The First Magic World War

The distant horns sounded, and a much larger army from South Serif once again appeared on the horizon; Cyrus's reinforcements had finally arrived, and he launched the "Fourth Siege".

Belisa and her three guards had been desperately persuading Charles to rescue Duke Joseph, even subtly threatening him with his parents and brothers, but Charles remained unmoved and cleverly leaked this information.

As a result, whenever he was on the city tops, preparing for war with a "pained" expression, he would receive adoring glances from the people of Silver Pigeon Fort. Many even looked at him with pity, believing that "Charles sacrificed his own future and family for them".

Most notably, Charles "never spoke" of it and stoically swallowed the bitter brew, which only enhanced his stature.

This also meant that every time the beautiful Miss Belisa and her three guards appeared at the city top, they faced universal disdain from the people of Silver Pigeon Fort, who regarded them as a "flood and wild beasts". Had Belisa not been a messenger for the Duchess, she might have already been clubbed and handed over to Lady Southseraph.

No one could endure being abandoned during war, facing enemy slaughter alone.

Only a naive maid like Belisa could think that everyone would be willing to sacrifice for the Duke.

Belisa looked at Charles standing on the city top, growing increasingly anxious. This Westwind Knights was the only military force inside Behemoth Duchy. If it was wasted on Silver Pigeon Fort, there would be no help left for Duke Joseph. Remembering the Duchess's last instructions and torn inside, she looked towards the direction of Interlaken City and suddenly made up her mind. She walked up to Charles, attempted to speak several times, but remembering the information received by Grand Duke Joseph's wife about this man once chased naked through the streets by someone's husband, she couldn't bring herself to decide.

Biting her lip, Belisa thought sadly, "The Duchess said, if even using his family doesn't coerce him to send troops, there's only one last resort left—to sacrifice myself..."

"Such a man..."

"I really cannot accept."

"But the Duke is still in Interlaken City waiting for reinforcements."

As Belisa wrestled with her thoughts, when she saw Charles commanding his men, preparing for battle, she took several deep breaths, closed her eyes, and said loudly, "Mister Mecklen, if you agree to abandon Silver Pigeon Fort and go to rescue Grand Duke Joseph in Interlaken City, I am willing to date you."

It was as if Charles heard the funniest thing in the world. He couldn't help but look at the most beautiful maid amongst the Duchess's entourage with an "Are you freaking crazy?" expression.

He also admitted Belisa was a pretty girl, probably on par with his ex-fiancée, Silvie Martin. Silvie was full of vitality, Belisa was refined and elegant, and having spent years with the Duchess, had even developed a calm and composed aristocratic demeanor.

But...he had a better, legitimate girlfriend!

For a moment, Charles did not know what to say; he was utterly dumbfounded.

The warriors of the Westwind Knights burst into various fits of laughter. Anne frequently visited number one on Sparrowhawk Street, and most of the old members of the Lucavaro District Patrolling Army knew Charles was dating the Earl's daughter, the young Miss Brittany.

Belisa, hearing the laughter of the Westwind Knights, thought they were happy for Charles. After all, as Charles' subordinates, they ought to be pleased at his chance with such a beautiful young lady.

The three guards showed expressions of grief and anger. They had known about this plan before they set off. As admirers of Belisa, they couldn't accept this arrangement, but they were forced to, as Duke Joseph's safety was paramount.

They quietly waited for Charles to accept it all.

They believed no one could refuse Belisa.

They were saddened...

Charles gestured and finally said to Taoles, "You explain it."

Taoles put down her hand covering her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter, and asked softly, "Miss Belisa, did you go to college?"

Belisa's face turned red, and she murmured, "I have self-studied courses from the University of Georgia."

She was ultimately just a maid and had never actually attended college.

Despite her feeling that if given the chance, she would definitely manage to get into a university.

Taoles said, "Do you know that the University of Georgia has twelve goddesses?"

Mosa stepped forward and loudly said, "If Miss Belisa had the opportunity to attend the University of Georgia, she would surely become one of the twelve goddesses."

Taoles slightly smiled and said, "I believe so too."

Although he said he believed, Taoles did not think so at all. The twelve goddesses of the University of Georgia were always the most outstanding current female students. As the Laurel Goddess, Taoles did not think Miss Belisa qualified except for her appearance, which barely made the cut. In terms of family background, temperament, learning, performance, and even the path of Transcendence, she could match the University of Georgia's twelve goddesses.

The Laurel Goddess said, "Charles has a girlfriend he is dating who is the daughter of Earl Brittany and also the West Wind Goddess of the University of Georgia, hence his knighthood is named the Westwind Knights."

Belisa's face turned pale, and after a long while, she whispered softly, "How could he possibly win Miss Brittany's heart?"

"That's impossible!"

Charles helplessly shrugged his shoulders and replied, "You know, the Serpent of Destiny sometimes plays jokes on mortals."

"Those who can withstand the jokes sometimes receive rewards."

"I don't know how it awarded me with Anne."

"Praise the nine True Gods, praise the Lady Black Moon, praise the Serpent of Destiny!"

Belisa grew paler and said, "I don't believe it!"

Charles took out the Hockwell Silver Rhinoceros Mk-10, turning the handle of the gun around, and said, "This is the gift Anne gave me before I went on a campaign, from Earl Brittany's private collection, unquestionably genuine."

Belisa covered her pretty face and ran away frantically, her three escorts also hurried to comfort the lady's maid.

A duke's lady's maid indeed holds a status higher than that of a minor noble, but she could never compare to an authentic earl's daughter.

Belisa truly could not understand how a scoundrel like Charles could win the favor of Miss Brittany, nor could she grasp why the "masterstroke" she discussed with the duke's wife had turned into a humiliating blunder.

Charles had the earl's daughter as a girlfriend, how could he possibly accept a lady's maid?

Even if it was the Grand Duke Joseph's lady's maid!

Taoles watched as they disappeared from sight and asked, "Does it feel especially good to boast about having a count's daughter as a girlfriend?"

Charles seriously answered, "A man with broad horizons will only use this to spur himself on, not to brag."

"If it weren't for the incredible things Miss Belisa said… too preposterous. I wouldn't have sought Taoles's help to refuse her."

"My loyalty to Miss Annie Brittany must be acknowledged by the Lady Black Moon."

Charles spoke righteously, spouting high-sounding but barely believable nonsense. Yet, he heard crisp applause. For a moment, he thought someone was mocking him.

The next second, his face changed.

Was it the enemy?