Chapter 24 Rage

" My king!"

Golla knelt beside the dying king who was getting drowned in his blood. No one understood what happened and why the king was covered in blood except for a single thing.

" You! What have you done, imbecile!"

Jocylee grabbed the general by the throat with rage on her face. She didn't believe her people would betray their honor and dare to assassinate the strongest person while he was unprepared. Ultimately his kindness caused his downfall.

" I don't know, lady Jocylee. When I saw the thing, the sword was in my hand and I was covered in blood."

He explained himself pleading mercy from the angered generals. Before he could muster another word, Makarov pulled out his sword and lunged it into his gut, making him open his eyes in shock.

He couldn't tell anything as he drowned in his blood, dying on the ground with helplessness. Makarov leaned next to Castella who was breathing weakly. He raised his arms and signaled him to do the right thing before closing his eyes forever.

" Agh! My king open your eyes! Please don't joke with me. The queen and your people await you at home."

Golla cried, tears dripping down his cheek. He hugged his lifeless body, feeling despaired and shocked. The belief that he held once was shattered instantly as the person whom he swore to protect as a sword died before his eyes.

The warm blood of Castella coursed through his hand, pushing him into madness, but the strong instinct and will of his king left him sane in the last moment. This wasn't a time to grieve as they had to save the queen. No, he had to save the queen before the same fate befalls her.

He wrapped his cape around Castella's body, covering him with red honor color.

" I will return to the camp as my king had ordered before his death. I shall deliver you the elixir and save the queen's life before sunset, but if anything happens to me, you must visit the city or my camp with your soldiers."

Golla understood someone had used magic on the young general, killing his king to destroy their pact. Therefore, he had to get the bottom of this and relieve his thirst for vengeance.

" I understand. I will allow you to leave and I will find the real culprit behind the scenes. Also, I will personally give up our one-thirds of land to you as a confiscation of your king's sacrifice."

Makarov said calmly, dropping a bomb on the generals, but what they could do in this situation since Castella had been murdered right before their eyes and the worst thing was it was on their side?

" I will accompany you to your camp and explain to your people."

Jocylee spoke gently, thinking it was the appropriate thing to do in this situation. She respected the great king and it was her fault when the king had died before her eyes. She couldn't honor her words and led ultimate destruction to their new ally, causing huge diplomatic issues.

" No! I can't allow you to do that."

Makarov resolutely denied her request out of fear of losing her. He knew Hellan knights wouldn't show any mercy to their king's killer. Especially when she was the highest-ranking general right under the throne.

" It isn't up to you. As a general, I must explain the situation to them and beg for their kindness."

Jocylee replied lightly, showing her iron side to her cousin and her people. She was a proud woman who led the army without any men's help.

" I will ensure her safety within my reach."

Golla said seriously, placing his hand on his chest to make an oath as a knight. The last thing he wanted to do was ignite a war that his king wanted to prevent. One person's blood was enough for him much less it was his king's blood.

" Your Highness, find the culprit and bring him or her to Hella. This the least we can do."

Jocylee said before leaving the tent. The king fell into deep thoughts as he stared at the entrance and the queen. His mind was clouded by the worry and he didn't have time.