The convoy continued toward the central plaza of the royal palace.
However, the expressions on the nobles' faces grew even grimmer and more frightened.
Just moments ago, Queen Claudia, the leader of the Witch Hunters, had left the escort with part of the Witch Hunters.
As a result, the convoy's defenses had weakened, and the nobles felt far less secure.
Their faces were pale as they trembled and kept close to both sides of the carriages.
They had all heard about the group of monsters that had suddenly appeared in the royal capital.
Those monsters were every bit as terrifying as the giant beast that had appeared in those waters before.
No wonder Viktor had urgently told the Crown Prince to send the knight orders to evacuate the civilians, saying that war was about to begin.
Wasn't war already on the doorstep?
The only difference was that this time, the enemy was the monsters that had suddenly appeared.
The nobles' legs had gone weak, but they could only force themselves to keep following the convoy.
They were terrified that one of those horrifying monsters from the reports might suddenly appear on the way to the central plaza.
Now that Queen Claudia, the one most capable of protecting them, had left, the nobles felt as though they had fallen into an icy abyss.
They still remembered how Claudia had defeated the Demon of Envy and had even nearly killed it.
After witnessing the Queen's true strength, they had felt completely at ease staying near the convoy while she was present.
But now, the Queen had taken half of the Witch Hunters to reinforce the North District, the closest area to here.
As for the Witch Hunters who remained...
The nobles found it hard to believe they alone could protect them.
Even so, their situation wasn't completely hopeless.
Their eyes wandered over the convoy, lingering especially on Gwen at the front and the Elf Queen Cocotte floating atop a cloud.
As Viktor's fiancée, Gwen's strength went without saying.
As for Cocotte, she was the King of the Elves and a former member of the Mage Council. She certainly wasn't weak.
The problem was that both of them were focused on protecting the elves.
Not everyone believed that the lives of nobles were especially precious.
Even the nobles themselves thought so.
After all, those were elves, such mysterious and rare beings. How could ordinary nobles compare?
Fortunately, the Crown Prince was still here.
Although the nobles had learned from Leopold that Albany's feat of slaying the demonic dragon might have been fabricated, he was still known as the "Perfect Hero," and he was Emperor Aubrey's eldest son.
With that status alone, his strength couldn't possibly be too lacking.
Thinking of this, the nobles all gathered around Albany.
Keeping pace with him, they pleaded humbly and anxiously for his protection.
"Your Highness, we've entrusted our lives to you..."
"That's right, Your Highness. Our lives are entirely in your hands."
"Sigh, Your Highness, my entire family depends on me."
The nobles buzzed around Albany's ears like flies.
With every sentence they spoke, Albany's expression became a little heavier.
But the desperate nobles seeking protection clearly didn't notice his grim expression.
They still imagined that when the crisis came, Albany would heroically save them from certain death.
After all, that was the royal family's duty.
If members of the royal family weren't willing to protect the nobles, then why should the nobles serve the royal family?
Under the nobles' hopeful gazes, Albany slowly straightened his back, as if making them a promise.
"I understand."
"I'll make sure you're all safe."
Hearing that answer, the weight in the nobles' hearts instantly lifted.
They all let out sighs of relief, smiles returning to their faces.
Just as they were celebrating, a guard carrying a communication crystal hurried over to the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness! Good news!"
Joy shone in his eyes as he reported to Albany with obvious relief.
"Besides the North District receiving Her Majesty's support, the giants in the East and West Districts have also been stopped!"
Hearing the news, the Crown Prince's eyes widened.
A delighted smile spread across his face as he hurriedly asked, "Which powerhouse in the capital moved!?"
"It was... Duke Levi, and General Vladimir, who returned to retire!"
———
[Royal Capital, East District]
The wide stone-paved street had been shattered into ruins by the violent earthquake.
Broken slabs of rock and scattered bricks lay mixed together as clouds of dust rolled into the sky.
The knights evacuating the civilians stood behind the retreating crowd with weapons in hand, firmly blocking the overwhelming tide of monsters.
Their hands trembled slightly.
The hands gripping their swords were covered in fine beads of sweat, and fear hid deep within their eyes.
But duty bound them.
They could only force down the panic in their hearts and face the threat before them.
Even so, because of that duty, they could only suppress the fear inside them.
The knights stared in shock at the enormous earth-brown giant towering before them.
It stretched into the clouds.
One hand held up a massive boulder, as though it would smash it into the ground the next moment.
Its shadow swallowed the knights, and its terrifying presence weighed upon everyone's hearts.
Yet just as the giant's arm began to descend, a bone-chilling cold spread across the ruined street like ripples.
In the blink of an eye, thick frost covered the ground.
Ice spread rapidly, climbing up the giant's rocky legs.
The solid ice radiated intense cold, and even the surrounding air filled with thick white mist.
The heavy crystals glimmered faintly, drawing the giant's attention.
It took a step forward, only to discover that its pillar-like legs of stone and sand refused to move.
It couldn't even crack the ice encasing them.
The knights stared blankly at the giant bound by ice and the frost-covered ground around it.
They were completely stunned.
Then suddenly, from behind them came the sound of tobacco burning.
"Sss... haa."
"So this is the earth giant you were talking about, Levi."
An elderly man with gray hair, wearing a fur coat and a thick cigar between his lips, slowly walked in front of the knights.
He took a deep drag before exhaling a huge cloud of smoke with obvious satisfaction.
In one hand, he carried a transparent, glowing communication crystal.
Duke Levi's voice came through it.
"Mm. That's the thing."
"I'm sorry, Vladimir. I failed to take the elves into account, which led to these monsters appearing in the capital."
"When this is over, I'll willingly accept punishment..."
Vladimir picked up the crystal, held it to his mouth, and cut Levi off.
"There's no point talking about that now. Protect the civilians first."
He narrowed his eyes at the crystal, pressed it casually, then tossed it over his shoulder.
The knights hurried to catch it.
Vladimir wore a bright, satisfied grin.
"That thing's pretty expensive, boys. Keep it safe for me."
The moment he finished speaking, he extended his right hand.
A wave of cold rapidly condensed out of thin air.
Fine ice crystals mixed with white frost, gradually wrapping around his arm.
Then, in the palm of his hand, a massive ice axe gleaming with a sharp light took shape.
Resting the giant axe on his shoulder, Vladimir widened his eyes and looked at the mountain-like giant before him.
He grinned, his eyes flashing with provocation.
"You look pretty tough."
"Too bad."
"It's winter now."
———
Listening to the guard's report, the tension in the Crown Prince's heart finally eased somewhat.
He let out a long breath.
The surrounding districts were mostly safe.
That was good news.
But the South District was worrying.
Its defenses were weak, and the civilians there were in grave danger.
What should he do? Should he go reinforce them...
But...
How was he supposed to help?
The Crown Prince unconsciously clenched his fists.
His nails nearly dug into his flesh, turning his palms pale.
Once again, that same sense of helplessness filled his heart.
Just as he was blaming himself and struggling with his thoughts, a voice came from ahead.
He looked up and fixed his gaze on Gwen.
"Your Highness."
"Just a little farther, and we'll reach the central plaza."
Hearing that, the Crown Prince paused.
His gaze passed over Gwen and looked ahead.
Just as she had said, only a few kilometers away lay the largest open square in the royal capital.
It was packed with people.
Groups of civilians had gathered there to take shelter.
Knights stood guard around the plaza, maintaining order and protecting the refugees.
Seeing this, the nobles all breathed sighs of relief, gratitude and joy shining in their eyes.
The safety of the central plaza gave them some peace of mind.
Now they no longer had to fear running into danger.
But at that moment, Gwen unexpectedly swung her longsword, severing the carriage harnesses like a flash of lightning.
Freed from the carriage, the horses reared up and let out long neighs.
With a nimble leap, Gwen mounted one of the horses, grabbed its mane tightly, and fastened the reins again.
Everyone around her froze, staring at her in confusion.
Even Cocotte, seated atop her cloud, frowned in puzzlement as she watched Gwen.
Riding swiftly over, Gwen stopped before the Crown Prince, her gaze unwavering.
"I'll reinforce the South District."
"When I'm finished, I'll go help Viktor."
The female Witch Hunter who had been following Gwen immediately became anxious.
"Gwen!? What are you doing?"
"This isn't the time to prove yourself! Viktor doesn't need your help..."
Before she could finish, she suddenly froze.
A faint golden glow seemed to spread from Gwen's body.
Even her eyes carried a mysterious golden light.
Was she seeing things?
The Witch Hunter rubbed her eyes.
But the faint golden glow remained.
At that moment, Gwen spoke, "But I need him."
As those words fell, a white freezing wind suddenly swept through the air, brushing across the Snow Mastiff armor she wore.
Ice crystals rose with the wind, winding around her neck and head.
Within the swirling snow and white mist, they formed a silver helmet shaped like a vicious hound's head.
The helmet completely covered Gwen's head, concealing her face as well.
Even the horse she rode became covered layer upon layer in glittering ice armor, its entire body wrapped in silver frost.
A spiraling horn of ice even extended from the horse's forehead, sharp and freezing.
Looking at Gwen before her, the Witch Hunter asked in confusion, "Wh... why..."
Before everyone's astonished eyes, Gwen sharply pulled on the reins.
The horse reared up, letting out a long neigh.
With that cry, the cold wind around them grew even fiercer.
Everyone instinctively raised their hands, forced to shield themselves from the snowstorm.
Only Kefra, hidden from sight, continued staring blankly up at Gwen.
The horse turned around, facing her.
The golden eyes hidden beneath Gwen's helmet suddenly gleamed as she looked at the Witch Hunter before her with unwavering resolve.
"I'm going to be his wife."
"That's reason enough."