"How are you feeling?" Anna patted Nana Wa's back. Her stomach was churning with unease, but she managed to keep it in.
When the wounded was carried up, God remained conscious, repeatedly chanting, 'Save me, save me...' The despair and pleading in his eyes were heart-wrenching. Upon seeing the piece of intestine hanging outside his abdomen, Nana Wa immediately vomited it out.
Despite this, she insisted on completing the treatment. After Brian assisted in repositioning the intestine into the patient's abdomen, Nana Wa extended her hand and, with her eyes closed, healed the wound.
"Hmm..." The little girl's face was a bit listless as she leaned against Anna, whispering, "I've never heard a horn today. Is Your Highness in trouble?" "Not sure," Anna shook her head. She longed to go to the city walls, yet feared she might cause Roland trouble. Now she felt a twinge of envy for Nightingale—her ability to move silently was truly convenient.
Just then, a dull thud came from the direction of the city wall, and everyone felt a slight tremor.
Brian stood up and paced restlessly around the room.
"Relax, young man," Baron Payne stroked his longsword, "losing composure before the battle will only worsen the outcome. And it's far from disastrous." "I'm sorry, sir," Brian replied, "I just couldn't bear to waste time here while others fought desperately on the walls. Guarding this town is my duty." "Perhaps," Payne shrugged, "but guarding the town isn't your sole responsibility. Now that Your Highness has decreed you Knight after winter, you should understand that loyalty is the first principle of a Knight. Since he needs you to protect Anna, you must fulfill your duty." "You... you're right." Brian hesitated briefly before retaking his seat.
But soon, they heard the second trumpet blast—more urgent than the first, like a thunderclap that shook everyone's heart.
Paine frowned.
"Anna!" Nana Wa exclaimed.
He turned around and saw Witch walking straight toward the door. Brian immediately chased after her and blocked her path.
"Didn't you say you wanted to guard the city walls? Now is the time," Anna said calmly. "As long as you follow me, it won't be a violation of Your Highness's orders." Brian was stunned. He looked up at Payne.
"What a remarkable girl," the baron mused, "at least this statement is beyond reproach. After all, Your Royal Highness has no obligation to keep her in the medical facility. And as Nana Wa mentioned, she possesses the power to summon flames. If the situation grows truly critical, the involvement of a Witch might well turn the tide."
At this thought, he nodded. "Protect her." "Yes!" Brian shot up, answering loudly.
As the two departed, Nana Wa asked, "Father, you're leaving?" "This is my battlefield, my dear daughter," the baron smiled. "Whether it's the evil beast or the Devil, I won't let them harm you." The medical center was just a short distance from the city walls. Anna and Brian ran eastward along the cobblestone path beside the wall. When they reached the central watchtower, they realized the situation had turned dire.
A massive breach had been breached in the wall, with Roland's personal guards holding their shields against it, though several still fell to the ground. Most striking was a long-tusked beast resembling a wild boar, whose charge was unstoppable—its front guard was sent flying, shield and all.
"Hey, it's dangerous here, get out of here!" someone shouted as they spotted Anna in a strange outfit.
Anna paid no heed, walking straight toward the gap. The monstrous beast, having burst from the crowd, abruptly changed course and charged at her. Brian, the guard, swiftly moved to the side, crouching low and swinging his sword horizontally. The frenzied creature had no intention of dodging—its front leg struck the blade, sending the long sword flying in an instant. The force of the impact also shattered the fractured leg bone from the gaping wound.
It screamed as it tumbled to the ground, writhing like a dehydrated fish, and for a moment, no one dared to approach. Anna walked to the monster, pressed her hands to the ground, and flames instantly erupted from beneath its body, quickly reducing it to a charred mass.
Roland noticed the sudden surge of flames. When he realized Anna had personally stepped in, he broke out in a cold sweat.
This is not in my plan!
He had initially planned to have Nana Wa win over the militia, then reveal Anna's existence once most members had accepted Witch.
But it was too late to say anything now. He immediately turned around and said, "Leave me alone. Go protect her!" Anna absolutely could not afford to fail. As a key figure in the replacement of critical industrial development processes, her injury would result in incalculable losses.
"I understand," the Nightingale said, "and I urge you to stay safe." Anna approached the breach in the wall. Most of Roland's personal guards, who had seen the girl in her peculiar attire, made way for her. She stood within the shield wall, arms outstretched. Flames surged from her palms like vines, climbing upward along the wall's fracture.
All who witnessed this spectacle were left speechless. They could hardly believe as a wall of flames slowly rose, sealing the breach in the city wall. This was no illusion—the scorching heat from the flames forced the Imperial Guards to retreat, while the surrounding snow rapidly melted, forming swirling white mist.
The demonic beasts, sensing the scorching heat of the fire wall, scattered in all directions. Occasionally, one or two would charge headlong into the flames, but barely two steps later, they would be consumed by the inferno.
"Everyone, climb the wall!" Roland shouted, seizing the moment. "Reform the lance squad! Orion, take your liberty!" With that, he snatched Carter's musket, scaled the wall, and fired at the beast with no escape.
Prince's gesture instantly galvanized the crowd. In this day and age, it's rare for nobles or royalty to lead from the front. When Roland, the Fourth Prince of the kingdom, chose to fight alongside a militia drawn from commoners, the morale boost was nothing short of spectacular.
The crowd shouted the rallying cry "Defend Border Town! Fight for Your Royal Highness!" while maintaining the defensive formation as if the walls were still intact.
The battle raged until dusk, when the city walls stood empty of any living creatures.
The flames gradually faded, and Anna wiped the sweat from her forehead before walking out of the broken space.
Then, Roland witnessed an astonishing scene.
The guards clasped their fists and pressed them to their chests, bowing to her in salute. Then the militiamen, as if infected, fell silent—no one uttered the words 'evil demon' or 'witch,' but merely stared at her in silence. A brief lull of peace settled over the border after the battle.
A force one has never seen is indeed terrifying, but when this force stands by one's side, fighting alongside one against the evil enemy, fear gradually fades away, replaced by trust and gratitude.
Roland suppressed his excitement and approached Anna, only to find her pale, staggering, and swaying unsteadily.
"Are you alright?" He held the girl's shoulders with concern. She forced a smile at Prince and then collapsed into his arms.