Eclair seemed to have overlooked Holo in the plan to rescue the princess, a slight that did not escape Holo's notice. Although her face remained impassive, she was inwardly irked at being underestimated by a young girl.
"Say, Holo, did you receive a mission?" Zhang Fan quietly inquired.
"Indeed, the rescue of the princess. But you, Zhang Fan, are the protagonist this time," Holo replied softly, her lips curling into a small smile.
Side Quest 3: Successfully rescue the kidnapped princess and arrive at the concert venue before it starts.
Reward: 2000 game points.
Not bad, Zhang Fan thought, a reward of 2000 game points. The enemy didn't seem too formidable, or else the reward wouldn't be so modest.
"Then, Holo..." Zhang Fan smiled, turning towards her. He mounted a white Singrabird, extending his left hand to Holo. The bird was sizable enough to carry both of them comfortably.
"A fine man indeed," Holo commented, taking his hand. With a firm pull, Zhang Fan helped her into his embrace, steadying the Singrabird. He signaled to the two girls before leading the way.
"Let's set off then," Eclair sighed, mounting her own Singrabird. Time was of the essence, and they could not afford to dawdle.
"By the way, Holo, have you learned any emblem techniques?" Zhang Fan asked, looking down at Holo in his arms.
"Of course, I am the Wise Wolf Holo. Such techniques are trivial to me," Holo replied, her eyes sparkling with confidence.
Their journey was swift, thanks to Eclair's choice of the fastest Singrabirds. In about forty minutes, they reached the vicinity of Mien Fort, where the Galatian Lion Troops were stationed.
On the way, Ligotta, the artillery expert, had gone ahead to a nearby forest, the best vantage point for long-range attacks.
Galatian troops were arrayed outside the fort in neat rows, a sight that perplexed Zhang Fan. This was war, not a parade.
Regardless, Zhang Fan didn't take it too seriously, considering their enemies treated the battle more like a game. Feeling almost as if he was losing by being too earnest, he prepared for the upcoming confrontation.
"Though I'd prefer to wait for the main force, there's not enough time," Eclair said, urging her Singrabird forward. "Galo's troops are formidable, but we have no choice but to charge."
"Right!" Zhang Fan agreed. A mere two hundred infantrymen were no match for them.
As they approached the fort, the enemy soldiers stirred at the sight of Zhang Fan and Eclair, the Hero and the Dog-Ear Guard Captain.
"Holo, take care of yourself during the fight," Zhang Fan cautioned as they drew near.
"Think me weak? I am the Wise Wolf Holo!" Holo retorted, a mixture of pride and affection hidden beneath her playful exterior.
"Yes, yes, the great Wise Wolf Holo," Zhang Fan chuckled, admiring her adorable haughtiness.
"Here they come! Prepare yourselves!" The enemy soldiers braced for battle, but before they could act, a barrage of pink bombs rained down from above—Ligotta's artillery support had arrived.
With the aerial bombardment clearing a path, Zhang Fan and his companions reached the fort's gates. The enemy, although elite, succumbed under the sheer force of the attack.
"A grand welcome indeed," Zhang Fan mused, preparing his own assault.
"Emblem Technique—Sky Splitter: Single Slash!" He wielded his sword, channeling emblem power into a golden blade that transformed his enemies into beast orbs. His modification of Eclair's technique proved effective on the battlefield.
Yet, as powerful as his technique was, it was exhausting and couldn't be overused. With over a hundred soldiers still standing, and Galo, a lion-man clad in black armor, wielding a massive axe, appearing on the battlefield, the real challenge was just beginning.