Faced with the Third Princess's inquiry, Alan fell into a brief moment of contemplation.
Why had he risked his life to stand against the mage army of the Barton Kingdom?
Was it anger at the actions of the Barton Kingdom?
Or perhaps a desire to prevent the people of Ironblood City from suffering?
Maybe it was a combination of these reasons. Yet, a deeper thought surged to the forefront of his mind at that moment.
"This is my country!"
All the fury and killing intent he had felt condensed into that single statement.
He wanted his country to thrive, and if no one else was willing to step up, he would be the spark to ignite the flame.
The Third Princess cast a profound gaze at Alan. His answer had caught her somewhat off guard.
In her mind, protecting the kingdom was the duty of the royal family and its generals, a responsibility many citizens acknowledged but few truly carried in their hearts.
While the Third Princess sized up Alan, the previously fleeing soldiers had now all returned.
The news of her arrival had spread rapidly.
To the people of the Plantagenet Kingdom, the Third Princess was unforgettable.
Especially in a frontline area like Ironblood City, constantly clashing with an enemy nation, the Third Princess was an idol to many soldiers.
"Long live the Princess!"
"Long live the Princess!"
The returning soldiers stood tall, clutching their magical spears tightly, their spirits lifted as they shouted fervently from the walls.
Their earlier cowardice and retreat were nowhere to be seen.
The Third Princess observed this and turned to Alan.
"Let's head into the city first."
Alan nodded, following her into Ironblood City.
By this time, the Lord of Ironblood and others had hurriedly gathered at the city gates to greet the Third Princess with great reverence.
Under their watchful eyes, the Third Princess, riding a blood-red tiger-like spellbeast, entered the city with Alan.
Though it was just the two of them and the beast, the aura they exuded made many avert their gazes in fear.
"Lord of Ironblood, Asam, greets Your Highness!"
Amid the crowd, the Lord of Ironblood loudly announced his welcome, his face adorned with a fawning smile as bright as a blooming flower.
He was elated. The crisis facing Ironblood City had been effortlessly resolved by the Third Princess's arrival, and now he had the chance to host this celebrated figure of the kingdom.
If he could win her favor, his rise to prominence was just within reach!
"You are the Lord of Ironblood City?" The Third Princess stared coldly at Asam.
A chill ran through Asam's heart.
He couldn't shake the feeling that the Princess's attitude toward him was excessively cold—her icy, unfeeling gaze was like that of someone looking at a dead man.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Asam stammered, rubbing his hands nervously.
"In a battle between two armies, what is the punishment for retreating without a fight?" the Third Princess asked.
Asam shuddered as if struck by lightning but mustered the courage to reply:
"Death…death without pardon."
"Guards! Take Asam away, behead him, and hang his head as a warning! A city lord who flees in the face of an attack without organizing a defense—when did the Plantagenet Kingdom start tolerating such cowards?"
The Third Princess's voice, brimming with killing intent, rang out.
The city guards quickly stepped forward to seize Asam.
Asam struggled, but his body, long weakened by indulgence, was powerless to resist.
Terror-stricken, he pleaded:
"Your Highness, Ironblood City's peace is all thanks to me! Even if I don't have merit, I've worked hard! Why must you execute me?"
The Third Princess gazed coldly at him.
"Do you think I don't know what you've been doing in this city? Sucking up to the Barton Kingdom? I've come specifically to deal with this matter today!"
At her words, despair washed over Asam, cold sweat pouring from his brow.
After the Lord of Ironblood's sentence was delivered, the other soldiers present trembled in fear.
"As for you city guards, when faced with the enemy, you thought only of escape rather than defense. On the battlefield, you would be deserters, deserving of death. However, considering the city lord's incompetence and the lack of severe consequences, each of you will receive ten lashes as a warning."
Hearing this, the guards, who had been on the brink of collapse, sighed in relief.
Ten lashes were excruciating but far better than losing their heads.
"Your Highness!"
At this moment, Harris, the head of the Light Guild, and Annie from the Church of Steam and Magic arrived and bowed to the Third Princess.
The Princess's gaze turned cold as she swept her eyes over them.
"When the Barton Kingdom's army was pressing down, where were you?"
The weight of her question silenced Harris and Annie, their faces slightly pale.
Though not the city's defenders, they were prominent figures in the Plantagenet Kingdom.
Harris remained silent, his head bowed, appearing willing to accept any punishment.
Annie, however, was less submissive. She spoke calmly:
"Our train, the Charlie No. 1, had just arrived. We didn't anticipate this situation. Confronting the Barton Kingdom's mage army head-on would have worsened Ironblood City's plight."
To Annie, this explanation, while somewhat defensive, was also factual. Direct resistance against the Barton Kingdom's Sacred Battle Legion, a group of madmen, could have led to far greater losses.
"Is that so?" The Third Princess's dissatisfaction was evident in her icy tone.
"The Church of Steam and Magic has produced someone like you? It seems the church is indeed declining."
Annie's face paled further at these words.
She had already been warned by the elders of her church. The Princess's dissatisfaction might jeopardize her future within the organization.
Before Annie could respond, the Third Princess turned to Harris.
"As the head of the Light Guild, you stood idly by. You will pay a fine of 100,000 gold coins to be distributed among the city's citizens as atonement."
Harris nodded, accepting this penalty. Though substantial, it was manageable for him.
"Alan, your performance today was commendable. Have you considered joining the military?"
After punishing the key figures, the Third Princess turned to Alan, her tone softening.
"If you're interested, I have an opening for the position of Captain of my Guard."
Captain of the Guard?!
The crowd's eyes widened in envy.
While not a high-ranking position, serving under the Third Princess came with unmatched resources and opportunities for advancement.
The offer was a clear declaration that Alan would be under her protection, commanding respect wherever he went.
Many regretted not having joined Alan earlier in resisting the Barton Kingdom's mage army.
To everyone's surprise, Alan shook his head and declined.
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness, but I currently have no plans to join the military."
He still needed to enroll in Lioncrest Academy to find a cure for his sister.
The Third Princess was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed herself.
"Very well. I respect your decision, but the position will remain open for you."
As she spoke, a blood-soaked young woman suddenly stepped forward from the crowd, her determination palpable.
"Your Highness, I wish to join the army!"
Alan recognized her—it was the baker's daughter.
Her face was resolute, her killing intent almost tangible.
The Third Princess glanced at her.
"The army is grueling and dangerous. Are you sure about this?"