The following morning.
The sky was blue and cloudless, with bright sunlight streaming through the yellowing leaves, casting dazzling patches of light on the ground. It was already autumn, and the weather was becoming colder. The undulating forest spread in every direction, with a cool autumn breeze gently rustling the leaves. Unfaded wildflowers swayed in the wind, and birds occasionally chirping in the woods added to the tranquility.
Suddenly, a clamor of footsteps gradually approached from a distance, breaking the forest's silence.
Soon, a large army emerged from the dust, with flags filling the sky like a forest of swords and spears. The soldiers were fully armed, clad in shining armor, holding sharp spears, with swords at their waists and bows and crossbows on their backs. They were armed to the teeth, gleaming with an intimidating cold light.
This was the Princess's army. After nearly half a year of training, the troops finally began to take shape. Not only had the overall quality of the soldiers improved significantly, but individual combat abilities had also greatly increased.
Additionally, Kaguya spared no expense in equipping them with full gear. Even high-ranking officers were equipped with high quality arms, which, although not as powerful as Imperial Arms, were still unprecedented in such large-scale equipment.
This, it must be said, was thanks to the little emperor. Perhaps out of guilt toward Kaguya, he bestowed her with a large sum of money, amounting to almost a quarter of the national treasury. Had it not been for the minister's vehement opposition, the little emperor might have given her half.
"Princess, we will reach the town in about half an hour," a guard said, kneeling.
"Understood."
A melodious voice came from a lavish carriage. A jade-like hand reached out from the window, lifting the curtain, revealing a face of exquisite beauty capable of expressing both joy and anger—Kaguya, the Princess of the Empire.
At this moment, her clear eyes gazed into the distance, lost in thought.
Kaguya originally did not want to conduct such a high-profile inspection, but she needed to exert deterrence to keep corrupt officials in check and prevent them from acting recklessly.
Additionally, by alarming them, she might catch them making mistakes. A sudden inspection might leave corrupt officials flustered.
Lastly, given the likelihood that corrupt officials would be tipped off about the Princess's inspection, it was better to proceed openly.
Watching the pensive Princess, the guard was momentarily entranced, as if lost in thought. Even though he had seen her many times, he still felt mesmerized. It wasn't until another head with a mischievous smile peeked out from the window that he snapped back to reality, his face turning red as he hastily withdrew.
"Princess, are we there yet?" asked Fal, the golden-haired girl.
"Almost," Kaguya replied, grabbing her by the collar like a kitten and pulling her back inside. "Sit quietly."
Kaguya rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Fal, once free of the palace, was like an unbridled horse, bursting with excitement, bouncing around like a little monkey, never at rest.
"I understand." Sensing that the Princess was about to get angry, Fal quickly sat still, though her round eyes betrayed her true feelings.
The convoy continued to move forward, and soon they heard the sounds of a bustling crowd, like a lively marketplace.
"What is happening?" Kaguya frowned.
"Princess, they are ordinary citizens gathered to welcome you," the guard replied respectfully.
"Welcome?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow slightly.
When they arrived at the town, Kaguya stepped out of the carriage and was momentarily stunned. A large crowd of civilians had gathered at the entrance, eagerly waiting and cheering.
As Kaguya disembarked, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers, their voices echoing in the sky.
"Long live the Princess!"
Cheers rose and fell continuously. The people, smiling, stood along the roadside, waving their flowers. As the Princess approached, they threw their flowers onto the path, soon creating a sea of flowers on the road.
Kaguya walked gracefully over the floral path, elegantly making her way into the town, occasionally waving her white hand at the crowd, prompting even more fervent cheers.
"The Princess is very popular," Fal said excitedly, her face beaming with joy as if she were the one being praised.
"Is that so?" Kaguya's lips curled into a meaningful smile as she looked into the distance.
As night fell, the sunset's afterglow slowly faded from the sky, and darkness returned to the night sky. A crescent moon rose slowly from the horizon, casting its soft light like a gentle stream on the yellowing forest. The cool autumn breeze stirred a rustling of leaves.
As dusk settled, lights flickered on, and smoke curled from chimneys. The town's daytime bustle faded, and it now rested in tranquil serenity beneath the gentle moonlight.
In a grand mansion, the lights were ablaze, the air filled with the sound of clinking glasses and lively music, suggesting a grand banquet was underway.
"Princess, welcome to Eissen Town," said a bald, potbellied man with a flattering smile. "I hope you have a delightful time here."
The fat man was the town mayor, Eric, reputedly known for being amicable and helpful, enjoying widespread support and affection among the townspeople.
However, he appeared unimpressive in person, somewhat disappointing.
"Hmm," Kaguya responded ambiguously, her eyes scanning him like water. "But I did not come here to have fun."
Swept by Kaguya's clear gaze, Mayor Eric felt a chill run through him, as if plunged into an icy cave. His flattering smile stiffened awkwardly.
"Yes, yes, my mistake," Mayor Eric said with a forced smile, sweat beading on his forehead, feeling a chill down his spine. The Princess's eyes seemed to see right through him, making him shiver with fear.