Unexpected thing is called that because nobody expected it to happen.

For example, meeting a cat bus which flashed a wide grin.

Nobody would, in their wildest dream ever expected it to happen. Even in fantasy world, that kind of bus is leaning more to the creepy side rather than wondrous.

Also, it combined two different culture when the best thing that humans could make here is by far, clockwork and the likes. In Magnis, of course.

But anyway - unexpected thing is always my enemy as it never helped me.

Whenever troubles appeared, a twist in the process easily caught me off guard and almost sent me to heaven. Well, I died once whole being aware of it so it must be related with my never ending misfortune.

That's why... in a battlefield where everything is uncertain, something beyond my wildest imagination will surely hurt me. This time though, I felt like screaming as I gazed up at the sky.

Why? Because there's a meteorite? No... it's something simpler and smaller. The unexpected is descending and it's...

In the form of two men entangled together while hitting each other at point blank range.

"You damned shitty Emperor!!" A scaled beastman with a broken horn shouted out.

He threw a straight right and it hit thr feline beastman squarely. He faltered a bit but he raised a fist.

"You sex crazed salamander!!" The feline beastman lashed out.

He punched the winged beastmen at the solar plexus. The man's body bent and he vomited blood out yet he glared ahead.

Gripping the collar of the Emperor, the winged man with broken horn smashed his forehead against his. A loud sound could be heard along with a few faint cracks.

Blood splattered, bones breaking and flesh was torn yet the two did not stop hitting each other.

To be honest, they're amazing. They could still fight like that even with how insane their power was. I didn't even think a winner will appear and would have liked to watch it to the very end if I must.

But! A problem is a problem. The thing is...

"They're coming here!" Gram shouted out in panic.

He rushed to me, maybe to save me but it's too late.

"Eh? Eh? Eeeeeeeeehhh!!?"

The dumbfounded me. The slow me. I was able to measure how dire the situation was only when the two fighters approached me.

In their descent, they must have not thought about anything about TPO. The moment they heard my voice, they paused, then looked at me and-

" "Ah." "

*BOOM* *CRASHES*

And so - this kind of thing similar to when I was struck by a truck happened. God, it fucking hurts!!

"Ow... Uuu... what... what was... that..." I groaned in pain.

I was on the ground, feeling lightheaded and for some reasons, my vision was blurry. Uhh, and somehow, it feels heavy... what exactly happened?

I wanted to move but I can't. Though the back of my head was throbbing in pain, I didn't think anything was wrong with my body. Maybe if the mysterious heavyou feeling disappeared.

I rubbed my eyes, slowly getting used to the intensity of light. Bits by bits all became nnormal but...

".........eh?"

For some reasons, I found someone on top of me. I looked up and it was a man with cat ears and strip-colored tail. He's staring at me with wide eyes but I felt something heavy and rough... well, a little soft on my chest.

So I looked down, only to see... two hands fondling my breasts.

Not only that, when I tried to move due to shock, I felt like something tugged my dress so I looked further below...

And I noticed a broken horn popping out from beyond the long yet tattered skirt. Plus with a voice.

"What... is this? Why is it dark here?"

......................

A banshee-like scream rang out in the ruined city shortly after. Followed after a round of beaten flesh and cracks of bones.

"I can no longer be a bride...!" I slumped down and cried.

"Uh... well, it's okay, nya... Milady hasn't lose anything... yet. Probably, nya." Gram consoled me by patting my head but I couldn't stop crying.

I mean... two men pushed me down and they did all those things! They defiled me! What if Fei found out!? I can't even imagine that and I don't want my love life to end so sooooonnn!!

"This is all your fault!" I yelled at the two culprits whose upper bodies were buried in the ground. "I'll sue you! I am so going to report this to my parents!!"

The moment I said that and one beastman shook. He got out of the ground through unknown reason as if he sprung back up and...

"Wait, wait! If you told those two, they won't end at leveling my entire territory!!"

"I! Don't! Care!!"

This Divine Beast and that lizardman is at fault! They're guilty that even Phoenix Wright must have agreed with me!!

Then, once Valden's face was as pale as white sheet, I heard another rattle.

The other one... the lizardman with wings and scales and a broken horn... looked at me. He was stupefied.

...somehow, I'm getting an ill vibe from him...

"......Iris...?"

And... he said it. I turned around to Valden but he shrugged. Che... this guy is annoying.

"I'm sorry but you are mistaken." I denied the man's word.

"What...? No, it can't be...! Hey, Valden!"

Ah, so it's no good huh? Hmm... judging from his behavior and how he doubted me, then he must have a hardcore feeling for Iris.

Somehow, it troubled me as I have identical appearance with the dead princess. So it's better to solve this as quickly as possible.

I walked to the man and slapped his cheek hard.

"Uh...?" He stared blankly at me as he stopped wavering.

"Did you or did you not order those stupid lizards here?"

I asked without giving a room to ask back. The long silence was more than enough for me and I grabbed the sword sheath in a flash.

*WHACK!* The sheathed Tyrfingg struck the man squarely between the eyes. It was even powered by aura so the impact was enough to send him flying.

"Stupid idiot! What the hell is your problem!!?" I shouted at him. "Do you even have any idea how many people are killed thanks to your incompetence!!?"

"What...? No, this is...! I just want to avenge..!!"

"If you even try to use that 'Iris' as your pretext, then screw you even more!! All you did is just torturing the dead, you scumbag!!"

I yelled again. I never thought I would drop my charade here but this guy deserved it. Especially when I have heard and known how much Valden's little sister was to the people here.

Smart. Gentle. Always helpful and beautiful beyond imagination. Not only that, she didn't discriminate and she's capable of mediating wars through words alone.

There's no doubt that Iris was beloved by the people here. There's no lies about it as many sung her name with yearning and longing. I even doubted someone such as her died not in peace. Then what about this guy who justified his deed by the name of that person?

"Well, congratulations. You've become the person I hate the most after Takeru-sensei."

"What...!? You... you compared this me with that coward of a human...!!?"

Coward... he said? My eyebrow twitched at that exclamation but I couldn't care less when another explosion emerged from behind me.

To be more specific, it came beyond the crater with several beastmen thrown high to the sky.

"Gram!" I shouted and the feline beastman rushed like a strip of shadow.

Whoa, he even kicked the air as if it was normal. So ninja truly exist in fantasy world. I thought it's just Haru's empty talks.

Gram skilfully grabbed the flying beastmen and tossed them lightly to a better platform. Since demi-humans are sturdier than humans, they didn't die nor suffer critical injuries once they landed but I still could hear their agony.

Well, whatever. Time to see how the damn snake fares. I unsheathed Tyrfingg and walked forward.

"Wait... wait! Iris, where are you going!?"

Gah... this stupid man. He's in daze and is way too ignorant. He can't even recognize the obvious differences between me and Iris.

Really. I would have thrown him a sword or kick his crotch but let's not worsen the situation. He asked where, right?

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"To the battlefield, of course." I answered without batting an eye at him. I passed by Valden and he muttered.

"...I didn't imprison you to let you commit suicide."

"Then sorry but I intend to leave this damned place alive. I'm sick of people seeing me like that."

"You... do you know what your true circumstance is?"

Aah? I glanced at Valden but he seems serious. Fine then.

"That I'm an odd existence with mismatched soul and body? Or is it because I resembled your late sister too much?" I inquired.

"...so you know that too. But-" before he could say anything, I interrupted him by swinging my hand.

"Forget it. I no longer care about what myself is. Does it even matter?"

...ah. He looked at me as if saying it does. I wonder why. After what Tatiana said to me, I no longer am surprised by whatever secret I have.

The stupid thing is - I'm not even aware of it. Good grief, such a troublesome thing.

"...don't you understand?" Valden asked.

"About what?" I replied.

"You and Iris… are not the only ones possessing those resemblances."

What? I instantly looked at Valden but another explosion occurred. This time, it's bigger and dread clenched my heart at once.

"Hya ha! Aha ha ha ha haaaaaaa!"

Following after the mad laughter was a colossal shadow towering over dozens of meters. Hidden by clouds of dust, a pair of serpentine eyes glared at me.

"Ssssplendid! Albeit a mere Fragment, I have yet been cornered thissss much for a long time!!"

The silhouette escaped, displayed its true appearance - and I choked.

Jagged scales resembling diamonds, the dull green color exuded odd luster while the elongated body slithered, wrapping several buildings. Then, towering above was a head resembling king cobra's with eerie patterns which I could not recognize.

With fangs and four pair of eyes... the serpent was a monster I could not help but fear and it opened its jaw.

"How curiousssss... how mysssterioussss...! You possssesssss unknown charm, Fragment...!" Vladimir said. "I want it... I want you even more... but time... isssss nigh."

The eyes narrowed as my body shuddered. Vladimir moved down and razed the ground as it approached me in mere seconds.

"Kh...!!?" I drew out Tyrfingg in reflex, only to be cast aside by a forceful push.

*CRASH!* The serpent's charge suddenly stopped, and I realized that someone was standing in front of it.

Arms stretched, his wings trembled as the deep red armors trembled.

"Hoo...? Why... are you stopping me, impertinent Drake...?" The serpent stopping poke albeit its jaw was not moving.

"That's... because..." The man's words faltered. Then he looked at me.

What... what's with... his eyes?

"I can't... allow her to be wounded! I didn't make a deal with you for her death!!"

The lizardman yelled out, yet a sneer could be heard.

"Fool... You picked the wrong choice... to concern yourssself with a mere imitation failsss you."

*WHACK!* With one sweep and the lizardman flew and crashed into the crater's wall. His figure completely embedded in there.

"Tch...! Don't just stand there, you idiotic girl!"

"Eh—uwaaaaaaah!!?"

I was taken by Valden and the spot I was in was crushed by the slithering body of the serpent. Not only that, as Valden quickened his pace, the monster pursued us!!

"Isn't this bad...!?"

"Of course it is!! Fighting the Astral Serpent is already more than a hassle and now he uses his real form!!"

What... so this is his true form!? Aren't all demons too hasty in showing off their power?!!

While thinking like that, Valden suddenly stopped. I was released but more like he three me down. I yelped in pain and… damn. My back hurts...!

"You. Stay here if you don't want to die." Valden said with a glare.

Then he flew away, leaving me behind the dust. I didn't even get a chance to complain so I exhaled and checked the surroundings.

"...huh? This place is..."

Lush green trees and grasses. Thick leaves and branches acted as the roof and only a circle of sunlight was allowed to pent rate the densely packed forest.

Oddly enough, I felt some familiarity with this place. Somehow... I know this isn't a forest. While it is true that the trees are thick and dense in numbers... if I looked closely enough, there are narrow blocks at the corner of the empty space.

As if something protruded from the edge of this 'forest.' Could it be... this place is inside the palace? It's true that when I entered, I only reached the throne hall where windows were closed tight by wooden frames but...

Eh? That tiger took me here? All the way back here? How come I didn't notice...?

Right then, the wind blew from behind me...

*ring* Alongside the sound of chime.

"Huh-"

I turned around, yet I only see a giant tree and... a grave.

"This... is..."

Leaves scattered then floated down. Amidst the gentle breeze and greenery—

[i\"I. Found... you... at last."[/i]

In that instance, fear seized me to move. I drew out Tyrfingg, rotated for 180 degree with a sliding step and thrust the sword forward at the source of voice.

*CLANG!!* The silvery white blade clashed with a jade green sword.

This time, it's not a great sword but a simple sword without ornament whatsoever. Yet the dreadful impression it gave to me did not dissipate, only heightened further.

"Excellent... Compared to the others, perhaps you are a Fragment possessing all of Her Combat Experience..."

A pair of serpentine eyes glowed beyond the sword. It felt as if I was touched by cold hands of Grim Reaper and so I pulled back Tyrfingg while retreating to a safe distance.

"No... way... you!? Why are you here...!?" I shouted out in fear and distress. "...un...unless... you are...!!"

"Hah ha. You have a great foresight. That's right, that Basilisk is a bait." The speaker said.

Impossible...! So... that huge serpent isn't this guy's main body!!? And why is his normal speech making him more handsome than he should be!!?

My wariness raised to the maximum and i was scrutinizing this... Vladimir. He's a demon, alright... and if he knows Ivory... then I can safely assume his true identity as a Demon General.

"You know nothing... don't you? Of what you are exactly..." Vladimir said.

He lowered his sword, revealing his appearance in front of me. With a malicious chuckle he smirked and with his observant gaze glued on me, I felt as if I was violated by it.

"Your birth is inevitable in this world. You with your golden hair and emerald eyes."

A man was there. Clad in black robe, he was a man with a handsome face and a devilish grin. His serpentine eyes shone, his long, snake tongue slithered and behind him, a blade tail swayed to the sides.

"It is no wonder that others desire you. For you are the sole existence with special value."

But oddly... his black green hair resembled someone else yet even that resemblance vanished the moment I laid my eyes on a portion of his hair which seemed to glow in golden color.

"But you and your brethren is never tied by blood. Your kind appeared in times where peace coexist with conflicts."

Cold sweats dripped down my cheek. I felt my breathing interval ruined and my heart was thumping fast.

This is... different. More so than when I encountered Ivory. More than when I fought Bravzgaim.

"Don't you know? That a war once happened because a Warlord rose in power."

Rather than fear, it was hopelessness. Rather than excitement, it was despair. Rather than desire for battle, it was desire to perish.

As if I know running away is too late. As if I know begging for mercy is impossible.

"Don't you know...? That the Warlord is in fact... a maiden who possessed a striking resemblance with you?"

This helpless feeling. This wish to give up...

"Rejoice, Maiden with Holy Soul. Before you are devoured by your own radiance, you will become the stepping stone for my master to topple the gods' reign."

It was despair.