Immortal Creed

Upon hearing the horn for retreat, Lucrezia continued to entangle with Ralph for some time, only leaving with the weakened Liens after the main force had withdrawn from the battlefield.

Ralph, feeling somewhat stifled by the fight, wanted to pursue, but was stopped as soon as he gave chase.

"There's no need to pursue... those Rebel Army members are only injured, not completely devoid of combat effectiveness and morale. If you pursue them, it will be difficult to return."

Alfred descended from the sky, speaking to stop his army's pursuit.

After speaking, he took out a Healing Potion and drank it in one gulp. As the potion took effect, a emerald green light appeared on his body, and the flesh in his abdomen, which had been filled with water elements, began to regrow.

However, the wound was simply too large, and too much flesh was missing. Even though the Healing Potion Alfred drank was high-grade, it was difficult for him to recover immediately.

Ralph looked at Lucrezia's retreating figure with a hint of unwillingness, but compared to pursuing the enemy, protecting Alfred was, in his opinion, the more important matter.

This was the first time he had seen Alfred so severely wounded.

In the past, he had never even heard of anyone being able to heavily wound Kingdom's Sword Saint Alfred, let alone seen it.

With his abdomen hollowed out, only some flesh on the right side still connected his upper and lower body. Such an injury, if inflicted on an ordinary person, would likely lead to death very quickly.

"Are you alright, Lord Alfred?"

A Great Knight, fully armored like Liens, quickly walked up to Alfred and asked the same question Ralph was concerned about.

As the "Pillar of the Nation," Alfred not only concerned their victory or defeat against the Rebel Army, but was also key to the Hartwin Kingdom's long-term stability.

It was precisely because of Alfred's existence that even with severe internal strife in the Hartwin Kingdom, neighboring countries only conducted small-scale probes and did not launch large-scale invasions.

If something happened to Alfred, even if they annihilated the Rebel Army, they would only fall into even more severe warfare.

This was something the royal family and the great nobles who shared the kingdom's power could not allow.

"The problem isn't too big, but it will take some time to recover."

Alfred shook his head, indicating he was fine, but his slightly pale complexion and tired tone made those around him unable to feel at ease.

"I will report the situation here to the King as soon as possible, so that they can send you the water of life."

Ralph said seriously.

"Mm."

Alfred nodded, not continuing the topic of his injuries, but instead speaking of other matters.

"Did you clearly see the situation of that battle formation used by the Rebel Army earlier?"

"That kind of battle formation, capable of gathering the mental will of tens of thousands of people, is not simple. Ralph, you should send a message to your teacher later and ask him what kind of battle formation that is? And if there's a way to break it?"

"If the Rebel Army had been a bit more numerous today, I might not have been able to block that attack."

Alfred continued.

Upon hearing this, Ralph nodded seriously, indicating his understanding.

"Collect the bodies of the soldiers, tally the casualties, actively treat the wounded, and send condolences to the families of the fallen."

"If the disabled cannot continue fighting, arrange for them to have a leisurely position or provide compensation; for those with minor injuries, rest well, and their monthly salary must not be interrupted during their recuperation."

"Tally military merits... In this regard, I do not wish to see anyone violate the rules."

"Finally, Ralph, please work a bit more to level this area. The area in front of the city gate is full of potholes, which is not conducive to transporting grain into the city. Everyone else, do a good job with defense."

Alfred turned his head and surveyed the battlefield, then issued orders to Ralph and the others.

After speaking, he looked one last time in the direction the Rebel Army had retreated, his gaze deep, as if containing some profound meaning. He said nothing more, turned, and flew back to Baker City.

After Alfred left, Ralph and the others quickly cleared the battlefield according to his orders, and at the same time, sent the battle situation here to the rear capital.

... ...

On the other side.

Lucrezia held the weakened Liens and walked at the rear of the retreating Team, defending the orderly retreating army from possible enemy pursuit.

"It's alright, you can put me down. I can walk on my own now."

Liens indicated that his injuries had greatly improved and asked Lucrezia to release him.

Men and women should not touch each other intimately.

Although both were wearing armor, there was no direct physical contact between them, but they were too close, and maintaining such a posture would ultimately have a bad influence.

Moreover, perhaps due to being too weak and somewhat disoriented, after inhaling the unique fragrance from Lucrezia, he began to react to her.

This was not a good sign.

If he were truly enchanted, he might have to work for Lucrezia for free in the future.

Lucrezia examined Liens's injuries and found that his damaged internal organs and broken bones had healed significantly under the influence of magic and the Healing Potion.

Although the injuries were still severe, walking around was not a problem. After all, he was an Extraordinary One, and his body's endurance was naturally far stronger than that of ordinary people.

Moreover, Liens had already shown some resistance to her influence. Overdoing it would only cause aversion.

"Bear with it. Isabelle will treat your injuries immediately once we reach the camp."

After speaking, Lucrezia released Liens, and Liens, whose feet touched the ground, immediately used the flowing wind to support his body, making his movements easier.

"The physical injuries are not a big problem; the massive consumption of power is the root of my current weakness."

"Even Miss Isabelle, the Bishop, would probably find it difficult to restore me to full condition. From now on, I should need a good period of rest to recover."

Liens responded to Lucrezia.

"Is it power related to the Grandmaster Realm?"

Lucrezia asked.

"Yes, to ensure that attack would succeed, I expended a lot of mental power... Unfortunately, at the last moment, the Sword Saint still broke free."

Liens's face showed a hint of regret, but he quickly reined it in.

There was nothing to regret. In that situation, he believed he had done well enough. The reason for the failure was simply that the gap between him and the Sword Saint was somewhat large, not a fault in his fighting.

"Mental power is a term I use myself. Specifically, it's a kind of power that originates from the depths of consciousness, born from the heart, similar to spirit, so I call it 'mental power'."

"Perhaps it has a professional term, but my knowledge is shallow, and I haven't found a specific name, so I used my own."

Liens continued to explain.

"Mental power?"

Lucrezia murmured softly, her face showing a pensive expression.

"It's just a name, there's no need to overthink it. When you comprehend the Grandmaster Realm, you will naturally sense that power."

Liens told Lucrezia not to overthink it, and that she would naturally possess it when her realm reached that level.

But Lucrezia was not actually thinking about the name 'mental power', but rather the essence of this power.

As her power gradually awakened, she gained more and more information, but information concerning the Grandmaster Realm and the level above it was very scarce.

This greatly contradicted Liens's own existence.

Theoretically, she should be very knowledgeable in this area.

"It seems Liens believes that I am not yet qualified to understand those things. Perhaps when I find my 'path,' some truths... will become clear."

Lucrezia murmured to herself.

"existence... illusion... is that 'path' truly what I want to take?"

Lucrezia looked at Liens beside her, remaining silent.