Chapter 20 - Back, Did You Miss Me?

Blood dripped from the window, staining it with a grim reminder of the recent confrontation. Duke Everhart stood there, his sword still glistening with fresh blood. In the bed, a dummy had been placed, a clever ruse to deceive any would-be assailants.

Victoria's sharp mind quickly grasped the situation, though she played her part in maintaining appearances.

"What has transpired, Your Grace?" She inquired, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

"Nothing of consequence, my lady, Just a pathetic worm attempting to breach my fortress. Do they truly believe they can infiltrate the abode where I reside?" Duke Everhart replied with a dismissive tone, his words dripped with arrogance and disdain for any who would dare challenge his domain.

"Yes, Your Grace, indeed no one can," Victoria concurred, her agreement tinged with a hint of annoyance and a forced smile.

"Let's go. I believe she won't dare to come here. If she does, it will be her death that beckons her," Duke Everhart declared with a cold determination.

Victoria stormed into her room, her face etched with frustration. She couldn't believe her sister had missed her first target. Slamming the door shut, she paced back and forth, seething with annoyance. In her vexation, she decided to call Amelia.

"Agghh... Amelia, why? Why? Even after using my trump card, he remains unharmed," Victoria exclaimed in exasperation, her frustration evident in her voice.

Amelia stood there in silence, her inability to provide a solution to Victoria's frustration evident in her downcast eyes. She felt the weight of her lady's distress and was deeply ashamed of her own shortcomings in resolving the situation.

"My lady, grant me death, take my head with this knife. It's my incompetence that has failed to solve your problem." Amelia pleaded, her voice carrying the weight of her remorse, She knelt before Victoria, offering herself in a gesture of contrition.

"You fool, do you believe that sacrificing yourself will solve my problem? You've been by my side since childhood, and I won't tolerate such foolish thoughts from you. Abandon this idea immediately, or you'll have to face my wrath, " Victoria's frustration and anger boiled over, her tone sharp and biting.

Victoria's thoughts turned to her sister, a mixture of concern and frustration swirling within her. She nervously bit her finger, hoping that her sister would come out of the clash with Duke unscathed.

Meanwhile, Duke summoned his Knights and dispatched them to capture the mysterious assassin who had attempted to kill his son.

In the midst of the night, Aurora raced through the woods, clutching her injured arm as blood dripped. The Duke's guards pursued her relentlessly, their torchlight flickering as they closed in. Despite the searing pain from the wound inflicted by the fiery sword, Aurora kept running, determined to outpace her pursuers.

As she darted among the trees, Aurora leaped into the air, using her agility to her advantage. Swiftly, she hurled a knife from her hand, the blade finding its mark in the head of one of the Knight. Their life was extinguished instantly, a testament to Aurora's lethal precision.

One by one, she took down the Knights, her movements a blur of calculated strikes and evasive maneuvers. Despite her injury, Aurora's skills were formidable, and she dispatched her opponents with ruthless efficiency. As the last Knight fell, Aurora stood amidst the quiet of the forest, her breathing ragged but her determination unwavering.

As every knight fell to the deadly prowess of her assassin skills, the Captain of the Knights remained standing, facing Aurora alone.

His grip tightened around his sword as he channeled aura into his feet, activating "Swift Step".

He propelled himself towards her with astonishing speed, his blade infused with "Thunderstrike".

Their swords and daggers clashed under the moon's light. She propelled herself into the air, her form casting a haunting shadow below. With a swift strike, she descended upon the Knight, leaving his arm injured by her poison-infused dagger. In a blink she activated "Vanish", she disappeared into the night, leaving behind an injured Captain of the Knights.

Despite the Captain's skill, he couldn't keep up with her speed and agility. Holding his bleeding hand, infected by the deadly poison, he watched as the Assassin escaped. Frustration gnawed at him, knowing he had failed to capture her. Desperation and shame weighed heavy on his face as he contemplated facing the Duke with this outcome.

"I need to find a place to treat my wound," Aurora muttered to herself, her voice a mixture of determination and urgency.

The pain in her injured arm was becoming more intense, and she knew she couldn't afford to delay seeking medical attention any longer. With a renewed sense of purpose, she set off deeper into the forest, her keen eyes scanning for a safe haven where she could tend to her wound and regroup.

As the culmination of his week-long evolution approached, the aura around Bong intensified, bathing him in a soft, radiant light. He could feel a profound transformation taking place within him - his senses sharpening, instincts honing, and his connection to the world around him growing stronger. The earth's heartbeat, the wind's whispers, and the life forces of all creatures pulsed through him.

And then, as the evolution's brilliance subsided, Bong's eyes snapped open. He stretched out his wings, expanding them fully, and a triumphant grin spread across his face. With a burst of energy, he let out a joyous yell.

"I'm back! Did you all miss me?" His voice rang out with a mix of excitement, amusement, and a touch of cheekiness.

"Aww, lovey dovey my lord, yes, I missed you so much!" The girl sitting beside him throughout his evolution beamed with a smile, her eyes sparkling with affection and joy.

"Yes, yes, you should! I'm the lovey dovey Lord Bat," Bong declared with a playful grin, closing his eyes and playfully shaking his head.

But then it hit him like a ton of bricks - he had no clue who she was, and his eyes widened in shock. He stumbled backward as if trying to escape a sudden surprise party.

"Wait, whoa! Hold on a second! Who are you? And what's with the surprise visit?" Bong exclaimed with a mix of confusion and bewilderment, his wings flapping slightly in surprise.