When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist

She lifted her head and only then realized that the dark green pine and beech trees on both sides of the road had somehow turned into rustling red maple trees.

The half-yellow, half-red maple leaves fell like golden rain, landing on Horn and Jeanne's collars as the wind blew.

He halted the naughty horse, dismounted, and tied the horse to a tree beside the road.

Horn held Jeanne's waist, intending to help her off the horse.

But Jeanne jumped off the horse by herself and walked towards the mountains made of red maple, treading on the grass carpeted with fallen leaves, staring blankly at everything before her.

The ocean of maple leaves swayed gently, as if greeting Jeanne.

"Brother, does that little Celestial Kingdom you mentioned have this kind of scenery?"

"Yes, but generally speaking, it's hard to enjoy it alone. You'll only see internet celebrities and old men and women walking around with strange postures on the thick leaves."

"Do you miss that place?"

"I really dislike it there," Horn paused for a full five seconds, "but when I leave, I find myself missing it."

"Do you like it here? Do you like Joan, Joan of Arc Castle?"

Pretending not to hear, Horn just looked up at the sunset in the maple leaves, which was silently hiding behind the mountain.

As the sunset sank behind the mountain, the red glow on the mountainside gradually faded, and a third of the sky was covered in starlight.

Standing beside Jeanne, Horn didn't continue to look at the red leaves covering the mountains but turned his head to gaze at Jeanne's profile.

Her face was immersed in the twilight, turned into a black silhouette by the light, with long eyelashes flickering, showing no trace of joy or sorrow on her face.

When the sunset completely disappeared, Jeanne's face also sank into darkness.

An inexplicable feeling of suffocation occupied Horn's mind.

"Brother, we should go."

...

On the way back from the forest, Jeanne seemed asleep, silent.

She buried her head in Horn's chest, her body rising and falling with the horse's movement.

Only when they returned to camp did she wake up, and the sky was already filled with stars.

"Your Majesty, you're finally back." Grabbing the reins from Horn's hand, Qianqian sighed in relief upon seeing Horn, "I thought you had been captured by bandits."

"Haha, I'm sorry for being late." Horn dismounted with a smile, scratching his head.

Armand squeezed over to the side: "Your Majesty, we found some clues in the previous account books..."

"We'll discuss this later," Horn interrupted Armand, heading towards the approaching Madlan.

"I'll count on you during this period," Horn said, holding Madlan's hand, "Tonight, go with Buerwelf to the Duke and settle everything. Remember, the Duke is not to be relied on, only used, understand?"

"Understood." Madlan nodded seriously, "I will hold out until you come to get us."

"Does everyone in the camp know where I'm going?"

"They all know you're going to Holy Seat City. They're just a little scared, afraid you will forget them once you go there."

"That's something that can't be helped." Horn sighed.

Turning his head, Horn looked at the twenty-eight people present, among them Kosse, Grampwen, Jeska, Qianqian, René, Duvalon, Armand...

The old followers who had been with Horn the longest and were most loyal were all there.

"Is everyone ready?"

Qianqian nodded: "The baggage is all packed, we can set off at any time."

"There's no time to lose." Horn looked up at the moonlight, "Let's go now."

Looking at the camp that had transformed from nothing, Horn felt a bit sentimental, but he soon frowned again.

He saw Jeanne still in her black dress by the camp gate.

"Jeanne, aren't you going to change clothes? You can't keep wearing this dress even if you like it; it's cold on the boat at night."

"Your Majesty Saint Sun." Jeanne stood at the edge of the camp, covered in dirt, like a newly sprouted chamomile, "You should go ahead, I have something to do."

Horn was immediately bewildered: "Something to do, what is it? We're about to depart; can't it wait?"

"There isn't any later. I don't want to go to Swamp Town."

"Why? Once we're in Swamp Town, we'll forget about Jia Li and them and get married directly, you know..."

"Your Majesty Saint Sun, please stop deceiving me." Jeanne laughed as if crying, "You are the Saint's Grandson, my brother, his name was Horn, and he was already killed by Barnett.

You are a good person; you've always cared about my feelings, trying your best to play his role, afraid I'd be sad.

But I have to understand that my brother is already dead, and I'm ultimately not your real sister or the one you love, right?"

"I could be, though," Horn said urgently, "we can go to Swamp Town, our children will inherit a great empire."

"You are the Saint's Grandson; your mission is to create a little Celestial Kingdom. You see far, too far, too far..." Jeanne looked at Horn's face in the moonlight, but Horn could not see hers clearly.

"And I, and we, we are just ordinary people; we have nothing, our vision is too narrow to see the future, only the present.

The little Celestial Kingdom of tomorrow that you speak of is certainly good, but if they can't make it to tomorrow, what's the use?

I've been following you, doing what you ask, but it seems I've always been of no use; my lightning can't break through armor, my strength is inferior to Jia Li's, my insight lags behind Qianqian's, my strategy pales compared to yours.

As for the lightning infusion you mentioned, you actually don't need me. I believe there are many Evokers related to lightning in Black Snake Bay, and with your status and connections, it won't be difficult to ask for their help.

Staying here, those believers will know I am your sister, the Saintess. They know you didn't abandon them, so they won't hesitate or worry.

Using my own way to resist the Church's army is the only thing I can do.

As for the engagement you mentioned, I know it's a well-meaning lie, because, because..."

After a long period of silence, Jeanne spoke softly:

"Your Majesty, you see, from the beginning until now, you've never wanted to call me sister, right?"