The tavern was deafening with noise, packed with laughter and shouting as everyone drank and made merry, utterly carefree.
Nolan still wasn't satisfied. He slowly lifted his cup again, ready to drain it in another bold gulp.
Just as he was about to drink, a hand came down on his shoulder.
Nolan turned his head and saw that it belonged to the Cleanrot Knight beside him.
Finlay had already removed her helmet. She leaned down slightly, looking at him with a gentle, steady gaze.
"Seeing you take it so well puts me at ease," the Cleanrot Knight said softly.
"Don't be sad. You did excellently. Those soldiers will receive the honor they deserve."
To slay three Kindred of Rot in a single night while keeping most of the troops alive was, by any standard, an exceptional feat.
"Returning to the Erdtree is an honor. I know that. Why would I be sad?" Nolan replied calmly.
His shoulder was promptly struck by a heavy pat.
The Cleanrot Knight burst into laughter.
"I know you too well. Stop pretending to be fine. What you hate isn't death, but separation. Still, don't worry. Maybe one day, you'll meet again."
At that, Nolan frowned slightly and asked in confusion,
"Then… can those who return to the Erdtree be reborn in the Lands Between?"
The question left Finlay momentarily at a loss. She awkwardly rubbed her nose, not knowing how to answer.
"I have no idea. You'll have to ask Her Majesty the Queen about that. I know how to fight wars, not mysteries like this."
Looking at this utterly carefree woman, Nolan felt the corner of his eye twitch.
This valiant knight truly had room in her head for nothing but battle and war.
Despite her usually rough and open manner, her strength ranked second in the entire Haligtree, and her command on the battlefield was unmatched. Otherwise, she could never have become the Cleanrot Knight Commander.
She was a legendary hero, a mortal who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Demigods.
Nolan had always admired that talent from the bottom of his heart. Shaking his head with a helpless smile, he asked,
"Do the two Highnesses have any new orders? Has His Highness Malenia awakened?"
"Not yet. Don't be so tense. It's His Highness Miquella."
The Knight Commander patted his shoulder again. Her eyes were full of approval, but not the sort reserved for a junior.
Though their ages were worlds apart, she had never treated him like a child. Perhaps this was what people meant by a friendship that transcended age.
Finlay grabbed Nolan by the collar and looked toward the distant, towering structure with unmistakable reverence.
If nothing unexpected had happened, that Empyrean should already be within this holy city.
"Come on. You've earned great merit this time. His Highness Miquella wants to reward you properly!"
Under the envious gazes of the crowd, the Golden Needle Knight was dragged out of the tavern by the Cleanrot Knight Commander.
This legendary hero who served the Empyrean had countless admirers in the city. Many people longed for such treatment, yet never had the chance.
Nolan kept explaining to the Cleanrot Knight Captain that he absolutely wouldn't run away, begging Finlay to at least leave him some dignity.
Only then did the cold, iron-clad hand finally release his neck.
The two mounted their warhorses and rode northward, hooves echoing through streets and alleys alike.
A gentle breeze brushed past, warm and soothing, making Nolan narrow his eyes in quiet comfort.
A simple yet elegant building slowly came into view. After crossing a narrow stone bridge, a towering spire rose before them.
The warhorses reached the gate, reared high, then came to a steady stop.
The Cleanrot Knight Captain swung down from her mount and smiled at Nolan.
"I really don't understand what you're afraid of. What's so bad about meeting His Highness? This is an opportunity countless people dream of."
Seeing her always reminded him of Gwyndolin. Back then, if it weren't for his unbendingly straight nature, he might have been dragged into serious trouble by that kid.
Nolan said nothing. He simply stared up at the tower piercing the sky, a complicated mix of emotions flickering in his eyes.
He took a deep breath and slowly dismounted.
Gwyndolin wasn't a bad person. It was just a shame he was a man. Every time Nolan thought about it, he couldn't help but sigh.
"My loyalty to Her Highness Trina is as eternal as the sun, moon, and stars," Nolan said firmly.
"There is only Her Highness Trina. There is no His Highness Miquella." Finlay nodded in understanding. From that single line alone, she grasped her friend's true feelings.
Miquella and Trina were, in truth, the same person, but very few within the Haligtree knew this secret.
As one of Trina's most trusted attendants, Nolan certainly knew it as well.
For some, this truth was indeed difficult to accept.
"How can you smear my integrity like that? Those were your words, not mine. I never said anything of the sort."
Nolan shook his head quickly in denial.
This was not something he could ever acknowledge openly. If the more fanatical followers were to hear of it, he might not even be able to leave the Haligtree alive.
The Empyrean still carried love in her heart, but those crazed devotees would only ever try to reason with their fists.
After handing their warhorses over to the guards at the entrance, the two pushed the doors open and went straight inside without any announcement.
The guards did not stop them. It seemed they had already received instructions. Such a lack of caution would have left an ordinary person feeling both flattered and overwhelmed.
Miquella did not rule his subordinates solely through charm, at least not before he abandoned Trina.
Trina represented the part of Miquella that embodied love, as well as her most gentle side.
The two chatted casually while guards hurried back and forth carrying stacks of documents, a sight that made Nolan pay closer attention.
"You all look pretty busy. Did something happen?" Nolan asked offhandedly, then glanced at the Cleanrot Knight Captain and blinked at him.
"We weren't trying to keep it from you. It's just that you insisted on leading patrols whenever you had free time, so it's normal you didn't know," the Cleanrot Knight Captain said, scratching his head after revealing his face, his expression heavy with concern.
"In fact, His Highness Miquella has ordered us to reorganize our arms and supplies. From what we hear, the troops may be mobilized soon."
"Is war about to break out?" Nolan showed a trace of worry. Still, there was nothing he could do. As a mere Golden Needle Knight, he had no say in a conflict that might involve the Golden Lords.
"I don't think so," she replied, trying to reassure him. "It's probably just a drill or preparations for a review. The entire Lands Between are under the rule of the Golden Order Dynasty. Even if there were a war, who would we even be fighting?"
Her words eased Nolan somewhat. The Eternal Queen's rule was now extremely secure. Even if the Prince and Princesses intended to rebel, this was certainly not a good time.
As for Princess Malenia's thoughts, that could be set aside for now. Someone as intelligent as Princess Miquella would never do something so foolish.