The second prince, Estevan, cut down a light armored enemy. He felt a little less protected in his sleepwear. There was just no time to change into something decent. With him were a couple of knights defending him.

He was trying to break through the line of enemies to continue ahead. But he surmised he must be one of the priority targets considering the sheer number of enemies coming his way to kill him. One knight came to him to convey Rogan’s words, to meet by the stairs. He guessed that would be where he’ll meet the rest of his family.

“Die, prince!” An enemy knight came charging towards him.

Estevan parried the incoming blade, and simultaneously extended his hand to cast Palm Shield, violently pushing the enemy knight back. While the enemy staggered, Estevan filled his blade with mana and shot a subsequent pair of magical arcs against the knight. The slashing attack easily cut through the armor, and lashed his flesh.

Estevan panted as he watched his enemy collapse to the blood-stained floor. He looked around at the battles, his knights fighting, more enemies coming to kill him, and a few more knights coming to defend him, but his thoughts still ended up to his family. He believed that Eleden could more or less handle himself, especially with the knights, but what about his mother and his young dear sister?

Estevan used his Armament Magic again, and fired multiple arcs of light towards the incoming enemies. Some got injured, while some evaded. He charged forward and joined in to help one allied knight, slashing the sides of an enemy, giving the friendly knight a chance to land a killing blow.

A mage stepped in and fired a ball of fire at Estevan. The prince cast a wide barrier to protect himself from the spell. As the flames clashed with his barrier, two dark outfitted enemies emerged from the rear and threw daggers at him.

“Look out!” A Wisterian knight stepped in behind Estevan and cast a shield of his own, blocking the incoming daggers. He noticed the blades were dipped in liquid. “Careful, it’s poisoned.”

“Thanks.” Estevan thought hard about how he should proceed. He looked at his surroundings, and he saw a Wisterian knight get cut down. It upset him. He knew that knight. But there was no time to grieve just yet. “We’re getting surrounded.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I just hope we’ll get help soon.”

“I doubt it, everyone has their hands full.” He took a deep breath. “We need to reach the stairs, the palace is becoming a hot zone. We need to reunite with our forces. So, let’s push forward.”

“Yes!”

There was one thing he realized facing these people from the empire. They weren’t as strong as the elf he faced in the city. Facing that elf, he realized how much he was lacking compared to the enemies that threatened his sister’s life. And that was why he has trained twice harder than he had before every time he had an opportunity to do so. And he had plenty of opportunities.

As he maintained his shield, he poured mana into his sword. “On my go, move aside.”

The knight glanced at Estevan’s sword and nodded. “Understood.”

Estevan took in a deep breath while watching the other knights in combat. The moment they were having an advantage over their enemy, even slightly, the prince gave his signal. “GO!”

The knight behind him promptly moved aside, while Estevan simultaneously waved his sword sideways. The emerging arc was blindingly bright, and so wide that it reached the edges of the hallway, even cleaving a bit through the wall. Blinded and surprised by the fast approaching light, the enemies at the rear, including the assassins, were unable to respond immediately, and were torn in half while others didn’t come out unscathed.

That momentary distraction gave the prince and his group a chance to charge through.

“Move! Break through! Slay everyone that stands in your way!” the prince shouted as he ran forward.

He cut through one light armored enemy on the way. The other knights that were out of the loop, or otherwise blinded by the same light, started following the prince.

On the way, Estevan either had to cut down an enemy, and often didn't kill them, or defend himself with his shield. He had developed at a fair degree ever since he fought an enemy out of his league. Perhaps even almost catching up to his father. And that was one thing the enemy, the empire, failed to anticipate. One of the many things, in fact.

And Estevan can never be prouder of what he had achieved. However, despite this, he had a feeling that he was not still a match for the elf. No, that was the truth.

Humanity will be hard-pressed in matching up to the abilities, to the power, to the potential, the mystic race possesses. Even if a knight like Estevan would improve, so thus will the race of mystic. Humanity could never hope to match the potential of the mystic race, the magical people blessed by the gods.

Eventually, they reached the proximity of the staircase. At the same time, one group arrived. It was Eleden and Rogan’s group. Estevan’s eyes widened seeing the princess’s personal knight with the first prince.

He was about to ask, but more enemies popped up. The allied knights engaged with them first as Estevan reunited with Eleden and Rogan.

“Rogan! What are you doing here?!” Estevan couldn’t help but raise his voice, agitated.

“Y-Your Highness, to protect the Crown Prince.”

Estevan couldn’t believe his ears. “But you’re her knight!”

“She gave me an order. To protect Prince Eleden.”

“What…?” Estevan glanced at Eleden. The latter looked pretty troubled himself, conflicted about this.

Just then, another group arrived. It was the Queen. Smiling in happiness, their mother rushed to her sons as her guards protected her. Among them was Vernon, Estelia’s butler.

Estevan fell into shock and distress. He could not understand why even the butler was not with her lady.

“Mother,” called Eleden. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

“Thanks to Vernon and the knights.”

Estevan shook his head. “If you’re both here, then who is guarding my sister?!”

“There is no time, we must leave the building,” said Vernon.

Estevan tightened his grip on his sword. “I’m going to Estelia.”

Estevan was about to make a run for it, but Rogan grabbed him on the arm. “Your Highness, we have a plan. We’ll meet with the Princess on the ground.”

“What plan? Who’s plan?”

“Hers.”

Estevan deeply frowned. “Where exactly are we supposed to be meeting her?”

“She said to meet on the entryways. We must act accordingly. Believe us.”

Estevan clenched his fist. He promised to himself that he would protect Estelia no matter the cost. He won’t make the same mistake the last time he hesitated. He won’t hold back in using his sword to protect her.

But if she planned for this, should he act as what she wanted? Or do what he wanted?

“We must go,” said Vernon as he cast a shield to protect the Queen from an incoming dagger.

“Prince!” exclaimed Rogan.

“ — Alright, we’ll go.” Estevan has made his choice.

***

Mera was with her fellow maids when they realized the commotion from outside. On the other side of the door.

“What’s going on?” Macey nervously asked.

The palace floor trembled slightly.

“I think we’re under attack…” said Mera.

“I swear if it’s that accursed empire!” Ellie made no effort to hide her disdain.

“Are we going to d-die?” another maid asked in a frightened tone.

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“How could they attack us like this?” said another.

“They’re going to come for us,” one whimpered.

Mera worriedly glanced at her coworkers. They all were of noble birth, the empire definitely wouldn’t mind wiping them out here and now. There were some trying to keep it all together, while others were either trembling, or were on the brink of tears. Never did Mera ever imagine something like this could ever happen. To this palace at the center of the kingdom.

“Are we just going to stay here?” Ellie warily asked.

“W-Where are we s-supposed to go? E-Enemies are outside!”

“Alright, Macey. Calm down.”

Macey tried taking a deep breath. “I-I can’t.” She closed her eyes.

“Panicking won’t do anything good.”

“I know that…”

Mera worriedly looked at her friends. She wasn’t as frantic like the others, for she was expecting something like this would happen. No, she knew something like this would happen when the Princess said it would when the king leaves the palace. Hiding the truth made her feel a bit guilty.

That being said, she was still feeling nervous.

Just then, there was a big loud bang on the door. Everyone silently stared at the door, concerned about who would be on the other side. Another bang again. Judging from how violent it was, no one friendly. Another bang, and the maids yelped.

And finally the door blasted open.

“Oh? Would you look at that? We got a lot of beauties here,” said an imperial knight as he stepped inside. A sword in his hand.

“Some kind of servants’ or maids’ quarters, huh?” Another in light armor entered.

“Are we killing them?”

“Guess so. Let’s leave the main targets to the others.”

“Such a waste of goods.”

“Not the place for that.”

“Really? I beg to differ.”

“No…”

As the two imperials conversed, Ellie slowly approached Macey.

“Use your magic, beat them up,” she whispered.

“W-What? But I’m not that strong.”

“Just do it. Not like we have any other choice. But wait for the others.”

Ellie then stealthily signaled the other maids, waving her hands like casting a spell gesture. The ones who could cast shook their heads, hesitating and afraid. But Ellie bit her lip and cocked her head to the enemies, giving the maids a tough look, as if saying just fucking do it.

Apparently with no other choice, the maids decided to comply.

Ellie counted down with her fingers. When it reached zero, she pointed her hand at the enemy.

Various kinds of spells fired out from the maids capable of casting.

“What the—!” the knight exclaimed.

Macey’s attack of plain mana formed into a bolt of magic. Caught off guard by the sudden resistance from measly maids, the enemy in light armor failed to protect himself, and he was blown off the room back through the door.

The enemy knight, however, protected himself with a barrier. Regardless, the barrage of magical attacks, along with a couple of fire spells, kept on coming.

“You bitch!”

They didn’t expect this. Even maids in the Empire were not capable of magic. Part of the reason was because they could pose danger, and mixed with them were commoners. The imperial castle does not fully trust their servants. And never would.

The enemy knight couldn’t casually lower his barrier, otherwise he’ll get hit. He could probably take it, but he would be wounded. As if he would let such a humiliating thing happen because of some maids.

The other imperial behind him slowly got up, gritting his teeth in anger and glaring at Macey.

“I’ll fucking kill you —” A blade pierced through his chest.

A Wisterian knight violently pulled out his sword before pointing it at the enemy knight.

“Stay away from them.”

The imperial knight clicked his tongue, and he readied his sword. He was still being bombarded by spells, while an enemy knight had appeared from the rear. He deliberated on what to do to escape the predicament. He poured mana into his sword, but maintained his shield. The moment the Wisterian knight stepped into the room, he swung his sword with one hand, unleashing a magical slash. An attack that the Wisterian evaded, and as he did, he sent an arc of his own. Without any much time to properly respond, the imperial knight blocked the slash with his sword, nicking his blade a bit.

With the imperial in reach, the Wisterian knight swung his sword and cut off the enemy’s arm through the elbow.

At the same time, Ellie shouted. “Hold fire!”

The maids’ barrage stopped. The imperial shut off his shield to swing his arm at the Wisterian. But the latter shifted to the side, swiftly avoiding the pathetic attempt. Mana swirled in his sword and he took a swing mid-air, firing an arc a foot away.

The imperial’s armor shattered as he staggered back. The Wisterian took the chance and stabbed him through the chest.

“B-Bastard.”

“Prick.” He aggressively pulled out his sword and watched the enemy fall to the ground. With a nod, he turned towards the maids. “You ladies, alright? You look alright, good.”

“T-Thank you,” said one maid.

“Yeah.” He walked over to the door and looked left and right. “Everyone’s fighting. You have no one to protect you, so I’ll be staying here.”

A couple of the ladies blushed at his valiance.

Mera looked at her friends, seeing that they were going to be fine now, she’ll be more at ease. She quickly approached the knight.

“Mera?”

“Where are you going?”

Both her friends asked.

“I’ll be fine.”

The knight curiously looked at the approaching Mera. “What is it?”

“The Princess, what about the Princess?”

“There are already a couple of knights who went to protect her.”

“Did you see them get to her?”

“No, we just separated.”

“I need to go to her.”

Princess Estelia never mentioned what she would be doing at this time. And the danger she could be in, without knowing what was going on with the Princess, it was gnawing at her mind. Mera was utterly worried that it was agonizing without making sure she was fine. It was true that the Princess could cast magic, but so could the enemy too. And they were storming the palace.

She must join the Princess. With that at least, if her life was to be required, then she would willingly give it just for the Princess to be safe.

When Mera was about to run, the knight grabbed her by the hand. “Are you crazy? You’ll die out there.”

“I’m the Princess’s attendant. I can’t just leave her to be all alone.”

The knight’s face shifted into understanding. “Fine, do what you want. Just don’t get killed.”

“Mera, wait. Don’t do this.”

Mera turned towards the begging Macey. “No.” She glanced at Ellie, and she just stared at Mera with a strong gaze.

Gathering her resolve, Mera rushed out of the room and headed for the Princess. On the way, she witnessed first hand the chaos ensuing in the palace corridor. Knights fighting enemies, walls torn, blood splatters on the floor and walls.

And worse of all, the thing that made Mera sick, to almost vomiting, was the dead. Their bodies laid on the floor. There were enemies torn on the throat, face bashed and slashed, limbs missing. Their bellies open, guts leaking out. Mera held in the vomit rising in her throat.

The most upsetting of all were the Wisterians that died. The palace that was supposed to be one of the safest havens in the kingdom, was reduced to a bloodbath. But she must go on.

There was still some fighting. When she encountered one battle in her way, she paused for a moment, waiting for an opportunity to slip through. If she makes a mistake here, she’ll get hurt, or perish. A moment later, when it came, she quickly ran through the side.

The enemy noticed her, but didn’t do anything. Likely because she didn’t look like a fighter, posing no threat whatsoever.

A moment later, she was closing in on the Princess’s room. She went past a Wisterian knight’s corpse, and an enemy’s. Further into the corridor, an intense battle was still occurring. But then, a couple of enemies got through.

A Wisterian knight tried to stop them. “No!” But then he was blown into the wall by the opponent he was fighting.

The two that got through were coming for Mera — no, they must be going for the Princess. Judging from how the knight was trying to stop them, then they have yet to secure her.

Mera touched the knob, but was surprised and confused to see the door was already slightly open. But there was no time to think, Mera entered the room and immediately locked the door close. She breathed heavily, terrified.

“Princess…? I came.”

She stepped away from the door and looked around. The room was dark, with only the source of light was the faint moonlight on the curtain covered window. She searched, but… there was no one here.

The Princess was not here.

Where is she? Did she leave already?

Suddenly, the doorknob was blown open. Mera gasped in shock and backed away, facing the door as the two enemies entered.

“Retrieve the princess.”

“This one? She doesn’t look like her description.”

“It’s not her.”

“There’s no one else. She already left?”

“That’s impossible. I don’t think she has gone past us yet.”

The two hostiles approached Mera, and she kept stepping back.

“Where’s the princess?” one asked.

Mera didn’t answer, despite trembling in fear. She had no intention of answering them. If she knew or not, she wouldn't say anything.

One at the front walked closer, as the other observed from behind.

“If you won’t answer, I’ll kill you.” He brandished his sword as he inched closer.

Mera heavily breathed, she didn’t know what to do. But then she noticed a shadow moved from behind the enemies. It was moving with completely silent steps. Slowly, it became clearer. It had red eyes.

Red eyes…?

She placed her index finger on her lips, looking directly at Mera.

Mera noticed a dagger in her hand. And then, she grabbed one enemy from behind, covering his mouth and slit his throat. Mera held back a gasp. She couldn’t believe what she just saw. She couldn’t believe what the Princess had just done.

The Princess casually let the man go, as he placed a hand on his slashed throat while blood spurted out. He was still alive. And he fell on one knee, eyes showing suffering, like he was choking in his own blood. He wanted to scream, but he couldn’t. He kept himself up, resisting his inevitable demise.

While he was suffering a slow and painful death, the Princess casually walked forward, coming for the other enemy. The one coming closer to Mera. Given the distance, Mera had a closer look at the Princess’s face.

There was nothing but an empty face. Emotionless. Not a sign of disgust, shame, or joy. Just blank. Despite what she had done.

Mera even doubted who she was.

The Princess tapped on the man’s armor.

“Hah?” The man cluelessly turned around.

There was a faint chime of metal moving at a swift speed. And blood spilled out of the man’s throat. The man took a moment to process what happened, before collapsing on both knees. The Princess nonchalantly crouched on his level, and she just stared at him, making eye contact. Just staring at his suffering, as if waiting for him to die.

A moment later, the man completely collapsed on the floor.

“How dangerous,” said a sweet, familiar voice. “Good thing they weren’t too strong.”

She stood up and faced Mera, and then she smiled. Still, despite that welcoming and friendly face, Mera could still clearly see the cold and ruthless eyes she saw.

“Mera, it’s good you’re alright.”

That caring voice.

Mera took in a deep, trembling breath. When the Princess walked closer, Mera involuntarily flinched. And the Princess paused, tilting her head.

“Are you afraid?”

“...”

“Who are you afraid of?”

Who was she exactly afraid of? Mera didn’t know. Only that her body was responding naturally.

“Are you afraid of me?” said the Princess. “I had no choice, Mera. They were intending on harming us. Harming you.”

The Princess slowly reached out and gently placed her soft hand on Mera’s cheek.

“You have nothing to fear. It’s just me.” Back were her ever so soft and caring eyes.

“M-Milady?”

“Yes.”

With the Princess’s spreading touch, Mera gradually calmed down as she carefully held the Princess’s hand on her cheek. Perhaps she wanted to make sure it was real. Or perhaps, she wanted to exploit the moment and savor the pleasing sensation. If it was the latter, then how devious she was to do this in this kind of circumstance. Where people were dying.

But why was it that she felt like she didn’t care? For this was more important.

Indeed. It was.

In the end, no matter what the Princess did, it was still her.

How shameful for her body to act repulsed and terrified. Fortunately, both her mind and heart did otherwise. And she closed her eyes with a smile.