The dawn sun once again shone into the streets of Ansel. The girl and Xiaowei didn't sleep all night. The girl quietly listened to everything Xiaowei said, and her mood became heavier and heavier.

Is it just Vicky's fault? No......

[Finished?] After a while, the girl asked gently, "If you feel uncomfortable, just rest for a while." 】

[Thank you," Xiaowei said, "I have already told you everything I want to say. I think I'm fine, and ......]

The girl could feel Xiaowei's frustration. She didn't bother Xiaowei, she knew that Xiaowei needed to vent her emotions.

【…… I'm sorry. She heard Vivie's voice lower again.

[It's not your responsibility.] I also underestimated each other. The girl said.

The girl tried her best not to let Xiaowei find that her heart was also full of anxiety and vacillation. Under the protection of His Majesty the Emperor and Duke Hywell, the girl is not worried about her and Xiaowei's safety. However, not necessarily for the other person.

Vivi's mother, Elizabeth Douglas. After learning that Vivi is under the protection of the Empire, Speaker Nicholas will definitely increase the surveillance of Elizabeth Douglas. The chances of rescuing Elizabeth Douglas on her own have become slim.

I'm afraid that Xiaowei is also aware of this, so her mood is so low. But the girl couldn't think of any reason to comfort her......

What do we do next? After a while, Xiaowei asked.

[Don't worry about this question. What we need now is calm. The girl replied. She didn't know what to do. She had some chaotic thoughts in her head, but she didn't have a clear line of thought. The girl didn't think about discussing it with Linna, or contacting John Goth, who was far away in the Black Floating City, but when she thought of Levy's remark that "there is an Okad traitor among us" the day before yesterday, she changed her mind.

The girl believes that Goth and Rina are not traitors. However, the traitor may be among the people that Goth and Linna trusted. The girl didn't want to take any risks now.

……

During the morning workout, Burns and Amy and the others were visibly aware of the girl's absent-mindedness. Now the girl's fighting skills have improved a lot, even if she suppresses her strength to the same level as Amy, she can be on par with Amy in terms of technique. Even Burns was amazed...... The girl was the most progressive of the students he taught.

But today the girl is obviously not in a state......

"Miss, you've been hit three times in a row by me," Amy asked worriedly, "Shall we take a break?" ”

"Why don't we practice riding first?" Adele, who was watching the game from the sidelines, also said. The girl has already started the basic practice of riding in the past few days.

Not far away, Burns, who was watching the mock battle seriously, frowned. He could see at a glance that the girl was on her mind. Why exactly......

"Let's take a break." The girl said.

……

The warm sunshine shines on the castle's martial arts arena. It's late autumn, and it's a little chilly in the breeze, but it's warm and comfortable in the sun.

"Say, what's the matter with her, Miss?" Adele and Amy muttered quietly.

"Do you have a boy you like?" Amy's pure imagination is abundant.

"I don't think Mademoiselle would like that gloomy guy the day before yesterday." Adele said.

"I'm not talking about Mr. Fiodorovich. I mean His Highness Victor. Amy looked pensive.

"I don't think Mademoiselle has a liking," Adele insisted, "and even if there were, it wasn't something we should be looking into." ”

Burns looked at the girl worriedly. He thought that the girl would say something after resting, but he stayed aside without saying a word, sitting in the corner of the competition arena in a daze. After nearly half a month of getting along, Burns has a general understanding of the girl's temper: when she doesn't want to say anything, no matter how much she knocks on the side, she won't say anything.

……

The girl lay quietly on the ground of the martial arts arena, looking up at the clear blue sky.

[I've been skeptical a lot lately,] the girl said to Xiaowei, "Do you know? In fact, I've been wondering if I've worked so hard to expand this small territory. It's only now that I've finally figured it out. 】

[What? 】

[If it weren't for us.] Old man Burns over there, as well as Adele and Amy...... They may all be gone. 】

【…… For them, it's as if we were arranged by the gods to appear here to save them. Xiaowei said.

[That's right.] We didn't waste time. I'm on my path, and no one can change that. The girl's voice grew firm.

The girl laughed at herself and closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the wind blowing in her ears. Amy and Adele can be vaguely heard arguing.

No matter how powerful the enemy is.

You just have to stick to your own path.

[You have a new plan, don't you?] Xiaowei asked expectantly. She realized that the girl had regained her composure.

"Don't be in a hurry to be happy," the girl said, "Our troubles have just begun. 】

This is the end of the good days of peace, she thought.

The Federation already knew that Victoria Douglas was hiding in the Empire. Well, there is no point in continuing to hide it. Rather than being exposed by others, it is better to be prepared to take the initiative to disclose your identity and take the opportunity to disclose your identity in your own hands.

……

A week later. On the outskirts of the town of Ansel.

The early morning mist hangs over this border town. There was a biting chill in the air; On the outer walls of the castle, a thin layer of frost has condensed; The leaves on the treetops had fallen, and only the dead branches were swaying lonely. All this seems to remind people that winter has arrived.

The vast majority of the townspeople are still asleep. Unbeknownst to them, the baroness who ruled them was preparing to leave the land for a while.

“…… That's all I have to command," the maiden instructed Burns, Adele, and Amy, who had come to see them off, "and for the time being, you will cooperate with Mr. Mason and them in the affairs of Anseltown. At the invitation of His Majesty, I must go to the Imperial Capital as soon as possible. When I spend the New Year there, I will rush back immediately. ”

Before Victor left, he did ask her to go to the imperial capital as soon as possible.

Burns, Adele, and Amy all nodded. Over the past week, Maiden and Vicky have done their best to take over Ansel's affairs. In order not to delay the girl's time to exercise, Xiaowei even specially formulated a magic potion that can shorten the sleep time. Taking this medicine for a long time can damage the body to some extent, but the girl can't care about it anymore.