Not long after the wedding, the couple spent a honeymoon in Aachen, while the northern border of the Empire was about to explode.

The Helensing Empire has officially declared war on the Divine Luo Empire, demanding that the Saxon Family hand over the fiancé of Her Majesty Sigrdrifa, and cede the two major border territories of Schleswig and Holstein as compensation to Her Majesty the Queen.

Internationally, it is widely believed that the territorial claims are the real reason for the war, and the so-called "husband snatching feud" is merely a concocted excuse due to inadequate justification for the invasion.

After all, it's rather surreal that two great empires would go to war over one man. It's akin to the historical event of the famous Trojan War, which wasn't truly for reclaiming Helen but rather to plunder this prosperous small Asian city-state.

The Empire's Norman army has not yet marched south, but quite a few thieves from the Norman Region, perhaps miscalculating the day of their southern invasion or eager to act as precursors for the king, have been spreading into the territories of the Saxony Duchy and Lorraine Duchy.

Leading to the border lords almost blowing up the Empire Knight Order's hotline with their calls for help... Since Eleanor restructured the Blade Warrior into the Empire Knight Order, it's taken on the responsibility of quelling internal rebellions, and when faced with any foreign forces attacking, the nobles across the country first think not of borrowing troops from their lords or neighbors, but of seeking help from the Empire Knight Order.

Sir Joel of the Knight Order barely managed to withstand the wave of rescue pleas from the border nobles for a few weeks before finally having to choose a day to discreetly report the issue to His Highness.

Eleanor listened in contemplation before looking at her husband.

"Go ahead freely," Aske said with a smile.

No, you saying that makes me less at ease... Eleanor instantly felt some instinctive doubt.

Because her husband indeed had past instances of suddenly running away in this regard: Before returning to that world, he seemed to have used similar words to coax the already pregnant Medea into confusion.

So much so that a second before the final battle began, Medea never expected him to leave so decisively.

But that time was because he had to go see his mother, and Medea and he hadn't confirmed their relationship, so if he really had to leave, it couldn't be considered running off.

I am his married wife, after all!

With these thoughts, Eleanor hesitated for a few minutes before finally making up her mind.

"Let's get ready to set out."

"Yes!" Sir Joel immediately stood up in joy and hurriedly left.

"Will you be unhappy?" Eleanor turned her head to ask.

"How could I be?" Aske gently embraced her.

They lingered for a moment before Eleanor left his embrace, saying with a smile:

"When I get back, you won't have been run off with by Nora or anyone else, right?"

For some reason, Aske suddenly felt a chill on his back and could only smile as he asked her:

"Hey, what kind of child could be casually taken away by someone?"

"That remains to be seen," Eleanor feigned anger, "After all, you did promise her she'd have to wait for you for ten years! If she comes to visit Aachen, would you hide in the palace and not see her?"

"What you said makes sense, I should indeed meet her once." Aske mockingly pondered, making Eleanor angrily smack him a few more times.

"Alright, let me tell you." She said solemnly, "You can see her, but afterwards you must come back to me, understand? Don't foolishly follow her away."

"Rest assured." Aske confidently promised.

His easy promise made Eleanor even more restless. But to be fair, the Knight Girl wasn't aware of the so-called Flag, so she didn't suspect long, and ultimately there wasn't any concrete suspicious evidence.

Thus, she kissed her husband's lips and then smiled, saying:

"I'm off then, wait for my return~"

——————————————

Pope Palace in Ratlan District.

Bishop Adelaide stood helplessly nearby, while the current Holy Daughter Nora was curled up cat-like on the central sofa, munching crisps and smiling as she watched the screen.

On the screen was footage of Eleanor in Aachen Cathedral, grabbing the crown, putting it on her head, and then rushing into Aske's arms for a kiss.

If Eleanor saw this footage, she would certainly shout "One of us is a traitor," as it was clearly filmed from a guest seat angle.

Yet Nora watched and ate, as if turning all her anger into appetite.

"Holy Daughter, you should calm down..." Adelaide sighed.

"Calm down? Why calm down, I'm not even angry." Nora said with a gentle, cheerful smile that somehow was frightening.

Not angry, those puffy cheeks of hers are about to chew that crisp into powder...

Adelaide held a hand to his forehead and said:

"Eleanor should have already left for the Northern expedition from Aachen, so what do you plan to do?"

"I told you I wasn't angry." Nora smiled sweetly.

No, that wasn't my question just now... Adelaide was completely speechless.

"Look." Nora finished the crisps, licked her slender fingers, then pointed at the screen and said, "As for the wedding, the priest didn't officiate completely, they didn't exchange vows, even the crown was placed by her own hand—how can such a wedding ceremony be valid?"

"Besides, even if it was a legitimate marriage registration, Aske and I registered first in Solomon City. How is hers valid? At best, it's just self-fulfillment. Invalid bigamy, neither God nor the law recognizes it."

No, that one is reputedly something your sister privately arranged, by getting Aske's fingerprint, producing a marriage registration that the person himself knew nothing about—that's the truly illegal one, and it's reportedly been annulled by an administrative appeal from the Pope... Adelaide thought secretly.

"Anyway, Ellie has this kind of character, likes to single-mindedly dive into things she believes are right." Nora crumpled the crisp bag into a ball and threw it into the trash bin beside her, "I can't help it; after she's had the Squad Leader for so long, I guess it's time for me to bring him back."

"Then the excommunication order you mentioned..."

"Obviously just to scare her." Nora cast a peculiar glance at Adelaide, "She's my best friend, how could I possibly wish her dead?"

Wait, is this thing even supposed to be used for scaring people? Don't you know the Cardinals have been heatedly debating whether to sanction the Divine Luo Empire lately?

Adelaide felt increasingly out of sync with this Holy Daughter's mindset, silently pulling out an experimental test strip from his white coat to wipe the cold sweat off his face.

"Anyway, for now let all the Empire dioceses' bishops cease cooperation with the Saxon Family." Nora said nonchalantly, "Furthermore, the promised military supplies and technical maintenance for the Empire will also be paused."

"...Alright." Adelaide felt his head swell. Earlier she said she was the best friend, yet now she's withdrawing all personnel, materials, and technical support, and chooses to do so during her Northern battle—can anyone actually say such things?

Still, she was, after all, the "Angel Walking on Earth," her status in the Church Court exceeds even the Pope's "God's Spokesperson" role, so Adelaide didn't say more, only nodding in agreement.

"By the way." Nora suddenly asked, "The three people who tipped us off, what exactly are they?"

"Based on current information analysis, it is likely they share the same world as Aske." Raphael's electronic female voice echoed in the room, "The opponents indicated a certain willingness to cooperate in their letters. According to chaotic calculations of all fragmentary clues, it's hypothesized they likely have something to request from the Church Court; it's suggested further contact for more complete information."

"A request from us?" Nora pondered slightly, then happily lifted her mouth corners, "Perhaps we can make use of them."

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