The mask of the maiden seemed to crack, her eyebrows twitched, and the corners of her mouth trembled unexpectedly, surprising Vasili: she smiled.

The virgin turned to the side and covered the corners of her mouth with the back of her hand. "You are an interesting young man. Please take it as my compliment," she said. At the same time, the legion that completed the dismantling of the camp followed in formation, with Constanz sitting atop a tall steed at the forefront. He wore thick iron armor and lifted his head cover. It had been several days since they last met, but there were no visible scars from battle on him.

"If you really think so, come and take the fire," he seemed to have heard their entire conversation, leading the sorrel mare to Sandra, and said to Vasili, "If you can't even win the fire, how can you extinguish it?"

"I have already defeated you once."

Vasili responded with contempt. Constanz, on the other hand, took off his wrist guard nonchalantly, dug his ears with his little finger, and said, "It depends on how you decide the winner. Whether it's based on whose head is higher in the end, or who holds the other's life in their hands," he flicked his little finger and raised the corners of his dry mouth, "Either way, you have already lost miserably."

"Let's fight again, this time don't cry out the virgin's name."

Vasili requested a rematch with gritted teeth, while Constanz laughed heartily. However, he soon stopped laughing and looked down at Vasili from his horse.

"I refuse," he said. "Without fire, I cannot defeat you. But this will never happen. If I want to fight you, I will definitely use divine flame."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"I understand, you lack the dignity of a warrior." Vasili sniffed disdainfully.

"Dignity? Can it rebuild order? If I want to kill you, can you stop me with dignity?" Constanz drew his sword and pointed it straight at the boy's throat. "If I want to kill your lover, can you stop me with dignity?" His tone, like a gentle breeze mixed with icy words, was chilling. After a moment of beard-stroking contemplation, he rested the hand holding the sword on the saddle, added:

"Actually, there is a way - if you too possess the divine flame."

Vasili, hanging his head low, extended his right hand in front of everyone's eyes. Constanz was stunned for a moment before realizing that a invisible blade was gripped in Vasili's seemingly relaxed right palm, pointing straight at his forehead.

"With these hands of mine, and at most a sword, even if it's a forest fire or the flames of a burning city, I will overcome it," said Vasili.

Constanz smiled for a moment, but in the next instant, he withdrew it.

"Follow me, Anganas. I'll tell you that there are things heavier than dignity in this world."

"Anga...nas?" Vasili hadn't had time to deeply contemplate the meaning of the words when a strange name, like an uninvited guest, clamored in his thoughts and made him blurt it out.

"From now on, you'll be called Anganas, who says you always look like Anganar Volcano," Constanz sat up straight in the saddle, loosening his stiff neck. "Since Sandra has already tried it, no one can make you reveal your real name." He sheathed his sword, picked up the reins, and said the last sentence, "Anganas, if you're a 'Stepchild', join the team of servants at the back, and if you're a peasant, make way as you're obstructing the legion's progress."

Without waiting for his response, Constanz ordered the legion to move out, and hundreds of cavalry and infantry passed by Vasili in an orderly manner, raising snow and mud in their wake, making Vasili look like a child who had jumped into flour.

Following behind the infantry was the team of servants. Capillata was struggling to carry the armor of a centurion on his shoulder. The blond youth suddenly felt a lightness on his shoulder, and when he turned his head, he saw Vasili gritting his teeth and carrying his burden, joining the throng of people.

The noisy legion was engulfed by the vast and bleak forest. The maggots of the Empire once again burrowed into its dead skin.