifying shadows began to wreak havoc in the fortress. Horrifying dragon roars were heard everywhere, and the silent fortress fell into chaos in an instant.

Natsu's expression changed: "Why are there dragons sneaking in?!"

The griffin knights hovering in the sky could not have neglected their duties. With their level of cultivation, they should not have missed any dragon that tried to approach.

But Roy, who had [night vision], saw more.

"Wait, Your Highness, those don't seem to be dragons, they look more like... cultists?"

That's an old acquaintance of his.

The dragons of the [Evil Dragon Society] are thinner and more deformed than purebred dragons, and the difference is quite obvious.

"Cultists? You mean the Evil Dragon Society?"

"Those guys call themselves servants of dragons, so it wouldn't be surprising if they were to collaborate with them..."

Roy froze in the middle of his words.

He knows the intelligence of the dragon clan, but is easier to capture than the dragon clan, and even has a tongue without language barriers.

Isn't this right in front of us?!

I'm sleepy, but you come just as I say. These cultists are pretty good!

Roy and Natsu looked at each other, the same surprise appearing on their faces.

However, a powerful aura soon erupted from the Lord's Hall, interrupting the brief joy.

Looking at the flying dragons that had already sneaked deep into the fortress and were clearly planning something, Natsu said unhappily, "Hmph, I don't know how they got in, but they certainly have bad intentions."

The fortress inside the fortress was the safest place away from the city walls.

And Charlotte just happened to go back and rest tonight.

Unable to wait for Natsu's instructions, Roy volunteered, "Your Highness, I'll trouble you here. I'll go deal with the guys who have sneaked into the deep end and see if I can capture a few alive."

"That's all?" Natsu suddenly laughed.

Before Roy could answer, Natsu slapped him and pushed him forward forcefully.

"Go ahead. Charlotte would definitely prefer a handsome knight to a stinky old man."

"Thank you."

Roy leaped deep into the fortress.

Chapter 41: Ridiculous Bluff

Among the refugees fleeing in panic, the black-haired boy went against the flow.

The initial cult attack took place in a refugee resettlement area, but the [Evil Dragon Society], who believed in the evil dragon, could transform into flying dragons. They did not slaughter indiscriminately, nor did they even seek direct combat. Instead, they deliberately dispersed and moved around everywhere using the maneuverability of flying.