In a border Province of the Empire, the Star Gate of the capital was transmitting a floating fleet. On the elegant, streamlined hulls of the ships, a brilliant emblem shone with pure white light.

This was the fleet from the Qinghui Territory.

Although the Imperial Star Gate System had been experiencing intermittent problems, Westheid, needing to send reinforcements at top speed, didn’t choose the more conservative and stable option. Instead, he dived straight into the Star Gate.

As expected, their transit through the Spirit Realm came with a few minor troubles. They were battered by wave after wave of spiritual turbulence corrupted by Chaos, and the fleet barely limped to its destination amidst the violent tremors.

"Report our damage status."

Westheid commanded from the bridge of the flagship the moment they exited the Star Gate.

His subordinate quickly tallied the results.

"...Currently, only the cargo holds on two vessels have been damaged by the turbulence. The other warships have only sustained a loss of shield energy. Overall integrity is good."

"Hmm, practically unscathed. Not bad."

Westheid nodded in satisfaction and said,

"Then we press on. Head for the Dusk Lamp Territory as quickly as possible. Do not travel through the airspace of the Country of Yonglan. Deploy the Ascension Ceremony Barrier and cut through the Chaos Domain. Avoid any conflict with the Yonglan People before we reach our destination."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The fleet began to slowly accelerate. Westheid also rose from his seat and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the bridge. A beautiful figure with silver hair and dragon horns was already standing there.

Her hair, which looked like molten pure silver, fell partly over her shoulders, with the majority tied back in a high ponytail by a black ribbon.

Her exquisitely beautiful face was like a page from an open fairy tale, the very definition of a flawless, perfect visage.

Her magnificent and noble Royal Family battle dress, complete with long sleeves and a shawl, perfectly highlighted the Princess’s stunningly developed figure.

An asymmetrical Holy Tree emblem was pinned to the collar of her dress, stretched taut over her full, high bosom without a single wrinkle... These last two years had indeed been a period of great growth for Reiya.

She wore tall boots, and her shapely, slender legs were covered in black, gold-trimmed, over-the-knee socks. The sliver of pale thigh visible beneath her pleated miniskirt created the perfect ’absolute territory,’ a complementary and striking look.

But the sternness and majesty of her Dragon Blood crushed all traces of girlish, youthful softness.

Though she was exquisitely beautiful, it was an aggressive beauty that mortals found difficult to face, a beauty that was almost confrontational.

"Will it be a major issue, passing through the Chaos Domain?"

As Westheid walked to her side, Reiya turned her head, her magnificent Cang Tong eyes reflecting her lover’s profile.

"There shouldn’t be any issues. We made some extra modifications to the warships, so a journey of one or two days is no big deal... The crucial thing is that we must force our pace. The current situation is a race against time, and we can’t afford the slightest delay."

Plunging directly into the Chaos Domain—such a wild marching route was unheard of. It was only because the warships of the Celestial Vault Kingdom possessed a unique Barrier to resist the corrosion of Chaos; otherwise, traveling over land would be a veritable death march.

If the Dusk Lamp Territory hadn’t already entered a standoff with the grand army of the Knightly Path, Westheid wouldn’t have chosen such an unconventional route.

"Mmm, as long as West thinks it’s fine."

The Silver-haired Princess nodded and said.

Unhesitating trust, just as always.

After receiving Westheid’s letter, Reiya had, without a second thought, brought her entire elite retinue and rendezvoused with Westheid halfway.

"I’m sorry. You finally have a rare moment of leisure, and I haven’t even spent any time with you, but now you have to help me go and support Mivana."

Westheid was quite concerned for the lover at his side who had shared her Tier T0 Talent with him. If his enterprise had shares, then Reiya was definitely a founding shareholder, the kind who had injected a hefty sum of startup capital.

Duke Qinghui had been remotely commanding Reiya for so long via letters—love letters in name, but handwritten orders in practice. He had dangled the joy and companionship of their reunion as a carrot, yet now he had failed to deliver and was instead asking her to help Mivana.

As for the relationship between Mivana and Reiya, Westheid found it hard to judge. But one thing was certain: the two were far from friendly. To put it generously, they were competitors in the field of love.

Since Westheid was asking Reiya to go with him to provide support, he had no choice but to consider the White-haired Dragon Lady’s feelings.

"It’s okay. I’m not disappointed."

Reiya shifted a step closer to Westheid and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Because this is something West must do. To achieve your ideals and ambitions, that woman is necessary, isn’t she?"

"I don’t like Mivana, but I don’t deny her feelings for you... so I don’t exactly hate her, either."

’She really is something else. I’m so touched I could cry.’ 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Westheid was deeply comforted. He wrapped his arm around Reiya’s impossibly slender waist and met the Dragon Girl’s eyes, seeing within them a yearning that burned like flames:

"For the great enterprise West is destined to achieve, I will be by your side, cutting through every thorn and thistle. You are meant to be the greatest, the most sublime—stronger than everyone."

Their relationship could be described as one of mutual admiration; Westheid, for his part, also worshipped the heart of a true powerhouse that beat within Reiya.

Even without her Tier T0 Talent, Westheid would have considered Reiya his true lover. He was drawn to her because she was a genuine powerhouse; Duke Qinghui just had a taste for that kind of strength.

"We may be about to face the most powerful Knightly Path expedition the Country of Yonglan has ever mounted. But with your help, a little difficulty like that is nothing to fear."