Ellie thought of another couple.

“What about Gunther and Helen? Gunther is always so busy running around out there, and Helen sends me letters every day, pouring out her worries that he’s such an easy target.”

Sophia glanced at Gunther, who was standing near Sir Gareth. In truth, even Gunther knew that Helen had deliberately approached him.

Before heading to Oberon, Sophia had confessed to Gunther. She had explained that, due to the salt mines, Helen had purposefully and persistently pursued him at Sophia’s request.

Gunther also understood how much of an opportunity and a risk the salt mines represented for Ariel. Judging by the smile he gave when Sophia told him, it seemed he had already grasped both Sophia and Helen’s intentions.

Even so, Gunther still liked Helen, and Helen seemed to enjoy teasing Gunther. It appeared that, for now, neither of them minded the situation.

Sophia said, “I hope Helen and Gunther get married as soon as the war ends.”

Ellie nodded in agreement. “I hope the war doesn’t drag on too long.”

The two women turned their gaze to the Saturn delegation, their expressions serious.

***

Alex was quietly trailing behind the Saturn delegation. When Sir Dione noticed Alex just behind him, he feigned exaggerated surprise and said,

“I’ve heard that you’re famous for your looks in the Uranus Empire. Even in the capital, people ask if anyone has seen Alex Ariel. Staying here in Ariel must be quite a loss for you.”

Alex looked at Sir Dione, puzzled.

“I’m not sure what loss you’re referring to.”

Sir Dione lightly patted Alex’s shoulder and replied,

“Oh, you know what I mean. Being stuck in a remote place like Ariel must be frustrating, unable to engage in… certain activities.”

Alex frowned, still not understanding. “I have no idea what you mean by ‘certain activities.’”

Sir Dione chuckled. “If you want to keep playing innocent, go ahead…”

Alex shook his head and said, “I truly don’t understand why Saturn would send someone like you as part of the delegation. Was it to make Uranus underestimate Saturn? Or perhaps Saturn thinks someone like you is sufficient to represent them here?”

With that, Alex walked away, heading toward Prince Frederick.

Sir Dione, looking taken aback, turned to Sir Enceladus and asked,

“Are all Uranus people this blunt? Or are they just like this with us?”

Enceladus replied, “They probably don’t feel the need to be polite. And, to be fair, you did cross a line. There’s no need to be rude to Ariel’s people. From the looks of it, he doesn’t hold much actual power.”

“Well, it’d be a shame to waste a face like that without putting it to use.”

“Hm… He is handsome, I’ll give you that. Makes you wish we could capture him as a prisoner later.”

Sir Dione smirked bitterly. “Judging by how the entire Ariel family is still here, refusing to evacuate, they seem ready to fight to the death. I doubt we’ll get the chance to take any prisoners.”

“True enough. Just a thought.”

Sir Enceladus turned his attention back to the soldiers in training. Up close, it was clear they were middle-aged men.

Yet, despite over an hour of training, not one of them had faltered. They carried out the drills without any signs of collapse.

A frown creased Sir Enceladus’s brow.

“For something supposedly staged, these supposed weaklings don’t seem weak at all. What’s going on here?”

Prince Frederick watched the training with little interest. He wanted to speak with Sir Gareth, but the knight was too busy barking orders at the instructors.

Frederick wondered how much longer this monotonous training would continue.

“So boring. They’re just lining up in formations over and over again.”

Sir Enceladus couldn’t make sense of Ariel’s intentions.

“Are they trying to appear weak to lower our guard? But if these older soldiers don’t tire, are they showing that even their weakest are this capable? Or are they simply trying to exaggerate their strength out of desperation?”

Sir Dione had a simpler conclusion.

“They’re just overworking the elderly. I doubt they’ll even be able to walk tomorrow.”

And so, Ariel’s “not-as-weak-as-we-look” strategy was drawing to a close.

***

Sir Dione and Sir Enceladus stayed in Ariel for three days to recover from their journey before crossing the Titania Mountains. During that time, the Saturn delegation’s movements were heavily restricted. This only confirmed that the training they had witnessed on their first day was staged for their benefit.

Sir Enceladus assumed that Ariel’s tight control over their movements stemmed from their wartime posture, reluctant to reveal too much to outsiders. The Saturn delegation could only see what Ariel wanted them to see.

Following this, the Saturn delegation attended a few more training sessions alongside Prince Frederick.

“Is everything Ariel shows us part of a strategy? Is this Sir Gareth’s handiwork?”

As he observed the training, Sir Enceladus found himself repeatedly questioning whether it was all a bluff or genuine.

Determined to uncover the truth, Sir Enceladus attempted to approach Sir Gareth, suspecting that while Sir Gareth might not be the commander, he was likely responsible for battlefield leadership. His assumption was based on Sir Gareth’s evident role in overseeing all the training. Enceladus believed that understanding Sir Gareth’s personality could offer insights into his command style and strategies. However, Sir Gareth avoided meeting with Sir Enceladus or Sir Dione, citing his busy schedule.

Technically, Sir Gareth had no obligation to host or entertain the Saturn delegation, as they were merely guests in Ariel.

Alex Ariel, tasked with overseeing the delegation, quietly accompanied the two Saturn envoys. When Sir Enceladus expressed a desire to see the salt mines, Alex firmly refused.

“The salt mines are Ariel’s private property. Moreover, I’ve heard that Saturn requested the emperor transfer ownership of the mines to your nation. I decline. No one from Saturn will be allowed to enter the mines.”

Sir Dione was visibly displeased by Alex’s resolute rejection and began to provoke him frequently afterward.

Sir Enceladus, for his part, let Dione’s provocations slide.

Jack, serving as Alex’s attendant, observed the delegation’s behavior with disdain. Silently, he cursed the Saturn envoys: Those Saturn scoundrels—vulgar, disrespectful wretches. Jack meticulously reported their every word and action to Sophia.

At one point, Sir Dione stared at Alex’s face for a while before commenting,

“Indeed, it’s no wonder Alex Ariel’s beauty is still a topic of conversation in the capital. Such elegance! When I return to Saturn, I’ll make sure to tell the king about the handsome man in Ariel. He must see you for himself.”

Alex responded with a composed smile.

“So the king of Saturn has a taste for men? It’s fascinating that you’d prioritize informing him about a foreigner’s appearance. Clearly, the salt mines weren’t the sole reason you crossed the border. How amusing. Is this what the renowned Titan Knights have been reduced to? Acting on the king’s whims? Sir Enceladus, this must be disheartening for you. Or perhaps you find it an honor to serve even the king’s most trivial desires?”

Sir Dione glared at Alex.

“You don’t seem to know how to take a joke, Lord Ariel.”

“Is that the norm in Saturn? For envoys to make jokes at the king’s expense? No matter how open Uranus might be, it pales in comparison to Saturn. Truly enviable. In Uranus, speaking ill of the emperor would be considered treason. Saturn must be a fascinating place.”

Jack clenched his fists, surprised by Alex’s sharp wit, given his usual reserved demeanor.

Sir Enceladus placed a hand on Dione’s shoulder, attempting to diffuse the situation.

“Sir Dione was out of line. Surely, no one in Saturn would make light of the king. Let’s put this matter to rest, Sir Ariel.”

Alex replied, “What’s there to put to rest? The justification for Saturn’s invasion is laughable, nothing more.”

Jack, catching Alex’s signal, quickly ran off. Sir Enceladus, sensing trouble, called out,

“Where are you going?”

“I’m off to report this revelation. I trust you understand,” Jack replied without turning back.

Dione stared at Alex in shock.

“How can this be? It was just an inappropriate joke in the course of conversation…”

“Indeed, an inappropriate comment,” Alex said coldly. “And that’s something for you to answer for in Saturn. Don’t bother complaining to me.”

Sir Enceladus adopted a serious expression.

“Let’s not escalate this further. I offer my formal apology.”

“Formal apology? How quaint. After your failed ambush, you switched tactics to diplomacy. Do you think Ariel trusts anything you say, Sir Enceladus? I don’t know what reputation you hold in Saturn, but here, you’re seen as cunning and untrustworthy. It’s obvious that Saturn is merely buying time to regroup its forces.”

Alex’s voice grew icy.

“We’re at war, Sir Enceladus. Using deceit and trickery, you speak of formal apologies? How laughable.”

Enceladus frowned at Alex’s cutting words. Dione, looking uneasy, glanced around and stepped closer to Alex.

“Thinking of taking matters into your own hands?” Alex said, glaring at Dione. “Look to the watchtower.”

Following Alex’s gesture, the two envoys turned to see archers standing ready, arrows aimed at them.

“Attacking an Arielian in Ariel’s own castle? Do you have no shame? Or is this typical of Saturn? A land of careless insolence or deliberate arrogance?”

Dione stammered, “How dare you… How dare you…”

“How dare you?” Alex echoed mockingly. “You attack Ariel and expect hospitality? How absurd. You’ve resorted to cowardly schemes to destabilize Uranus, and now you dare demand respect? Pathetic.”

Regaining his composure, Alex continued with a polite but firm tone.

“I wonder how orderly things are within Saturn. I suspect that within a week, word of Sir Dione’s remarks today will reach your capital. Perhaps even sooner, if Saturn’s ears are sharp.”

Alex smiled at the envoys.

“I hope both of you have strong foundations to rely on. You’ll need them to survive the aftermath of Ariel’s inevitable victory.”

The three men glared at one another before parting ways.

***

Sir Enceladus and Sir Dione returned to their room and spoke.

“Do you think the king will truly hear about this?”

“He probably will. Haven’t you seen those cursed magazines and articles from Uranus? Given the current situation, it’s bound to make headlines. Be prepared. I will be, too.”

Sir Dione paced the room anxiously.

“It really feels like the two of us are going to be held responsible for this war. Those vile Arielians—they’re using personal attacks against us!”

Though Sir Enceladus was inwardly worried, he outwardly tried to calm Sir Dione.

“If they truly believed they could win the war, personal attacks on us would be meaningless. They’re only doing this because they know they won’t win and want to vent their frustrations.”

But Sir Enceladus’s words fell on deaf ears, as Sir Dione was too consumed by his own anxieties.