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Poliana was impressed.

‘He is so handsome.’

She truly believed her own emperor was the best-looking man in the world. But there was no time to admire him. With his fancy outfit and blindingly gorgeous look, he was an obvious and noticeable target. If any of the Bebero soldiers spotted him from across the river, they were going to shoot him.

Poliana bowed and said to him anxiously, “Your highness, please move far away from here. It is too dangerous.”

But the emperor ignored her. Instead, he turned to Sir Rabi and announced, “I did not order to, Sir Rabi, to bring me a victory against Bebero. I ordered you to study the river and research on how we can cross it. You made a rash decision of attempting to cross it without a good plan. You did it several times in fact! That was your mistake, Rabi. It’s not you losing the battles, but it was you not following my orders accurately.”

Sir Rabi bowed as well and replied, “Your highness, you are absolutely right. And you may reprimand me all you want, but please step back first away from this area! It’s too dangerous.”

“I am very unhappy about all this. This won’t do.”

Lucius the First ignored his knight’s worried request. He refused to leave the place. Instead, he turned to the river. His beautiful green eyes stared at the water as well as the army beyond it.

They were now in the middle of the spring. The Bebero has recruited many more men since the first battle and strengthened their defense. A gentle wind blew suddenly, and Lucius the First’s golden hair danced around his face.

The wind blew towards the Acreian army and it was going to remain in this direction until the fall. Suddenly, a weak arrow flew from the Bebero’s side and reached the dirt in front of Lucius the First’s feet. Sir Ainno, who was standing behind the emperor, finally realized the danger his emperor was in. Sir Rabi and Poliana stepped forward to place themselves in front of their emperor.

But Lucius the First smiled and replied, “I’m fine, Ainno. Step back.”

Just then, Poliana saw that her emperor was holding a bow and an arrow. They were the best-looking weapons she had ever seen. Lucius the First shot his arrow without hesitation, and despite the strong wind, it flew strong and ended in the middle of Bebero captain’s head.

The captain was wearing a helmet, but the arrow went through and killed him instantly. The Bebero archers shot at Lucius the First in panic, but none of them got even close to the emperor. In fact, most of them fell into the water.

Lucius the First murmured disappointedly, “This is embarrassing… Hmm…” He handed his bow to Sir Ainno, who used it to shoot his arrows this time. His arrows killed a foot soldier, two archers, and another soldier handling the catapult.

The best knight in the Acreian army, Sir Ainno.

Aehas’ main weapon was a sword while Acreia was known for its archery. Acreian men made their bows and arrows from the trees that could survive the freezing climate of Acreia. Men from other kingdoms usually couldn’t even pull the string because it was too tough. An average Acreian man could use it, but perhaps just once or twice.

Not three times in a row like Sir Ainno just did.

The emperor only brought a few arrows. This was just to scare Bebero’s soldiers. It should be enough to keep them quiet for a while.

Lucius the First then announced, “I don’t think they will be attacking us for a while now. Before they start shooting again, explore the river well, Sir Rabi.”

“Yes, your highness.”

“Ainno, is your shoulder ok?”

“It’s fine, your highness. You need not to worry.”

Other soldiers began to gather around their emperor with bright faces. Their morale has been down lately due to the recent failures and losses, but with the presence of their emperor and what he has just done, they were starting to feel more confident.

Lucius the First looked around. He saw the soldiers and Poliana as well, but his eyes didn’t linger anywhere. There wasn’t going to be another personal interaction between them, like the one they had that night when he rewarded her with a wild boar. After the emperor left, Sir Rabi also ran to his tent, screaming again like a beast.

Now alone, Poliana enjoyed the wind as she walked along the river. As the emperor predicted, no arrows came from the other side of the water.

Poliana clenched her hands into fists. She was not strong enough to shoot an arrow as Lucius the First or Sir Ainno did. And even if she managed to pull the string, she was not a good marksman. Poliana also was well aware of her limited swordsmanship. If Sir Rabi did take up on her offer and they sparred, she would’ve lost easily. He probably could beat her even without a sword.

‘Whatever it takes… Somehow… I need to…’

Only

She had to do something. Anything.

She needed to become a knight her emperor could be proud of, a knight worthy to be in Lucius the First’s army.

Poliana knew that the emperor would be perfectly satisfied with her being a good aide to Sir Baufallo, a good supply unit soldier. Her emperor was a man who would appreciate everyone, even those who worked behind the scenes, but still…

Every knight probably felt this way. They all wanted to be seen by their emperor.

To be recognized, to be near their ruler.

Suddenly, Poliana remembered Sir Rabi’s question.

“You are from Aehas, right? Then you must know the river well? Maybe you heard something about it in the past?”

The wind blew again, but unlike Lucius the First, Poliana didn’t have long hair that could dance around her face.