Chapter 40
When Iowyrthe open the room, he saw Vincenzo was holding the blade. He went straight away to him.
"Greetings, cousin, I will not hesitate."
"Don't be, because I am not your cousin. I am Ernesti." He changed gradually. He became the man in black cape who poisoned the whole Euntaras Town.
"Ha… The coward that don't want to fight me."
"Let's see who will be coward this time."
***
Metuselah and June saw the Princess. They didn't actually know what happened. They suspected the same culprit with the garden maze.
The blood stream didn't stop quick enough. Iris was really pale if compared to her healthy skin colour. She was lifeless.
"I think we should do magic, Metuselah."
"It is dangerous for her. Exposed to such mana force with her body condition."
"But if we don't try, her death was already decided."
"Do you want to make a bet, with her life on the line?"
"I actually don't. But for me as a medic, better to do as much as I can even if the chance was low. Rather than just do nothing waiting for a certain death."
"If the worst happened, wouldn't the Duke will get very angry?"
"He will. But he will even angrier to himself."
***
Ernesti summoned the undead soldier. All the knights were rushing in.
"Wow, they are pretty useful, eh?"
"Indeed. My suggestion to you. Always have a back-up plan."
"So, I am the failed plan?"
"No, of course not. The Black Opal was. Though it was kind of a surprising failed plan. She was indeed a key."
Iowyrthe couldn't hold the burst of his anger. He charged his attack violently and aggressively.
"Burned with emotion is not good for battle, Duke of Callavan."
"Better than without any."
***
"Alright, let's try. Prepare the Euntaras and the blood enhancer. I wish we could have tried the Euntaras fruit as well but we didn't have it so, never mind. I already talk too much. I am nervous."
"Mage of the Empire are nervous. So do I. Wait, I will have Hoppi to prepare the Euntaras leaves quickly."
"I will have my assistant too. Just in case."
***
The undead and the knight's fights were heated. Both royal knight and duke knight refused to lose to the filthy undead troops. The undead was made only by skin and bones. Judah use his frost skill to disable the undead soldier, other knights will dismantle them. Thought they are not dead, at least they cannot fight them.
Meanwhile, Iowyrthe and Ernesti still danced with their swords aiming for each other. The Emperor and the Empress were evacuated. Some of the knights were task to look for the real Vincenzo. The Crown Prince must be hidden somewhere in the Palace complex.
***
"Alright. This time is for real, Doctor."
"I am ready. If you fail, I will try to stitch the wound."
Felix was guarding inside the chamber. Metuselah's assistance, Ariadne, focusing on keeping a barrier in case the devil or its cronies barged in. Hoppi making the Euntaras essence non-stop on the spot. They just received the first batch of the regular Euntaras supplies from the elder. Rosetta were on stand-by to help with other things. June prepared thread, needle, and other medical apparatus she had to quickly help if needed. Now, Metuselah took a white magic stone. He made some rune with it and touch the stone to Iris wound.
The stone made a blinding light. It was so bright, all other were closing their eyes.
The bleeding stopped. However, Iris was still lifeless as before.
***
"I wonder now how are the Black Opal. Wondering if she's alive by now." Ernesti purposefully provoked Iowyrthe.
In a split moment, Iowyrthe released his skill. All other were stopped. He took a deep breath. He was anxious. He was afraid Iris dying soon and he cannot see her anymore. At that moment, he really wanted to abandon this fight and run back to her chamber. Seeing her. Maybe hug her. Or even kiss her. He really regretted he missed the opportunity to kiss her at the end of the dance. Maybe if he kissed her, she wouldn't run to the garden maze. Maybe she was better now.
Those thoughts took over him. But a sudden breeze came. It was like her scent. In that moment, he knew he has to win. He has to make move. He was. He stabbed Ernesti with his sword. The time was flowing back.
***
"Her heart beat started back to normal. Her breathing too."
"I think it was success to. Oh, oh, I brought this. Ariadne, bring me the magic glass."
Ariadne handed a plate of glass. The glass was able to show the inside of the body like the mirror. But this one was in color.
"Wait, why her bones are black?"
***
Ernesti was shocked that Iowyrthe can quickly stab him. He covered the wound with his hand. Ernesti couldn't go back as he was afraid of the devil king. But he swiftly run and change into bird and fly. Iowyrthe was fallen to his knees. He lost him again.
The undead was little by little subdued, thanks to Judah skill and combination with the knight dismantled them. The battle was over.
Iowyrthe run to the chamber.
***
"Wait, it must be a defect. Did you test it Ariadne?"
"Yes, Sir Mage. That was fine when I brought it here."
"Maybe broken when Ariadne bring it here. Let me check."
Metuselah purposefully broke the magic glass.
"Oops, this hard work. Oh, I have to make it again."
"Better be, it is very useful to check the body. That's a nice magic tool. I admire your fantastic work."
"Sure, I will make it."
Metuselah felt like he has dodged the fastest bullet pointed to his head.
***
"Iris!" Iowyrthe run to the bed finding Iris still lifeless, "is she… is she alright?"
"We have stopped the bleeding. With magic. We are sure that there's must be some effect since she exposed to great amount of mana. But at least, it is not as life threatening as the bleeding."
Iowyrthe plopped to the ground. He was so exhausted. But at least there's hope. There's possibility to see her smile and to dance with her again. Next time it must be with a kiss. He will never miss it again.