The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1654 - 467: Strategic Transfer_2

His voice was hoarse and lofty, trembling slightly with excitement.

Although his actions were somewhat exaggerated, anyone could feel that his gratitude was sincere and without deceit.

In response to Baron Elaric's thanks, Erin replied with impeccable noble etiquette, then answered humbly.

"You overpraise me, Governor. Resisting Chaos's invasion is an unshirkable duty for every Lord of the Human Clan. We simply fulfilled our sacred oath. As for my bravery, it pales compared to those who shed blood in this battle. Please reserve your thanks for the knights behind me and our allies from the High Mountain Kingdom."

Though anyone could hear it was merely a polite modesty, the Dwarf brothers in the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range enjoyed such words.

Quentin Copper Furnace couldn't help but smile, looking like a smug monkey.

"Your humility is as impressive as your valor. The Campbell people are truly envious to have such a noble knight like you."

Baron Elaric bowed in salute, expressing his gratitude once again, and then his gaze fell on Erin's moonlight-like silver hair.

His gaze paused slightly, and he hesitantly spoke.

"Your hair..."

He had heard that the Princess of the Campbell family had beautiful golden hair, but now it had turned into a lamentable silver.

Though he didn't know what happened, he could guess a bit by connecting it to the legend of the "Light of Praise."

Facing the eyes, whether surprised or pitiful, around her, Erin did not hide and casually tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ear.

At first, she was indeed very sad, for everyone has a love for beauty.

However, when she found out that Prince Colin didn't mind and even praised her hair for its beauty, her unease and sorrow vanished.

She only cared about that gentleman's opinion.

It was so before, and it was even more so now.

"Governor, may I explain on behalf of Princess Aileen?" Theresa, standing behind Erin, stepped forward to explain, "To fight against Kelan, who sold his soul to Chaos, our princess had to overdraw the miracle granted to the Campbell family by Saint Sis through the Light of Praise. You could say it was the price for summoning a miracle."

A murmur of whispers spread around, and the guests in the hall's corners showed expressions of surprise.

There were a very few whose expressions showed shame.

When they abandoned their territories and fled, someone was picking up the responsibilities they discarded, even at the cost of their own life.

How noble that was!

Of course, those who felt ashamed were a minority; the vast majority of nobles scoffed, or even felt genuine aversion.

The only one who could empathize with Erin Campbell, Count Solde Wivert, had long died under the Green Forest Army's siege.

Man is, after all, not a sheep.

The great fire not only burned away dry grass in the pastures, but also burned away the heroism of this land.

When the souls of loyalty and bravery were all sent away, what would be left would inevitably be a horde of extremely cunning, and utterly irreverent rats.

Once the entire Kingdom's heroism is exhausted, the fate of the Devalu Dynasty comes to an end.

This would surely be painful for Theoden's descendants, but those who narrowly escaped the disaster shouldn't rejoice too soon.

For the next to arrive would be the Divine Chosen of Urgos—

In fact, if Selas hadn't blundered against an iron-clad barrier, prompting forces of a higher plane to intervene, he might have succeeded.

In other universes, he had indeed enjoyed success before.

Hearing about Erin, a look of regret appeared on Baron Elaric's face. He sighed deeply, his tone sorrowful.

"So that's how it is... Please forgive my presumptuousness. I did not expect that for us, you would pay such a heavy price."

He was very aware of what a head of silver hair meant to an unmarried noble girl. She had almost sacrificed her own happiness.

"You needn't be sad for me, Baron," Erin smiled gently at the clearly overthinking baron, her voice warm, "In a hundred years, we will all turn to dust. To use this brief life of mine to become a firefly that illuminates other souls is my honor... I believe those who love me will feel proud of me, not sorrowful."

Midway through her words, Erin's cheeks blushed slightly.

What she said was not wrong. She truly believed this deep in her heart, and had always lived up to her vow—to selflessly use her Strength for the people of the Campbell Duchy.

Yet the twist of fate lies in that she was supposed to eternally rest in the last battle but was unexpectedly awakened, becoming an undying member of the Blood Race.

Even now, she hadn't figured out what exactly happened and could only reluctantly believe the explanation Prince Colin gave her—

Perhaps, in the eyes of Saint Sis, her mission had yet to end.

Rather than reveal her identity and bring trouble to herself and those around her, Erin could only maintain this beautiful misunderstanding.

Unaware of her Blood Race identity, everyone was utterly convinced by her shining ideals. Even those local nobles who looked down on her showed complex expressions.

The Campbell Duchy's military action might be understood as a pursuit of land, but her sacrifice was clearly not for worldly land or wealth.