Chapter 85: The Leisurely Journey

Chapter 85: The Leisurely Journey

After all, ever since coming to this world, everything about her was basically related to Linis.

Especially her identity as the Elven Queen, which was pushed onto her by Linis.

As she was about to take the reins of power, she needed Linis’s approval as well.

Therefore, even though Airael envied Axi’s lifestyle, she understood that there were some things she simply couldn’t envy him for.

Their circumstances were entirely different.

Axi’s background wasn’t very clear, but his current status was that of a free-spirited mercenary.

Due to his strength, no one dared to offend him too much.

While she had a lot on her shoulders to bear.

Becoming stronger to gain Linis’s recognition and then ruling was important, but even more so was leading the Elven Race to strength.

She was not an isolated individual.

She had to consider the entire race.

As a queen, she had to think about the survival, development, and continuation of her race.

Seeing Airael come to a realization, Axi said no more.

Not long after the morning meeting ended, the knights packed their gear and began preparing to hit the road.

The wounded were left behind, along with some healthy individuals to guard them.

Meanwhile, Airael and Axi said goodbye to the advance team and began to move on their own.

“Weren’t we supposed to head to Mark Fortress? Why suddenly part ways?”

Riding on her horse, Airael looked at the departing group and then asked Axi.

“Who says we have to go to Mark Fortress with them?”

Axi replied with a grin while watching the retreating squad.

“……”

Airael was momentarily speechless.

Okay, fine! This time she was at fault for thinking too little.

Indeed, there was no need for them to travel together to Mark Fortress.

Snapping back from her thoughts, she observed Axi, who looked very pleased, and asked again, “Don’t you want to be with them?”

“Let’s just say that.”

Axi glanced at Airael and unceremoniously added, “If I could, I would love to ditch you too.”

This made Airael very angry.

She puffed out her cheeks and retorted, “Hey! Are you planning to burn the bridge after crossing it? We’ve been through life and death together! Besides, I haven’t caused you any trouble. On the contrary, I’ve helped you a lot, like that time outside when I used magic to clean you up. Otherwise, you’d be so smelly you’d scare even the crows away!”

By the end of her tirade, Airael was dramatically scrunching her face in disgust.

“I didn’t make you follow me; you insisted on tagging along.”

Axi countered.

With that, he spurred his horse and set off.

Airael watched him, opening her mouth to say something but found she couldn’t utter a word.

Because indeed, as Axi said, she had stubbornly clung to him.

How infuriating—!

Frustrated, Airael ground her teeth.

She looked as though she wanted to charge forward and take a bite out of him.

But in the end, she didn’t do that.

She found him repulsive!

She just silently followed behind Axi.

Since he didn’t want her to accompany him, she decided to do the opposite and stuck to him.

After all, according to their previous agreement, he couldn’t kick her out.

Plus, following Axi these days, Airael had made quite some progress.

In such a short span of time, she had experienced several dangerous battles.

The upcoming battle at Mark Fortress would likely be even more perilous.

The two traveled in silence next, as if they had reached an unspoken pact, focused on their journey.

After half a day of travel, Airael couldn’t help but ask Axi, “Won’t we be held up by going so slowly?”

Although they were riding horses, it felt like they were just leisurely strolling, hardly making any distance.

“We could rush there, but the humans won’t get to launch their counterattack on the orcs until Duke Rayman brings in the bulk of the infantry. Even if the human knights were to reach there right now, they wouldn’t make much difference.”

Airael frowned but nodded.

While that was true, Airael was sure there were other factors involved.

The most likely reason was that Axi didn’t want to interact with those people too much.

So naturally, Axi wouldn’t want to arrive early.

However, this leisurely pace was starting to wear on her.

They were about to participate in a great battle.

Even if this battle had little to do with Airael, just going to watch it would be thrilling!

Besides spectating, the upcoming battle at Mark Fortress could also give Airael a rough understanding of the current strengths of humans and orcs.

Although they weren’t the entirety of human and orc forces, she could use it as a basis for estimation.

But no matter how impatient Airael grew, there was no way to change the pace, since if Axi wanted to take it slow, she had to follow suit.

This also allowed Celia and Aurora to catch up with them.

After separating from the human army, Celia and Aurora speedily made their way.

Along the way, they also managed to acquire two horses as their means of transportation.

After all, with this experience, they might end up needing to separate from Airael again in the future for similar reasons.

Seeing Celia and Aurora catching up, Airael was a bit surprised.

“Celia, how did you and Aurora catch up with us?”

“Miss, Aurora and I were worried about your safety.”

Celia replied.

Regarding how to address Airael, they had already discussed it beforehand.

They could definitely not call her anything related to being a queen!

After much deliberation, Airael was left with no choice but to pretend to be a nonexistent young lady.

“I appreciate your kindness, but please trust me; I’m not so fragile.”

Airael confidently addressed them.

Celia and Aurora smiled.

Then Celia chimed in, “Miss, your strength is indeed impressive, but your safety cannot be overlooked. Aurora and I won’t leave your side from now on.”

To that, Airael had no qualms.

If they wanted to stick around, so be it, as long as Axi didn’t kick them out.

She glanced at their horses and asked, “Where did you get these two horses?”

“Miss, we bought them.”

Airael nodded and then didn’t ask further.

Axi watched this unfold, feeling quite the headache.

One Airael was already enough to handle.

Now there were two more.

Though these two women came for Airael, Airael was the one sticking with him.

So now those two were effectively sticking with him as well.

Moreover, if he tried to kick them out, those two would likely be as persistent as Airael.