The mercury mirror imported from Falan reflected the cold visage of the Wolf Woman.

Seated on a soft-backed chair, Hilov absent-mindedly combed her hair.

She was still pondering the conversation she had with Horn a few days ago.

She had thought it would be her mother, Serafe, but unexpectedly, it wasn't.

According to the intelligence from the Scales Hermitage, although Serafe doesn't hold a high position, she is at least a fourth-generation vampire.

The sorceress before her is merely a low-level vampire servant, not much higher than Ah Fu.

Though disappointed, upon further reflection, she found it indeed reasonable.

Such a proud vampire as Serafe, would she really lower herself to work for Ginijis, this ordinary King with two-stage breathing techniques?

And using such low-grade and tasteless methods as Blood Knights and Chaloor poison?

"...According to the interrogation result, she is Serafe's maid, following her from the Blood and Flesh Royal Court to the Empire.

The Lanfeng Dynasty isn't as pious and honest as it appears; since the second-generation King, they have been entwined with the Royal Court, even continuing the research on the longevity potion that led to the Golden Finch Dynasty's downfall.

The Blood Knights are likely a byproduct of the longevity potion.

As for Serafe's whereabouts, if that Alchemist wasn't lying, she should be back to the Blood and Flesh Royal Court."

Recalling Horn's words, Hilov looked at her expressionless face in the mirror, and her hand stopped combing her hair.

Mother went to the Blood and Flesh Royal Court, and the clue of the star-forged gears was interrupted again.

Then the only way out might be the old dragon Cynthia under the Celestial Maiden City.

Though Cynthia swore she would never harm Hilov, how could Hilov herself go there?

She tried for three years but couldn't leave the Mechanical Palace.

Every time she stood at the door's edge, she felt as if her legs were being slashed and severed again.

But in reality, the Mechanical Palace exerted no means to stop her from leaving; as Horn said, that kind of pain was corporeal manifestation.

Yet from her initial ambition to now, she has completely ceased trying.

She couldn't get out.

Perhaps staying in the Mechanical Palace wasn't so bad; outside was just another larger mechanical palace.

As for the star-forged gears, with the Dreamless Witch's dream divination and the differential engine, it would be studied sooner or later.

Yes, that's indeed the case.

Taking a deep breath, Hilov forced a smile—a skin-deep smile—at her reflection.

At least she had overcome the obstacle and could make different expressions now.

Looking at her fake smile in the mirror, Horn's image suddenly flashed in her mind. Where might he be now?

Currently, it's eleven o'clock in the morning, with a simple introduction at nine according to the schedule.

Lunch at the Mechanical Palace, meeting Hilov, followed by an afternoon tour of the ry Court Barracks with the witches.

Tomorrow marks the official start of the Miracle Nun Convention.

The venue is the Holy Seat Mansion.

Hilov still couldn't attend.

Her mind conjured images of Horn tangled with a bunch of witch sisters, and her initially wagging tail tip softened, ears drooped, and the fake smile on her face vanished.

"Sigh—"

Though Hilov didn't see it herself, at that instant, the helpless and forlorn look on her face was incredibly human-like.

She sat idly in front of the mirror for a long time, seemingly pondering something.

She quickly finished combing her hair and then picked up a box from the dressing table.

Opening the wooden box revealed two pairs of prosthetic legs gleaming with metallic luster.

These were designed by Leonardo and Hilov themselves, hand-crafted by master Dwarf Dunak.

The prosthetic legs featured a dark gold mithril mixed with a brass skeleton, with intricate vine patterns etched on the surface.

Several gears and joints interlocked, visibly intricate gear sets internally, connected with golden fleece, spider silk, and leather devices.

The shin embedded with a spiral clockwork device could theoretically, given Hilov's mana level, propel her up three to five meters high.

Gazing at the prosthetic legs in the box, the Wolf Woman's tail started wagging joyfully again.

"Ah Fu, come over to support me."

After buckling the straps of the prosthetic legs, the Wolf Woman leaned on Ah Fu's arm, stood up shakily, and walked around the room.

After a few circles, Hilov sat back in the wheelchair contentedly, yet unable to run or jump just yet. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

But she was becoming more and more adept, and next time she saw Horn, she would suddenly stand up and give him a scare.

Thinking of Horn's shocked expression, the Wolf Woman's tail wagged even faster.

As they say, speak of the devil and he shall appear. Just as the Wolf Woman thought of Horn, there was a knock on the door: "Princess Hilov, His Grace urgently seeks your presence."

No time like the present, Hilov quickly covered her thighs with a blanket and wheeled herself to the door.

In the garden before the Mechanical Palace, sunlight shone brightly, and colorful flags decorated the scene. On a beautifully ornate white long table, snatched from the hands of nobles, were cream cakes and red tea and coffee spread out.

Say what you will about the Holy Alliance, they never skimp on sugar and spices.

Witches, after all, had a fondness for sweet things.

Under the red banner with white letters welcoming Miracle Nuns from all over to visit the Mechanical Palace, Hilov saw Horn waiting with his hands behind his back, accompanied by Senius and Novia.

"Is His Grace unable to handle so many witches on his own?"

Upon hearing Hilov's teasing words, Horn turned around, his furrowed brows relaxing into a smile: "Indeed, I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

Taking out a crown engraved with intricate patterns, Horn handed it to Hilov as he spoke: "This was taken from Ginijis' head."

Senius, standing nearby, explained: "This is called the Libra Crown, a national treasure of Leia Kingdom, which may date back to the period of the Seven Hills Kingdom."

A relic related to the Seven Hills Kingdom? Hilov's ears perked up, and she immediately pushed aside the task of scaring Horn.

As soon as the crown was in her hands, she felt its unexpected weight, far heavier than its delicate appearance suggested.

Merely touching the crown made her inexplicably bristle.

Horn added, "I also felt something amiss while holding this crown, so I asked the Wizards and Alchemists to examine it.

They couldn't damage it at all; it seems to be made from some alchemical material, perhaps something like White Crystal Steel.

I have a lingering feeling of unease, so I brought it to you. Help me figure out what's going on."

The Wolf Woman flipped and examined the crown but shook her head: "I'll take it to the tower for analysis this afternoon. Just by looking, I can't discern anything... Is this the Sword Clan's crown?"

"You actually know?" Senius' eyes widened.

Hilov felt underestimated: "Of course, I know. I am well-versed in El's affairs.

The seven crowns of the Seven Hills Kingdom were melted into one crown by the Shepherd Light Kingdom of El, forming the crown of the El Empire.

After the El Empire collapsed, three crowns stacked together became the Triple Crown, which was given to the Pope.

Leia, Norn, and Falan each got one crown as their own."

"Three plus three equals six, so where's the seventh?" Novia asked, unable to resist as the others nodded.

The Wolf Woman pointed westward: "The El Council preserved one as the Imperial Crown, but it was seized by the Blood and Flesh Royal Court during the Hundred Years' War."

Novia followed Hilov's pointing finger, looking toward the western sky.

Horn patted Hilov's shoulder: "I'll leave this matter to you then."

"Alright, I'll give you a preliminary report by late afternoon at the latest."

"Good, then I'll..."

In the midst of their conversation, Novia suddenly interrupted loudly: "What is that?"

Horn looked up to the west and furrowed his brow. What was that black dot?

The next second, the whistling sound of something like a cannonball cutting through the air reached them, setting off Horn's battlefield instincts honed over the years.

"Take cover!"

Snatching the Wolf Woman from her wheelchair, Horn dived beneath a nearby long table.

His action was precise, for no sooner had he taken cover than debris and gravel exploded outward.

Massive air currents and impact surged, overturning the cakes and refreshments on the table.

The sharp sound of copper whistles echoed as waves of Close Guard Cultivators and Loyal Successor Chekas poured in through small and large gates. Meanwhile, the clockwork cannons on the walls slowly rotated.

The very dust raised by the rushing footsteps seemed to tremble.

Enveloped in smoke and dust, a dark silhouette slowly emerged.

A longsword forged in one piece of red, glowing white feathers, and a halo hovering above the head.

An El-style toga draped over a marble-like white figure, exposing a face exquisite as a sculpture.

Pointed ears, yet not the fake ears made of wood and leather by the El people.

"Angel?"