4 Chapter 4 Enemy Reinforcement?

The duel between Natasha and the dark knight turned even fierce after the Princess group disappeared. When Princess Karin here, Natasha cannot show too much strength as she is afraid to incidentally injured her. She was worried because she thinks she wasn't a good guard because she was raised and trained as a Sword of the Kingdom. Her life was dedicated to eradicating the enemy before they reach the Royal family.

So she was concerned to be suddenly needed to protect the Princess. Because her fault, the Princess already losing two barriers and even though the princess isn't injured physically, was wounded mentally. The Necklace may block the critical attack but it's unable to stop the physical contact. She can feel being stabbed or slashed, but her body would recover. The necklace could even block the magic attack, but it's not stopping her from feeling hot or cold.

This item indeed could protect the wearer from dying, but the feeling of being killed is not something someone wants to feels many times. And the wearer this time are a frail girl. Natasha wondered if this life-saving item is a blessing or maybe a curse.

"You're amazing, this is the first time I meet a human who can last this long from my attack." The dark knight said as they locked close with their weapon clashed against each other. His tone carried a hint of surprise and ridicule.

Natasha also noticed this but keeps her silence, they are in the same strength are because the dark knight was injured by the counter-attack of the Princess necklace. Even with the battered state, the knight movement isn't looked dull so Natasha cannot overpower him and they ended in deadlock.

"You know what, that magic item sure is powerful, isn't it? My attack was supposed to be deadly and all my prey would split into two. But my sword only slashed through and doesn't do a result that I wanted. Well, those weakling are what the result supposed to be though." This Dark Knight sure is a chatterbox. She has been listening to his rambling all along with their fight. She wondered are this fight really a dead-or-life situation fight or even training session?

But the powerful swing that she evades hit the trees and split them to half, the upper trees also sliced by a super speed slash, reminded her how dangerous his power was.

"But aren't that cursed item was too much to be wear by a girl like her? Our Lord sure is worse. He planned to capture and torture her because the necklace cannot be taken off except the light was entirely disappear. Or is it that stupid King who really worse to give that cursed item? No matter what, it's not my problem any-"

"Then don't attack her that cowardly!!" Blood rose to her head and her anger powered blow manages to find a path from the knight defense and hit straight at his chest, thrown him back with powerful momentum even the sword on Natasha's hand was broken to piece. The area suddenly turned silent after the dark knight disappeared because of the impact.

That last attack has drained all her power to make Natasha cannot support her body and slumped down to the ground. Her legs are sore, both hands trembled in pain, she would need a quite a long time to recover. But when she remembers that the enemies force could appear anytime, she struggled to move her body.

Her hair that she tied behind her back now is loose and her long hair touched the ground as her golden hair shone through the dark forest, she was too eye-catching in this place.

She remembered the chatterbox knight that praised her loose beautiful long hair and she shivered. Her condition right now isn't very good, her armor already broken and it laying far from her and her inner cloth was soaked by her sweat. She looks so alluring that she feared what would happen to her if the enemy armies appear. The story of the ill-treatment of female soldiers is what his mentor always told, that's the reason why she must be stronger by anyone. But her current condition is far worse. If they do appear, she better does suicide by throwing herself into the river.

Not long after, she jumped her body in surprise as she hears footsteps and a horse step approach her place. She paled as she currently is far from the river. She clenched her teeth and forced her body to sit straight and she closed her eyes. "Hm… this sound…around three people are walking and one horse? So it's a knight and his squires." Natasha calculated the approaching enemy and showed a strong façade. She pulled out a piece of dark metal and grasped it.

She takes a long breath then yelled, "Stop right there! Do you know who am I? I alone have been defeated your proud knight!" Natasha then threw the armor piece toward the group formation. She hoped that when they saw it they would scare and run away.

But contrary to her expectation, after one of them picked up the piece they do like having a discussion before rushing out. Toward her.

Natasha shocked at this and pulled out another long and sharp shards and prepared to kill herself if they dare to touch her. "I'm sorry Princess Karin, I cannot following you anymore…" Natasha with resolute eyes prepared herself for the worse.

Then the three shadows stopped before her and she heard a familiar voice.

"Commander Natasha you're alive!" "Commander, did you really killed that monster?" "Commander are you all right? Can you stand?"

The barrage of question surprised Natasha and when her eyes adapted to the darkness she found the three-figure was actually her subordinate! Natasha then shouted. "You, didn't I tell you to escape? What are you lot doing here!?"

The three of them exchanged a glance and smiled wryly. Then one of them stepped forward and saluting. "Mam, Our Captain-Knight Paul has been ordered by the Princess to take Artuin with us. And as we all already ordered by you to escape, captain only ordered the three of us to stay and save Artuin while wait opportunity to escape. We didn't expect to find you here."

The man reported while glanced upward, while the other two turned their body backward. This confused Natasha, Paul can order such a method? He observed the soldiers and familiar with their ability. The three of them was famous for their stamina and ability to run fast and always winning the run marathon. She praised Paul decision to choose them. But she still confused with them who looked away from her with their face bit red. She tilted her head and then realized her current form and hurriedly covering her chest. "W-we can speak about this later, we should escape from this place before enemy force arrives. I still recovering my strength, with the small number we could be annihilated anytime."