The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

How could such a thing have happened in such a dark and chaotic era?

Therefore, Kiana instinctively felt that this was Artoria's mistake.

However, the person involved seemed quite bewildered when faced with her questions.

"Kiana, have you been bewitched by some dark magic? What a pity, if Merlin were here, perhaps she could do something..."

Artoria stroked her chin, speaking with a thoughtful expression.

It seems that my little corner of the world is really being eyed by others.

Putting everything else aside, in just a few days, one of my subordinates has gone missing, and this kind of thing has happened to my powerful external support.

It seems I can't just sit here and wait to die, otherwise... I'll be dragged down by those hidden forces.

Thinking of this, Artoria's eyes sharpened.

"Huh? What? Black magic? Please, although I don't know much about magic, there's nothing that can bewitch me right now."

Kiana put her hands on her hips and affirmed with an air of self-assurance.

This isn't her being stubborn.

In fact, she had worried about this issue before, but the system gave a relatively positive answer.

This is absolutely impossible.

Because special abilities like black magic, under the system's intervention, will materialize into negative skill debuffs.

This simplified effect can be exempted through one's own abilities.

Therefore, the vast majority of dark magic in this world is exempted by the user.

Unless it's a powerful magic that can change the rules of how the world works, it's basically ineffective against you.

Therefore, Kiana was not worried at all that she had actually been bewitched by some dark magic.

However, she also knew that Artoria was now suspicious of her.

If we don't do something, there might be some bad consequences.

"Artoria, I think you should figure something out."

"what's up?"

"If I were truly bewitched by some dark magic, then you should have been strangled by me on the spot."

Kiana said without any hesitation.

Seeing that she spoke so directly, Artoria fell silent.

Her silence wasn't because she was afraid to reply, but because she felt that the analysis made a lot of sense.

After all, if not for such a purpose, who would go to such lengths to poison their own people with dark magic?

"Please forgive my suspicion, but Lancelot's disappearance is really important to me."

Artorias is not a stubborn queen; on the contrary, she is too humble and proper to be a queen.

If she had simply ended her life as a knight, perhaps she wouldn't have had so many regrets.

Kiana thought to herself silently.

She then nodded.

"It's okay, I don't mind."

Kiana waved her hand magnanimously, then stroked her chin and analyzed.

"Since you don't have a sister as a relative..."

"Then the guy I saw was very likely in disguise."

“I don’t know exactly what you saw, but I’m sure of one thing… we’re in trouble.”

"Why do you say that?"

"Just as I was about to send someone to look for Lancelot, I heard that a group of refugees was heading our way."

Artoria said with a serious expression.

After she finished speaking, she walked towards the town's city wall, seemingly preparing to take Kiana to see something.

Seeing this, Kiana followed.

The two walked up the steps, and the town guards along the way bowed and saluted them.

Artoria waved her hand, indicating that these people didn't need to show her too much respect.

She is such a queen, never putting on airs and always treating people with sincerity.

Perhaps that's why she was able to win the loyalty of a group of highly capable individuals and gather them under her command.

Kiana thought to herself...

The two then arrived at the city gate.

"look."

Kiana followed Artoria's finger and looked into the distance. She saw a ragged figure staring menacingly at her from a wooded area near the town.

They were all carrying weapons and shields, more or less, but there was no fighting, and your face was covered in stubble and other grime.

Flies buzzed around these guys; if you didn't know better, you'd think they were a swarm of ghouls.

And the human bone fragments beneath their feet seemed to foreshadow that they really would...

"These are refugees? I'd believe you if you said they were a band of robbers."

Kiana muttered to herself, somewhat bewildered.

"At first I didn't quite believe it either, but the people in the town said that these were guys who had been driven out of the lord's territory and gathered together. In order to survive, they would do almost anything, so rather than calling them refugees, they could be described as a band of robbers."

Artoria's expression and tone were both very serious.

She desperately wanted to save this group of people, but she also knew that the town couldn't possibly support so many.

Because there isn't enough food...

Most of the residents here have little money and barely survive on this food.

Moreover, even if they had enough money, they wouldn't be able to transport enough food to feed so many people in a short period of time.

According to the town's residents, there are at least several thousand people in this group.

Even if you moved the entire town, it would be difficult to feed thousands of people.

"So we may be facing a fierce battle."

Artoria looked at Kiana and said calmly.

"As expected of Artoria, your strategic vision is increasingly resembling that of a king."

Kiana said with a smile.

"That's not the key point, and such a war doesn't really bring any honor."

"No, at least you're killing to protect your people from being slaughtered."

"Um... thank you for your comfort."

"No, this isn't comforting; it's simple analysis."

Artoria shook her head.

"Leaving those aside for now, I also learned that the leader of these refugees is a guy called the Lord."

"A lord? That makes things difficult. Although you are very capable, you can't be sure how strong the leader of this bandit group is. So... you need to continue your investigation. Once you have a clear understanding of the situation here, come back and discuss with me how to solve the problem."

"Okay, I understand, but I'm wondering, are you trying to get something out of this by constantly helping me?"

"Ambitions? No, I just feel that if it were you, you could bring peace and hope to this continent, right?"

"Okay, you go ahead and get back to work."

"Then I'm leaving."

Kiana smiled slightly, then headed towards her residence, instructing her guards, "Go find me some horses; I'm going to see Lancelot's sister."

"Yes."

The guard accepted the order and soon returned to the city gate with a chestnut warhorse and more than ten guards.

Upon seeing Kiana, the guard immediately said respectfully, "Your Excellency, our group is about to depart."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work."

The guards bowed their heads and spoke respectfully.

"You all go and rest first."

"But Your Excellency..."

"I told you to go and rest. What happens next is beyond your control. Understand?"

"Ok."

The guards, who had been reprimanded by Kiana, did not pursue the matter further.

Since he wasn't particularly loyal to Artoria anyway, it would be best if he could do less work and take fewer risks.

And so the guards watched Kiana ride away.

After riding for a while, Kiana arrived at Lancelot's office.

At this very moment, the knight, now transformed into a beautiful woman, continues to work diligently and without complaint.

Upon seeing Kiana arrive, she didn't even blink, only asking calmly:

"Why did it take you so long to return? Did the King say something?"

"Ahem, alright, stop asking. Now let's go, we'll talk as we walk."

Kiana then placed her hand on the white-haired man's hand.

On the young girl's fragrant shoulder.