CHAPTER 3.5: THE EXPEDITION TO CHERWIND

***The Holy Palatial Gardens***

An hour after breakfast, the Head Maid of the Human Saint, Lily, could be seen walking in and around the Saint’s Palace, as if searching for something…or someone.

“Lady Hawthorne, have you seen Her Holiness?” she asked a passing paladin guard.

“My apologies, Lady von Leese. These hallways are empty until just now.”

“Alright, thanks!” Lily continued on her way. Ever since that morning, Maddie had been missing in her room, leaving only her empty breakfast tray. However, the Head Maid never raised the alarm; she’s been doing that for several times now—trying to sneak out—after that portal to Cherwind opened.

And, she always gets caught, anyway.

It’s kind of annoying, Lily thought. It’s as if she’s taking care of a persistent, naughty little sister, out to play pranks on her. However, she could understand Maddie’s worries as well. Those colossal monsters of Cherwind weren’t something to be dismissed, and the mere thought of a powerless, ordinary human like Kuro tossed amidst those creatures?

Lily fiercely shook her head at that scary thought.

“…”

Honestly, the Head Maid mulled about donning an armor and equipping her weapons a few times already. Then she’d cross into Cherwind and search for Kuro herself. But she also knew she couldn’t leave her duties; Kuro would not like for them to pass their responsibilities in order to look for him.

“…”

Wait, donning an armor…

Acting on her hunch, Lily left the Saint’s Palace and headed over to the Paladin Corps armory. As soon as she came at its courtyard…

“!!!”

“Hurry girls! Let’s drag this trespasser out and beat him!” an off-duty paladin rushed out of their barracks, dragging someone in armor behind. Following her were the other paladins as well, each with a blunt weapon in hand.

“Wait! Lady Nera, what are you doing?” Lily rushed to their victims’ side.

“Lady von Leese! We caught that female trespasser tying Lady Yurie and stealing her armor!”

“You shouldn’t rush to beat everyone who barges in your barracks!” the Head Maid reasoned, “What if it’s the Saint who’s doing that?”

The armor person desperately nodded while letting out muffled moans.

“Her Holiness?” the paladins were shocked in disbelief, “Impossible! That pervert even wore Lady Yurie’s underwear over her face before covering it with the helmet!”

Lily threw a suspicious glare at the armored individual, who fiercely shook its head. “Beat her,” was her curt order.

Getting the permission from the head maid, the paladins surrounded the suspicious person. They were about to beat her senseless, when the pervert finally removed the helmet and revealed her identity…

“So, it’s really Her Holiness!” the paladins were both surprised and amused at the revelation. Maddie had forced her long hair inside the underwear, muffling her mouth and inadvertently ripping the clothing apart.

“Enough games Maddie!” Lily was trying to keep herself from laughing, “You will stay here in the Palatial Gardens, alright? The Chancellor and Lady Henristone are waiting for you at the send-off. Please get serious and give your blessings to them!”

“But I want to come with them!” the Saint protested.

“Don’t be an idiot!” her Head Maid snapped, “You know how dangerous it is out there. As your servants, we won’t allow it; so is Kuro. Think of how he would get mad knowing that you risked your life for his! Stay put, Maddie.”

The expression on the Saint’s face was mixed. Her face was red in embarrassment, yet she couldn’t hide her annoyance after she was caught.

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***Maddie’s portal exit, somewhere north of Cherwind…***

The banners of the several knight corps fluttered in the air, as the human soldiers stood in attention while their officers went around inspecting them. Standing before the armies were the Great Saint of Chersea, Madelaine Ann Rubinforth, dressed in her full armor as a paladin, and her Head Maid, the Iron Princess of Nerfes, Lilyhaven Tamriel von Leese.

“…”

Though she received multitudes of letter expressing support and offering volunteers for search parties, Maddie had to trim down the candidates because of limited resources. As such, aside from the select members of the Paladin Corps, the Gryphon Knights of Chancellor Sir Dane Bellingstein was selected to comb the land of Cherwind for Kuro—mainly because of their ability to fight from the skies and the ground.

She did allow some members of all the armies who volunteered to man the defenses around the portal she opened. After all, it’d be good to everyone’s morale if they think they contributed.

“It is upon my sword,” Chancellor Sir Bellingstein saluted the Saint, “that I swear an oath to bring back the Lord Kuro of Arles alive, or I shall return in a casket.”

“Thank you for your service, Chancellor!” Maddie told him, “But it is my wish that you return alive with Sir Kuro.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Holiness!” the Gryphon Knight captain bowed and kissed her hand.

“Your Holiness…” it was the Paladin Corps captain, Lady Henristone, “…with your blessing and the guidance of the heavens, we will now find the Lord Kuro of Arles.” The paladin then also kissed her liege’s hand and saluted.

“I pray that may the heavens be in your favor.”

Once they were done with the send-off, the Paladin Corps and Gryphon Knights set out into the land of Cherwind…and into the unknown.