Episode 20.

Lidia: 『 Shun, are you sure this is the way? 』

Shun: 『 Mmm..., kind of. 』

Lidia: 『 What kind of answer is that? 』

Shun: 『 Don't worry, we just have to move North. Plus, it's not very far either. 』

Shun and Max had devised a plan to evacuate the workers from the castle and take them to the frontier for shelter. However, things got out of control due to the intrusion of the gray soldiers into the workers' residential, forcing them to split up and improvise a way to save everyone in the area.

Because this, Shun found us by mere coincidence and rescued us in time from a soldier who was close to capturing me and murdering Mrs. Aarden. Now, with his help, he was guiding us towards the intersection of roads to the North, where he would meet Max and the other workers.

We had avoided using the conventional path to avoid attracting attention, so we snuck through the middle of the dense forest, behind the castle, not knowing if we were really on the right track, we were just walking forward without taking detours. We got our feet wet as we crossed the river and our walk became slow due to fatigue. The maids looked quite exhausted and Shun would hide it, the multiple scratches on his arms and legs indicated that he had been fighting for a long time.

Meanwhile, I continued to question myself about the secrets that my father was hiding, starting with that underground passage that he had prepared: Could it really be an-escape route? If so, then why was there also an alternate path that led to the dungeon and why exactly to that place?

Lidia: 『 Hey, Shun. About what I told you... 』

Shun: 『 The dungeon's secret path? 』

Lidia: 『 Yes. Doesn't that seem strange to you? 』

Shun: 『 Not so much, actually. I imagined something like that was in the castle. In fact, it's probably the same in others... But... 』

Lidia: 『 But? 』

Shun: 『 ... Nothing important. We are almost there. 』

It was as if he evaded the question, he remained silent and thoughtful about what he said. It seemed like something was bothering him about the topic, something that didn't add up very well.

Shun suddenly stopped next to a tree that caught his attention, he inspected the base of its trunk and touched the wet earth with his fingers. All the maids looked at him strangely and curious, trying to guess what he was doing.

Eva: 『 *Mutter* What do you suppose he's doing? 』

Marta: 『 *Mutter* Maybe he's examining the terrain. 』

Gossip Maid: 『 *Mutter* Isn't that a little odd? 』

Jessica: 『 *Mutters* Well, he's always been a little odd. 』

Eva: 『 *Mutters* But that makes him more interesting. 』

Nosy Maid: 『 *Mutter* Besides, he and his brother are quite handsome. 』

Eva: 『 *Mutter* Right? 』

For some reason, hearing their murmurs generated constant irritation and annoyance in me. It was incredible they could talk like that after everything that happened. However, I knew that shouldn't be something I should be interested in, but I didn't understand why something so insignificant and unimportant made me so angry.

Jessica: 『 *Mutter* Again? 』

Marta: 『 *Mutter* What is he doing? 』

Veronica: 『 Son, what's happening−? 』

Shun: 『 Shhh! Don't make a sound. 』

Once again, Shun slowed down and remained static, generating an uncertainty that became palpable. He asked for silence and the maids stopped whispering. Only the light gusts of wind could be heard, shaking the leafless branches of the trees. We didn't really understand what he wanted to hear.

Lidia: 『 Shun, what's wrong with you−UH−Hey! Where are you going?! 』

Shun: 『 Keep moving forward, you'll soon find Max. I'll catch up with you later. 』

Lidia: 『 What−?! No, wait! 』

Queen Mireya: 『 Lidia! 』

Veronica: 『 Miss Lidia, wait...! Your Highness, I'm sorry for asking you in this way, but I need you to direct the girls. I'll go get them! 』

Queen Mireya: 『 E−Eh? ¡A− ¡Ah, Veronica...! Oooooh...! I guess... I'll try. 』

I ran after Shun, trying to go as fast as I could so as not to lose him, but I was not able to keep up with him and the bushes made it difficult for me to follow him. It wasn't until a few meters ahead that I was able to find him leaning against a thick tree trunk.

Lidia: 『 What's wrong with you!? Why did you suddenly−?! 』

Shun: 『 Shhh! 』

As soon as I complained about his suspicious attitude, he covered my mouth with his hand and shushed me. The voices of a group of men could be heard in front of us, over a small clearing in the forest. The tones I heard were very deep and hoarse, among which there was one that seemed very familiar.

Unknown man: 『 I'm surprised to see you here. I thought I would find you sitting on your ostentatious chair as always..., King Van Laar. 』

King Van Laar: 『 Hmph! Compared to what you have, it's not something I can boast about... King Narek. 』

It was my father, dressed in straight and elegant golden armor, talking to a very tall man who stood at least 10 cm taller than him and who was also adorned in red armor, accompanied by a couple of soldiers in black armor. Next to him, he had Sergeant Rask, also wearing his traditional armor, and Mr. Ruffus carrying a rolled up parchment. Both had a rigid and uncharismatic conversation where they pointed at each other.

Shun let me go and ordered me to stay hidden and silent so as not to be discovered. He snuck behind the bushes and trees until he reached the other side of the clearing, where he could see what was happening better. We both spied from a distance, from a different point, and as stealthily as possible to find out what they were discussing.

King Narek: 『 Tell me your majesty, is there something bothering you? 』

King Van Laar: 『 Perhaps I should ask you that, your highness... Mr. Ruffus, could you remind King Narek of the guidelines of the treaty between both nations? 』

Ruffus unrolled the paper and began to read it aloud, recalling a peace agreement between the kingdoms of Haiza and Tikalt, where it was agreed that both nations would maintain a mutual commercial exchange that, consequently, would establish an alliance and a pact of no aggression between the two.

King Van Laar: 『 If you had any indifference towards me, you might consider requesting an audience between rulers before sending your troops to attack my people, don't you think? 』

King Narek: 『 It would certainly be the most sensible thing to do. However, after the last meeting that both nations had, I find it unlikely. 』

King Van Laar: 『 I believe I have apologized to you and your people for what happened that night. I sent a letter, personally, clarifying the events that caused the sudden cancellation of the engagement. Both Mr. Ruffus and Sergeant Rask can confirm it. I thought it would be clear to you that it was all a misunderstanding. 』

King Narek: 『 Indeed, I received a letter... However..., 』

One of the black soldiers approached his king and handed him an open envelope with a folded sheet of paper inside it. King Narek threw it at my father's feet so he could observe it and realize what the letter really contained.

Secretary Ruffus: 『 A blank card? ¡T−This can only be a mistake, your majesty! 』

There are those who do not know it, but a blank card is a sign that the sender has no interest in speaking with the recipient, being a clear sign of evasion and disagreement between both parties, and can also be considered a mark of enmity.

If someone sent a letter like that to the third largest and most powerful country in the continent, they would be called crazy and stupid for challenging such a colossal force like that. In any case, I didn't believe it was true that my father dared to do it, being a man who was too cautious with his decisions. He wouldn't be foolish enough to challenge the king of Tikalt, but the scene I witnessed made one believe otherwise. I wasn't convinced that this was the case, there had to be some kind of discrepancy in this.

Secretary Ruffus: 『 Lord Narek, our king would never have the intention of disrespecting you in such a way, far from it−』

King Narek: 『 Silence! Who do you think you are to question the truth?... Listen, Argus, this is the punishment for your arrogance and hypocrisy. If you don't give me what is rightfully mine, you leave me no choice but to continue with this. Your people will pay the consequences if you refrain from breaking our agreement. 』

It seemed that King Narek was demanding something that my father promised him. It had to be something of extreme vital importance and of extremely high value to initiate an invasion and an armed conflict that would claim the lives of hundreds of innocent people. Whatever it was, he wanted it immediately and without fail.

King Van Laar: 『 ... Hum! ..., forgive me, Avak; I can't do it. Even if I gave her to you, there would be no guarantee that your wish would come true... She's grown so much that I don't think she'll let you have her. 』

King Narek: 『 What do you mean? 』

King Van Laar: 『 Let's say she's in his rebellious phase... Well, since we've come to this, how about we put an end to it? 』

The two kings drew their respective swords from their waists. The blade of the king of Haiza was shiny like silver, the handle was covered with a layer of black leather and the guard had a peculiar decorative pattern that it had, it was a beautiful and straight piece of steel with a nice and slight curve in the shape of 'S' on the edge, with its own particular style. On the other hand, the sword of the king of Tikalt was a bit plain, but much more imposing; he had a very long and wide blade of dull red color, like his armor, which was intimidating, and a strange yellowish crystalline hilt that joined the pommel and the guard in one piece.

Sergeant Rask also drew and Mr. Ruffus took cover behind the trees, giving space for the three to duel. It was not like the time Shun and Sevan faced each other, they studied each other more than the youngsters and their gazes were much colder; Without saying a single word, they waited for one side to make the first move to start.

Veronica: 『 Lidia! 』

Lidia: 『 Mrs. Aarden? 』

Veronica: 『 Godness, I finally found you! Why did you run away too? You know that going alone here is dangerous and−! 』

Lidia: 『 *Whisper* W− Wait, please, lower your voice! 』

Suddenly Shun's mother appeared looking for us and without restraint of the volume of her voice. I tried to get her to keep quiet, but instead, she screamed indignantly because her son and I were doing the same mysterious behavior from earlier.

Veronica: 『 I don't understand what's happening to you two...! Hmm...? 』

Lidia: 『 KYAAAH! 』

Veronica: 『 KYAAAH! 』

By causing so much noise, the black armored soldiers accompanying King Narek suddenly appeared behind us, without making a sound. They caught and took us out of hiding, being discovered on the spot.

King Narek: 『 I was wondering what all that noise was..., and who would have thought. 』

King Van Laar: 『 Lidia! 』

King Narek: 『 You certainly like to drag things out a lot, don't you? You could have given her to me from the beginning. 』

Lidia: 『 Huh? 』

King Van Laar: 『 I told you I won't give her to you! 』

King Narek: 『 And I said she belongs to me! 』

They both charged at each other and clashed their swords head-on. They attacked each other sequencially and simultaneously at an impressive speed that my eyes could barely follow. They moved everywhere, entering the dense forest while continuing to fight incessantly.

Sergeant Rask confronted one of Narek's soldiers, while the other pinned us to the ground with our hands behind our backs. They were neck and neck and it didn't seem like he could get past him to try to free us. The old soldier could not resist the extreme speed with which his restless enemy attacked.

We were left contemplating the frantic battle without being able to do anything else. No matter how much we tried to get away, the strong pressure of the military made it completely impossible for us. It was then that a backlit body descended from the tree branches and lunged at the soldier's back, slashing his neck before he attempted to draw. The invader's groan distracted his partner in the middle of the duel and Sergeant Rask took the opportunity to disarm him and hit him on the helmet.

Shun: 『 Are you okay? 』

Lidia: 『 Yes, thank you. 』

Veronica: 『 Luvric, what is happening?! 』

Sgt. Rask: 『 Something very serious. And you shouldn't be here, especially you, princess. 』

Lidia: 『 B-But−! 』

Sgt. Rask: 『 Shun, don't let anyone find her, take her to a safe place and make sure she is as far away from here as possible, even if she is on the other side of the frontier, I don't care. Do you understand? 』

Shun: 『 Yes, master. Come on, hurry! 』

Lidia: 『 UAAAH?! 』

Veronica: 『 SHUN, WAIT! 』

Shun placed his sword on his belt and took us both by the hand, forcing us to run through the forest as we walked away from that place. We advanced without stopping; no matter how much we asked him to go slower, he didn't listen and dragged us along as quickly as possible.

However, we crossed paths with Narek, who suddenly emerged from the vegetation, retreating from an attack by my father and looking his eyes on us. He stretched out his left arm towards me, trying to grab me, however, my father also appeared and jumped on him, preventing him from getting close to us.

Lidia: 『 Father!! 』

King Van Laar: 『 Get out of here, Lidia!! Run away!! 』

Narek was looking for a way to get away from the Haiza's King, but my father prevented him. Both stood and crossed swords again in a duel of power to power, they pushed against each other to see who had more strength.

Shun pulled us again and took us away from them. A strange feeling inside me made me not want to leave my father, but, as much as I wanted to, I kept running alongside Shun and Mrs. Aarden as I watched us drift further apart.

King Narek: 『 No matter how much you try to put it off... You know that every pet has an owner. 』

King Van Laar: 『 You bastard−AAAGH! 』

With his free arm, Narek took the king by surprise and delivered a strong blow to his abdomen that sent him flying against the trunk of a tree, leaving him marked against the wood and breaking the bark into pieces. His strength was so powerful that his fists looked like cannon balls.

With his quick stride, he suddenly reappeared next to us and tried to catch me with his giant hands. Upon realizing this, Shun pushed me and his mother away to prevent him from capturing us. He drew his sword again and attacked him to repel his hand.

At this gesture, Narek responded with his sword, making a tremendous blow that Shun dodged and that cracked the floor, shaking it strongly. He rolled under him and got to his side to counterattack, but Narek stopped his sword and pushed him away.

They exchanged attacks on multiple occasions, Narek's devastating strength forced Shun to withstand his hard blows with great difficulty, luckily, his dexterity and agility allowed him to evade the sharp red blade that was attacking him.

He gained momentum with the help of a log, took two steps on it, and jumped high enough to reach the height of the man. He was close to hurting his face, but Narek leaned his body back and avoided the blade, although not enough to receive a cut on his cheek.

Narek reacted with a bit of surprise, touched his cheekbone and stained his fingers with blood, confirming that the blade had hit him. Shun didn't stop and went for another attempt. They counterattacked over and over, and when a gap opened, the tip of Shun's sword pierced the metal of Narek's red armor on his chest.

It was impressive the way the towering man could dodge so quickly. Shun repeated the striking pattern, hoping to make a much sharper cut. However, Narek read it very well and completely evaded it, causing Shun's sword to stick against a tree; he tried to remove it, but it was quite well embedded, and before he kept trying, he ducked vigorously and narrowly avoided a devastating blow that destroyed the wood in chunks.

Shun's sword fell away from him, now he tried not to get sliced as he fled unarmed from Narek's harsh assault. But, because of the complicated situation he was in, he received a cut on his right arm, deep enough to spread blood to his hand.

They both cared little about their injuries. Despite the difficulty of dodging with an injured arm, Shun managed to escape from Narek's sword, who again attacked from above, missing and shaking the ground, just like the previous time. Shun dodged to his side and, taking advantage of an opening, slammed his left arm into Narek's face.

Although he managed to violently turn Nerek's neck, the only thing he managed to do was make him angrier. Shun froze as he saw his furious look and confirmed that he didn't cause him any harm. Narek caught him off guard, hitting him back with his left fist into his stomach, sending him flying against a tree trunk that stopped him in his tracks.

Shun remained laying on the floor, breathless and in pain. He tried to get up, but it was impossible because of the pain that plagued him. Narek lifted him by his neck with his giant hand. In desperation, Shun weakly pulled at her fingers and his wrist; little by little he began to run out of air as he was slowly strangled.

King Narek: 『 It has been a long time since I saw the color of my blood. In fact, you are the first one who has been able to hit me with a bare fist. I'm impressed. 』

Shun: 『 AAAAAGH−GGGH!!! 』

Lidia: 『 SHUN!! 』

King Narek: 『 I see. You are the peasant who defeated Sevan. That explains it. I didn't think you were that good, boy, but I admit you've exceeded my expectations. It's a shame that I have to kill a great prospect like you... Don't worry, you will have the joy of being remembered by me. 』

Shun: 『 KAAAAAAGH−GGGGGGH−GGGH...!!! 』

Lidia: 『 NO, STOP!!! 』

Shun's face was beginning to turn blue, he kicked and scratched Narek's hand at the distressing sensation of running out of oxygen. His movements began to slow and his gaze was fading. I desperately screamed for Narek to let him go, I didn't want to see anyone else die, much less the only person who has truly supported me; I didn't want to lose him, he was my only family, I didn't want him to be taken from me!

Lidia: 『 SHUUUUUUUUUN!!! 』

(¡¡"BOOM!!") ..., a loud bang detonated in the middle of Narek's arm, dropping Shun. His hand had a hole that extended from one side of the flesh to the other, as if it were a tunnel through which blood flowed easily.

In the distance, Sergeant Rask held his smoking gun, staring seriously at Narek, letting him know that he was the one who pulled the trigger and wounded his hand. And soon, I saw my father come out from behind the bushes and scratch the red armor of the Tikalt's king with his sword. He continued to attack him relentlessly while forcing him to retreat from Shun's body.

Sergeant Rask joined him and they began to fight together against the tall man. It was a two-on-one fight where it seemed like they had the advantage. However, Narek's skill and qualities were incredible, he could contain them both with one hand and respond to all their attacks. Little by little they continued deeper into the forest until we lost sight of them for a moment.

Mrs. Arden and I quickly approached to help Shun and noticed that he was not breathing. His lungs and his windpipe had been badly injured.

His mother began giving mouth-to-mouth to revive him, while I healed his wounds, focusing much of my mana on his chest and neck. I pushed myself to the maximum to close the cuts and internal bleeding he had; that requirement allowed me to correctly heal wounds of that kind for the first time, but, although it was something very basic for a "shaman", it cost me much more than I thought. It was clear that I was still a mere beginner.

Veronica: 『 ¡Lidia, press his chest! 』

Lidia: 『 U−Understood! 』

It was also the first time I put the resuscitation process into practice. I put my hands on his chest and pressed just enough to get his system pumping again. I repeated about 30 more times and Mrs. Aarden blew into his mouth again until...

Shun: 『 COUGH, COUGH, COUGH...!!! COUGH, COUGH!! 』

Veronica: 『 Ah, thank goodness! 』

Lidia: 『 Shun, can you hear me?! 』

Shun: 『 COUGH, COUGH...! Yes, I can hear you. 』

Lidia: 『 Thank goodness...! Don't move, I'll heal your wounds. 』

Shun: 『 Save it for later, we have to get out of here. 』

Lidia: 『 What are you talking about?! You're still injured and those two are still fighting! We can't leave like this! 』

Shun: 『 Don't worry, they will be fine. 』

Lidia: 『 No, they won't! You saw what that man did to you! He could also hurt Mr. Rask and my father! We need to help them! 』

Shun: 『 Don't you understand?! That man is coming for you, Lidia! We can't let him get you! 』

Veronica: 『 Shun is right, Lidia. We don't know what he plans or what he might do to you. It's not safe for you to be here. We must go! 』

Lidia: 『 ... B−But, my father... 』

Shun: 『 I don't get it; why do you suddenly care about him when he never treated you with love or appreciation?! All these years he's only cared about himself and forced you to stay locked in that cage for years! Why, Lidia?! 』

Lidia: 『 ... It may be true, we may have had the coldest and most distant father-daughter relationship of all. It's true he has always been so strict and authoritarian, or that he has confined me for a long time in the castle, and I won't lie, I hate him for doing that to me, for forcing me to live repressed, to live a false life and show a fake smile, a false conformity... But... it wouldn't be fair to abandon him...! He is fighting for me, he cares about me, he thinks about me...! That's what a father does, right?!... For the first time, I'd like to know what it's like to receive a father's love! That's why I want to correspond his actions and confirm it..., to know if we can be a united family for even once, even just one time...! And if I don't support him... I wouldn't deserve that...! I'm sorry. 』

Veronica: 『 Lidia! 』

Shun: 『 Lidia−AH!! *Groan*』

I ran out to find my father. For the first time in my life, I felt the impetuous need to support him, without acting anymore; to show him that I could act on my own account. I left behind Mrs. Arden and a Shun who tried to go after me, but who stumbled when trying to stand up because of his injuries.

I entered the forest, following the echo of clashing swords. It was until I reached another small clearing where I found both of them, Rask and my father, taking turns attacking Narek who was giving them both a very tough and difficult battle.

Lidia: 『 Father! 』 

King Van Laar: 『 Lidia! What the hell are you doing here?! I ordered you to leave! Didn't you understand?! 』

Lidia: 『 I won't leave without you! I don't want to lose you or anyone! 』

King Van Laar: 『 Don't say stupid things!! GO!! 』

Lidia: 『 I−I won't let− 』

King Van Laar: 『 I SAID GO, NOW!! 』

Sgt. Rask: 『 AAGH...! ¡ARGUS! 』

Mr. Rask was slammed to the ground, leaving my father unprotected. He shouted for him to react and focus on the battle, but Narek's insight was much more agile and shrewd. As soon as he turned to see his rival, it was too late.

Lidia: 『 FATHEREEEEEER!!! 』