Chapter 41: Help

"There's a battle going on below. It doesn't seem to be because of us," Shirakawa said, adjusting their altitude so they could get a better look at the battlefield.

Two forces were clashing on the ground. One side was clearly the Goa Kingdom soldiers, but Shirakawa didn't recognize the other.

"Those are soldiers from my country!" Catherine exclaimed from his arms.

"Really? Your country's military doesn't seem very strong," Shirakawa observed.

Although both sides had roughly the same number of soldiers, the Goa Kingdom's forces were clearly dominating the fight.

Catherine buried her face in Shirakawa's chest, unable to bear the sight of her countrymen falling.

Shirakawa landed and gently set Catherine down.

"What's wrong?" she asked, confused.

"We agreed to help you in exchange for training on the battlefield. We can't miss this opportunity."

"Thank you," Catherine said, tears welling up in her eyes. She was touched by his apparent compassion.

"Don't misunderstand. We didn't say we'd definitely help your side. We'll decide who to help based on our own judgment. In other words, anyone here could become our enemy."

Catherine's face fell. 'So his kindness was just an act. He's still cold-hearted and ruthless.'

"I curse you to be single forever," she muttered under her breath, but Shirakawa's sharp ears picked it up.

"Don't worry, your curse won't come true," he said with a smirk. 'It's impossible to be single forever. Unless I decide to end my own immortal life, that is.'

"Who are you? How did you get here?" soldiers from both sides shouted, noticing the newcomers in their strange white coats.

"We're just passing through. Carry on," Shirakawa said dismissively.

"Wait, isn't that Princess Catherine?" one of the Mole Kingdom soldiers exclaimed.

"You kidnapped the princess! Arrest them!"

"Are you sure you want to fight us right now?" Shirakawa asked with a smirk. "Don't forget the situation you're in."

The Mole Kingdom general looked conflicted, glancing at the observing Goa Kingdom soldiers.

"Isn't that Princess Catherine? I thought our men captured her. Why is she with them?"

"You idiot! Don't you remember? The report said she was taken by a group of thieves. That must be them!"

"Oh, right. If we recapture her, it'll be a huge accomplishment!"

"We have to get her back!" The Goa Kingdom soldiers looked at Catherine with greed in their eyes. She was a valuable prize.

The situation was tense, but Catherine stepped forward to break the deadlock.

"General Green Mountain, you misunderstand. They rescued me from the Goa Kingdom. They're here to help us defeat them."

"Hey, don't speak for us. When did we say we'd help you?" Shirakawa said, giving her a disapproving look.

"Princess Catherine! You remember me?" General Green Mountain exclaimed, overjoyed. He seemed more excited about being recognized by her than about the battle itself.

"Of course. My father often speaks of you."

"Really? What does he say?" Green Mountain was curious, rarely returning to the capital since he was stationed at the border.

"He says you're the hero of our kingdom, that because of you, we can live in peace."

"He really said that?" Green Mountain was flattered.

"Of course. Why would I lie?"

"I wouldn't dare doubt you, Princess."

"But did they really rescue you?" Green Mountain looked at Shirakawa and the others skeptically. They looked too young and weak to have rescued anyone, especially with two kids, one of whom looked like he belonged in a circus.

"It's true. Don't underestimate them because of their appearance. They're very strong," Catherine assured him.

"Hey! We can hear you! We're not weak!" Buggy protested.

"How dare you speak to the princess like that! Apologize!" Green Mountain snapped, reaching for Shirakawa.

Shirakawa caught his wrist. "I suggest you don't touch us. We're here to help you, remember?"

He released Green Mountain's wrist and pushed him back. He didn't mind playful touches from friends, but he wouldn't tolerate it from an enemy.

"Don't get cocky, brats! You dare disrespect us? Do you think we're weak?" The Goa Kingdom soldiers, who had been ignored until now, were enraged.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot about you," Shirakawa said sarcastically.

"Damn it! Get them! Capture the princess alive, and kill the rest!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Here," Shirakawa said, pushing Catherine towards Green Mountain. "Protect your princess. Shanks, Buggy, let's go!"

"Finally, I get to fight!" Shanks said excitedly. He had been itching for a fight since his encounter with Draken and was eager to vent his frustration on these soldiers.

Shirakawa felt the same way. He still had nightmares about his beating from Draken and wanted to take out his anger on these soldiers from the same country.

"Don't ask why I'm doing this. Your general offended me," Shirakawa said to the charging soldiers.

They looked at him, confused.