EIITAB - Chapter 131 < Attack >
Even if it is Trampled and Broken
"You mean your divine power?"
"That's right. I always thought I lacked divine power."
Hestia reflected on the events of her first life. After her regression she avoided Anette, but in her past life, she often received blessings from her. Every time Anette's fingers touched her forehead, she remembered how she felt especially drowsy and lethargic, and how her physical condition was getting worse.
Hestia told her to guess to Aslan, who looked at her with his questioning eyes.
"You said that Anette sometimes gives you blessings when you stay in the capital. Every time, you felt like your strength was draining away. If she took away your life force as you think, she would have stabilized her own power with the divine power she took from you."
Aslan hugged Hestia's body even more tightly. Hestia was very reluctant to set foot in such a dangerous place. But she admitted that the moment she heard the revelation she received from God during her dream, she had no choice but to seek help.
In the end, the only one who could properly end this great sect was Hestia, the Saintess.
"If possible, I want to set off together."
"It's a dangerous place. You might get hurt. So, I'll go up first and take out the dangerous guys."
Hestia did not insist any further and soon let out a light sigh.
"Don't get hurt."
"Of course."
Hestia gently placed her face on Aslan's chest.
Thud, thud.
A small vibration was felt through her skin. The regular beat of his heart gave her a great sense of stability.
***
The next day.
Aslan, Dean, Wharton, and the punitive forces were armed and ready to depart.
"I said you don't have to come out."
"How can I do that?"
Hestia, who was seeing off, met Aslan's gaze and her eyes were rounded. All the people who lived in the village came into the castle. However, in the meantime, the number of injured continued to increase as the demonic beast continued to attack. This was because the ferocity of the demonic beasts had become much more severe than in previous years.
Aslan decided to leave Martin and Jerome as Hestia's bodyguards. The only person who knows the location of the cave is him.
Martin was later given the role of guiding Hestia when she climbed the snowy mountain.
"Jerome, and Martin. Please take care of Hestia."
"I will protect her with my life."
Aslan patted Jerome's shoulder heavily as encouragement.
"See you later."
Instead of greeting Martin, who bowed silently, he gave him a look of trust. Aslan took a short breath to control his disturbed mind and looked back at his men. As always, the subjugation team members were all looking at him with solemn eyes. Aslan mounted his horse without adding any words of encouragement.
"Then let's go."
"Depart!"
The group left in perfect order. Behind them, Hestia's worried eyes followed for a long time. The smile she worked so hard to put on for Aslan had already disappeared.
***
Three days have passed since Aslan left for the snowy mountains.
"The weather keeps getting colder. Madame Philippa, please take out more firewood and pay special attention to heating."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"There is no guarantee when the weather will improve, so heat the water from time to time. If we get sick at a time like this, there's nothing we can do about it."
"I will do as you command."
Hestia managed the household of Duke Kalathi's castle so skillfully that it was hard to believe it was her first time. She opened the castle to the refugees and provided them with meals and bedding.
Pilgrims and envoys from the south naturally also began to help with the work of Kalati Castle. The biggest reason was that Hestia, who could be said to be their highest-ranking person, took the lead and looked into the matter. If they stayed quiet, they would end up receiving help from their superiors, so they watched each other's opinions and helped the employees.
Priests and doctors examined the injured, and those who followed as escorts participated in guard duty in the inner city. It seemed like the High Priest was still displeased with something, but with Anette gone, he seemed to be unable to stretch out any further, so he set up barriers around Kalathi Castle as per the command Aslan left before leaving.
Although it cannot prevent physical intrusion, it has a warming effect, which is especially helpful for the elderly. As things in the castle became more organized, Hestia prayed to El Rafa whenever she was alone.
She prayed for Aslan's safety and begged to give him the strength to protect this land.
"El Rafa Please give me strength.'
God's voice is not heard again. But this time Hestia had no doubt that her call was reaching El Rafa. A soft light appeared in the hands she held, and warmth flowed from them. It was divine power. Although it was much stronger than before, it was easy to operate.
She thought as she quietly clenched her fists.
'I guess I should get ready to leave now!'
***
Late at night.
Even though she knew that the owner of the study was away, Hestia knocked and went inside. Even though Aslan had left the castle, she knew that Martin had stayed behind to handle his affairs.
"Princess."
When she appeared, Martin quickly got up from where he was sitting and bowed. Hestia greeted her with an equally brief nod before immediately asking a question.
"Lord Martin, has there been any news from Aslan yet?"
In response to Hestia's question, Martin lowered his eyes slightly as if avoiding her gaze.
"Yes, Princess."
Hestia's face was colored with disappointment. Aslan, who climbed the snowy mountain, decided to give Hestia and Martin a signal when it was time for them to depart.
Of course, he did not send her personal messages separately. He was supposed to have a smoke break at the appointed place, but after a few days there was no news, so it was hard to shake off her worries.
Hestia repeated her words to Martin with a look of deep concern on her face.
"How can there be no news like this? I wonder if something happened to the people who climbed the mountain......."
Seeing her anxious look, Martin shook his head and opened his mouth.
"Don't worry, Princess. My Lord, he is the master of Kalathi. He is also a knight with better skills than anyone else. What you need to worry about are the demonic beasts facing His Excellency."
Martin tried to ease Hestia's nervousness by joking a little, which was uncharacteristic of his usual personality. It seems that the effort was effective, as Hestia's stern expression finally relaxed a little.
"We'll hear from him soon, right?"
"Sure. As soon as they find the signal, they will set aside ten days and go tell the Princess."
"Thank you."
Hestia put a friendly smile on her lips.
"I think I took up too much time by focusing on busy people, Sir Martin. But it's too late, so let's take a break....."
It was then.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
A harsh bell sound came from outside the building, hurting Hestia's ears. The sharp sound that continued without stopping was perfect for taking people out of their minds.
"What does this mean?"
Since she had never experienced such a commotion since she came to this castle, Hestia looked back and forth between the darkened window and at Martin's face with bewildered eyes. From Martin's face, which suddenly stiffened, Hestia noticed that this commotion was something unusual.
While the bell was still ringing, a loud noise was soon heard from outside.
"The devil has invaded! Everyone gather towards the drawbridge!"
Martin, the short bird, adjusted his expression and spoke politely to Hestia.
"Princess, please go back to your room first. I will check what happened and report back."
The commotion was quite loud, so he knew that Hestia would have already heard the noise, but he deliberately created a sense of calm so that Hestia would not be agitated. But Hestia immediately shook her head.
"No. I will go too."
Her voice and expression made her seem determined at first glance. If she had been in the same state as when she first came to this estate, she would have silently nodded and retreated, thinking that she was of no help.
But Hestia now is different from then. She believed what El Rafa had told her, and thought that her power would be of great help to the Kalathi domain in some way.
'Otherwise, there is no reason for my divine power to become stronger day by day.'
Hestia took in her breath briefly and then she let it out.
"You'll need me just in case someone gets hurt. So, Sir Martin, come quickly with us."
As if she would not listen to his rebuttal, she turned around first and quickly left the study. Martin, who was looking at Hestia's back, gritted his teeth and quickly started to chase after her.
***
"Krrrrr!"
Hestia came out and came down to the first floor, almost running, unable to hide her surprise. Her pupils were dilated.
"That......!"
She had seen it too. These were wolf-type beasts that tried to attack the carriage she was riding in a while ago. The good news was that unlike before, the number of them this time was much smaller.
"Are there three in total?"
"It seems so. It seems like they broke away from the group or were left behind."
Martin, who confirmed the rapidly changing situation, explained in a low voice to Hestia.
"... Ugh."
"Damn! Are you okay?"
Before they came down, several knights were seen falling to the ground, breathing heavily and moaning, as if they had failed to rush in and subdue them.
The wolf-type beasts were so large that they could only fight one-on-one if they were as big as the trifecta and Aslan, and other knights had to attack in groups to be a match.
Martin, who confirmed the number of injured, made a request to Jerome in a firm voice.
"Jerome, no matter what happens, consider the Princess's safety as your top priority."
"Yes!"
Jerome, who was always watching her back, stepped forward and answered firmly.
Martin shouted as he ran towards the knights as if he didn't have time to explain further.
"Move the injured guys to the back and form a semi-circle!"
However, it felt a bit late to reorganize the battle lines now. This was because the wolf-type beasts had already settled down near the villager's lodgings. Since they were smart guys, they seemed to have decided that if they were holding hostages, the knights wouldn't be able to attack them carelessly.
A breathtaking confrontation between the knights and the demonic beasts followed. Meanwhile...
"Ugh, ugh!"
Suddenly, a child's cry broke out loudly from somewhere, splitting the quiet air.
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