Chapter 117: The Plan

"Let's go rescue your baby"

"!!!"

Emi was at a loss, did they really just come here to help them rescue their baby? The oldest daughter of the King is here to personally help them?

Not to mention she also recognized the man with the blue eyes, it was the youngest person to ever hold the title of Gold Rank, Azurite Paladin. Well, that title is taken by the golden-haired beside her now, but still, Azurite Paladin is one of the strongest adventurers out there.

"Y-you're here to… help us rescue my son?", Emi stuttered as she could not believe this was happening.

"Well, yes", Princess Sofia raised her eyebrows, she already said they were rescuing her baby.

"But… why?"

"Every subject of the King is important", Princess Sofia fixed her glasses, "But if you want to be more specific… Burgerstatter has been rising exponentially in terms of zonal value and will continue to do so in the coming years. It will be a shame to lose it when it hasn't reached its potential. Also, the leader of the Adventurer's guild here was attacked by the new Golden Pavilion, not to mention your son was kidnapped right under your noses. We can not let the other people from other cities know you are weak, as those who may want to live here might change their minds because of fear..."

"I-"

"...and also", Emi was unable to even talk as Princess Sofia was not done with her… talk, "My fiancee is here. Of course I will personally go, I can't let the other women think I don't care for my fiancee now, can I?"

Hearing this, Antoinette's eyes widened in shock.

"That was true!?", she shouted, "I thought you were kidding!?"

"Eeh", Viel tilted his head, "I never kid around"

She was nervous at first for using the Princess as a way to spread their fame, but it would seem that her shivers were unfounded. She thought that Viel was just joking to her when he first said it. But it felt like a good strategy to raise their fame, so Antoinette did not hesitate to spread it.

Once again, all the people in the room could not help but look back and forth at Viel and Sofia.

The two were currently staring at each other seriously… somewhat. As the two were covering their mouths again.

After a few seconds, Princess Sofia cleared her throat, "T-that's not important", she stuttered.

"First, let us discuss the New Golden Pavilion", Princess Sofia's expression turned serious once again, "Viel, what do you know about them?"

Now, all the people in the room turned their attention to Viel.

He was silent for a few seconds, but then sighed as he sat next to Sofia. "Let's all sit down then", he said, "This will be a long story"

All of them nodded and sat down, with Antoinette getting some cake she prepared and passing it over the group. One wonders why she has cake in her office, it is not because the princess was visiting, but because Viel has been spending most of his time in her office for the past few weeks.

With the group comfortable seated, Princess Sofia warned the group, "Everything you hear here will remain in this room"

They all nodded. Princess Sofia then signaled for Viel to start his story.

"Okay. My sister, Xing Cai, is part of the Golden Pavilion"

"!!!"

Most of the people present had shocked expressions on their faces, except Antoinette.

"...you have a sister?", Princess Sofia asked.

"Ehh. She's not really my sister", Viel placed his hand on his chin, "She's like a sister but not a sister"

"A step sister?", Emi questioned.

"No"

"A sworn sister?"

"Ah!", Viel pointed at Azurite Paladin, "That's it!"

"And as far as I know…", Viel continued, "They are the richest sect in the continent of Choryu. Even my sister Xing Cai's weapon is made of gold"

"Choryu?"

"Yes, it is the place where I came from. Wait… I think it was a country. Ugh, I already forgot", Viel's eyes continued to flicker as he dug deep in his mind.

Princess Sofia cleared her throat as Viel was getting lost in thought. "Please continue about the Golden Pavilion. You said they were the richest sect?"

"Ah yes. Their original name is the Nine Golden Pavilion", Viel raised his finger.

The others continued to sip their tea as they listened in on Viel's intel. But they noticed something, their tea was already finished and Viel still has not spoken again.

"Why aren't you saying anything anymore?", Emi asked.

"Because...", Viel's furrowed his eyebrows, his eyes full of weight as he glanced at the people from the room, "That's all I know"

"What!?", Princess Sofia almost spat out her tea, "Are you not a part of the Golden Pavilion?"

"Eh, no", Viel instantly denied, "Only my sister"

"Is she with the New Golden Pavilion?"

"...No", Viel looked to the floor before answering, "She did not follow me when I entered this world. The last time I saw her was… in the ruins of the Golden Pavilion sect"

"Ruins?", Princess Sofia could not help but be curious.

"Yes, their sect was destroyed", Viel then looked towards Sofia, "...Destroyed by purple vines and treants"

"What!?", Princess Sofia stood up, "Based on our intel, the people from the New Golden Pavilion are as strong as Gold Rank adventurers. Why would they be wiped out by mere treants?"

Viel shrugged, "It's not from our world, I remember sister Xing Cai telling me that it was her first time seeing something like it"

Princess Sofia's eyes widened as soon as she heard this. Viel was found near where she planted the Treant Flower.

Could it be… the offspring of the flower traveled to Viel's world? Then wouldn't this mean… that this was all her fault? The tea that she was holding almost spilled to the floor as her hand trembled at the thought.

Was the Golden Pavilion destroyed because they fought an unfamiliar enemy? It was also possible that the treants became stronger when they traversed to that world.

But something was certain, if she did not plant the Treant Flower there, none of this would have happened.

Sofia easily got lost in her own thoughts. But before she could drown in them, she felt a warm touch on her trembling hands.

"It is not your fault", Viel said, his eyes unwavering, "No one… could have known"

"Viel…", Princess Sofia could not help but let out a minute smile as she felt Viel's comforting hand.

The two once again stared at each other in the eye. The other people present in the room could not help but look at them. So these two… really were together? But isn't Viel too young!? If Sofia was not nobility, then this would be considered improper!

"Ugh!", a sudden groan from Antoinette woke all the people from their daze, "Viel, I really need to know how and when you got engaged to the Princess!"

Antoinette could not even focus on Viel's story as she was so immersed on the thoughts of Viel and the Princess' engagement. She must quench her curiosity once and for all so she can get it out of her mind.

Hearing this question, Viel had a complicated expression on his face. He then once again looked at Princess Sofia, who nodded her head.

"It is just a silly arrangement", Princess Sofia fixed her glasses, "As you may know, I am currently the strongest mage in this country, and also the oldest daughter of the King. The nobles who want my hand in marriage can not be counted. Being engaged to a Golden Rank adventurer such as Viel will surely deter them. It also works in Viel's favor, of course, he is quite the handsome young lad is he not?"

"I...I see", Antoinette wiped the sweat from her face, so it was something like that. The other people in the room, who were also subtly curious, also let out a sigh as they finally quenched their curiosity.

"Yes", Princess Sofia said, her expression… somewhat melancholic, "Now, with that out of the way, shall we continue on our next discussion?"

She then slightly coughed as she continued to speak, "According to the intel we have gathered from the shadows, your son is being held at the main base of the New Golden Pavilion"

"Main base!?", Emi's eyes widened, "But they just took him last night!"

"Yes", Sofia instantly said as she placed her slice of cake on Viel's plate, as he already finished eating his, "Their main base is closer than you think"

"Close?"

"They own one of the secluded villages north from here", Princess Sofia said as she casually wiped off the cream on Viel's mouth.

"Really!?", Emi knitted her eyebrows, "Then why did they only move on our city now?"

"We don't know", Princess Sofia could only shake her head, "And it doesn't matter now"

Princess Sofia then looked at Azurite Paladin, "Paladin, care to explain our plan?"

"Azurite Paladin?"

Princess Sofia called for Azurite Paladin, but he did not answer.

Azurite Paladin has been staring at Viel for a while now, with Viel trying to avoid his gaze. He was currently holding his plate, but alas, unbeknownst to him, the slice of cake that was supposed to be there has disappeared without him even tasting it.

"Azurite Paladin!"

"Y-yes, your Highness!?", Azurite Paladin quickly stood up and saluted as he woke up from his stupor.

"Tha plan?", Princess Sofia pressed.

Hearing the Princess' words, he cleared his throat and returned to his seat.

"The plan is simple..."