It bounced to the edge of the wall and called out in a soft, sticky voice:
"Who are you?"
The knight dismounted.
He removed his helmet, tucked it under his arm, revealing the face of a middle-aged man, weathered but with strong features, a short beard on his chin.
"I am Lide Valentián," the knight saluted, his voice clear even in the wind and snow. "Former Army Commander of the Border Fifth Legion. Currently under the command of Third Prince Alex, I come seeking cooperation with your kingdom."
The Slime guards quietly began "squelch-squelch" communication among themselves.
A few seconds later, one Slime guard slid down from the wall and rolled towards the interior of the fortress.
It was going to report.
In the fortress hall, Chen Yu was crouched at one end of a long table, using a gel hand to stuff a piece of bread into his gel stomach.
Nilly sat opposite him, stuffing a third piece of roasted meat into her mouth, her cheeks puffed up like a hamster's.
Leon and Elara were checking their equipment. Max was polishing his dagger.
"Eat slower," Chen Yu said. "No one's fighting you for it."
"Hungry," Nilly mumbled indistinctly, then took a big gulp of ale. "Those days in the Forge Region, chewing on dry rations every day, my mouth was almost tasteless."
At that moment, the Slime guard bounced into the hall, stopping before the long table. Its body wriggled anxiously as it "squelch-squelched" urgently.
"King! A human knight came outside, calls himself Lide Valentián, says he represents the Third Prince to discuss cooperation."
Chen Yu stopped digesting the bread.
Lide Valentián?
He remembered that name.
Army Commander of the Border Fifth Legion, who had once taught Arthur and Galvin. Though their relationship was a mix of teacher and adversary, when they mentioned this teacher, their tone still carried respect.
More importantly, Lide had not taken action during the battle at Storm Fortress.
The anomalies in the Forge Region were also something he had learned about from Arthur and Galvin. In a sense, he wasn't a pure enemy.
But the problem was, hadn't his soul been sold to Casarick long ago?
What was he doing here, and representing the Third Prince?
If he wasn't mistaken, this prince should have also long ago offered his soul to a demon, and then, relying on demonic power, had been occupying the position in the eastern coastal ports.
If it was just a simple negotiation, they could have gone to the closer south, to find the Restoration Army stationed there, to talk to Louisa.
Why cross the entire plain to come to this icy, snowy Iron Thorn Fortress?
Unless they already knew his avatar was here.
"Interesting. Let's go take a look."
He hopped off the chair and bounced towards the main hall entrance.
Nilly hurriedly stuffed the last piece of roasted meat into her mouth, shouting indistinctly: "Your Majesty! Wait for me, I want to go to such a lively event too!"
Nilly followed Chen Yu through the fortress corridors, climbing the stairs to the wall.
The wind and snow hit her face. Nilly sneezed.
Chen Yu, however, jumped onto a Battlement, crouched there, looking down at the knight and that massive figure below.
Lide's figure was clearly visible, but his Divine Sense actually couldn't penetrate that tall figure. It was as if it was protected by some mysterious power.
Lide looked up, saw the slime on the wall, and saluted again. This time more formally, his right hand on his chest, giving a slight bow.
"Respected Slime Majesty," Lide's voice came through the wind and snow. "Lide Valentián, greetings to you."
Chen Yu wobbled his body, which counted as a return salute. Then he spoke, his voice soft and sticky, but his question was direct.
"Didn't you sell your soul to a demon? What are you doing here?"
Lide did not avoid the question. He straightened up, his gaze frank.
"Fortunately, I have already redeemed my soul. However, our Third Prince, His Highness Alex, has indeed truly offered his soul to that Greater Demon."
He paused, then added, "He is an unwilling king, an envoy of vengeance, destined to use the power granted by demons to end the demons."
Chen Yu blinked his beady eyes.
That was nicely said, but anyone could say nice words.
He didn't trust Lide. At least, not completely.
Lide seemed to notice. He smiled faintly.
"Your Majesty need not worry about my origins. We can talk right here, separated by the wall."
"I'll be direct. The events in the Forge Region, the Third Prince is already aware. To curb this Greater Demon, we are willing to offer our share of strength."
Chen Yu was even more surprised.
The news of the Forge Region events shouldn't have spread yet, but Lide knew, and he arrived even earlier than the orc messenger.
What did this mean?