Chapter 133: The Coldsteel City of Today
On the walls of Coldsteel City, the guards on duty kept a vigilant watch over the surrounding lands. It was common knowledge by now that Archduke Demont viewed both the city and its lord as a grave insult. A campaign of suppression was inevitable. The threat of the archduke launching an attack at any moment hung over everyone like a storm cloud.
Yet unlike before, fear was no longer the dominant emotion in the guards’ eyes. What burned there now was grim determination. They faithfully carried out the orders personally drilled into them by the ever-strict Lord Hank.
“Keep your eyes open at all times! Don’t overlook even the slightest movement!” A squad captain barked the command in a low voice, one hand never leaving the hilt of his sword.
The current city watch was nothing like Haus’ former private troops. Regardless of individual strength, their spirit alone had been completely transformed. Some were reserve members of the Black Armored Legion. Some were the best among Haus’ former soldiers. Others were mercenaries who had enlisted after seeing the Fire Fox Mercenary Company suddenly elevated into an official military force. Each had their own reason for working so hard. Some dreamed of one day being selected into the Black Armored Legion. Some fought for money. Others were betting their future on this unusual new lord.
“Back when we served under Haus, we couldn’t even fill our stomachs,” one burly guard grumbled. “Now the lord makes sure we get meat with every meal. If anyone dares come looking for trouble, I’ll be the first to fight them to the death.”
Driven both by Nolan’s generous reforms and the spontaneous enthusiasm of the citizens, the city wall repairs had progressed at astonishing speed. The walls had been reinforced, several brand-new watchtowers added, and firing parapets constructed along the battlements. The improvements seemed simple on the surface, but they had elevated the city’s defenses to an entirely different level.
At that moment, a sharp-eyed guard atop one of the towers suddenly shouted, “Look! Outside the city! Someone’s coming!”
Every heart instantly leapt into their throats.
Far out on the horizon, four dark figures raced toward Coldsteel City at high speed.
As the distance closed, the guards finally made out their appearance.
Four warhorses.
Leading them were two knights, one clad in black armor and the other in white. Their armor gleamed coldly beneath the sunlight, clearly extraordinary at a glance. Though there were only four riders, the fierce and imposing aura they carried made even distant observers feel a chill run down their spines.
“Are they enemy envoys? Here to deliver a declaration of war?”
“Careful. That presence… I’ve only felt something like it from senior officers of the Black Armored Legion.”
The guards immediately became tense. The sound of swords leaving their scabbards rang out one after another.
Along the firing positions, crossbows were rapidly loaded and aimed toward the approaching riders.
Clang! Clang! Clang! The city alarm bell had already begun to ring.
By now, the tale of Pioneer Knight Nolan had spread throughout the city and neighboring villages in countless retellings. The story of how he rose against the cruel and greedy Haus, carved the Seven Noble Precepts of the Elfin Kingdom into the man’s back, and finally beheaded him with a single stroke before becoming the new lord had already become legend.
But the oppressive rule of Archduke Demont had left scars too deep to erase easily.
As the riders drew closer, one of the reserve Black Armored Legion guards suddenly let out a startled cry, “Huh? Wait… isn’t that Adjutant Donnie?”
He remembered the boy clearly from the appointment ceremony. Little Donnie had been promoted to adjutant at only fifteen years old, leaving a strong impression on everyone present. Although Lord Nolan and the senior officers all affectionately called him “Little Donnie,” everyone knew he was one of the lord’s trusted inner circle. No one truly dared treat him like a child, especially since his abilities were undeniably impressive.
“What’s he doing with those people?”
Before anyone could puzzle it out further, Little Donnie had already ridden to the city gates.
With a sharp pull on the reins, his warhorse reared high into the air and released a ringing neigh.
“Open the gate! The lord has returned!” His voice rang loud and clear.
The lord?!
The guards atop the walls froze.
Where?
Their gazes swept back and forth between the terrifying black-armored and white-armored knights, confusion written all over their faces.
Then the towering knight in the fully enclosed black armor raised a hand and removed his helmet.
A young face was revealed beneath it.
“It’s me. No need to panic.”
Nolan’s appearance was like the perfect reassurance. The moment the guards recognized their increasingly legendary lord, excitement erupted across the walls.
“It’s the lord! The lord’s back!”
“Quick! Stand down from alert!”
The captain on duty practically leaned halfway over the battlements in panic and relief.
“Forgive us, my lord! We… we didn’t recognize you!”
Nolan tucked the helmet beneath his arm and smiled up at him. “What’s there to apologize for? You did well. You stayed alert, and that’s exactly how it should be.” His gaze swept across the visibly excited guards nearby, genuine approval in his voice. “You’ve all worked hard.”
The praise from their lord hit the men like a shot of adrenaline. Their earlier tension and exhaustion vanished instantly. One by one, their backs straightened proudly, as though no amount of hardship mattered anymore.
The heavy city gates swung open, and the drawbridge was lowered with practiced efficiency.
Following behind Nolan, Ailindel silently observed the city around her.
It truly was a small city. Nolan had not been exaggerating. Some sections of the walls still bore visible repair marks, and the streets were narrow compared to the grand military fortresses of her memory. Compared to the mighty war bastions of the Radiant Alliance, this place would not even qualify as an outpost, let alone a satellite city. And yet…
What she saw were clean streets, citizens whose faces carried hope and peace, and guards whose eyes held genuine reverence and trust.
Fortresses could always be expanded. Walls could be strengthened. Power could be accumulated. Only the hearts of people were truly precious.
Ailindel looked toward the figure ahead of her chatting casually with the guards, and her gaze softened. Moon Elves had never valued power or authority above all else. What they treasured most was noble character.
Nolan had not disappointed her. The more she saw, the more convinced she became that following him had been the right choice.
At that moment, Nolan turned back to meet her gaze, smiling with slight embarrassment. “Welcome to my little city, Lady Ailindel. It’s still a little shabby right now, but everyone here is working hard to make it better. This is only the first step. My goal is the entire kingdom.”
“I told you already, just call me Ailin.”
Ailindel gently shook her head, silver hair brushing across her flawless profile in the breeze.
“Shabby?”
Her voice was clear and melodious, carrying a faint smile.
“All I see is a rising star filled with vitality.”
Moon Elves really did have incredible emotional intelligence.
Nolan burst out laughing while Little Donnie grinned and waggled his brows teasingly at him.
As they rode through the streets, citizens continuously greeted their lord. Nolan returned every greeting in kind, and before long the lord’s manor came into view.
The captain of the guard had done his duty well. Anna had received word of Nolan’s return immediately and had already arranged the servants before personally waiting outside the entrance. Today she wore an elegant dark blue dress that perfectly highlighted her composed and graceful demeanor.
The moment Nolan spotted Anna, he immediately turned and began shooting frantic looks toward Vivi.
Unfortunately, Vivi, who was riding behind Renee on the same horse, merely turned her head away and let out a huff through her nose.
Nolan was completely baffled.
What did I do this time?
Renee, seated behind Vivi, took in Nolan’s utterly confused and defeated expression and could not help covering her mouth as her shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. Who would have thought that their lord, capable of handling any adventure or battle, could also be this hopelessly clumsy? It was unexpectedly adorable.
While Nolan was still struggling to figure things out, Anna had already approached with elegant steps. Her calm gaze swept over the travel-worn group. When she saw Ailindel’s breathtaking beauty and magnificent white armor, surprise flickered briefly in her eyes before disappearing behind flawless composure.
“Welcome back, my lord. It seems your journey was quite fruitful indeed.”