After Torin left, many unfamiliar faces indeed arrived in Soaring Bird City—mercenaries, beast-hunting crews, and even covert agents sent by various major nobles.
"Please, Your Highness Princess, protect us. Torin is willing to offer all of Soaring Bird City's future profits."
"Your Highness Princess, Torin only wants to survive!"
Inside the temporary tent, a sudden hush fell over everyone. Torin waited anxiously for an answer, while Princess Ava contemplated in silence.
Princess Ava was no fool. If she were, she wouldn't have survived Orion's wrath. She knew full well that Prince Theodore, with his abilities, must have sensed Torin's recent moves. Since Prince Theodore neither took Torin under his wing nor advised Ava against taking him in, he clearly intended for Ava to gain control over Torin. Realizing this, Princess Ava already had an answer in mind.
