Chapter 61 : Wyvern’s Nest (5)

The Nest of the Wyvern.

It is the home and sanctuary of the wyverns, rulers of the skies.

They are protected by their mother.

Do not underestimate the wisdom and experience of a wyvern that has survived for hundreds of years.

If you wish to survive, run away without hesitation.

If you confront them, you will surely die.

Even if you run, you will eventually die.

This applies even if you are royalty.

Even if the capital falls, grit your teeth and keep fleeing.

The capital can be rebuilt, but a life cannot.

If you encounter one, you must flee at all costs.

That was the weight carried by the name “The Nest of the Wyvern.”

However, that weight was shattered at this very moment.

Wolfgang entered the royal palace personally, leaving behind the thunderous cheers of the people.

Her golden eyes, gleaming brilliantly between her snow-white hair, gazed at the nobles without hesitation.

The nobles who met her gaze unconsciously let out exclamations of admiration.

Her appearance, unscathed and returning safely, was far from the image of a defeated soldier.

And it wasn’t as if she had faced some mere rabble of monsters—she had confronted the very Nest of the Wyvern itself.

A single wyvern alone requires a group of veteran knights to barely subdue.

How much more terrifying must the Nest of the Wyvern, teeming with countless such creatures, be?

Even without the wyverns themselves, the nest alone was an unparalleled disaster.

“Who could have imagined she would single-handedly triumph over the Nest of the Wyvern.”

“Even if it wasn’t victory, the fact that she managed to push them back and return alive speaks volumes about her power.”

“No wonder she is hailed as the empire’s war hero.”

Even those who witnessed Wolfgang’s deeds with their own eyes doubted her achievements.

Such a spectacle was beyond imagination.

Yet, tragically, the scene before them was all too real.

And the person who most wanted to deny this reality was none other than the saint, Jeanne.

Of course, Jeanne herself didn’t find it completely impossible.

Though her current power was broken for some unknown reason, if she could have fought at full strength, perhaps she could have subdued the Nest of the Wyvern.

But if asked whether she could handle it with the same composure as Lana Frost, she couldn’t confidently answer.

“No, no, wait. That woman never said she completely subjugated the Nest of the Wyvern.”

Come to think of it, that was true.

The people here were all merely assuming as much.

No one had actually witnessed Lana Frost subjugating the nest with their own eyes.

“On behalf of the kingdom, we express our gratitude, Leonhardt.”

“This was nothing.”

“Thanks to you, we survived. It’s all because you managed to drive back the Nest of the Wyvern.”

Jeanne humbly expressed her gratitude to Wolfgang but emphasized that the nest had been driven back, not subjugated.

Perhaps she simply wanted to believe that herself.

“Rest assured, the Nest of the Wyvern has been thoroughly subdued.”

But Wolfgang declared the truth that Jeanne desperately wanted to deny, right in front of everyone.

At that moment, Jeanne felt as if the ground beneath her feet had collapsed entirely.

Could she truly have subjugated the Nest of the Wyvern alone?

Impossible.

Jeanne wished it were a lie.

Yet the conviction in Wolfgang’s voice left no room for doubt.

It was no lie.

Wolfgang’s declaration of subjugation drew cheers from the nobles, who carefully watched Jeanne’s reaction.

At least now the kingdom was far from imminent destruction.

However, Jeanne’s expression remained grim, prompting Jaiha, who was by her side like a knight, to check on her.

Jeanne forced a smile and responded.

“Jeanne, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine for now.”

“Don’t push yourself. Without you, none of this means anything.”

Despite her reluctance to admit it, Jeanne had no choice but to acknowledge the reality.

Even if she could have subjugated the nest at full strength, it was impossible for her to emerge unscathed like Wolfgang had.

“The greatest threat is Lana Frost.”

Jeanne and Jaiha, along with others, began to prepare their next moves in the face of Wolfgang’s growing influence.

Meanwhile, political factions within the kingdom shifted, with many nobles gradually aligning with the crown prince, Jaiha, over Jeanne’s faction.

This shift was driven largely by doubt—doubt about Jeanne’s power and her apparent fear of Wolfgang.

That doubt bred distrust and unease, leading some nobles to defect from Jeanne’s side.

Jeanne, in her private chambers, wrestled with the decision to use a powerful and dangerous “ace up her sleeve,” knowing the immense cost it would demand.

Her turmoil was briefly interrupted by Jaiha, who reminded her that she was not alone.

The warmth of their shared moment offered a temporary solace.

“Yes, I’ll leave that option as a last resort.”

After all, it felt as if she wasn’t truly alone.