"Oh my... your conversation reminds me of the 'Elasian Conspiracy' from 'Blood News' before."
Listening to the conversation between Elashia and Ileina just now, Caroline smiled brightly:
"Let me think... I remember 'Blood News' seemed to say... the price we paid for that batch of Magic Crossbows was half of the Holy Kingdom's territory."
"Now the value behind these hundreds of thousands of tons of grain Your Majesty Elashia gave us is probably much higher than that batch of Magic Crossbows..."
"If we follow 'Blood News's' theory... even if we sold the entire Holy Kingdom to Elasia, it wouldn't be enough to pay off this debt..."
Hearing her words, Elashia smiled and shook her head.
"What... the Holy Kingdom is even bigger than Elasia. Managing one Elasia is already enough to worry my aunt..."
Elashia didn't want the Holy Kingdom's territory. Managing Elasia, which she understood relatively well, was already busy enough, let alone the Holy Kingdom which she didn't understand as well.
Alexandra and her purpose in aiding the Holy Kingdom wasn't for any visible benefits, but to help the Holy Kingdom, which would definitely become an ally later, get on track quickly.
So, from a short-term perspective, their purpose in aiding the Holy Kingdom was really just to help the Holy Kingdom itself get on track quickly.
"However... Your Majesty Elashia, without your strong support in military and economic matters, we definitely couldn't have taken and stabilized the Holy Capital so quickly."
Compared to Caroline's casualness when bringing up this topic, Adeline looked obviously much more serious.
"After the Holy Kingdom is liberated, we will definitely not forget your kindness. Although it can't be as outrageous as the Holy Court's slander against us, we will definitely use all our power to repay Elasia afterward..."
"No matter what, we will repay all the funds and grain you lent us..."
"Hahahaha..."
Hearing Adeline's serious words, Elashia just laughed somewhat awkwardly.
"Let's talk about those things after we survive the Undead Calamity."
"After the war ends, we'll continue to aid the Holy Kingdom's reconstruction..."
Looking at the somewhat awkward Elashia, Caroline smiled:
"Actually... we should thank the editorial staff of 'Blood News' to some extent..."
"If it weren't for that report, perhaps it would have taken much longer for the Holy Kingdom people's trust in Elasians to be established..."
"The relationship between the Elasian knights stationed in our camp and our soldiers is great now... sometimes they even train together under Master Dorothy's supervision..."
...
"Report! Someone outside the Government Hall seeks to meet Officer Caroline! The authenticity of the meeting request has been verified!"
Just as the four girls returned to the Holy Kingdom Government Hall, a guard's report came from outside the door.
"Oh? It's rare for someone to want to meet me at this time..."
After hearing the guard's report from outside, Caroline's eyes obviously showed deep solemnity, but her face still maintained the same smile as usual.
"Miss Caroline... do you need us to go together..."
Elashia immediately saw Caroline's inner tension.
They all knew—who exactly was the person outside seeking to meet Caroline...
No one would believe Caroline wasn't nervous at this time...
"I..."
At this moment, Caroline hesitated.
She had long thought through what she should say to Louis Das after everything settled.
But... she didn't know—whether she should bring her comrades with her at this time.
She didn't want to show her angriest side in front of the people she cared about most, nor did she want her shameful past to be completely exposed in front of everyone...
But... in her heart, she actually didn't want to face all this alone...
What should she do...
Honestly, she wasn't actually afraid of Louis Das.
After all, the current Louis Das was like a hyena with all its teeth pulled out—completely harmless to her and everyone in Northern Fire.
Although Louis Das used to be able to call the shots in the Holy Capital and pose considerable threats to Northern Fire, that was the past.
What was there to fear from a big merchant who had no money and even owed huge debts?
Not to mention threatening Northern Fire, he could barely protect himself now.
What Caroline really feared was herself.
She was afraid she would lose emotional control at this time...
"Let's go."
Adeline gently took her hand.
"Don't be afraid, we're all here."
"Mm..."
Caroline nodded somewhat hesitantly.
"Miss Caroline, please don't be nervous."
Looking at the tense Caroline, Elashia also gently stroked her back a few times.
Elashia's small hands seemed to have magic power. Just a gentle stroking calmed Caroline's heart considerably.
"Mm... let's go."
Looking at her companions who cared about her, Caroline finally smiled.
Seeing that Caroline had finally made up her mind, Ileina smiled at the guard:
"Mm... let that guy wait!"
...
"Brother! Brother! Just let me in! I'm finished if I can't see Officer Caroline!"
The current Louis Das no longer had any of his past arrogance and composure.
He knew—his life and death were now completely in his daughter's and Northern Fire's hands.
He no longer had even the slightest bargaining chip...
Just as he was desperately pleading with the guard, a voice that was both familiar and strange suddenly came from behind.
"Hello, Louis Das."
Louis Das immediately recognized the owner of this voice.
He quickly turned around, his face blooming with an ingratiating smile.
"Daughter! Daughter! Listen to me..."
"Please don't use that form of address with me. It disgusts me."
Caroline didn't give him even the slightest face, much less any chance to get close.
"No... please listen to me..."
And Louis Das, who was so mercilessly interrupted by Caroline, quickly transformed his smiling face into one full of grief.
The speed of this face-changing even reminded Elashia, who was watching from the side, of her homeland's traditional performing arts from before she transmigrated...
"Back then... my original intention in doing that was just to give you mother and daughter a better life..."
"Please believe me... although I'm not a good person, I really tried hard to be a good father and a good husband..."
"The purpose of my unscrupulous methods back then was just to have more money to give you a better life..."
"And about your mother's death... I'm really sorry... actually, I really never thought things would turn out like that..."
"All these years, I've been in such pain over this that I can't sleep every night, you know..."