"There's fighting down there. Looks like it didn't start because of us."
Baichuan adjusted their altitude slightly so they could see what was happening on the battlefield below.
On the ground, it was clear that two opposing forces were engaged in battle. One side consisted of soldiers from the Colon Kingdom, whom they were familiar with. The other side was less recognizable to Baichuan.
"Those are soldiers from my country," said Katherine, who was still in Baichuan's arms.
"Oh yeah? Your country's military is kind of weak, then."
Although both sides had roughly equal numbers, when it came to fighting power, the Colon Kingdom's soldiers were superior to those from the Mole Kingdom.
As she watched more and more of her country's soldiers fall, Katherine buried her face in Baichuan's chest.
She couldn't bear to keep watching; it was simply too heartbreaking.
Just then, Baichuan landed, gently setting Katherine down on the ground as well.
"What is it?"
Feeling the ground beneath her feet, Katherine looked up, puzzled.
"We agreed to help you mainly so we could gain some battle experience. So obviously, we're not going to pass up a fight like this."
"Thank you…"
Tears welled up in Katherine's eyes. She was deeply moved. So Baichuan wasn't as cold-blooded as she had thought.
"Don't get the wrong idea. We never said we were here to help your country's soldiers.
Whichever side we help will be up to us. In fact… every soldier on this battlefield could become our enemy."
Katherine's face turned instantly sour.
So all that emotion just now was meaningless. He was still as cold and ruthless as ever.
"I hope you stay single forever," she muttered under her breath.
But of course, Baichuan heard her. For some reason, he was always especially sensitive when people talked badly about him.
"Don't worry, that curse won't work."
Forever single? No way. Who knows, maybe he'd get sick of life one day and just off himself.
"Who are you people?"
By now, the soldiers from both sides had noticed the people descending from the sky. Baichuan's outfit made him hard to miss; he always wore a striking white coat.
"We're just passing through. Don't mind us. Carry on."
Baichuan shrugged.
"Wait… isn't that Princess Katherine?"
The Mole Kingdom soldiers began whispering among themselves.
"You're the ones who kidnapped the princess! Seize them!"
"Hey now, are you seriously going to try arresting me in the middle of a battlefield?"
Baichuan smiled calmly. "You haven't forgotten where we are, have you?"
"Damn it…"
The Mole Kingdom general glanced at the Colon soldiers across the field, eyes full of frustration.
"Hey, isn't that Princess Katherine? I thought she was captured by our forces. What's she doing here?"
"You idiot, do you have a goldfish memory? Didn't HQ say she was taken by a group of criminals? That must be them."
"Right… I forgot. But if we manage to capture her now, that'd be a huge accomplishment."
"Exactly."
The Colon soldiers stared at Katherine with greedy, hungry eyes. She was like a piece of meat dangling in front of starving wolves.
Fortunately, the tension broke when Katherine stepped forward.
"General Greenshill, you're mistaken. These people are the ones who rescued me from the Colon Kingdom. They came here specifically to help us defeat them."
"Hey, don't go making stuff up! When did I ever say we were helping you guys?"
Baichuan shot her a cold, judgmental look that said, Don't overestimate your importance.
"Princess Katherine… I can't believe you remember me!"
Hearing her call his name, General Greenshill lit up like a child receiving a gift, happier than if they'd just won the war.
"Of course I remember. My father talks about you all the time."
"Oh? What does he say?"
Since Greenshill had been stationed on the border for a long time, he rarely returned to the capital. He was eager to hear how people viewed him back home.
"He said, 'General Greenshill is a national hero. It's thanks to him that our kingdom remains peaceful and stable."
"The king said that?"
Greenshill couldn't quite believe it; the praise was almost too high.
"Of course. Why would I lie to you?"
"Your humble servant wouldn't dare question it."
Greenshill quickly bowed.
"But did they rescue you?"
Greenshill doubted Baichuan's group's strength. To him, they looked weak and scrawny. How could they possibly have rescued anyone? Especially with two kids in the group, one of whom looked like he belonged in a circus.
"It's true! Don't be fooled by their appearance, they're all incredibly strong."
Katherine even used hand gestures to emphasize their strength, as if that would help explain anything.
"Hey, can you not talk like that? What do you mean by 'look weak'? We look super powerful, thank you very much."
"Hey, watch your tone when speaking to our princess! Apologize immediately."
Greenshill tried to push Baichuan in reprimand, but Baichuan instantly grabbed his wrist.
"I'd suggest you not lay hands on us. Remember, we're here to help."
He released Greenshill's wrist and gave him a push. If a friend touched him, Baichuan could joke about it.
But a stranger? That was asking for trouble.
"Hey! Are you all seriously ignoring us? Are we a joke to you?"
The Colon Kingdom soldiers, who had been standing by, finally snapped.
You can't just ignore a whole army like they don't exist.
"Oh, sorry. Forgot you were there."
"Bastards! Men, capture Katherine alive, kill the rest!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Hey!"
Baichuan pushed Katherine toward Greenshill. "Protect your princess. Shanks, Buggy, let's go."
"Alright! Finally, a real fight!"
Shanks was itching for battle. After getting thrashed by Roger, he'd been looking for a way to let off steam. These soldiers were perfect targets.
Baichuan felt the same.
He'd been humiliated by Roger, and that trauma still haunted him.
But since Rogge was now dead, there was no one to take revenge on.
So he'd just settle for unloading his fury on Roger's fellow countrymen.
"Don't ask why I'm doing this to you, you're generally pissed me off."
That was all Baichuan said before leaping into battle, leaving the Colon soldiers utterly confused.