Chapter 8 Some decisions changed lives

Sitting on a comfortable chair, Amellia watched and listened while eating some snacks in her Alchemy Shop, through her Dark Slime as Lifiarda assembled her subordinates at the western entrance of Ferlan Village, which was leading towards the Apor Mountain Range.

The Dark Slime was split into twelve smaller versions of itself and have had successfully attached themselves onto the twelve knights without their knowledge.

Though, the knights possessed sensitive sixth sense that were honed and tempered, and could sense all living things around for a considerable range without using their other senses, they were still unable to find the Dark Slime as it wasn't part of the living.

It was an Homunculus, a creature more similar to a puppet. It was alive, but have no life. Such creature wasn't rare. They could be found in dungeons, more often placed before an entrance and programmed to guard the treasure within.

Amellia smirked as she saw Lifiarda furrowed her eyebrows and looked around. 'Lifi is worthy of her title as a Captain Knight. What are a sharp sense she have.'

'Why do I feel like being watched?' Lifiarda thought as he glared at her subordinates and shook her head. 'Must be my misconception...'

She cleared her throat before speaking. "Attention!" And all her subordinates looked at her attentively and continued. "Our mission here is to escort an Alchemist back to the Royal Palace, but when I saw the Alchemist, I have a feeling that we've used as a cannon fodder."

The twelve knights frowned. One of her subordinates, Tarrant asked. "What do you mean, Captain?"

"This mission was given by the 1st Princess herself. She dispatched us at the same time I've found the that the agents of Immortal Skull were found within the capital." Her countenance turned solemn. "You know them. They worshipped a Dark God and their deeds were infamous. Sacrificing a whole kingdom to their Dark God, they are no doubt strong and most of all evil. Wherever they are, chaos happened."

Lifiarda asked. "Don't you recognize the Alchemist? That raven black hair lady with emerald eyes, the symbol of Illunar Kingdom's Royal Family..."

"Now that Captain mentioned it... I think I've seen her somewhere before, but I can't seem to remember where..."

"It should be in the capital. We never left the capital before we're dispatched to fight the those barbarians."

"This idiots! Think carefully!" Lifiarda shouted in annoyance and impatience.

"Ah! I think I know now! I've seen her at the Royal Palace! She must have gone there once before- ugh!"

The others watched in sympathy as Lifiarda kicked the man away. "Lucio! Go take him back here!"

"Y-Yes!" And Lucio ran as though his life was on the line.

"Still not remember?" Lifiarda glared at her subordinates, whom flinched at her knife like eyes stabbing at them. Had her eyes were real knife, they might have been bleeding by now.

The long haired blondie and pretty looking man that he somewhat appeared like a girl, but quite attractive to many women. He smile gently at the knights that could melt the hearts of many girls, hugging himself and wiggling. "Let me answer this question, oh beautiful Captain Mulrg."

"Ugh... He's sparkling again..."

"Elder Knight Resze... Will he be alright?"

"Newcomer, don't worry about him. Just watch the show! Don't blink!"

Knight Resze spin like a ballerina and kneeled before Lifiarda. "Oh beautiful Captain-"

Lucio came back with the Knight that Lifiarda kicked and saw Knight Resze flew away in a dramatic way. Glittering tears fluttered around him and several teeth flew as well. He even smile like he was intoxicated.

Lucio asked. "Captain, should I go take him back?"

"No. Let that masochist alone."

Lucio smile wryly and shook his head. 'That guy will only get happier...'

Lifiarda coughed and spoke in all seriousness. "Stop your nonsense and listen. This is serious matter! The identity of the alchemist is very sensitive. Therefore, I want you to keep it to yourselves if ever you remember who she is. The time of our departure is considered by her alone. Thus, our true mission isn't to escort her back, but to protect her at all cost. You mustn't be complacent. Our enemies are the agents of Immortal Skull and they might show up at any moment. Be alert and don't go somewhere alone. Take note of every suspicious person you see. That'll be all, you can go back now."

She sighed and decided to head back. Being near to Amellia, she would feel more at ease. In case something happened, she could ascertain her safety and protect her. As Amellia's best friend, they knew each other very well and she also knew that Amellia had no intention to return to the palace. Though, Amellia wasn't disowned, she had been away from the palace for far too long. She would only become a chess pawn if she do so return.

"I hope, we're able to get pass this tribulation..." Lifiarda muttered, looking at the direction of the capital. She prayed with reverence, but uneasiness could be seen on her face. "May the Goddess of Light guide me with her holy radiance."

Amellia was touched that Lifiarda still thought of her as her best friend even though they hadn't communicated with each other for several years after she left the royal palace.

The Immortal Skull was an evil organization that was hell bent on destruction and those that opposed them were sacrificed to their Dark God. Illunar Kingdom was definitely one of the list as Illunar hindered their plans at the Alcraz Trident Mountain Range.

However, it wasn't the Immortal Skull that conflicted her, for she knew that they'd come anyway and anytime, but the words that Lifiarda spoke.

'Eldest Sister Olivia... What are you thinking? You already successfully drove me away from your path to the throne and even father's love for me was diverted to you... Is it because, you're still not satisfied and now you want my life?' Amellia balled her fist tightly, frustration was evident on her face.

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Inadvertently, tears trickled down her cheeks. Amellia wiped them away and controlled her tears, but her eyes seemed to have their own minds. Her tears kept pouring down like droplets of rain as she weeped. "Why?!"

When Lifiarda arrived at the door of Alchemy Shop, she heard someone crying inside. Alarmed, with her sword drawn out, she pushed the door and entered. She was surprised to see her best friend crying. Knowing that her friend needed her, she took off her armor and put away her sword. Lifiarda was worried and embraced Amellia onto her bosom, while brushing her hair.

"Wuwuwu! Lifi!" Amellia cried even stronger.

"Don't cry. I'm here! I will protect you." Lifiarda consoled. Then, she asked angrily. "Tell me, who is he? Did you broke up with your boyfriend? How dare he do that to you!"

Amellia looked stopped crying and freed herself from Lifiarda's embrace. "Thanks, Lifi. I'm fine now."

Lifiarda's eyes narrowed and held Amellia's shoulders. "You really broke up with your boyfriend?"

"What are you saying? I don't even have a boyfriend. How will I be able to break up with one? Hmmp! Your teasing me again." Amellia snorted. She asked. "Tell me, is it really Elder Sister Olivia who asked you to come here?"

"How did you know? I only told about it to my subordinates. Are you the one that was watching us the whole time? How did you do that?" Lifiarda asked with curiosity.

"Hmmp! Answer me first! Why would I tell you that it was indeed me?" Amellia shrugged off Lifiarda's hands and stood up. She took out a tea set under the table and brewed a tea for herself. Doing this, she could calm herself.

Lifiarda let go of her hand and nodded. "Yes, it's indeed the 1st Princess, but I don't know why." She watched Amellia brewed some tea and continued. "I know that you two are very close when you're young. I don't know what happened to you two, but I feel that she still look at you as her precious little sister."

Amellia halted for a moment, and continue pouring hot water into the tea pot. Lifiarda didn't missed it. "When she spoke of your name, I saw sadness in her eyes. It's genuine. When I found that she conspired with the Prime Minister to drive you out of the palace, I was shocked. But maybe, it was her way to protect you."

Seeing no change in Amellia's expression, Lifiarda took a deep breath as she grabbed the tea cup and sipped a little bit. Bitterness spread in her mouth as she cringed, and followed by a sweet after taste. Warm feeling flow through her stomach. "Only you two can solve this issue between yourselves. As your best friend and friend of the 1st princess, I advice you two too ask her yourself."

Realizing how her words, Lifiarda corrected it. "Wait. I'm not persuading you to return to the royal palace. I-It's only my opinion.... Wait... Why that sounds similar?"

"I've decided. I'll go back... but not now. Give me several days to prepare." Amellia said determinedly as she stared at Lifiarda in the eyes.

Lifiarda looked back at her. "Are you sure? Is that your final answer?"

"Final answer!"

Lifiarda nodded and finished her tea. "Alright! I'll inform my subordinates."

Amellia watched Lifiarda left after wearing her armor as she fell in deep thought. 'Elder Sister Olivia... What truly happened to you after that incident? What did you went through?'

These were questions Amellia yearned to be answered. Sadness and pain, she had endured for so long. It was about time for her to know the truth from her Elder Sister Olivia. Amellia could remember it, when she was driven out of the palace by her dear sister of all people. That memory was deeply engraved in her mind, the words Olivia spoke and the emotions in her eyes.

'It's because of you that our mother died! You killed her! It's all your fault and you have to atone for it! Get out of the palace and don't ever return! I don't have a sister like you. Once you're not here, all what father and mother gave to you will become mine! I will have everything while you'll be left with nothing! And so is the throne! Haha- Hahahaha!

Olivia's words were harsh, yet these exact words were spoken with extreme pain in her eyes. Amellia had no knowledge why Olivia suddenlys became thirsty for authority and even hurt her both physically and emotionally.

It was true that their father and mother favored Amellia so much, and this favor was the reason why most people within the palace thought that Amellia would be the heir apparent. It caused displeasure to other princes and princesses, but Amellia never had once thought of the throne in her mind. Her dream was to become the greatest Alchemist and create an [Immortality Elixir].

However, she never told this dream of her's to anyone than Victor, the only friend she ever had.

Amellia cleaned the tea set and entered her room to prepare. The Alchemy Shop was closed for entire three days and in those three days, while she was concocting potions and creating items to help her in times of need, Victor was in the forest, fighting a monsters with his barehands.

Victor and the elven girls continued their journey in routine, traveling for the entire day and resting the entire night. In his estimation, it would take them seven days to arrived at Ferlan Village as they were traveling on foot.

He calculated the time in regard to the factors that would affect their traveling speed. The stamina of the girls, the distance, their own speed and the frequency of encountering monsters on the way.

The elven girls were all pampered daughters and never had once exercised. Their stats were average and most of them have non-combatant Jobs. At most, it would take them seven days.

However, Victor never thought of the girls' potentials. As they walked farther and longer, the girls' Dexterity, Physique and Vitality increased by slowly, very slow, yet it was enough to greatly affect their speed.

Then, on the fourth night, they came across an Ogre. The girls were terrified, but they didn't panicked as they saw Victor immediately by settled down the problem swiftly. The Ogre was only Level 20, and thus a small fry.

At the same night, Amber walked up to Victor and begged him to teach her to fight. Victor knew that the feeling of being weak, triggered Amber's thirst for strength, thus he taught her how to fight every night.

On the sixth ninth, Victor and Amber were having a spar. Victor only used one dagger as handicap, while Amber used a sword. Truth to her Job, as a Fencer. Amber was without a doubt a genius in the sword.

While others were watching, Victor and Amber exchanged blows.

"[Piercing Thrust]!" Amber cried as she panted. Her sword shone and stabbed straight towards Victor, but was easily parried and rendered her attack useless.

"You're doing it again! Don't shout your skills when you're attacking. You're only signalling your enemy that you'll use a skill. If you're enemy is smart and knew how your skill works, they'll definitely knew what to do. It only works on stupid monsters!" Victor stated while parrying the strikes that were coming at him. "Unpredictability and ambush! That's the key to defeating your enemy! You have to use your skills at times when your enemy least expected it!"

"Like this? Hah!" Amber twisted her body and waved her sword at Victor's knees.

Victor evaded the sword by jumping, but Amber seemed expected it and followed with an aerial attack. A sword zoomed towards his chest, attempting to stab him. It was true that people would have a hard time evading an attack while in mid air, but Victor wasn't one of them.

He smile at Amber, praising her from coming up with such tactics. If he it was before, it might injured him, but he wasn't the one he was before. Using his dagger, he flicked the sword to the left and chopped Amber's head with his left hand.

Amber lost her grip on the sword and it fell on the ground as they landed. She fell on her butt and cried. "Ouch! Oww! You hit me on the head again! What if I became stupid?!"

Victor smile and helped her up. "That won't happen. I didn't use any strength. You did well, I didn't expect that last attack. Looks like you can now fight on your own."

Rubbing her forehead, Amber blushed bashfully and smile. "Thanks!"

"Alright, let's stop here. We still need to wake up early tomorrow. Sleep, I'll be the sentry tonight." Victor nodded and sat on the log near the campfire, leaning on a tree.

Amber head in to her tent and glimpsed at Victor before going inside.

'I've decided! I'll become strong and definitely repay you someday!' She firmly decided in her heart, but she didn't know that this decision would be the starting point of the change in her life and birth of the Hero.

The debt she owed him couldn't be payed by mere golds. He had rescued them from all the calvaries they would have encounter, even willingly provided them with safety and even guided them to reunite with their families.

If she would not compensate him properly, then it only means she never treated her life and her companions' lives as something as important and precious.

Scanning the whole surroundings with his [Forest Guide] and having found no strong monsters nearby or any suspicious things, only then did Victor closed his eyes to sleep.