The group left the forest and walked towards the camp in the middle of the wilderness.

Bell was at the front of the line with the warrior who had attacked him earlier. He grabbed the man's wrist tied behind his back with one hand, and held a scimitar in his right, placing the blade across the opponent's waist - reaching the warrior's neck was a difficult task for the Beronite. The other four were under Elio's watch, not far behind Bell; Ann walked beside the boy and held the notebook for writing in his arms.

No one spoke. Only the sound of stepping on dirt and dead branches, and the sound of wounded soldiers pumping from time to time.

The sentry guards in the camp soon spotted them. One of them quickly ran to a certain part of the camp, while the other two guards walked out of the camp gate, silently leveling their spears and aiming them at the slowly approaching men.

Ann took two quick steps and patted Bell's arm to signal him to stop. Then she retreated to her original position, quietly waiting, mentally rehearsing a possible confrontation in a moment's time. Elio rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, his torso straight, his gaze locked on the guard opposite.

About two or three minutes later, another group came into her sight from the back of the camp.

Four heavily armored guards armed with swords and shields surrounded a young male officer, approaching unhurriedly. The officer was not much taller than her, did not have a beard, and his short hair was neatly combed from the middle, revealing a smooth forehead. Unlike the generals of the Violet Empire as Ann remembers, he wore a military uniform with a stand-up collar and tight trousers instead of any kind of armor. His gaze swept over Bell and Elio, quickly froze on Ann's face.

That's Kylo Russell. Ann had seen a portrait of this man more than twenty years later when he was the marshal of the Kingdom of Kulun. The portrait has more lines than the face in front of him, and the chin has a short beard, only the pair of deep, intelligent eyes are like this.

"State your purpose." The man opened his mouth calmly, and for some reason, she felt that the other party's expression was somewhat satisfied, "Or stay here forever." ”

Ann opened the notebook in his hand and showed the handwriting that had already been written to the other party. "Please release Elena and Grum, and in their replacement we will return the five wonderful soldiers to yours."

"Okay." Kylo turned to one of the guards beside him, "Call them both over." ”

The guards immediately complied. It wasn't long before Elena and Grum, led by the guards, came across from the crowd. The two were not tied, their expressions were relaxed, and there were no signs of injury or weakness. The blue-haired nun raised her hand and waved at Ann, greeting her with her mouth.

"You see, I didn't hold them." The man turned his face to look at Elena and said unhurriedly, "They stayed here of their own free will. ”

It was a little unexpected—no, maybe not a surprise. She met Elena's gaze and received an affirmative answer from the nun's expression. Then she lowered her head and quickly wrote a line.

"What is your purpose? If you want to stay away from war, the land of the south should be more suitable, right?"

"As a deserter of the Imperial Army, I did want to go there." Kylo replied calmly, "Until I heard something from this nun's mouth, something that opened my eyes but could not be denied." ”

"What are the facts?"

"The origins and planners of this war, and how it should have been." The man's eyes narrowed, and his expression was playful, "And...... It is now not the same as the history you know. ”

Ann took a breath. Of course she understood what Kylo meant. It was a question she had been pondering before, and it seemed that the man had already gotten the answer—from Elena and Uncle Groom.

"Ariel and I left the church together, and she ...... Went to Fermir's side. The blue-haired nun whispered, "She wants to help him." ”

"Not only that, but the soldiers who survived from the front brought back another piece of news." Kylo chuckled, his expression not showing the slightest joy, "After the defeat of the vanguard army, the army of the dragon slaughtered the imperial soldiers together, and there was a silver giant wolf more than ten meters long. ”

"Also." Before she could fully digest the words, the man continued, "A businessman from the Phil Federation once saw a brown-haired girl with wolf ears walking with the new senator of the Federation. If I'm not mistaken, the senator...... It's Fermir Stark. ”

- How is that possible?!

If it weren't for the inability to make a sound, Ann would have almost exclaimed. Few people knew better than she was about Lily's hostility towards Earl Stark. Turning the Lugland Forest into a dead place, trapping the soul of "Mother" Hissa, and even freezing the villages and people she once knew at the moment of death in the forest. Either way, it's a hatred that can't be easily – or rather, can't be extinguished at all.

Perhaps, as Ariel said, Femir Stark and "Earl Stark" are two people. But Ann still couldn't imagine that the mercenary would voluntarily fight the possible mastermind of the "gray war...... Covenant making.

"What the hell is going on?" She quickly wrote, incredulously, "Why is this happening?"

"I don't know." The Traveling Nun replied softly, seemingly as confused as Ann, "Still, Ann...... It is indeed our responsibility to bring about such an outcome. ”

Ann bit her lip. Elena was only half right, but it was clearly not the time to debate that. She turned to Kylo, and Charcoal trembled slightly, "What do you want to do?"

"The enemy has got helpers, so we need more strength. Otherwise, history risks sliding into another abyss that no one knows. The man stared at her with a sharp gaze, "The Empire, the Cult, and even more factions must unite against the coming darkness. The first step is to use the influence of the Messenger of God to get the people of the Church – and even the leaders – to buy into our goals. ”

It's a crazy idea, think at ease. As an Imperial, gathering forces in the almost hostile Church of San Leon, normal people would not think about such a thing. However...... Kylo Russell, also known for his intrigues, even if he is young now.

"Elena is willing to help me. She wanted to find her lost companion first, and she ended up with three in one go. Kylo's voice regained its calm, "I need any help I may have. Bell, Elio, you are all good fighters. And Ann - you have excellent observation, judgment and analytical skills, and are a good seedling of a commander. ”

Is this soliciting them? The girl looked at Kylo, and the man responded with a nonchalant smile. She couldn't help but be a little moved - it was always a joy to be recognized by celebrities in history.

"Therefore, bring the oracle and the calamity together to all of you at this time." The man paused for a moment and spread his hands, "I'm waiting for your reply. ”

Elio was the first to say that no matter what Ann chooses, he will always follow. Bell walked up to Elena and clenched his hands a little nervously.

"You're all right...... That's it. He looked left and right, hesitated for a moment, and hammered his fist hard into his right palm, "I don't like that Huruman." I want to figure out why Lily ...... The head of the regiment, willing to help him. The Peronite turned his head and glared at Kylo's face, "You, can you let me see her?" ”

"I'll do my best." The Wise General of the Empire stared at Bell earnestly, "There is no definite history that has not yet happened. But I hope that it will be better than what you see in the history books. ”

Bell nodded, exhaling vigorously, as if he had made up his mind. "Okay, the earth elves are on top, so I'll leave it to you for the time being!"

"Uncle Grum, what's your choice?" The maiden walked up to Elena and looked at the older and experienced warrior.

"I promise to walk with her until I find your trace." Grandfather's former guard glanced at Elena, then turned to her, his eyes full of anticipation, "Now that you're the employer, it's up to you to take care of everything." ”

As a result, only Ann is left with a choice. No one urged him, and everyone in the room understood that it was a slightly difficult decision.

She was hesitant. Choosing to join Kylo's side means facing countless challenges, dangers, and even enemies of one-time companions. But on the other hand, being able to walk with famous wise generals and learn from each other's strategies and knowledge also makes her yearn for it.

The girl looked up at the crystal clear night sky.

'Tess' had just risen from the east side of the zenith, which happened to be a semicircle at this time, indicating that autumn was a quarter of the way through. At this time of year, it should travel all the way through the constellations of Whiteboat, Stag and Crystal, and then fade away in the morning light of the new day. Following the predetermined trajectory of the Silver Moon, Ann easily found the brightest star in the crystal that represented Etias.

The distant stars have no real connection to the gods. Rather than the astrological rumors that circulated among the people, Ann believed in the astronomical books written and compiled by wizards that she had read in her grandfather's study. It's what she's preparing for an adventure – the stars are one of the best signposts, both at sea and at night. However, the gods ...... Or the oracle is still real.

The girl prayed softly in her heart. If the "Lord of History" could see everything in front of her, could he tell her what was the best choice?

No one answered. The problem was back to herself.

Many eyes were on her, and Ann didn't need to confirm them one by one to feel the concern from them. Ann closed her eyes and used her vivid memory to replay the scenes since she left home in her heart.

It was Elena who promised to help her find a cure for her voicelessness, it was Alphonse who used his body to block a giant scorpion blow for her, it was Bell who often complained but always did his part, it was Grum's solid arms, and Elio Sunshine's smile. It's what ties it all together, the words of the "head of the regiment"—

"One day, we will become the strongest mercenary group in the whole continent! We will not give up until that day, you ...... It's the same, huh? ”

The nun was half right. After this journey, perhaps she will leave the mercenary group and embark on a new adventure with Elio and Grum. But at least now, as a member of the 'Lilianor Regiment', confirm what happened to the Captain...... It's their responsibility.

Ann brushed away the long hair on her forehead and took a gentle breath, feeling that her heart suddenly became much clearer. She exchanged glances with her former companions, opened the notebook in her hand, and walked over to Kylo.

"May I ask you a few questions?"

The Wise General of the Empire looked at her and nodded in anticipation.

"The people who are following you are not only in front of you, right?"

"Of course." Kylo glanced back at the tent, "Some have gone to the Church, and others, as you say, are preparing to establish a stronghold on the south side of the Forest of Parting. He shook his head slightly, "I learned of the messengers of the gods, and I sent someone to find them...... It's a pity that because of identity and communication, there were some misunderstandings. ”

"Who made your subordinates speak indistinctly!" Bell muttered quietly, "I'm still carrying a weapon, and I'm here to get in trouble, no matter how I look at it." ”

Bell's words unraveled another of her outdated doubts. Ann pondered for a moment, then put pen to paper on what she really cared about.

"What do you think Lily will do?"

"There's probably only one biggest." Kylo lowered his voice and said the same thing she expected, "Fermir Stark needs more than just Lily's strength. Edda's children, who live in the boreal forest...... Those "gods who dwell in this world" are enough to be an army as mighty as dragons. ”

"A large group of Lily Captains...... When I think about it this way, I always feel that the chances of us winning are slim. Elio clutched his head and groaned, "Ann, Kylo, you must have some idea that will allow us to win!" ”

That's hard to tell. If everything is certain, how can it be called a 'future'? The girl raised her eyebrows and looked at Kylo, turning the question to the other person.

"I can't guarantee it." The Empire's wise generals did not appear worried, "but there is hope." Every "unknown" in this continent may be our future help. ”

That's exactly what she guessed. The girl closed the notebook in her hand and handed it to the other party with the palm of her right hand facing up. The man raised his hand as well and gave her a gentle high-five.

The power of the individual is mostly insignificant in a war. But for Ann, it was another life-changing covenant after her grandfather's approval.

Although at this time she can't be sure.

"I say, General...... And this young lady. The voice came from behind, it was the male sergeant who claimed to be a 'hunter', "You can let us go now, right?" You see, Duncan's two arms are broken, and he is still waiting to catch them! ”

Ann hurriedly turned around and motioned for Elio and Bell to let them go. At the same time, Kylo Russell's voice rang out, this time with a clear smile.

"Go to Mabel for treatment. Then, one report for each person except Duncan. From the time you accept the order until you fail, plus a review and analysis of the reasons - no less than ten pages, to be handed over to me by noon to-morrow. ”

The exaggerated screams of several 'soldiers' were heard. Ann remembered the words she had written in her grandfather's tower at the beginning, and there was a faint anticipation in her heart.

"I want to travel. to become the greatest explorer."

She had been mistaken about something - the world in front of her was no longer history, but the "present" that belonged to them. In front of the girl, it is an "adventure" that no one has ever experienced before, and it is difficult to even imagine.

If they work hard enough, how far can she, Elio, Grum, Elena and Bell, plus Kylo and more with ideals, go?

That's what she wants to confirm, what she really wants about this world.