"...Don't forget you are partially responsible for his father death."
"!!"
I froze.
The smile faded away from my face, I stared at her in astonishment, however, I recovered in no time.
"...Huh, what do you mean." I looked at her again with a wide grin and feigned an innocent expression.
"..." Ellen took a deep breath. "I don't know why you didn't helped him nor I will ask you why, but I am sure of one thing, you must have a way to save James from dying."
"Only this..." I heaved a long sigh.
"I don- what??"
"Nothing."
I thought she will ask me why did I kill him or something similar.
Things aren't that bad, but will have to admire her, can't underestimate.
She glimpsed at me once and continued. "You must have your own reasons to do that, and I will support it...But remember you were also responsible for the death of James."
"Austin lost his father, it is your responsibility as well, now don't let him suffer...he is just a teen, ... Being alone...is hard." She muttered with a glimpse of sadness in her eyes, recalling her past.
"Don't worry, I will take care of him," I reassured her with a serious expression.
She nodded.
"...I would be going then." Ellen removed the barrier.
"Goodbye."
We both smiled and stared at each other. Then our faces started getting closer until our lips met.
"!!"
I ignored the surprised and jealous expressions of others as we continued kissing.
I pulled her waist closer while Ellen wrapped her arms around my neck and bring her head closer to me.
We closed our eyes and enjoyed every second of this heavenly feeling we shared as we continued to convey our love for each other.
"Mmhn..."
"Gah! ..." Suddenly, I groaned in pain.
"Hah... Hah... Enough..." Ellen backed away with hazy eyes.
I was holding my stomach in pain, did she need to hit that hard?
Ellen glimpsed at me apologetically before moving back.
Eventually, She turned around and left in opposite direction.
"Remember, I like responsible men's."
This was the last line I heard before she disappeared into the darkness.
I sighed in the direction she left with an amused expression. "Responsible, huh...hahaha..."
"Did he get insane due to separation" Noir wondered.
Unexpectedly, Austin replied. "I don't think so."
"I thought she was silent the whole time because she was ignorant, but I was wrong. She trusted me..." I whispered.
Haha... I forgot she isn't a little girl like Lena.
... But am I worthy of her trust?
"Is he...ok?" Lux asked with concern.
"Don't worry, I am fit, fine and perfect." I screamed back with confidence.
"Well, guys I would be going be as well, it was nice knowing you all."
"Let's go Austin"
Austin nodded.
We shook hands with everyone as final regards before disappearing into the clouds.
...
As the Sun soars above the horizon, the fleeting colours of dawn began to fade away.
The golden rays of the sun give a bright colour to the clouds and meadows, mountains and valleys.
A large sheet of green carpets was visible on the ground. The land was covered with lush green trees and plants.
The clear-cut shadows of the trees and mountains were visible.
"Why are we flying, can't we teleport directly?"
"Can't."
"Why?"
"Because I make the rules."
"..." Austin fell silent. He stared me with a deadpan look.
I prefer flying over teleportation. In this way, I would be able to explore and observe more of this world.
"What about Goddess, isn't she following us."
"She will join us later." From the moment we left from Cursed forest, I can't sense her nearby.
But I am not worried about her I know what she is up to. She is looking for an opportunity, and I will gladly give her.
Let her bite the bait.
"!?" Unexpectedly I noticed a few strong mana signatures nearby.
"What?" Austin got alert.
"See there" I pointed in our leftward direction, on the road.
2 carriages were parked, it was getting attacked by multiple powerhouses.
Usually, I wouldn't have bothered to interfere. But there are two mana signatures that I can recognise.
"Let's go, help them..." I motioned to Austin.
Austin prepared himself as we shifted our trajectory towards the west.
...
It has been four days since the princess and her guards depart from the abode of the Duke Herra's territory and return to the castle in the capital. The trip was estimated to be around six days so there was still around two more days left before they reach the capital.
It was not that long of a journey. However, it felt as though she had been travelling for a very long time.
She was happy that she could chat with William which was a rare opportunity in the castle. But that was the only enjoyable thing during this trip back home.
The scenery that the princess hope would change every time she looked out the window didn't. Small towns between city or even street vendors that could serve as entertainment for Aria were absent.
The reason was because the path the princess took was through an unpopulated road near the woods. It was a secret path that Imperials or important nobles used to travel incognito. The monsters which usually inhabit the woods had been subjugated to ensure the safety of VIPS using this path.
Aria began to yawn as she stared at the unchanging scenery. William didn't even know that one could yawn so elegantly until he saw the princess. It was so endearing, almost to the point that he pity most people who the princess doesn't show her yawn too.
"Aria, would you like to lay down and take a nap?"
It was incredibly rude to call his master by her name. However, it was a privilege given to William by Aria herself. William was her knight and personal bodyguard, also the leader of the 2nd squadron of Imperial guards. William was at tenth layer of cultivation in his 40s.
However when they were alone, Aria considered William as a friend. It was only natural to call friends by their name.
"I'm fine, William. Thank you for worrying about me."
The princess smiled radiantly at William. Her smile was enough to captivate others, be it men or women. However, after being friends with Aria for years, he could feel the boredom and tiredness behind that smile. William suspected that Aria was still worrying about a way to turn down that persistent man and he began to worry as well.[That bastard Quentin family , how can they try to plot Princess to marry In the Herra's house.]
William was trying to think of a way to distance Herra's from the princess. He may be able to ask his father, the Imperial guard captain, to mention this case to the Emperor. However, since Herra family is related to Empress, his effort might not amount to anything. Being unable to help his master and friend disheartened him. Although he knew that even the princess, who's much more intelligent than him, failed to find a solution for this case, he was still disappointed in herself for being unable to support her.
It maybe as Aria said. If only a hero would come and save her from this predicament.
As he hoped for that, a sound of explosion could be heard in front of the carriage, causing it to shake violently.
"Princess!"
William immediately protect the princess who was about to fall from the violent shaking as the carriage came to a stop.
"T-Thank you, William."
William held the princess back to her sit and checked the situation outside.
"Enemy attack!"
Few knights were hit with the spell. Although their lives weren't in danger thanks to their high quality armor, getting hit by a strong spell head on would still render them unable to continue combat for a while. One of the knights shouted in order to inform the other knights and went into battle formations.
Groups of people armed with swords, spears, and various other weapons appeared from the woods and surrounded them. They hide their faces and were dressed like bandits.
Bandits? Impossible, this is a secret path special for Imperials and high nobles!
William didn't have the time to think about that. His main priority was to protect the princess no matter what.
However, they were largely outnumbered. The initiative was on the enemies' side. It would be hard to fight in this situation. In addition, there are magicians on the enemies' side and they were quite powerful based on the previous explosion.
Although William knew that they were at a disadvantage, it didn't matter to him. What matters was the princess and nothing else. If he was forced to fight a losing battle in order to save the princess, he would gladly take his arms and fight until his last stand.
"Princess, please stay here and hide. I shall take care of those bandits swiftly."
"I understand. Please be safe, William."
"Yes, your highness."
William drew his sword and bolted out, ambushing one of the bandits who was near the carriage.
His silver magic sword which had a light blue jewel embedded symbolising the master he serve pierced through the heart of the assailant. It was called "Almace", a magic sword made out of mithril which was prided for its sharpness, magic affinity and the light blue magic stone which came from a mythical monster that attacked the capital long ago and slain by William's ancestors.
Since then, "Almace" has become one of the greatest magic swords in Arcadian Empire and was passed down in his family along with "Aurum", a golden magic sword lent to his father by the Emperor.
"Stand your ground! Protect the mistress at all cost!"
The red-haired Knight dignified shout was heard by both guards and bandits. It reminded the knights of their highest priority and cleared their minds. On the other hand, the bandits were slightly flustered as male knight brandished his silver sword and taking the lives of their comrades.
The advantage began to shift towards the knights' side. The two court magicians who were guarding the princess also began casting spells and firing them towards the bandits. However, they were advantageous just for a few moments.
On top of having to fight multiple enemies at once, the knights were being bombarded by magic spells. Their magicians who were firing offensive spells at first were forced to defend the knights with defensive spells.
However, that will also soon be overwhelmed. There were around 8 magicians on the enemies side compared to 2 magicians on the knight's side. Although the 2 magicians were of higher level, quantity was a quality of its own.
That fact was also experienced by William. At this moment, he was surrounded by 10 bandits, all in a surprisingly tight formation. It was unnatural for unruly bandits to form a militaristic formation. And they immediately surround William as soon as he came out of the carriage, as if they're already prepared for him.
He was able to fend off two bandits at the same time and three were manageable. Even four was possible although he might have a hard time doing so. But to fight 10 bandits at the same time was incredibly tasking to say the least. Several wounds were visible and sweat began dropping from his cheeks as he was trying to catch his breath.
In addition, there were still about 17 other bandits fighting the last 8 out of 15 knights and 5 adventurers. The two magicians were nearly out of mana after defending the eight knights from continuous magic bombardment.
What's worse, the one who seemed to be the leader came to the frontlines. His equipments were visibly better than his comrades although his face was similarly hidden as he was walking confidently towards Iris.
"Well met, son of Verand von Varya, William von Varya."
William's eyes went wide. It confirmed his suspicion on their identities. No mere bandits would have such orderly formations and speak in such formal manner.
In addition, their knowledge about this path, enough to set up an ambush, which is only known by the Imperials, several influential aristocrats and few adventurers trusted by the guild made them highly unlikely to be random bandit groups.
Although there might be a chance that this was the doings of another country, it was more likely that it was the doings of someone in the Empire.
"How polite. Since you already know my name, do you mind if I ask yours?"
"Forgive me, but I must refuse. I have only one request. Surrender and hand over the princess. I do not wish for further conflict."
Request?
"What do you mean?"
"If you surrender and hand over the princess, we shall retreat right away. I pledge from the bottom of my heart that I will ensure the princess's safety."
The words of the "bandit" leader confused William. They made a "request" to hand over the princess, pledged not to hurt her and retreat from this battle immediately? It was highly doubtful that they wouldn't keep their words.
But, the look on the "bandit" leader's eyes were serious. Although he could only see his eyes, it was enough to tell him that he wasn't threatening him, but was asking her. However...
"I decline! I will ensure the princess's safety myself and bring her back to the capital! I will make sure of this myself even if it costs me my life!"
"...I see. That is a shame."
The "bandit" leader seemed despondent based on his words. His eyes regained its sharpness, although it seemed like he was forcing himself.
"Do it!"
With a loud voice, the "bandit" leader shouted his order causing the bandits surrounding William to sprang into action.
It went on for few moments, but it felt longer than that for William. In addition to his injury, he was completely exhausted after fighting 10 men at the same time. It was only the matter of time until he fall in battle. However, he wouldn't let himself do that. If he fall, than the princess would be taken. More than his will to protect his master, it was his will to protect her friend which kept him standing and swing his sword.
However, rather than his will, his body gave up first. His body was trembling all over from exhaustion. It was entirely his will that kept him standing up. His sight was getting clouded and his consciousness was fading.
The "bandit" leader saw this and walked towards him with his sword drawn. He raised his sword high into the sky, a move which made him full of openings. However, William was unable to capitalize on that.
He seemed to be the one to be dealing the final blow to him. Maybe he wanted to be the one to kill him to propel his career. Maybe he wanted to kill him himself for his own satisfaction. Or maybe, he wanted to take all the blame from his subordinates.
As he swung down, William who couldn't even move her legs wouldn't be able to defend against it. He realised that this was his end. He closed his eyes and prayed for the well being of his master, his friend, and apologized to her for failing to protect her.
As the blade was about to reach her, a high pitched clang could be heard. It was similar to the sound of metals clashing against each other, although it was too clear that it seemed like the sound of a triangle.
His end which he thought would reach him along with the blade didn't.
Introduction to one of the another Female Leads. All the girls in the story are perfect and their personalities are vibrant. They are personally selected out by me. (Alert: Most of their original Novel can give you blue balls). And what do you think regarding Natsuki? will everything go as per the plans of our Mc.
Stay tuned for more!