Chapter(53)

Episode(53): Who is Sullivan?, Bring me my sword!

SOVEREIGN OF DEATH~(53)

Then, was it now the five heavenly kings?

But when had they made such an arrangement?

Maria had countless spies in the demon realm and she could know anything so long as it wasn't core information since only the demon lord and her trusted subordinates would gain such information.

Nevertheless she had never once heard of such a thing. 

She wondered in her mind if her spies were caught and as a result they sent people here to retaliate?

That could very well be the case but she was sure they had caught countless spies and never once retaliated before in the past.

Floren wasn't even the only nation to send spies so the possibility was extremely small.

What was different now?

Was it the heroes?

Maria felt this thought was spot on.

However the identity of this demon still eluded her.

Why did such a strong opponent pop out so suddenly?

No, to begin with.

Attacking so brazenly even though both sides were still preparing for the war, weren't they afraid of retaliation from the entire human side?

Didn't they think about the consequences or did they just not give a damn to begin with?

This was why Maria didn't like dealing with demons.

Their thought process functioned on a totally different plane of existence from normal humans so no one could exactly figure out their thoughts.

She shook her head.

Questions could be asked and answered later.

Right now there were more important things to focus on.

She looked at the people running in an unorderly fashion and asked with a shake of her head.

[Has everyone been evacuated from the venue yet?]

As far as she could see everyone was running for their lives. But she didn't know if that was everyone.

It wouldn't be good if too many of the nobles and ministers died as that would throw the political and economic structure of the entire Empire into an unholy shambles.

Cutting the weeds was good all things considered, but it wasn't good if the important figures were among those that had been cut.

Maria already had enough stress dealing with the troubles that Renji brought so how could she manage more?

From the fleeing nobles, she could already tell that some were missing.

It was either they had all died or they were still inside the venue which would definitely be best.

She didn't like most of the nobles and their haughty attitudes but it was true that for the time being, until she found valid replacements and reasons for their replacement, she really didn't want them to die.

The guard shook his head and spoke.

[N-Not everyone]

He was still anxious and even his voice was still quite shaky.

Nevertheless, from the few slaps he had received earlier, he really didn't want to experience being slapped again so he used the pain to keep himself calm.

Looking at the beautiful princess before him, he spoke what he could recall.

[I'm not too sure about everyone but before I left, only a few who were unconscious or those who wanted to fight stayed behind]

Maria nodded.

She didn't need to ask what happened to the rest.

The nobles that ran out covered in blood were proof enough that a massacre had occurred. What more evidence did she need?

If she were to ask the nobles would most likely act the same as the guards.

They who had never even considered fighting experienced such a nightmarish scene.

It was estimated that many people couldn't sleep soundly tonight at all.

But she hoped that the ones who died really weren't those that held too high a position.

If anything, please let it be her enemies!

It was even better for it to be the ones that had stupid thoughts for the throne.

Let them go ahead and die! The more the better!

Inside she was praying for her enemies to have all been blasted to meat paste, however on the outside she showed a concerned expression and continued to question the guard.

[What about the other heroes?]

These were the ones who were truly important.

Unlike the nobles who could be replaced, heroes were different.

They needed to survive in order for humanity to have a way to break through the darkness and regain all lights of hope.

Without them, survival would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

No, it would be even more impossible.

Maybe like trying to force a camel through a pin hole! 

Luckily, the guard didn't have any bad news.

[They are inside, I think some of them ran away with the crowd but I'm not sure. I was asked to evacuate the crowd so I don't know much of what happened after leaving]

It was really hard for him to make out every face that had left.

Especially since there were all like hungry sharks rushing for blood.

In such a situation you would have had to have the eyes of a hawk to see in detail every face that passed by.

Not to mention, in a situation where he was worrying for his life did he even have the time to care about faces?

What crazy gibberish!

A bunch of bullsh*t!

But how could he tell Maria such a thing?

Maria naturally understood.

Everyone was dying like chicks without resistance so he naturally wouldn't take time to look at faces.

Especially when the heroes were so weak, no one was expecting anything from them especially when the strongest Renji lost so miserably.

So, they ran away?

Maria was a bit disappointed.

Even if they were weak now she had expected the heroes to all be brave and chivalrous taking a stance in the face of evil.

Well, they were normal people before all this mess so she couldn't blame them.

[But that's great either way, It's better for them to retreat now and get stronger for the future. It wouldn't be good having them all die off before they can get strong enough to waste the demon king!]

Their main role was to get stronger and repel the forces of the demon king.

Not to die pointlessly before the war even began.

This was for the best.

Expecting too much from them would be like asking snow to fall during the summer.

Are you mad?

Everything aside, she was now in a dilemma.

Just how should she deal with this situation?

Leave and evacuate with the crowd? 

But if she did that, wouldn't she just be the princess who ran away leaving her subjects to die one after the other?

Such a title, she didn't want it even if it didn't do much damage to her reputation.

It was normal for royalty to think about themselves above others when danger erupted at times like this.

But she didn't want to run?

She didn't want to be known as the cowardly princess. Especially now that it was time for her to stabilize her position as the new ruler.

She didn't want to run and have other look down on her as sa weakling.

No!

Maria had to fight.

If she were to ascend the throne in the future and become the genuine ruler, such a moniker would definitely be a shackle holding her back.

People wouldn't hesitate to step on her with mocking thoughts in their hearts.

No, she was unwilling.

But so what if she was unwilling?

Did she even have the strength to fight a demon strong enough to be on par with the four heavenly demons?

Hehe, not a chance.

She might very well charge in and die with a single slap.

Right now the best outcome would be to bring someone with big enough muscles to fight so that victory would be assured.

But, the question was who?

Maria thought long and hard about this scrutinizing all the powerhouses she knew in her head one by one.

One came to her mind but that person was currently on a mission away from the capital.

She was certain that if that person were here, even this demon wouldn't be his match at all!

Too bad she had to send him away during such a timing.

However she didn't dwell over this and continued to contemplate.

There were very few powerhouses in the empire but one that could be used immediately-

'Ah!'

Suddenly, a perfect person came to mind.

Maria's small folded fist hit her palm and she had an expression on her face that said, "Why didn't I think of this sooner?"

[Alright, I've decided...I'll go fight]

Maria spoke without hesitation.

There wasn't a hint of hesitation on her face, rather it was anticipation. 

Although she was a bit anxious facing such a strong opponent for her first battle, thinking about the experience she might be able to gain from this fight she knew her future would be explosive.

[Wha–?!]

The guard was dumbfounded to say the least.

This woman, was she insane?

There such a terrifying and illogical monster inside that place and instead of running to safety you run to your death?

Was her brain kicked by a donkey?

He felt like he was delusional and what he had experienced was a dream.

But seeing his dazed expression made Maria almost want to instinctively give him another slap.

But she held back and spoke softly.

[Guard, go bring me my sword]

He was speechless.

It wasn't a delusion!

This crazy woman actually wanted to go to that wretched place!

Was she seeking death? No, he had to dissuade her now!

[P-Please no your highness! You can't, if you enter now, you'll surely be killed!]

If even the hero was doing such a bad job at defeating the demon them what was a mere princess?

A piñata to hit until she burst?

No, maybe the demon would even capture the princess and say the only way to get her back was for the hero to get stronger and come to the demon castle!

Ah, how cliché!