The mist was cold and grayish white, it swirled around with a powerful wind of its own. All in all, almost like a blizzard, or a snow storm. There were even small frosts mixed in with the wind and fog.

The moment my mists scattered, however, I felt the shackles restraining the beast break.

I exhaled a white-colored breath, due to the cold. That being said, I didn’t feel the cold too intensely, just bearable. In fact, the mist and the wind were avoiding me somewhat, but not completely — not an easy thing to do, by the way. That’s why I was not completely safe from my own magic, I still needed more practice.

Now I just had to wonder how cold everyone else was feeling.

I took a step and conjured barriers to shoot forward, heading where the beast was as I remembered. With all the storm I caused, it was difficult to see. Visibility was almost zero, all that I could rely on was memory.

I felt an impact from the barriers I fired and sent a couple more. As I walked forward step by step, I had a faint glimpse of Elson lying on the floor while I tried to push the beast away, even for just a little. Gradually, I was reaching for the knight.

When he was within arm’s reach, I used physical enhancement and pulled him up by the back collar of his armor and lifted him up from there. Surely he wouldn’t mind being rough on the momentary trip. I moved away from where I was, meanwhile the ground shook for a moment. The beast must be stomping.

Don't mind me~.

It should have a hard time tracking my scent amidst this storm, with the cold and the wind and all.

I casually walked in a certain direction, but rushed a little of course. It didn’t take long before I found Vernon kneeling on the ground, his hair and beard were colored in the white of snow. He was shaking a little, perhaps due to the cold, mixed with the wounds.

“Vernon.”

“Princess…?” he looked up before catching an eye on Elson, whom I was crudely holding. “Did you bring this blizzard?”

“Not exactly a blizzard yet, more like a snowstorm.”

But also not snowstorm enough. Barely any snow around. This magic was from the Grimoire by the way, but way too low level… yet. Not the full spell.

Now that I have Vernon’s location, the storm began to avoid this spot after I marked it, which was easier than keeping the storm away from me, as I am constantly on the move. I slowly put down Elson beside Vernon and removed the knight’s helmet, so he could breathe a little easier.

I held out my hand, and light emitted from my palm. Was healing the two of them at once.

“What about Rogan?” Vernon asked.

“He’ll be fine. The cold should at least weaken the vines that were tying him earlier.”

At least I hoped.

“I s-see.”

“I wonder why you have not used your Palm Shield to shield yourself.”

“I am not proficient in spellcasting, princess… So I instead decided to focus on enhancement and protect my vitals. But, the beast’s attacks still take a toll on me.”

His barrier would have been broken easily and his body might not be ready to take those powerful attacks. Indeed, with his physical enhancement he almost looked like a tank to me, just taking all those bullets. A knight like Elson would have perished when he took all those attacks. And he was shredded by the wind barrier too after being blown away, sheesh. Tough Vernon.

“You are surprisingly calm about this, princess…”

“Oooh noooo, this is sooo scary~.”

“Was that sarcasm?”

“Nope.”

He sighed, as if tired already by my bullshit. Aaaw, and I was just getting started.

Then, their wounds fully closed up. There was a little bit of trace, but that should be fine for now. I don’t know about their vitality though, but with the wounds healed, they should have less to worry about.

“Wake him up. I’ll bring Rogan.”

“Wait, it's dangerous!”

“It’s alright.”

I made my way to where I remembered Rogan was. When I got closer, I heard the clashing of steel. I then faintly saw Rogan clashing with the elf again, guess the vine got bothered by the cold. I imagined the beast would have tried to meet with the elf, but it would seem it was still searching for me.

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A piece of my barrier crashed against the elf as I waved my hand.

Rogan looked on with confusion and I appeared beside him.

“Rogan, regroup.”

“Huh?! Princess? You’re the one behind this?”

I grabbed and pulled his hand to bring him to the others. When we arrived, Elson was already awake.

Rogan entered the small bubble and sighed in relief. “Great, it’s less cold here.”

“Princess, what should we do now?” Vernon asked.

“I had hoped to weaken the elf in this cold storm, to break his dome. But it would seem it’s easier said than done. Weaken the elf, make him lose focus. When the dome breaks, the others should be able to get inside to help us.”

Elson nodded and then asked. “And the beast? It would be a terrible obstacle.”

“Vernon and I will hold it. Elson and Rogan, you two will be enough to take care of the elf.”

“You, princess?” Elson knitted his brows in confusion. “That is too dangerous.” he shook his head, concerned with my safety.

“I will stay back, don’t worry. I can support Vernon just fine. Besides, I was not asking for permission whatsoever.”

“...” Elson lowered his head for a moment before nodding. “I understand.”

“Then, get ready. I will dispel the storm so we can see.”

They got themselves ready, and I extended my hands towards Rogan, casting healing magic.

“I should be fine, princess. There’s no need to waste your mana on me.”

“Nothing is wasted.”

When I was done healing him, the two knights stood next to each other. Although, Elson had no weapon. Still, it was not a problem for him it seems, I don’t see him complaining, he could use his fists just fine perhaps.

“Oh, before we go… Promise me one thing…” I smiled as they all turned their heads to look at me. “Don’t tell anyone what I did here.”

“...?”

“Or, don’t tell anyone what happened here at all. Only I have the discretion to do so. Do you understand?”

It took a moment as they were puzzled by my order, but eventually they all replied in the affirmative.

Good!

“Then, let’s do this.”

With a heave of my breath, the storm dissipated in an instant and the cold slowly subsided, all things came into clear view. Our two enemies paused in the sudden change before turning to look at us.

“Go.”

When I gave the order, everyone sprang into action. I stayed where I was as the two knights went after the elf, and Vernon to the beastman.

They all began fighting.

I focused on the beast, the one who was trying to charge towards me, but Vernon stopped and slowed it down. I waved my hand and a few pieces of my barrier appeared and flew towards it. The beast was now prepared, however, and used little pieces of his shield to intercept my projectiles, destroying them. But surprisingly, its armor didn’t recreate in that part, and his barrier seemed like they were about to fade.

The beast and my butler fought more intensely, the latter breaking and shattering the former’s shields piece by piece.

It didn’t take long before Vernon was able to punch its flesh. And after a few more hits, the beast staggered back. It was pretty killable now, unfortunately, it was not to be killed.

Then, the swirling of the wind dome lessened in intensity, and a second later, it dissipated. A more pleasant air instantly rushed into my lungs as I inhaled.

The beast instantly leaped back away from Vernon and returned to the elf’s side, who was grimacing in irritation. The elf was injured by the shoulder, from Rogan’s spear it would seem.

Then, the men who were stuck outside immediately surrounded the two.

“Surrender now, while you still can.” Elson said to the two non-humans.

At the same moment, Rogan promptly returned to my side. There was no need for him to be there anymore.

The elf scoffed. “Why should we? When our greatest enemy is right there.” He pointed his sword at me.

Greatest enemy?

What did I do?

“He’s right…” added the beastman. “We can’t stop now…” He growled. “Elivar…”

“Yes.”

They prepared to attack once again. But then in that moment, a loud voice suddenly chimed in close by.

“Evry! Please stop!”

The beastman paused, surprised, and turned towards the source of that voice. I too followed its gaze.

That voice was Allie’s, beside her was a church member that was supposed to take her to safety. Well, their path should go past us, but not exactly here. I imagine Allie just saw the chaos here and caught a glimpse of this beastman called Evry.

“Allie? You want me to stop? Who are you to tell me what to do?! You traitor!”

The expression of pain painted Allie’s face, being called a traitor must have struck hard.

“Please Evry, I don’t want you to die! Stop it, please! They won’t kill you!”

“Why would I believe you?!”

“I did it to spare you, to spare everyone! Please believe me!” tears welled up in her eyes, and she moved closer. She was sincere.

I narrowed my eyes as I looked at her.

The beast shook its head. “I don’t see the point of stopping just because you said so.”

“I don’t want those who cared for me to die needlessly. Please stand down, I beg you. No one has to die here, especially not you.”

Especially not him…?

I looked away for a moment. Things just got clearer in my eyes and heart.

Then Allie continued. “Please live.”

The beast lowered its head, hesitating, but deliberating. His eyes went to me before shifting to Allie again. It mildly nodded, as if it had made a decision. “... Alright, Allie… For today, I’ll live…”

With a tired sigh, the beast started to shrink. However, the moment it started doing so, a glowing blade suddenly slashed its neck, half deep. The beast stopped shrinking and grasped the slash on its neck to hold back the blood spurting out, its eyes wide as it looked at the elf.

It didn’t end there as the elf immediately stabbed his blade into the beast’s heart.

“Ggh…”

“No!” Allie exclaimed.

As the humans rushed towards the elf, he said to the beast. “Pathetic, allowing a human to sway you.” he twisted his blade. “You’re no different from our failure of a leader.” he let go of the hilt and he opened his hand towards the beast, a powerful wind followed, crashing into the beast’s heart, pushing the blade in further, and both crushing and slashing its chest too.

At the same time, a sword pierced the elf’s chest. But it was too late.

The two non-humans collapsed to the floor.

Allie ran towards the beastman, and touched it with trembling hands, cheeks crawled with tears. “N-No, it can’t be. Evry… Please heal him!”

A knight checked on the beastman. “He’s not breathing anymore. He’s dead.”

“No…” Allie pressed her forehead to the beast’s fur, she sobbed while shaking her head as if in disbelief.

A beastman, dead… As I said, it was killable. And as I mentioned, I won’t be the one to kill it. This was not the first thing I imagined how it would unfold, though.

But I guess, all’s well that ends well.

The plan was to capture the beastmen, yes, but in truth, I wanted something else. So, no pretty Princess was hurt in the process of this scene.

That’s one less beastman to worry about at least.

I walked towards the weeping Allie with gentle steps, and when I was close, I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

A sad expression on my face.

“I’m so sorry.” I said softly. “It shouldn’t have ended this way.”