The first one to respond was the old warrior. He bent his knee and solemnly said.

"Your loyal servant, William, will make sure to complete this grand mission!"

With him taking the lead, the others soon followed.

"I, Warrick, will help Your Majesty unite the desolate region!"

"Your lowly servant, Rigor, will go through fire and water for your..."

"Your unworthy spear, Aldrin, shall complete..."

"Your..."

Alaric glanced at the loyal warriors kneeling before him, his eyes shining with pride and satisfaction. These men were the backbone of House Silversword.

"Knowing that you all will remain here, I feel reassured to leave the desolate region."

The warriors felt boundless pride upon hearing his words. There was nothing more honorable than receiving their lord’s praise.

Alaric gestured for them to rise and issued a command. "Make all the necessary preparations! In a month, the expedition team must depart at once!"

"We obey your commands!"

After the warriors dispersed, Alaric faced Yvanna. The elven princess had become more mature and understanding. Although she still sometimes burst out with fiery emotion, Yvanna had learned to accept the situation.

"I will fulfill my promise to you." He smiled faintly.

As he stared into her eyes, he recalled the first time he saw her.

It was snowing hard that time. He found her unconscious and half buried in the snow. Her face was pale, but her heart was beating rebelliously, as if unwilling to die. She was a tenacious woman.

The appearance of the current Yvanna didn’t change much, but her expression had softened significantly. She was no longer as cold and indifferent as before. She had learned to trust humans and even made friends with them.

Alaric was proud of her growth.

Yvanna snorted, acting like it was no big deal, but she could hardly conceal the smile on her lips.

"It took you long enough."

Alaric chuckled, not bothering to expose her. "You should prepare as well. After all, you will be going with the expedition team to the Enchanted Woodlands."

Yvanna feigned annoyance, but Alaric saw the anticipation in her eyes. "You don’t need to remind me. I don’t have a lot to prepare anyway."

"Alright."

After the meeting, Alaric went to his study to deal with the remaining administrative issues. He couldn’t leave them unattended because they were mostly related to House Silversword’s business dealings.

His mother, Maria, might give him a stern scolding if he left all those documents to her.

He could already imagine her giving him the cold look with her arms crossed.

Thinking about this, Alaric shook his head with a chuckle.

...

A month later, the expedition team, composed of multiple armies from Veronica and House Silversword, began their journey. Yvanna and her elven companions also followed the expedition team.

In the send-off party, Alaric could be seen riding a warhorse, looking at the marching expedition team with a frown.

Time was moving unusually fast. It seemed as if an unseen hand was quietly manipulating the world, leaving Alaric unsettled.

"Why do you look so glum? Are you that sad to see your elven woman leaving?" A teasing voice drifted into his ears.

He turned his head and saw the pregnant Yskaela giving him an amused smile.

Alaric looked away from her, shook his head, and let out a sigh. "It just feels like I am unknowingly moving at someone’s will."

Yskaela raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his words.

Alaric’s serious face eased when he looked at her rounded belly.

"Don’t overthink things. I believe that we will successfully carve out a path and take a step into Cangnan." Yskaela’s voice was filled with confidence.

They had received the support of dozens of nations to create a united desolate region. With the army they could assemble, they would certainly gather the largest and strongest ever recorded in history.

With an army of that size, she believed that the success of the expedition was already guaranteed.

Alaric sent her a stern look. "Don’t underestimate the Enchanted Woodlands. We don’t know what kind of danger lies in there."

Yskaela narrowed her eyes. She wanted to refute him, but she didn’t want people to think that they were arguing, so she could only close her mouth.

"We should return to the palace. Your due date is coming, so you should not overexert yourself." Alaric beckoned to Bai Seol-hwa and signaled at her with his eyes.

Understanding his intentions, Bai Seol-hwa approached the empress and said. "Your Majesty, please enter the carriage."

Yskaela nodded and followed her to the imperial carriage.

Alaric didn’t get in with her. He just rode his horse and returned side by side with the imperial carriage.

...

One rainy afternoon, several weeks later.

Alaric paced back and forth in the hallway outside the delivery room, his face wreathed with concern.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. The doctors and healers we invited are the best in all of Veronica. I am sure everything will be alright." The Grand Commander tried to reassure him, but his face was even more pale than Alaric’s.

Looking at the Grand Commander’s face, Alaric glared at him. "Grand Commander, I don’t know if I should believe you or not. You don’t look convincing at all..."

Just then, they heard a burst of exclamation inside the delivery room, followed by the piercing cry of a newborn child.

"Oh! I think one of them is out! Your Majesty, your child is born! Now, only one more and everything will be over!" The Grand Commander nervously laughed.

Alaric also heard the commotion. He nodded, feeling more nervous than the Grand Commander.

He wanted to storm inside the delivery room, but he stopped himself. He didn’t want to interrupt his wife’s delivery. His presence might only make her worry.

A quarter of an hour later, another crying sound echoed inside the delivery room.

"It’s out!" Alaric bolted to the door and anxiously opened it.

Upon entering, he saw a group of female doctors and healers together with Hershey and some servants. They circled a weak-looking Yskaela who was lying on the bed with a pair of babies in her arms.

Alaric’s worries vanished when he saw them all safe.

Thank you, Aru!