Chapter 303: Chapter 61: Legend! Legend! (9)

Twilight had fallen by the time Elizabeth returned to the meticulously maintained courtyard. The stone torch basins had been lit, their orange-red halos flickering across the cobblestone ground.

The hem of her moon-white skirt was stained with some of the dust and grime from the Lower District, and there were spots of mud on her shoes.

She paused briefly before her own stone house, her gaze drawn involuntarily to the closed oak door next to it.

After a moment’s hesitation, she took a soft breath, walked to the door, raised her hand, and knocked three times on the thick wooden panel. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

The sound wasn’t loud, but it was clearly audible in the silent courtyard.

A moment later, the door was pulled open from within.

Murphy stood in the doorway, his expression calm, as if he had just finished his Cultivation or reading.

He looked at Elizabeth outside the door, his gaze sweeping over her dust-stained skirt without a hint of surprise.

"Is there something you need, Your Highness?"

Elizabeth lifted her gaze, her dark eyes looking exceptionally bright in the firelight. "Lord Governor of Melfield, I... may I come in and have a word?"

Murphy stepped aside. "Please, come in."

The mountain night was cool, but the stone house remained warm, the pinewood in the fireplace giving off a crisp fragrance.

Elizabeth came inside and sat on a cushioned chair near the low couch. She placed her hands properly on her knees and sat with her back straight, but her expression betrayed a trace of emotion that had yet to completely settle.

Murphy sat down across from her and didn’t press her to speak, simply waiting in silence.

"I... I went to the Lower District just now," Elizabeth began, her voice a little faster than usual. "I brought some food and medicine and went to see the refugees."

She paused, seeming to gather her words. "Their condition... is very poor, but it seems... a little better than a few days ago, and much better than when we first arrived. At the very least, there are no new monster threats, and the food rations have stabilized somewhat."

She looked up at Murphy. "While I was there... I overheard some of the Knights talking. They were gathered together, discussing in low voices... about the battle on the eastern ridge, the final stand at the Central Tower, and... who it was that closed that passage."

Her voice trailed off. "They said it was you. They said they personally saw the light of your sword and heard the soldiers shouting your name. They said... you saved their lives in the process."

She paused, her fingers unconsciously twisting together. "They don’t understand grand principles, nor are they clear on the specific battle situation or how credit is assigned. But they are grateful to you, even worship you, in their own simple way. I saw them with my own eyes, mimicking prayer gestures. It was just for a moment, but they were genuinely praying, and with such reverence."

After saying all this, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, yet at the same time grew more tense. Her gaze fell on Murphy’s calm, impassive face, waiting for his reaction.

Murphy was silent for a moment before speaking in his usual, level voice, "It was my duty. There’s no need for gratitude. They survived more through their own tenacity and a bit of luck. On the battlefield, things change in an instant; no one can guarantee they can save everyone."

"But while they were the ones to seize that hope, the hope itself... you were the one who brought it," Elizabeth couldn’t help but retort, her tone urgent. "If you hadn’t rushed to the ridge, defended the tower, slain the Extraordinary Creatures, and beaten back the monster tide, they wouldn’t have even had the chance to grasp that luck. They understand that, they can feel it! That feeling of being pulled back from the abyss of despair toward a sliver of light by you... it’s real."

Murphy glanced at her but didn’t continue the topic. Instead, he asked, "Did you gain anything from your actions today, Your Highness?"

Elizabeth was taken aback for a moment. She pressed her lips together slightly and nodded. "Yes. I saw the struggles of the Kingdom’s subjects at the very bottom, and I also saw a glimmer of change. They might not have fully understood my words, but I mentioned you, and I spoke of protection and responsibility. They listened. At least, their eyes no longer hold only numb fear."

She paused, her voice growing softer. "Was it... right for me to do that? To use your achievements to comfort them, to... build up the image of the Royal Family?"

"It’s not wrong to act on the momentum," Murphy’s reply was, as always, concise. "The Kingdom needs unity, and the people need hope and a sense of belonging. If your status and actions can serve as a bridge, that is a good thing."

A glimmer of light flashed in Elizabeth’s eyes, as if she had received some kind of affirmation.

She relaxed a bit, leaning back in her chair, and recalled something else. "Oh, that’s right. I heard from Alison that in a few days, once more of the nobles’ private armies have arrived at the fortress, the Church Court and the Ironspine Duke will hold a formal ceremony to bestow the honor of Holy Protector upon the Great Knights who returned from the Deep Red Wilderness. It’s expected to be quite a grand event."

Murphy nodded slightly, not surprised by this.

In an age of inefficient transportation and communication, the "private armies" that could respond quickly and be the first to reach the front lines were often elite mobile forces composed of Knights and their followers. The regular infantry and logistics teams were usually still trekking on the road.

The ceremony was both a recognition of merit and a display of strength and unity for the various factions arriving one after another.

Elizabeth observed Murphy’s reaction, hesitated, then brought it up as if by chance. "In that case... the reinforcements from Monte Territory, and Lady Aurora... they should be arriving soon too, right?"

"Based on the travel schedule, they should make it in time," Murphy said, his tone revealing little emotion.

Elizabeth said, "Oh," and her fingers tightened on her skirt again.

An indescribable mix of turmoil and faint disappointment quietly crept into her heart.

She lowered her gaze, staring at a speck of dust on the hem of her skirt. Suddenly, the warm, comfortable room felt a little stuffy.

Murphy took in her subtle reaction and said lightly, "The Duke and the Bishop will arrange the ceremony. If there is nothing else, Your Highness, you should get some rest."

It was a clear dismissal.

Elizabeth snapped back to her senses and quickly stood up. She suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind and tried to restore a calm expression to her face. "Yes... I’ve disturbed you. I’ll take my leave now."

She gave Murphy a curtsy and turned toward the door.

Just as her fingers touched the cold doorknob, Murphy’s calm voice came from behind her. "What you did today, Your Highness, showed the beginnings of true responsibility. Just stay true to yourself; there’s no need to overthink things."

Elizabeth’s back stiffened slightly. Without turning around, she just hummed a soft "mhm" in acknowledgment, then pulled the door open, walked out quickly, and gently pulled it shut behind her.

Outside, the courtyard night was as cool as water, the fountain murmuring softly.

She stood before her own door, tilted her head back to look at the night sky, and took a deep breath of the fresh, plant-scented air, trying to dispel the tangled mess in her chest.

Inside, Murphy turned his gaze to the fireplace.

The flames leaped, reflected in his deep eyes, tranquil and still.