"Princess!"
The cheerful cry of Captain Tallinn resounded through the camp as Verk carried her towards the awaiting knights, wrapped in her cloak. If there were any objections about her condition, none were given. The mere fact she was returned was well enough. Though she would have liked to clothe personally.
"Here," Verk offered her to the maids, who were quick to rush her into the tent. Instantly they began their inspection. Thanks to Minerva's blessing, her flesh remained unblemished from the battle. The maids were clearly expecting the worse as they scrubbed the blood from her body.
Of course, they did purity inspection. Much to her displeasure, as it was the last thing she wanted to endure after her ordeal. But the maids had to make sure she'd not given into desire after such a heroic rescue. It was their lives at risk after all. Only after her maidenhood was confirmed was she finally clothed.
This hurts! Though the cloth upon her skin was the softest it could be, her flesh was still tender. There may be no visible wounds on her flesh, but the pain of each invisible cut spiked with every little touch. It took an immense amount of willpower to not break down crying during the dressing process. Especially during the tightening of her corset, which almost left her wishing for a swift death.
"Now that I am proper, I wish to address the knights." Mint spoke with as much authority she could muster. A stool was set outside where everyone was gathered, much to her hidden excitement—Verk was lingering at the back of the group. She offered a radiant smile and bowed slightly before sitting down. "I wish to express my gratitude for your service."
"But princess…" Captain Tallinn and the other knights looked distressed. "We failed in our duty, we deserve no thanks."
She shook her head, "You did what you were able. The fact you are alive after encountering such a vile monster as Biwanari is commendable. I know you would have attempted a rescue even at the cost of your lives. That I denied you the chance is not your fault, but take heart, for your valiant loyalty in following my order to live. Allowed the success of my return."
Gesturing for Verk to approach, he did so with reluctance. He didn't kneel or bow, but he didn't need to. "My, I present Lord Verk, my savior."
"We are aware of him, Princess." Captain Tallinn briefly explained their brief exchange with Verk. "I am thankful for his assistance, but I doubt our efforts were much use to him."
It had to be humiliating for a complete stranger to fulfill one's duty for them, but Verk's noble baring—even as a Halfling—made him divine in the eyes of her human subjects. He was a demi-god in their eyes. If they were made aware of his parentage, their belief would only be reinforced. But she would allow Verk to explain that if he so wished.
"It was thanks to you that I knew the enemy's strength. Knowing who I was to fight was of help, given the haste of my arrival." Verk's praise felt a little flat, but the knights took what they could get. "Though you are a loyal and brave lot, I will accompany you to your kingdom from henceforth."
The way Verk said it left no interpretation it was a request. Not that anyone rejected the offer. Which spared Mint wounding her knight's pride further, as she'd been about to ask for the same thing.
"We're happy to have you, Lord Verk."
-breakio
The remaining journey home was uneventful—to the surprise of everyone. Mint wasn't certain if Verk's presence was merely that powerful or if the Minervians needed more time to recover. She expected raids at the very least, or for Biwanari to return with more allies. But no—the trip was pleasant, safe for the mucky spring weather of chilling rain and mud.
Unfortunately—even though he was her savior twice over—her handmaidens ensured she and Verk were never alone together. Making what few times they could speak stuffy and formal, a far cry from their more casual engagements back in the forest. Both of them were forced to play their respected roles: her the grateful but chased princess, and Verk the heroic and chivalrous swordsman.
Truth be told, Mint's dreams were plagued by rather scandalous thoughts of gratitude she could not give.
"I see the gate of the city head," Mint said as Verk rode beside her carriage—ever vigilant as he scanned the horizon. "I'm surprised no other attempts have been made."
The last few weeks were tense as everyone expected another kidnapping attempt, even with the gates of Bellanyx in view, none of the knights let their guard down.
"They played their most powerful piece first and were rebuked, but I'm surprised there has been no follow up attack." Verk knew better than most how grand the view of the war between the goddesses was. To move Biwanari from the far east to their lands was no small feat. "Perhaps they moved her too swiftly."
The Elfanians were neutral—not favoring the Solarians or the Minervians—if the demonic Minervians focused too much in their direction, the Solarian Saints could gain ground in the east. Biwanari was Minerva's most useful strategic asset, but she was alone in that role. Which is why they wanted Mint to summon Lilith.
"What do you mean?" She asked, not quiet informed on the forces dividing the world.
"In order to move from the east to the central continent quickly, she probably traveled alone, leaving behind her most powerful minions to secure her territory. If the Solarians pick up she's gone, they'll attempt to wipe out the demon lords under her. Those Demon Lords took centuries to cultivate; if they're wiped out, who knows how long it'll take to replace them."
Mint heard Minerva was the path to 'cheap power'. People that chose the path of hellfire experience a boon in strength at the start, but plateau rather quickly. The best she understood it was a demon raising to the rank of Archdemon, such as the Night Yeti. A powerful opponent, but most demons would be stuck as an Archdemon for decades and sometimes for centuries, or forever. For every 100 archdemons less than 10 evolve to the next rank. Of those ten, only one becomes a Demon Lord.
"Demon Lords rival Saints, but very few Demon Lords rival Archsaints, their lucky there are only seven of them." Verk explained. "Though they may vary in power, there are always seven archsaints, and their only hard counter is Biwanari."
"So making a second attempt for me might not be within their power."
"Not without great sacrifice; they might lose more than they gain. After all, the Solarians would stop at nothing to prevent another Prince/Princess of Hell from being summoned. Let alone Lilith. The Minervians' greatest problem is that once they try, they can't keep it secret."
Opening a gate to hell tended not to go unnoticed, after all. The fact they summoned Biwanari was a miracle and cost the Minervians a lot. To this day, over 200 years after her summoning, they still haven't recovered to this day.
"Perhaps we've Elfania's fortune then?" The thought of her goddesses protecting her filled her heart with fire and hardened her faith.
"Perhaps," Verk said, as if he wasn't the embodiment of Elfania's will. He was the son of Alfa, one of the first daughters. Though his identity remained known only to her. He insisted the knights not be told, for what reason she couldn't fathom, but she respected it.
Mint continued her small talk, but Verk's attention seemed to be elsewhere. His silver-green eyes kept to the skies, forcing her to check the clouds for danger. Even using sight to peer through the clouds.
"What's that?" A shadow darted through the morning grey.
"What's he doing here?" She heard Verk mumble as the shadow suddenly dove towards them, gaining shape. Before she could raise the alarm, a tremendous 'boom!' followed by an enormous dust cloud exploded at the front of the formation. The knights readied for battle as the shining head of a titanic silver dragon broke through the dust. "Hold!" Verk bellowed, gently trotting ahead. "Come with me; he wants to speak with you."
"Alright…" she gulped as Captain Tallinn and Dame Lofie escorted her towards the dragon. In the distant she could hear the alarm bells of the city, but the dragon paid them no mind. It merely glared at them with its bright silver-gold eyes.
"Stop trying to scare them!" Verk barked, with far too much bravado for her tastes. The dragon chuckled, its laughs akin to thunder as it glowed and then shrunk to a more modest humanoid size. Though still very tall. "Why are you here, Acht?"
"Is that anyway to address your elder brother, whelp?" A man with shiny silver hair and adorned in the robes of Solaris stepped out of the lingering dust. He was clearly of Yorgish descent, but his transformation and spattering of silver scales marked him as a Drin—a dragon folk. "Besides you should be grateful. I went out of my way to help this little elf lass."
Now that she looked closer, she noticed the man's—Acht—clothes were in disarray. Bits of broken armor lingered on his person, and black circles marred his handsome features. He must have been up for several days.
"So there were pursuers?"
"Many," Acht replied. "Scores of them." He marched towards her, offering a very slight, if not mocking, bow. "Archsaint Acht Drei, consider your prayers answered, Princess."
"Archsaint…" Mint felt her blood chill. This man was an archsaint? Solaris had sent an Archsaint for her? Captain Tallinn and Lofie gasped behind her, having to face yet another impossible opponent. Verk remained calm, though. Acht had called him brother, a common Solarian saying for those of their faith, but Verk wasn't a Solarian, right?
Perhaps sensing her confusion, Verk said, "He's my half-brother by blood; we share the same father, different mothers, obviously."
"Right," she nodded, though that did little to ease her fears. It wasn't easy having such powerful people after you.
"Let's not frolic around. Why are you here, Acht? I know Solaris doesn't conscript, so there's no point in pressuring Mint to join your faith."
Acht sighed, dismissing his intimidating aura, by a tiny fraction. "The girl isn't bound to Solaris by an oath; there was no other way to deliver the message. Our goddess wanted her to know her cries for aid were heard." He eyed Verk with an amused grin. "But you were more eager than expected, little brother. Solaris is disappointed but relieved that you are safe, Princess Minette. Know that Solaris heard your plea and answered, and should you need her assistance again, it shall be given."
"I very much appreciate Solaris's goodwill, but my heart remains with Elfania," Mint answered not just to keep appearances with her guards, but because it was true. Her goddess had answered her call as well. "I do not wish to remain in Solaris's debt, so if there is any favor I can grant within my power for her or you for your assistance, please make it."
Solaris was generous, but it wouldn't do for her to be in any goddess's debt. Better to clear her account now, though Mint wasn't sure what she could offer.
"My goddess demands nothing," Acht said, eyeing Verk. "On principle, I must do the same, but if a gift is offered, I won't refuse, no matter how trivial."
That was unhelpful, Mint internally sighed. Did that mean she could offer anything and would be fine? However, some part of her thought the Archsaint had something particular in mind, and Verk most likely knew what.
"He is your brother," she said, looking to Verk. "What would be appropriate?"
"My home will be vacant for some time; use it to recover for your battle. I'm sure Fauntheia wouldn't mind keeping you company during your stay."
Acht laughed, "You know me well, brother. I will restock what I use. Sadly, my goddess is rather demanding, so my rest will be short, but invigorating." With a broad smile, Acht slapped Verk on the shoulder and said, "I won't be holding back, so I'd advise you to do the same, brother."
With that rather cryptic encouragement, the mighty archsaint took his dragon form and departed as swiftly as he arrived. Part of her thought his visit was less about her than he let on.
"Your brother is rather bold, isn't he?" Mint smiled as they resumed the final length of their journey to the gate. A rather large force of knights riding to meet them.
"He's much more like our father, then me." Verk answered, watching his brother's silhouette disappear over the horizon. "In more ways than one."