(197) Chaos
The streets were in utter chaos.
At first, people who came out to watch, wondering what was going on due to the ground-shaking vibrations, realized that something was wrong when dust rose from the imperial palace and the roars of beasts echoed.
People were divided into those fleeing to escape the capital and those rushing home to gather their belongings. Amidst this chaos, the nobles boarded carriages, and their knights escorted them on horseback.
With the roads already overflowing with refugees, the addition of nobles' carriages inevitably blocked the traffic.
Ariana held her breath as she watched people running away without looking back and tripping, people running over fallen people, people shouting to get out of the way, and people wailing and crying out their children's names.
Ariana's party was also unable to get near the capital's gates due to the crowds filling the streets. Although Cyrus and Geor skillfully cleared a path to move forward little by little, their path was blocked if they were delayed even slightly.
Theodore shook his head at Geor's words.
“We don’t know what might happen. We need to gather now and prepare for an attack.”
As if to prove Theodore's words, the sound of thuds and thuds drew closer. Cyrus and Geor instinctively blocked Ariana's rear, and Theodore turned his horse's head.
Several huge elephants were running toward them.
“Aaaargh!”
“Save me...!”
“Aaaah!”
The massive beasts ran unstoppably, trampling over those who had not managed to escape. Their large, white tusks gleamed in the sunlight.
"I guess."
Cyrus raised both arms.
"It seems unavoidable."
Cyrus's hair fluttered even though there was no wind. A massive blast of cold swirled around him and flew toward the elephant at the very front.
The elephant's body froze in an instant. At that moment, Louis kicked off the horse's back and leaped toward the elephant.
The sword held at an angle cut across the elephant's trunk.
Crack- crack-
With a strange sound, the elephant's trunk twitched.
The elephant's body, which was thought to be frozen solid, began to move with a cracking sound.
“Damn it.”
The elephant was so massive and had such thick skin that even Cyrus's magic could not freeze it to the core. Its sturdy heart was still pounding inside, and the hot blood that flowed out quickly freed the elephant from the freezing.
Long-nosed slapped Louis as if he were annoyed.
Louis lightly stepped back, but there was not just one elephant.
“Look, on the elephant!”
At Ariana's shout, Cyrus looked up at the elephant. Someone was riding on it.
“Northern Lord! What covetable magic! Will you join me and strike the Empire together? Ah, of course, I was the first to take the Emperor’s head!”
The man in splendid attire lifted the Emperor's head high and shook it.
Theodore opened his eyes wide.
“What is that again?”
“I am Prince Pielta Kubera of the Karuto Kingdom. It seems we must kill that man first to deal with those elephants.”
Cyrus explained quickly and waved his arm once again.
Cold air shot out toward Pielta, but the elephant raised its trunk to block the cold.
Even while trying to stop the elephant Pielta was riding, the other elephants continued to move. They smashed buildings with their trunks and trampled fleeing people with their feet.
Meanwhile, Shini, Lanster, and Geor protected Ariana and advanced toward the castle gate. Ariana also knew that it would be better for her to get out of here first.
Combat power is halved when there is someone to protect. At this very moment, Ariana was a presence that lowered the party's combat power.
“Shini, Lanster. Listen carefully. No matter what happens, you must not leave Ariana alone. No matter what happens to me, Ariana is your top priority. Understand?”
Geor rode his horse away from the people and gave instructions.
Shini and Lanster nodded with determined eyes.
"Oh, Princess!"
In the meantime, Pielta, noticing Ariana's presence, shouted.
“Where are you going in such a hurry! Why don’t you stay and play with me a little longer!”
Pielta gestured.
At that moment, the beasts that had been unseen behind the elephants launched themselves into the air.
The moment Cyrus saw dozens of beasts, he gathered all his strength and channeled it into his arms. A massive blast of cold swept through, sweeping even the people nearby down.
A powerful wind struck the beasts.
Unlike elephants, wild beasts did not have thick skin, so they fell to the ground with a thud, thud, as they fell under Cyrus's magic.
"There is more!"
Louis, who had gone around to the back of the elephant to fight, shouted.
Louis was fighting against dozens of beasts, desperately trying to kill at least one elephant. She sliced and cut through the black beast imbued with blue power, but left only a small scratch on the elephant's thigh.
Woong-
Theodore's sword wailed.
Theodore and Buster lunged forward simultaneously. Buster slashed the leg of the large, pillar-like elephant, and Theodore slashed the same spot once more.
The skin, cut by the sharp sword energy, split open, and hot blood flowed out.
Buoooooh-!
The excruciating pain, though not fatal, enraged the giant beast. The elephant stomped its feet, but Averaster and Theodore dodged the kicks as quickly as small wild animals and wounded one of the elephant's legs in the same way again and again.
Soon, the elephant with one leg in rags twisted and bent. Seizing the opportunity, Theodore sprang up from the ground.
A long burst of energy shot out from the old man's sword. The sharp tip of the sword pierced beneath the elephant's jaw.
The huge beast did not die instantly despite being fatally wounded. It shook its thick nose back and forth, struggling to shake off the small bug clinging to it.
Pow!
Theodore was struck hard in the side by a misdirected attack. Cyrus caught Theodore as he was about to be sent flying far away.
"You're going to freeze to death, you rascal."
At the coldness emanating from Cyrus, Theodore spoke weakly.
"Are you okay?"
Even while exchanging greetings, Cyrus continued to blast cold air at his enemies. A fierce ice blade pierced an elephant, blinding several of them.
"Of course it’s fine."
Theodore braced himself on the ground with his sword, staggered, and straightened his body. Taking a deep breath, Theodore's eyes gleamed fiercely again.
“How long can you use magic?”
"It looks like it will end soon."
"Do you know how to use a black sword?"
"You're really ignoring me, Grandpa."
“The elephant the Prince is riding is the biggest. Let’s take him down first. While we’re at it, let’s kill the Prince too.”
Cyrus nodded lightly and called out to Louis.
Louis, who had been dealing with the wild beasts, understood Cyrus's signal and headed behind the elephant Pielta was riding. Theodore also gave orders to the White Knights fighting nearby.
Pielta was shaking the Emperor's head and giggling.
“That guy can’t be the only one on Karuto’s side who can communicate with beasts.”
Theodore spoke, gripping his sword sideways.
“But when the commander falls, the subordinates are bound to waver. Don’t miss that opportunity.”
"Yes, Grandpa."
“Let’s go, Cyrus.”
A blizzard raged across the Empire of June. Each white ice grain that colored the wind was sharp.
Even the massive elephant could not maintain its balance under the barrage of ice blades raining down on its entire body. Theodore and the White Knights pushed through the fierce ice blades and entered the elephant's belly.
The ice blade left a deep wound on Theodore's face as well, but Theodore did not close his wide-open eyes. The battle-hardened veteran's eyes were fixed intently on his target.
"There it is!"
They found a particularly tender spot on the elephant's belly. The blue sword energy emitted by Theodore and the White Knights brightly illuminated the surroundings.
A sharp sword energy pierced the flesh simultaneously. It was hard, but not strong enough to withstand multiple swords.
Krrrrrr-!
The elephant stomped its feet and let out a scream.
Pielta, who was riding on top, lost his balance and staggered.
Louis did not miss the opportunity and rode on the back of the elephant. Louis's sword moved diagonally.
Chaaang-!
Pielta blocked Louis's sword with his saber. Pielta grinned.
"You're pretty, too. Want to hang out?"
"Thanks, but I'm a bit busy right now."
Pielta was pushed back by the force of Louis's pushing her sword.
"I don't really like women who are too assertive."
"That's a shame."
Louis deflected the sword, took a step back, and pounced again. Once again, Pielta blocked Louis's sword.
“In our Karuto, the Princes double as knights. Did you think they’d be weak?”
Louis smiled.
“No. But do you know something?”
Pielta was startled by the cold rising up his ankles and tried to step back, but he couldn't because his legs were frozen.
Even the knights in the North use magic.
The situation was not good for Ariana.
Just when they thought they were almost at the city gate, people suddenly appeared and blocked their path. The woman standing at the very front smiled sweetly.
“Hello, Princess. My name is Martina.”
Geor gripped his sword and charged forward as if he didn't need to listen to Martina's words for long. However, the man standing beside her swung his arm widely and struck Geor away.
Ariana stared blankly at the sight of Geor being blown far away with a single wave of the man's hand. Martina clicked her tongue in pity.
“Oh my, did you think we’d block the Little Lord without any preparations?”
Geor staggered to his feet.
"Is it a bear's heart?"
The man who struck Geor grinned.
“That’s impossible. A bear wouldn’t be enough to take on Eastern Little Lord.”
The guy glanced back. Behind them, too, an elephant and wild beasts were standing firm as if guarding them.
"It looks like you ate an elephant's heart."
Geor suddenly vomited blood.
The internal injury was deep.
Lanster and Shini gripped their swords, ready to attack at any moment. There were enemies in front, behind, and to the sides. It was not easy to escape with Ariana.
Ariana also knew that they couldn't fight properly because of her. If it had just been them, they could have somehow managed to get out of here.
“It would be easier if I just killed you all, but so-and-so told me to bring the Princess back alive. How can I get her back safely? Do you want to hand her over? Then I’ll spare you.”
"Bullshit."
Geor wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and raised his sword.
"Sir Lanster."
Shini, who had been quietly watching the situation, called out to Lanster in a low voice.
"I'll be back soon. Please take good care of the Princess."
At that moment, Ariana realized what Shini was trying to do.
“No, Shini. No.”
“This is the only way, Master.”
“No, absolutely not. I’ll just take the blame. Don’t you ever stray from the path of a human.”
Shini narrowed her eyes as if blinded and stared at Ariana.
“Master, I have never been human. I have always, always been a dog meant to protect you.”
“No, Shini! No! It’s an order. Stay by my side.”
Shini turned around.
She had never once refused Ariana's orders. If Ariana told her to die, she could have died.
But this time, she had to refuse.
Because she knows what choice her lovely and kind master will make. Because if she can save everyone with her life, she will choose to be captured by them.
So, Shini refused Ariana's order, turned around, and ran.
To eat the heart of a fallen, dead elephant.
The streets were in utter chaos.
At first, people who came out to watch, wondering what was going on due to the ground-shaking vibrations, realized that something was wrong when dust rose from the imperial palace and the roars of beasts echoed.
People were divided into those fleeing to escape the capital and those rushing home to gather their belongings. Amidst this chaos, the nobles boarded carriages, and their knights escorted them on horseback.
With the roads already overflowing with refugees, the addition of nobles' carriages inevitably blocked the traffic.
Ariana held her breath as she watched people running away without looking back and tripping, people running over fallen people, people shouting to get out of the way, and people wailing and crying out their children's names.
Ariana's party was also unable to get near the capital's gates due to the crowds filling the streets. Although Cyrus and Geor skillfully cleared a path to move forward little by little, their path was blocked if they were delayed even slightly.
“Maybe it would be better if we went our separate ways.”
“We don’t know what might happen. We need to gather now and prepare for an attack.”
As if to prove Theodore's words, the sound of thuds and thuds drew closer. Cyrus and Geor instinctively blocked Ariana's rear, and Theodore turned his horse's head.
Several huge elephants were running toward them.
“Aaaargh!”
“Save me...!”
“Aaaah!”
The massive beasts ran unstoppably, trampling over those who had not managed to escape. Their large, white tusks gleamed in the sunlight.
"I guess."
Cyrus raised both arms.
"It seems unavoidable."
Cyrus's hair fluttered even though there was no wind. A massive blast of cold swirled around him and flew toward the elephant at the very front.
The elephant's body froze in an instant. At that moment, Louis kicked off the horse's back and leaped toward the elephant.
The sword held at an angle cut across the elephant's trunk.
Crack- crack-
With a strange sound, the elephant's trunk twitched.
The elephant's body, which was thought to be frozen solid, began to move with a cracking sound.
“Damn it.”
The elephant was so massive and had such thick skin that even Cyrus's magic could not freeze it to the core. Its sturdy heart was still pounding inside, and the hot blood that flowed out quickly freed the elephant from the freezing.
Long-nosed slapped Louis as if he were annoyed.
Louis lightly stepped back, but there was not just one elephant.
“Look, on the elephant!”
At Ariana's shout, Cyrus looked up at the elephant. Someone was riding on it.
“Northern Lord! What covetable magic! Will you join me and strike the Empire together? Ah, of course, I was the first to take the Emperor’s head!”
The man in splendid attire lifted the Emperor's head high and shook it.
Theodore opened his eyes wide.
“What is that again?”
“I am Prince Pielta Kubera of the Karuto Kingdom. It seems we must kill that man first to deal with those elephants.”
Cyrus explained quickly and waved his arm once again.
Cold air shot out toward Pielta, but the elephant raised its trunk to block the cold.
Even while trying to stop the elephant Pielta was riding, the other elephants continued to move. They smashed buildings with their trunks and trampled fleeing people with their feet.
Meanwhile, Shini, Lanster, and Geor protected Ariana and advanced toward the castle gate. Ariana also knew that it would be better for her to get out of here first.
Combat power is halved when there is someone to protect. At this very moment, Ariana was a presence that lowered the party's combat power.
“Shini, Lanster. Listen carefully. No matter what happens, you must not leave Ariana alone. No matter what happens to me, Ariana is your top priority. Understand?”
Geor rode his horse away from the people and gave instructions.
Shini and Lanster nodded with determined eyes.
"Oh, Princess!"
In the meantime, Pielta, noticing Ariana's presence, shouted.
“Where are you going in such a hurry! Why don’t you stay and play with me a little longer!”
Pielta gestured.
At that moment, the beasts that had been unseen behind the elephants launched themselves into the air.
The moment Cyrus saw dozens of beasts, he gathered all his strength and channeled it into his arms. A massive blast of cold swept through, sweeping even the people nearby down.
A powerful wind struck the beasts.
Unlike elephants, wild beasts did not have thick skin, so they fell to the ground with a thud, thud, as they fell under Cyrus's magic.
"There is more!"
Louis, who had gone around to the back of the elephant to fight, shouted.
Louis was fighting against dozens of beasts, desperately trying to kill at least one elephant. She sliced and cut through the black beast imbued with blue power, but left only a small scratch on the elephant's thigh.
Woong-
Theodore's sword wailed.
Theodore and Buster lunged forward simultaneously. Buster slashed the leg of the large, pillar-like elephant, and Theodore slashed the same spot once more.
The skin, cut by the sharp sword energy, split open, and hot blood flowed out.
Buoooooh-!
The excruciating pain, though not fatal, enraged the giant beast. The elephant stomped its feet, but Averaster and Theodore dodged the kicks as quickly as small wild animals and wounded one of the elephant's legs in the same way again and again.
Soon, the elephant with one leg in rags twisted and bent. Seizing the opportunity, Theodore sprang up from the ground.
A long burst of energy shot out from the old man's sword. The sharp tip of the sword pierced beneath the elephant's jaw.
The huge beast did not die instantly despite being fatally wounded. It shook its thick nose back and forth, struggling to shake off the small bug clinging to it.
Pow!
Theodore was struck hard in the side by a misdirected attack. Cyrus caught Theodore as he was about to be sent flying far away.
"You're going to freeze to death, you rascal."
At the coldness emanating from Cyrus, Theodore spoke weakly.
"Are you okay?"
Even while exchanging greetings, Cyrus continued to blast cold air at his enemies. A fierce ice blade pierced an elephant, blinding several of them.
"Of course it’s fine."
Theodore braced himself on the ground with his sword, staggered, and straightened his body. Taking a deep breath, Theodore's eyes gleamed fiercely again.
“How long can you use magic?”
"It looks like it will end soon."
"Do you know how to use a black sword?"
"You're really ignoring me, Grandpa."
“The elephant the Prince is riding is the biggest. Let’s take him down first. While we’re at it, let’s kill the Prince too.”
Cyrus nodded lightly and called out to Louis.
Louis, who had been dealing with the wild beasts, understood Cyrus's signal and headed behind the elephant Pielta was riding. Theodore also gave orders to the White Knights fighting nearby.
Pielta was shaking the Emperor's head and giggling.
“That guy can’t be the only one on Karuto’s side who can communicate with beasts.”
Theodore spoke, gripping his sword sideways.
“But when the commander falls, the subordinates are bound to waver. Don’t miss that opportunity.”
"Yes, Grandpa."
“Let’s go, Cyrus.”
A blizzard raged across the Empire of June. Each white ice grain that colored the wind was sharp.
Even the massive elephant could not maintain its balance under the barrage of ice blades raining down on its entire body. Theodore and the White Knights pushed through the fierce ice blades and entered the elephant's belly.
The ice blade left a deep wound on Theodore's face as well, but Theodore did not close his wide-open eyes. The battle-hardened veteran's eyes were fixed intently on his target.
"There it is!"
They found a particularly tender spot on the elephant's belly. The blue sword energy emitted by Theodore and the White Knights brightly illuminated the surroundings.
A sharp sword energy pierced the flesh simultaneously. It was hard, but not strong enough to withstand multiple swords.
Krrrrrr-!
The elephant stomped its feet and let out a scream.
Pielta, who was riding on top, lost his balance and staggered.
Louis did not miss the opportunity and rode on the back of the elephant. Louis's sword moved diagonally.
Chaaang-!
Pielta blocked Louis's sword with his saber. Pielta grinned.
"You're pretty, too. Want to hang out?"
"Thanks, but I'm a bit busy right now."
Pielta was pushed back by the force of Louis's pushing her sword.
"I don't really like women who are too assertive."
"That's a shame."
Louis deflected the sword, took a step back, and pounced again. Once again, Pielta blocked Louis's sword.
“In our Karuto, the Princes double as knights. Did you think they’d be weak?”
Louis smiled.
“No. But do you know something?”
Pielta was startled by the cold rising up his ankles and tried to step back, but he couldn't because his legs were frozen.
Even the knights in the North use magic.
***
The situation was not good for Ariana.
Just when they thought they were almost at the city gate, people suddenly appeared and blocked their path. The woman standing at the very front smiled sweetly.
“Hello, Princess. My name is Martina.”
Geor gripped his sword and charged forward as if he didn't need to listen to Martina's words for long. However, the man standing beside her swung his arm widely and struck Geor away.
Ariana stared blankly at the sight of Geor being blown far away with a single wave of the man's hand. Martina clicked her tongue in pity.
“Oh my, did you think we’d block the Little Lord without any preparations?”
Geor staggered to his feet.
"Is it a bear's heart?"
The man who struck Geor grinned.
“That’s impossible. A bear wouldn’t be enough to take on Eastern Little Lord.”
The guy glanced back. Behind them, too, an elephant and wild beasts were standing firm as if guarding them.
"It looks like you ate an elephant's heart."
Geor suddenly vomited blood.
The internal injury was deep.
Lanster and Shini gripped their swords, ready to attack at any moment. There were enemies in front, behind, and to the sides. It was not easy to escape with Ariana.
Ariana also knew that they couldn't fight properly because of her. If it had just been them, they could have somehow managed to get out of here.
“It would be easier if I just killed you all, but so-and-so told me to bring the Princess back alive. How can I get her back safely? Do you want to hand her over? Then I’ll spare you.”
"Bullshit."
Geor wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and raised his sword.
"Sir Lanster."
Shini, who had been quietly watching the situation, called out to Lanster in a low voice.
"I'll be back soon. Please take good care of the Princess."
At that moment, Ariana realized what Shini was trying to do.
“No, Shini. No.”
“This is the only way, Master.”
“No, absolutely not. I’ll just take the blame. Don’t you ever stray from the path of a human.”
Shini narrowed her eyes as if blinded and stared at Ariana.
“Master, I have never been human. I have always, always been a dog meant to protect you.”
“No, Shini! No! It’s an order. Stay by my side.”
Shini turned around.
She had never once refused Ariana's orders. If Ariana told her to die, she could have died.
But this time, she had to refuse.
Because she knows what choice her lovely and kind master will make. Because if she can save everyone with her life, she will choose to be captured by them.
So, Shini refused Ariana's order, turned around, and ran.
To eat the heart of a fallen, dead elephant.
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