-Valden's POV-
".......A dream... Was it?"
Waking up from my slumber, I prepared myself to attend breakfast with the two delegates. Ever since they realized one of them vanished, they became suspicious and overly wary of my courses of action.
It cannot be helped. The fools knew no bound to send children for the sake of forming alliances. I assumed they intended to make this negotiation as a debut for these kids to enter aristocratic society.
A so-called plan which was more or less fail-proof, had I been more entertained.
Ever since I saw the three, I felt anger building up inside of me. Not due to how foolish the other kingdom's believed I would not harm them, but because they easily forgot of our monarchy's sufferings.
As I sat on the throne, I put an elbow on the armrest and supported my chin with the back of hand.
"How foolish. This is why pure breeds are..." I breathed out, almost sneering.
My aide told me that another conference will begin past afternoon. Until then, I am to deal with the mundane problems my people have.
Most were complaints though. I know they wanted to get rid of these rude guests but some delivered me inquiries. And it was related to the third one, the girl who's my rival's daughter.
Some suspected her as Iris. Some accused me as to sell her to humans for informal ceasefire. Some pleaded, wishing to see her out of guilt.
Truly. These people are bunches of fools.
First they ostracized her way in living. Then they demanded for her exile. Next they accused me of being a cruel ruler equal to a Tyrant for leaving her to die. Now they wanted to apologize.
None had the brightest mind, these failures who were born from failures. I guess this must be the fault in our bloodlines but I couldn't care less.
*crackle* A distant sound rang out in my ears.
I frowned and stood up. My aide went to me and asked.
"Your majesty, did something happen?" The Black Cat questioned.
"Gramven, coordinate with Urgvun and evacuate the people. Once done, bring out our guests through the backdoor while ensuring the prison is not harmed."
"Y-yes, your majesty... But what for-"
Right at that moment, the palace shook. With my hearing, I could detect movements entering my territory and havoc spread everywhere.
"How distasteful. Is this how you intend to greet a Divine Beast?"
I snorted and left the throne. Right at that moment, pulverizing scarlet tongue of flame descended. Burning everything as well as heating the air as if I was in a volcanic mountain.
Gramven already fled before the flame poured down, but I gazed up once it died down.
"What do you want this time, Hizuki?" I asked. Contempt was within my words and I glared at the flying figure who's right above the hole of the ceiling.
Two red wings, strong arms with razor claws. A series of sharp crystals running down his back, his shoulders and his limbs. In addition, a long sharp external bones at the tip of his tail as if it was a living mace.
His face had matured. Looks like he also awakened his heritage which was Wrath of Drakelord.
Even though it was no more than an inferior subspecies of a dragon, the blood of his ancestor ran quite deep in him, huh? How troublesome.
"Valden! This time, I will kill you!!" He exclaimed.
The youth with fiery incandescent hair and a horn protruding from his forehead - Hizuki - seemed to be no more than a child. He had matured physically but his mental state regressed, more or less huh?
"For what? I had enough of you placating Her name for your bent vengeance."
I exhaled at such sight. He even succeeded his father but his selfishness was beyond hope.
"Silence! You dared to let her die!! You didn't even protect her!! You gave no right to call her name, you coward!!"
Coward... huh? The former me would have lashed out but I have been informed by Him. I now know the truth and I have to do my job.
Well, assuming what He said was true, though. I don't like the idea for the least bit as it meant my sister's sacrifice was fruitless.
After all, at that time, to defeat the Warlord, there was no other option but to use her unique ability. Hers was far greater than any other in the whole continent and there was no time to think.
At any rate... this fiancée of my dead sister was still enraged to this date.
"Truly. You are such a fool, Hizuki. How long are you going to cling to the past?"
"Shut up! Shut up!! I won't stop until this wretched place go down into oblivion!! I'll kill you and all of those bastards who dared to sacrifice Iris!!"
Hmph. I snorted, drawing out my scimitar. The weapon who was my partner for all this time. The one who had witnessed the truth alongside me.
"A tribe once defeated due to carelessness and blindness in rage. If you dare to harm my people, then I shall take you down."
Yellow aura enveloped me, streaks of lightning began to emerge from the base of my feet. In the face of a Drakelord... One who rules flame, a vassal of a Flame Dragon, I could never be careless.
Therefore...
"I'll show you that I have become stronger! Stronger than you and that accursed Warlord!!!"
"Come if you dare. Don't just bark, flying lizard."
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Surprisingly, things went really well.
In fact, the random orders I gave became reality too fast that I'm baffled. I was advancing with the beastmen soldiers but I can't help feeling restless in the inside.
After all... they complied with my orders so easily with loud voices and the way they gazed at me... seemed different.
More than when we chatted in prison. More than when we played games and gambled for extra servings. More than when some tried to counsel about their life choices.
I looked upward. The buildings around here more or less similar to the ones in Egypt. Most of the civilians have been evacuated while some... people with unfortunate circumstances are left behind.
But - unexpectedly, they knew how to fight. Be it elders, children, men or women... they all at least have years of experiences in combat. I asked the soldier near me out of curiosity and he answered.
"Us feline beastmen has the rule for the young to slay one hundred monsters as a proof of adulthood. And if we wish to serve the monarch, there is no choice but to become stronger by a hundred times over."
Or so he said. Apparently, the weak are driven off while the shrewd and strong gain reputations. Gram said he's not strong so I guess he's the shrewd type but that kind of people are also looked down upon by the majority.
Hm… a power-based hierarchy huh? I can't say that is a good system. Although I have no right to comment as I am a human.
"Still... leaving behind the weak? I can't allow that." I murmured and sped up.
From the alley nearby, lizardmen began to swarm out. Drawing out sword, I started by slashing the closest and proceeding to issue orders.
"First squad, follow me! Second squad and third squad, protect the wounded as well as civilian! Fourth squad is to scout the area for possible ambush!!"
The soldiers replied with a unified roar. I glanced at them but I really can't help wondering.
These guys... seemed too loyal to me. Could it be that they are mistaking me with Valden's sister? If so, then I myself have no actual merit. Only my appearance...
"Kheeek!!" A lizardmen pounced with a lance.
Tough battered, it had tenacity and ferocity. Although for the current me...
"Hmph!"
I slashed the lizardman and it became halves. Surprisingly, these lizardmen have brittle defense at their abdomen. Even if armored they could never hope to win against my sword style which focused at monsters extermination. Not to mention, if I coated any weapon with Aura, the sharpness quadrupled.
Both parts of the lizardman's body flew by me and I proceeded to carve out path.
"Nowhere is safe and I can't invite large number of people into the nearest shelter else it will lure the enemy. What the hell should I do?"
I complained while securing the perimeter. The biggest problem was that the territory is too large with the city becoming rubble. I have suspicions there's an even bigger power that could achieve this feat.
Anyway, steering clear from troubles is the best. Also-
"Captain of Fifth Squad has arrived, reporting in!!" A soldier reported. He's the captain with different pallete of color for his armors.
Well, he's also the same as the rest. He seemed to harbor admiration on me but I know he's mistaking me with a dead person.
In the end, I have no choice but to get used to it. Although there's some sliiight problem in hands-
"Milady, we have successfully recovered supplies including equipments from the armory!"
*piku* A twitching sound came from my temple.
The beastmen must have reacted to the sound and preparing themselves. Of course, they mistook it as foreign bloodlust or suspicious movements, which is supposed to come NOT from me.
Had I been in worse mood, I would have chewed this guy out. It's sad that I must control the situation as it forced me to assume a dignified and calculating impression.
Of course, I don't give a damn about my manner in wording it. Polite speech in a life-threatening situation? What are you? Some prideful aristocrats with severe case of glorification complex? Or are you idiots with eighth-grade syndrome?
Even in fantasy world, I doubt there's something like manners before killing in a battlefield. And so I'm irritated by how these people revered me and saw me as some deity.
"Stop it with the way you call me. Just report like usual."
"B-But Milady is...!"
"Aaah, enough. Get to the point now and here or I'll have you personally go out to destroy some of the enemy ranks all by yourself."
At the last line, the beastman showed sparkles in his eyes with flushed cheeks!
"Pl-Please do!" He stated.
A creep hath appearedth! Freak level: Godly!!
I seriously want to bury this guy! If you really want to die so much, then why are YOU, the biggest shot in this group, is showing such refreshing smile?!! I don't need any soldier who says 'MOAR!' as they wheezed heavily despite having their chests punctured with holes!!
Seriously, why am I always encountering the wrong people!? And it's always, ALWAYS the guys who got their personalities screwed over!! Is this world mad or are the Gods drinking vodkas when they created life!?
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"Enough. Report your findings. Now." I put emphasis on the last word to make sure my thought is conveyed.
The beastman nodded repeatedly and he explained. "The armory was damaged and some high-class magic weapons have been stolen. However, we have recovered medical supplies and weapons enough for all of us."
"Did you encounter other soldiers in the way?"
"Yes, but most are..."
...I frowned at the clouding expression of the captain. Rather than saying he ignored them, it was as if he's too late to arrive on the scene. Which is probably truer than slightly bent truth.
I closed my eyes and exhaled. Then I turned around. "Bring me the weapons I mentioned before."
"Y-Yes ma'am!"
The soldier left briskly but I called out and he stopped.
"Good work. And, I'm sorry." I muttered.
Some would ask why I'm apologizing, but it's nothing new. I ordered the Fifth Squad so that they could procure some things for the wounded and to replace the shabby equipment we have.
Unfortunately, because of that, they risked themselves by delivering a large amount of objects. Thus, for the sake of recovery, I had to tell them to ignore anything even if that meant they had to abandon those in need of help.
This might sound contradicting to my original priority, but I have to see things realistically. I have no choice.
"...Milady, it was a brave decision. We are your swords and shields, therefore... please use us as you please."
The soldier bowed and left the scene. This time, an uncomfortable silence evaporated as fast as it permeated.
"...Even if you say that, we're talking about people’s lives here." I murmured. "As if I like doing this."
I sighed. Then I remembered what Fei said to me. In the Academy Dungeon, he told me how he wished to save everything. How he failed to do so. How he had no choice but to slay those who were once his family and friends.
"...the world sure is cruel. I kind of understand why he became like that."
In the way here, I certainly witnessed atrocities enemies could have done. I saw some killing children slowly and I saw some about to violate women.
Once seeing that, the soldiers almost went into frenzy had I not stepped in to deliver judgment on the lizardmen. But the bitter taste to see children or parents weeping for the dead loved ones? It's horrible enough to become a part of my Nightmare.
At this rate, I might see too much. At this rate, I am going to taste what I must not taste. At this rate, I might change into someone else.
I raised my hand and touched the Crest on my chest. The warmth was there, albeit faint. It was the only thing that kept my hopes up, and I felt as if Fei was next to me. The thought alone was more than enough to lift my spirit up and also to move forward even if only for a step.
He’d mock at me and kissed me again otherwise.
"...I can't stop here." Just as I looked up on the sky, the earth shook greatly, causing me to almost lose my footing.
Among the shrieks made by the survivors, I noticed something was happening at the direction of the palace. It was the only building where smokes and flames did not eat but-
*BOOM!* A portion of the palace was suddenly destroyed apart by an explosion. Bolts of lightning, red of flame, storms of wind erupted inside out to ravage the area surrounding the palace.
Amidst the crumbling parts of building, I saw a glint of red along with yellow. The two color became streaks of light which jumped around, clashing every so often while emitting ridiculous amount of aura.
"That... That is the Emperor's aura!!" A child pointed out.
"He's fighting...? Against who?" I narrowed my eyes.
Could it be... the enemy's leader? That's possible but I sensed something different when I observed the red streak.
Somehow, that light is too sinister for being an aura. It's even more sinister than Fei's gaze when he wielded the pure white sword.
Just when we were staring at the unbelievable sight, my Aura tingled, detecting something foreign.
"...We've got company." I muttered clear enough for everyone to brace themselves.
Approaching from a street in front of us was a squad of beastmen. Most of them worn out and they were frantic enough to run as if escaping from some kind of inexplicable horror.
But... among the ones seen running at the front were people I knew of.
"Huh - Elliot! Seina!!" I called out.
"Lady Charlotte! You're safe!!" "Tch... so she's still alive..."
Shut up, you pointed ears. I don't need your sarcasm. Besides...
"Even Gram is with you two. I guess the three of you escaped before the palace blew up."
"Well, Gram dragged us. More or less but he saved us."
"Hmph! He didn't tell us anything though so I almost beat him up for committing lèse-majesté."
Geh. You're rude as always. Typical noble... I wonder if other elves are like her, Melinda certainly isn't like Seina so I guess...
That Witch must be the oddball here. Umu, she must be. While the situation became more relaxed, I checked on Elliot's group. Some servants including maids and butlers, children who must be a part of the Monarch, and royal guards. The one who acted as tour guide wasn't here though.
But, I suddenly noticed something was strange.
"Hey, where's Sir Lance?" I asked Gram.
"He is..." The person in question faltered.
...at that, a sense of foreboding rose inside of me. Could it be...
"Aah... I'm... here, your highness."
Huh? I looked over to the group and found a man carried by the shoulder. Half of his head wrapped with bandage, vivid red color staining the white cloth and he was in a terrible state.
A broken arm, severed left leg, and countless wounds such as bruises, cuts and burns.
I'm surprised he's still conscious and I held my breath.
"Sir Lance!" I rushed to him and supported his staggering body.
"Ouch ouch...! Not so rough, Princess..."
"Ah, I-I'm sorry! But... what happened...!?"
Gram exhaled then answered in Lance's stead.
"He fought a tough opponent. The right-hand of the Drakelord... I think. And they were on an uneven ground."
"Heh... I trained hard as Lady Iris' personal guard... After all."
"Doesn't mean you have to refuse our help, dumbass. And to think both of you were once drinking buddies too."
The man laughed bitterly. Although Lance was trying to be frivolous, he... he must have hurting in the inside. I stared at him and he smiled at me too.
"Sorry, Princess… After all, I heard that it was him who sent his soldiers to raid the prison..."
"...so you went in a fit of rage. You're... dumber than I thought."
"That hurts... at least. I have..."
I raised a hand and pounded a fist on his chest. It was light enough to be called as touching but it surprised him. I looked down, and then pulled his ear.
"Owowowowoooowww!?"
"Don't. You. Dare. To. Do. That. Again."
"........"
"I don't care even if you were to face shrewd enemies. But risking your life in anger? You could have died more easily than amateurs would!"
I shouted out from the top of my lungs.
"Listen, Lance! I allowed you to call me Princess so don't you dare to die on me! I won't forgive you otherwise!!"
Flabbergasted, the man dropped his jaw. Composure broken down and he went flustered when I demanded an apology and swear of oath.
"I-I swear I won't commit suicidal acts again!! I swear in the name of the Chaos God!!"
So he said. I nodded down and turned around.
"Go see the healers to treat your injuries. We're moving out soon so rest until then."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Thus I let Lance be accompanied to the main group. Looking back on Elliot's group...
"Well, where were we at again?"
Right then, I heard faint whispers.
"She... she really resembled her highness Iris..."
"Such strong will and passion... Ah, when did I last saw such figure...?"
"My back is itching for another whipping session..."
"I... think I'm in love again."
"What did you just say...?"
.......okay, looks like these guys just don't have the knack in being serious when it should be.
And the two noble kids over there, stop your love quarrel for a moment or this will never end.
I almost hung my head in dejection when I felt it.[/i\ I held my breath, unsheathing the sword and yelled.
"Who's there!?"
My voice, not masking the frantic impression alerted the others. the wounded ones shriveled along with the powerless servants and I stood in front of Elliot and Seina.
[i]"Hoo...? To think ssssssomeone actually noticed my pressssseeence... and by no meanssss... human."
The voice was low and deep. A man's voice, I concluded but the source was nowhere to be seen. Left? Right? Hidden with magic? No...
"Above!!" I slashed upward when a great sword descended upon me.
The moment the swords clashed, the air exploded around me, the ground pulverized and shockwave blew everyone like a wind scattering a mound of leaves.
"Gh...!?"
Damn... it! So heavy!! I roared and knocked the great sword away and it took almost all of my strength! I panted, glaring at the attacker who landed smoothly and standing up.
Contrary to the great sword which retracted back to his grasp, a small person of unknown origin was there. The hand was skinny and reflecting shines of jade scales, a bladed tail slithered from under their tattered cloak. Dark green aura was exuded from their body as a snake tongue stuck out for moments before pulling back in.
"...who are you?" I inquired. Fear and wariness brought me to set a defensive stance.
I wasn't even able to sense him so he must have ridiculous strength. Could it be... the boss monster? Is he the leader of the lizardmen...? My inner curiosity was, unfortunately, blown away by Seina's gasp.
"It... it can't... be...! Why... why are you here!?"
Seina...? I glanced at the frightened elf and then back to the unknown man. He gave us a condescending gaze but I felt it. I felt something similar before...
Those gaze. That desire within his golden eyes... While staring at me with such gaze, the man raised his great sword as easily as holding a wooden stick with one hand. Exuding terrible pressure where no mana nor aura were used for... He exclaimed.
"Heh... heh he he... Ssssspppleeendid... Ssssooo... it iiiissss you, Irregular... No. One of the Fragmenttssss…”