The banquet ended in a "harmonious atmosphere."

Back in the bedroom of the Octagonal Palace, Aske asked solemnly:

"Eleanor, there seems to be some issues with your family."

"After all, it's not my birth family," Eleanor said lightly.

No, that's not right. Aske thought to himself, it's not that simple.

The main problem stems from Otto II; on one hand, the expedition against the Church Court ended in vain, bringing massive frustration, and on the other hand, the culprit was his own daughter.

People have a natural tendency to deflect blame, especially someone as self-centered as Otto II. It's definitely harder for him to accept his own failures. Blaming it on "My daughter is truly too capable," turning bad into good, is undoubtedly a flawed logic prone to happen.

His self-deceptive mentality undoubtedly also affected his wife and children.

For instance, little Otto, following his father's lead, has also become a fan or maybe obsessed with his sister. Whether he's a fan or obsessed, Aske isn't sure, but that little guy's affection for Eleanor is indeed too high, to the point where it's showing obvious jealousy towards himself.

Diophano and Matilda have a more "being robbed of attention" maladjustment mentality. Every time Otto II praised his daughter at the banquet, their emotions noticeably soured, just without expressing it verbally.

Matilda's reaction was fairly straightforward, while Diophano... Aske's intuition told him that hidden deep within his mother-in-law's displeasure were faint feelings of regret and guilt, so was she feeling guilty for sending little Sofie away back then?

No, to put it accurately, given the circumstances back then, she chose to send Sofie away to the Duke of Bavaria to prevent her from being influenced mentally and growing up to harm Otto. In simple terms, she prioritized protecting her husband over her daughter.

Yet over twenty years later, her husband was forced to abdicate with nothing achieved, while the abandoned daughter turned out to be radiant, so is she regretting her initial decision?

While thinking this, Aske was suddenly hugged from behind by Eleanor, the weight resting heavily on both sides of his neck and shoulders, breaking his train of thought with the allure it brought.

"Where did you buy the pillow? It's quite comfy." Aske laughed casually.

"Don't say silly things." Eleanor swatted him.

She then placed her chin on Aske's head, like a yawning feline, and said helplessly:

"I also understand that my sudden appearance is awkward for them. After all, their family relations have been established for so many years, suddenly having someone new added—it's not something I could accept either."

"And when the long-lost Squad Leader returns, you'll be able to accept it?" Aske asked.

"I wouldn't be able to accept it either," Eleanor joked, "So I have to marry you quickly, lest you run around again."

Saying this, she paused for a moment, then wrapped her arms around Aske's neck, saying:

"Today is Saturday, originally planning to hold the wedding next Monday, that is the day after tomorrow, but I can't wait any longer, so let's have it tomorrow afternoon instead."

Aske: ???

Too fast, too fast, feels like being rushed to sprint!

Wait, why on earth did I agree to this so quickly? What about the other girls? What about my mother? From the start, my mind seemed to default on skipping these questions...

He was suddenly startled, feeling as though he had overlooked something, yet his mind body enveloped by War Law: Rebellion showed no signs of being invaded.

Which means, the decisions made earlier were all natural thoughts derived from within, without external interference or implantation.

"Don't feel it's too fast!" As if seeing through what he was thinking, Eleanor said with a bright smile, deliberately pressing her body forward, "When you were eager to return earlier, how did you use the 'Acceleration Plan' to squeeze us? Forgot?"

"Wasn't the Acceleration Plan beneficial for you all, too?" Feeling the increasing softness and pressure on his neck, Aske grew more distracted, unable to continue contemplating, "After all, everyone is also growing stronger."

Precisely because everyone believed in your Strong Theory, I can't let you be taken away... especially from her, who now controls the Church Court...

Eleanor sighed softly, thinking sadly to herself.

Sorry, Nora.

Everything else can be let go, but the Squad Leader... just not him.

——————————

Copenhagen, Helixing Empire Royal Family Palace—Christianborg.

The "White Emperor," infamous for brutality and tyranny, was unusually all smiles at this moment, bending down to amuse a pretty little girl with dark red hair.

"Say mama," Sigrdrifa said.

"Auntie!" Lilith called crisply.

"If you say mama, I'll give you this to eat." Sigrdrifa took out a lollipop.

This delicacy wrapped in exquisite candy paper from the Church Court instantly attracted the little girl's gaze, so Lilith hugged Sigrdrifa's leg sweetly and pleaded:

"Sigrdrifa mama, give it to me!"

"Here you go." Sigrdrifa beamed.

Lilith took the lollipop, unwrapped the candy paper and put it in her mouth, laughing:

"Thank you, Auntie!"

"Damn!"

A speechless Sigrdrifa clenched her fist and fiercely threatened her, "Call me auntie again and I'll hit you!"

"Mommy, mommy!" Lilith's eyes flashed, and suddenly she ran towards the door, squeezing out a few tears, "Auntie wants to hit me!"

"Why are you two arguing again?" Medea said helplessly, patting her daughter's small head, ignoring the fake tearful and aggrieved expression, "Lilith, don't bully your aunt."

Sigrdrifa: ...........

I found the real culprit!

"Medea!" She exclaimed in exasperation, "Didn't we agree that I would be her godmother? How did it turn into aunt?"

"Don't worry about these details," Medea casually waved her hand, "Just got the news."

"He's back, currently tied to marry by Eleanor in Aachen."

"Who?" Sigrdrifa was first stunned, then a killing intent surged from her body, scaring little Lilith to quickly hide behind her mother's leg.

"Marrying who... Eleanor?"

"Yes," Medea said coldly.

Time seemed to freeze in an instant, scaring little Lilith into closing her eyes.

However, the expected eruption and angry yelling didn't occur, and when she sneakily opened her eyes, she saw her aunt expressionlessly taking off her daily casual wear with her left hand and at the same time extending her right arm to catch the North Wind Axe flying through the window.

"What are we waiting for?" Sigrdrifa's voice was as cold and hard as steel, a world apart from her earlier tone teasing little Lilith, "Let's go."

"Yes," Medea's expression also turned grim.

"Is the source reliable?"

"It was given by a spy."

"Then there's no problem. I'll issue a full war summons, when?"

"Next Monday, I suppose we can't make it in time."

"It's okay. Marriage is just a piece of paper. Does she really think she can rely on a contract to keep that man by her side?"

"Perhaps, you know her character."

"Then you also know my character, Medea," Sigrdrifa shouldered the North Wind Axe, and an ice-cold domain capable of extinguishing all life spread from her feet, bypassing where Medea and little Lilith stood, freezing the entire room in a time-stopping chill.

"If she doesn't hand over that man, then I'll go take him myself."

...........

A few hours earlier, on Pantelleria Island in the southern Mediterranean, the fleet of The Azure Longsword Mercenary Corps was anchored.

Assassins hunted and scavenged in the forest, replenishing the fleet's meat and fresh water.

Undead Wizards went to the southeastern direction of the island, where there were numerous tombs from the Ancient Solomon Republic of the Third Epoch, which could be used to replenish casting materials.

Mia, the current squad leader of The Azure Longsword, stood at the edge of a cliff atop the volcano, gazing silently at the white line where the sea and sky met in the north.

The vice squad leader, Miss Miel, stayed in a cabin of the ship at the harbor, continuing to write her private diary:

"...Under Eleanor's passionate advance, although Aske often felt something was off, each time he thought about his promise to the female knight, a man's pledge cannot be tainted, so he could only resolve to first hold a wedding with her and fulfill his promise. He would find time later to meet his and Medea's daughter, and apologize to the other ladies one by one."

"On the other hand, despite Otto II having explained Aske's demigod status, his wife Diophano and daughter Matilda remained skeptical. Or rather, in their subconscious, they didn't want Eleanor to marry, because it would mean children, meaning power status becoming even more solidified, leaving little Otto with even less chance. But helpless because of Eleanor's demigod status, they could only bury their dissatisfaction deep within, not daring to erupt on the spot."

"Meanwhile, the news of Aske and Eleanor's impending marriage had also reached Medea, Sigrdrifa, and Nora. Theodora and Peggy, due to the eastern campaign in Syria, have not yet received the news."

"So these three ladies also made corresponding reactions..."

After finishing this paragraph, Miel placed the pen back in the holder, blowing dry the remaining ink on the page.

She then closed the diary, pressing her hand on the title page.

The Eden Fruit on her wrist quickly lit up, radiating like a small sun under the full spiritual activation of the demigod, drowning the entire cabin in an endless sea of light.

The Destiny Skill of the Fate Law absorbed a near-immense amount of spiritual energy from the Eden Fruit, simultaneously permeating the notebook completely.

Moments later, the radiance dimmed again.

The world line collapsing towards the future was subtly adjusted once more.

She dragged the chair over, and due to the excessive spiritual energy consumption, the slightly weary half-elf girl came to the window, gazing out at the constantly surging waves. Her fingers twisted a lock of hair by her ear, the pink long hair fluttering lightly in the winds of the Tunisian strait, like falling cherry blossoms.

"It's not right to keep dragging everyone. First, agree seriously, then take responsibility well, attempting to provide everyone with the happiness they deserve. That's the squad leader I like..."

"...Right, Aske?"

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