In that plane, where the Laws were vastly different and dangers lurked at every turn, he had destroyed the node maintaining the portal.

Upon returning to the Main World, he sensed the crisis at Blackstone Fortress. He first dealt with the infiltration on the eastern ridge, then rushed to the main battlefield at the Central Tower. There, he worked with Quentin Thorn and several Archbishops to slay an Extraordinary monster and stabilize the defensive line.

Then came the summons and rewards from the Ironspine Duke and Cardinal Cyril after the battle...

In his retelling, he omitted most of the bloody details from the fighting, as well as the intricate, hidden struggles.

He mentioned Princess Elizabeth’s persistence and her eventual change of heart. He spoke of the gratitude from Knight Armand and the others, and of his tactical coordination with Quentin and the Archbishops. His tone remained even the entire time, as if those heart-pounding experiences were merely trivial, everyday matters.

It was just like over twenty years ago. Back then, he was the Lord of Duval, and she was the little sister who depended on him. He would use the same tone to tell her all sorts of adventure stories from his past life and his current one.

Auroan listened quietly, nestled at his side.

The afternoon sun filtered through the thin clouds, casting faint shadows upon her thick, golden eyelashes.

She would occasionally hum a soft "Mm," to show she was listening, her fingers unconsciously toying with the fabric of his deep blue outer robe.

Even though Murphy glossed over so much, with Aurora’s intelligence and her deep understanding of him, how could she fail to hear the raging storms beneath his calm tone?

’The Deep Red Wilderness... a Desolate Land that even the Church Court approaches with utmost caution. A tide of monsters and Extraordinary Creatures capable of threatening the defensive lines of Blackstone Fortress... one could only imagine the terror. Then there were the tangled webs of power and a summons from the highest echelons... Countless perilous moments must have been hidden behind each of those events.’

But she did not press for details about the "dangers" he had deliberately omitted.

She understood him, just as he understood her.

’Some things didn’t need to be said aloud.’

"You’ve been rushing about for so long, I doubt you’ve had a proper meal. In the fortress... were you able to find anything decent to eat?" she asked, her voice soft. "I had someone pack some of the spices we usually use at Monte Castle in your bag. Have you had a chance to use them?"

Murphy gazed at her lowered lashes and her gentle profile, and something in his heart stirred.

He reached over and took her hand, enveloping it in his own.

"I did. They were a great help." He paused before adding, "The quarters the Duke arranged were very quiet, so I rested well. It’s just..."

His gaze shifted toward Blackstone Fortress. "I’m afraid there’s still a lot that needs to be taken care of."

Aurora raised her gaze to meet his. Her azure eyes were crystal clear, reflecting his image and his alone. "Mm, I know. We’ll do it together."

...

As Murphy and Aurora rode together toward the outskirts of Blackstone Fortress, they saw that the area had transformed into a vast and somewhat chaotic temporary camp.

Banners of the private armies of nobles from various lands dotted the camp. Tents stretched as far as the eye could see, and the air was filled with the clamor of men and horses.

As was customary, and due to the fortress’s limited capacity, most of the reinforcing private armies were quartered here, leaving them to sort out their own lodging and supplies. Only the core nobles and a few of their personal guards were allowed inside.

The army from the Monte Territory was no exception. Under the command of Davis, they began searching for a suitable clearing to make camp, coordinating with nearby allied forces for space. They moved with an orderliness that was tinged with the caution of new arrivals.

Murphy and Aurora didn’t linger in the outer encampment, instead heading straight for the fortress’s main entrance.

The entrance was still heavily guarded, its tall portcullis half-open.

From a distance, the soldiers on guard spotted the pale-green mare and the striking, dark-blue-clad figure on its back. Their spirits lifted at once.

As the pair drew closer, the soldiers along the path—be they from the Peric Clan or from the guard details left by other nobles—all snapped to attention. They pounded their Chest Armor with a fist or offered a solemn salute, their eyes filled with unconcealed awe and gratitude.

"Lord Melfield!"

"Lord!"

The low greetings came one after another, their movements crisp and uniform. Their reverence far surpassed the respect they showed to other nobles or High-ranking Officers.

Most of these soldiers had fought in the bloody battle for the fortress ten days prior. They had either witnessed firsthand or heard tales of the Legendary Knight’s heroic feat—how he had single-handedly turned the tide at the Central Tower.

To these Warriors, who had battled monsters on the front lines, immense power and the debt of having their lives saved were more than enough to earn their deepest, heartfelt reverence.

Murphy gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his expression as serene as ever.

Aurora, her arms wrapped around his waist, took in the entire scene. A flicker of pride flashed in her azure eyes.

They passed through the massive archway and entered the fortress proper.

Compared to the clamor of the outer encampment, the atmosphere inside the fortress remained grim and tense.

Soldiers and civilians bustled about, repairing walls, transporting supplies, and the groans of the wounded could be faintly heard from the temporary medical station.

A few civilians nearby, who were clearing rubble or collecting rations, seemed to recognize Murphy.

At first, it was just a few people who stopped their work, staring blankly at the approaching figure on horseback. Then, whispers began to spread like ripples through the crowd.

"...It’s that Lord!"

"Lord Melfield has returned!"

"And a lady..."

A few of the bolder ones—or perhaps those whose gratitude outweighed their fear—hesitantly shuffled a few steps forward.

One of them, a white-haired elder leaning shakily on a wooden staff, was helped to the edge of the road by a young woman. There, he gave a deep bow.

He said nothing, merely looking up at Murphy with cloudy eyes glistening with tears.

Then, as if moved by some unseen force, several others did the same.