Nicolas questioned reality for a bit: Are his eyes tricking him? Is this some kind of joke? He was frozen, his eyes shaking along with his body and spirit. "M—Meriane?" His heart wanted to reject what he was seeing, but his mind kept repeating the same thought. "What in the world are you doing here? What are you doing with them?"

"Well, going straight to the point, I came here to pick you up", she explained, her hands to her waist as if a mother calling for her child.

"Pick me up?"

"Oh, sorry, my bad. I mean, your soul, or was it half of it? I'm pretty sure that's what he said," she scratched her head, unfazed by Nicolas's sharp blade. "Hey, Edmund, what did the old man say again?", she added as she called one of the men accompanying her at the entrance of the cave earlier.

"Half, and if possible, more," Edmund replied, walking towards his sister's side.

"Well, you heard him— now be a good prince and hand yourself over", Meriane stretched her hand for Nicolas.

"Edmund? What are you doing here too?" Nicolas held his sword tighter. "You know what, I don't even care anymore. I will never surrender myself to anyone."

"You really were just like Uncle Frederick", Meriane giggled as she too showed her soul's reflection like the men at their back. In contrast to his pursuers earlier, it's pitch black, similar to the bearded man. "You see, when I asked him to surrender that time, that's what he also replied", she shrugged her head, "So stubborn."

"What does my father have to do with this."

"Nothing exactly—because we are . dead," Meriane laughed.

"What did you say?"

"I said they're dead", she once again proclaimed with a louder cackle.

"Stop bluffing; why would they die, They are safe at the castle", Nicolas refused to believe her, although he's starting to have a bad feeling about what's going on.

"Do I look like I'm kidding? I stabbed them with my own hands, you know— I'm pretty sure they're dead. You can even ask Edmund here, and also— wait a minute—", the princess looked at him straight in the eyes before digging her bag and throwing something out, "Here—"

It clinked and clanked as it bounced from rock to rock, It had a golden color to it, along with a sprinkle of brown. He did not find the need to have a closer inspection, the insignia confirms it, it was the crown as golden and gallant, that brown stain is not just a thing, it's dried blood. Nicolas suddenly felt devastated and looked pale. There is no denying it at this point.

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"YOU MURDERER", he roared, rushing towards Meriane as he failed to contain his emotions, "IS THIS KING FERROL'S PLAN", his eyes determined and burning in anger.

"Of course not", Meriane blocked his sword, "At least not this time," she added before pushing Nicolas back without breaking a sweat.

"What do you mean?"

"Remember the incident on your 7th birthday? that's his fault; he admitted it to me. See? I'm quite useful, aren't I", Meriane started her counter with a full swing.

Nicolas knows the princess has no combat experience and is not handling any weapons, so her movements came as a surprise.

"Is it his fault?", he asked, parring her at the last second.

"Don't worry about that, my handsome prince, he's already dead, I killed him too. The old man said he needed sacrifices so we did, half of the people from Algernon and half from Gregoria."

"Why would you let that happen, Why the hell are you even here for", Nicolas felt rage surge through him as he imagined the hellish sight he once lived happening again to his own kingdom. "Is Darius also here then, SO YOU CAN ALL DIE AT MY HANDS"

"He's with someone VERY important.", She went for his neck but failed. "And If you're wondering what 'you' being a 'sacrifice' is all about, come with us and you'll be enlightened", she grinned before returning to Edmund's side. "You know what? I'm already tired. RESTRAIN HIM", she ordered her men, who had been keeping watch until now.

Nicolas, knowing he'd have no chance for one versus many, immediately climbed a boulder to gain an vantage point, but this also placed him cornered. All he could do was push anyone away as they tried to climb and subdue him, but no matter how many times he push them, falls, bruises, bleeds, or even broke their bones, they still get up as if nothing happened. He was quite amazed at how tough they are, but one particular person made him reconsider. Bald, bleeding, and rigidly moving, the man he stabbed earlier, whom he made sure he killed, was now joining the fun once again.

Meriane and Edmund just watched him from below, as if they had all the time in the world.

He desperately fought for his life when, out of nowhere, dozens of arrows drilled themselves into Nicolas's pursuers, causing them to all fall at the same time.

"You sure got here fast", Meriane complained as she furiously gazed at the people from afar. "Okay boys, change of plans, kill all of them, LEAVE NO ONE BREATHING", she pointed at the archers.

"NICK, COME HERE", Alice called for him as their vanguards took over the front line. If he had a piece of gold for every time he had been confused today, he'd already have enough saved for his entire life.

Meriane, also hearing the girl's call, gave another specific order. "Kill them all, but leave that girl to me," she said, her burning gaze directed only at Alice.

The battle had already started, but Nicolas was still in the dark about what was going on. Nonetheless, he found it as a nice chance to flee. He had already jumped into the bushes when he saw Meriane effortlessly dodging Alice's shots.

"I'm glad you're still alive, and well, I never thought I would have the chance to kill you with my own hands, Alice," Meriane shouted as she chased Alice, who was desperately trying to gain distance.

"GET AWAY FROM ME, YOU HELL SENT BITCH", Alice replied as she fired a shot, but her nervousness got the best of her. A single misstep led Alice to meet the ground, and Meriane, who's at her tail, caught up to her.

"You can't escape me." Meriane stepped on Alice's back, full of force, meaning to break her spine if she could. "YOU RAN OUT OF LUCK", she burst out in laughter while preparing to skewer the girl. All is going well for her, not until someone tackled her to the side.

"WHAT THE HELL, NICOLAS?" she complained.