27 Chapter 27

Princess Iris came back to sleep, but she felt restless. Around dawn, she woke up and thought about the poisoned water and the sick townspeople. "Do what Iris do? Should I go and heal people around? But it is too dangerous to reveal myself. Musou people must have asked the Emperor to send me back or hunt me if they need to. Gosh, I wish they wouldn't name me Iris. So at least when I heal, I can lie and say, I am not Iris."

There was a legend from ancient time. There was a maiden, name Iris. In old times devil and demons can go easily to the land. They gave human disease and suffering. Human tried to resist but to no avail. The devil said that if there's one, just one human wanted to be killed and sacrifice their own life, he will stop making human suffer. Then Iris chose to sacrifice herself during great war with the devil. After killing her, the devil stop killing human. She was granted another life and blessings by God to have a great healing power. It was so powerful that it can save the world. She died eventually. But from time to time, they believed she will reincarnate.

Due the incident 13 years ago, people started to believe that the reincarnation of Iris the Healer was true. On that day, suddenly many people were healed from many diseases or wounds. They believed it was the day that Iris the Healer born. However, it's actually 17 years old Iris released her full power trying to save her mother. Her intention was failed. Although her aunt suspicious about her, since her mother were still died and Iris was already 17 years old at the moment, they thought it was impossible that Iris was reincarnation of Iris the Healer. From then, they always monitor her. But nothing was proven. They tried to poison her. But she still sick and they decided to keep her alive due to her uncle guilty feeling. They treated her like a weak useless Princess. Iris won from that situation.

For the current situation, Iris thought long and deeply. If she absorbs poison from the spring, she won't be alive. That's a ridiculous thing to do. If she heals, her identity will be revealed. People may worship her, slave her, or make use of her. That's not a nice way to live. But she wanted to help.

She then saw her ring. She felt like she got enlighten. She will test the ring to a cup of spring water.

It was 5 in the morning. She asked Rosetta to bring her some of the poisonous, but Rosetta refused. The maids were very protective by now and not to mention that they busy helping the sick as ordered by the Duke.

"If I am Iris and they said I should do what I do, then I will do some experiment first with this ring."

She slipped away from the inn, she left the Duke magic cape in the inn, and started looking for the stream. If Felix started to detect mana, he will detect that the cape is inside the inn. She walked for a while until she finally found a wood. She entered the wood and hear water stream sound. She followed the sound and finally found the stream. The water was very clean and clear. None would've notice that it was poisoned. She tried to submerged the ring to the water. She noticed that the ring colour change into pitch black with no iridescent sparkling light at all. She sensed nothing change.

"Should I put mana on it? Healing mana? Alright let's see." Nothing happened as well. Then she tried to take small amount of water and put absorption to it. However, her body absorbed it, and not the ring. She got a little dizzy. She bit her lips in desperation. A drop of blood dripped to the water she holding. A black smoke suddenly appeared and disappeared.

Meanwhile, in the knight post, Felix sensed two mana sparks. They decided to separate and chase those both. The Duke, Nicholos, Nicholas, and some of the warriors chased one which around the elder house. It emanated a dark mana and probably the black magic cape person. Therefore, strong force might be needed. Meanwhile Felix tracked down the light mana to the direction of the stream. It was faint so only Felix can detect it. He was accompanied by Chan and Taek. In the post, Marquis, Isla, and Palinor were on guard in case there is an ambush or the target run.

When Felix, Chan, and Taek ran past the centre of the town, they met Rosetta. Rosetta was panicked.

"Sir Chan and Taek. Princess is not in her room. Please find her. The Duke must be angry if he found out."

"I can detect the magic cape for you," Felix said.

"No, she left it in her room. Please help please."

"Alright, I will help you," Taek offered help, "You and Chan can chase to the stream." They then separated ways.

When they arrived at the wood, Felix said, "Sir Chan, let me use my arrow to point you the stream area, you can search there. I will go up to the springs. There's a very faint mana used." Felix continued to go up to the stream. Chan followed the direction of the arrow.

Iris arrived at the springs after a long, long walk. The springs were hidden deep in the wood. It was a very beautiful scenery. However, she saw along the stream many trees were dying due to the poison.

"Alright. Now, how I should draw my blood out?"

Psshhyyyuuuu… an arrow flying and almost hit her. It got stuck on the tree.

"Princess?" Felix was puzzled, "What are you doing here? Are you…?" Felix aimed his arrow to her heart.

"No, I am not the one who poisoned it trust me."

"But you…"

"Please trust me, I will prove it to you."

Felix was hesitated. His mind flashbacked to 2 years earlier when his sister said the same exact phrase. However, at that time he didn't listen. He left her and left Euntaras to trained his archery skill. When he went back, his sister died in the hand of pirates, without him protecting her.

She took out the stuck arrow in the tree and slit her palm with it. Felix startled but before he can stop it, fresh blood was already gushing and dripping. A dark black thick smoke emerged from the springs and it disappeared right away.

"Princess…" Felix was in awe, "You are that light mana user."

"I guess, if you said so. Mmm, let's detect with the ring." She submerged the ring and now it showed beautiful iridescent sparks.

"It works…" Felix was amazed.

"Yeaaayyy…"

Felix suddenly kneeled and said, "Princess Iris, I vowed my life and loyalty to serve you as your shield, your bow, and your arrow."

"No, no, you don't need to Felix. Just promised me to not tell anybody ever on this."

"I won't stand up until you accept, Princess."

"Alright, you can kneel. I left."

"Then, I will tell the Duke about this."

"Felix…!"

"Please…"

"Issshhhh, alright with another one condition. Ask the Duke to train you and make you knight. Then, you will have better rewards. You will get salary, training, and when I am gone, you still make a living."

"Hmmm? But I want to serve you only, Princess."

"No, that's my condition. I am thankful for your offering, but please think of it carefully. You are young, you must be extra careful with your decision." Iris then left him without a word. She wanted Felix to decide not solely on emotion he felt when he sees her neutralize the poisoned water. She knew Felix was great to protect her but the decision must come from the heart and mind.