The culmination of the sadness and anger inside Royce is today. The day he lost his parents who died in the war. Both of his parents were killed by sudden enemy arrow attacks.
Because Jackson was fed up with seeing Royce in the palace, the man immediately ordered his troops to immediately bring Royce and the others out of the royal area.
Jackson let Royce live, because he complied with Bella's request.
The remaining six royal soldiers also helped Royce carry King Arthur's body. Frans also helped and he was in the front row.
Royce still wanted to return to the palace to bring his mother's body. But Frans forbade him, because Jackson and his troops had not given him another chance to enter the palace. Now the palace belongs to him. The entire palace area and its contents, now belong to Jackson and Bella.
Royce reluctantly complied with Frans' words. They immediately left with the body of King Arthur together. They walked around the royal grounds to head to a small fortress where Athena and the others were hiding.
Meanwhile in the palace. Bella and Jackson were surprised by the arrival of a man who appeared to be injured on his limping left leg. That man is Erick, Athena's father.
When Erick managed to get back into the sewers and headed for the palace, he was attacked by several of Jackson's troops. His left leg was pierced by a small knife, so now his leg is limping. Erick was successfully allowed in, because he wanted to take the queen's body with him.
"Hahahahaha, where are you going to take the body of the stupid queen?" Jackson asked, then he spat to the right.
With fear, Erick knelt down and lowered his head. "For whatever reason, I just want to take the queen's body to a safe place. I will bury her in a good way." Erick said. He wouldn't mention where Athena and the others were hiding.
"Did you come alone?" asked Jackson.
Then Thomas nodded. "Yes, he came alone. Looks like he crawled from inside the sewers. I think before he only went alone with the queen. But the queen was determined to return to the palace and now he just wants to take the body."
Explanation from Thomas made Jackson believe in Erick. And Erick is grateful that Thomas doesn't know where the sewers lead.
"So you two were planning to escape through the sewers earlier?" Jackson asked Erick.
Erick nodded. "Yes. I was ordered to look after the queen. But the queen was desperate to come back here and I caught up with her. I must still take the queen with me. That is my promise to Prince Royce." Erick said. Even if he lied a little.
Every now and then Erick glanced at Bella who was also looking at him. Of course, Erick was very disappointed that all this war was Bella's scheme. So far, Erick knows Bella well as Athena's best friend. But it turns out that Bella is not a good person, she is really bad.
And Bella could only swallow her saliva. Her eyes started to get a little teary. Of course she knew that Erick was the father of her best friend.
Bella tightened her hand on Jackson's left arm. "Umm, honey. I'm so tired today. How about we let that person get out of here? I'm so sick of seeing that stupid queen's body anyway. So let him take her away." Bella said with a spoiled sway. She deliberately said that, so that Jackson would not interrogate Erick too long.
Hearing Bella's words, Erick immediately snorted softly and turned his face to the other side. His right hand clenched tightly. He was really disappointed in Bella.
Jackson smiled and kissed his lover's head lightly. "Fine if that's what you want, honey."
And Thomas immediately told Erick to go. Erick immediately carried Victoria's body on his back. He stumbled because his left leg was limping.
It was not a big problem for Erick. He will survive walking as far as possible carrying the body of the queen, until he is reunited with Athena and the others.
*
In the middle of the trip, Erick could only sob. He cursed himself for being so weak because he couldn't fight. He regretted that he had never practiced martial arts since he was young. And now it was very sad to walk alone in the midst of the condition of the diamond village that looked so devastated.
The houses of the residents are no longer in shape. All the furniture, food, and bakery looked shattered and strewn across the streets. Diamond village looks like a dead village. Erick also saw several residents who just died with arrows stuck in their necks and left chests.
Because Erick felt increasingly tired, he put Victoria's body on the green grass. The man found a wooden cart that was still intact and in good condition.
Erick wanted to use the wooden cart to carry Victoria's body to make it easier to carry it. While picking up the cart, Erick heard the voice of a man his age.
"Hey, are you a good person?" The man asked while holding his left stomach. His stomach looked hurt and bleeding, but not much. The blood just seeped on the surface of his clothes.
Of course Erick was surprised. But he was also happy to have found someone in the midst of the current situation. "Oh, yes. I'm not a bad person. I'm not one of those enemies."
"Oh, thank goodness!! I've only been able to hide behind that maple tree since then." The man said, pointing to a huge maple tree. "I have lost all my family members." The man said again.
But Erick frowned. He approached the man and looked at the man's face carefully. "Mr. Edgar?? Are you the adopted brother of King Arthur?"
Edgar was surprised, but he nodded as he continued to press the wound in his stomach. "How did you recognize me?"
Erick smiled and hugged Edgar gently. "Ouh, you still look the same. Back when I was young, I used to work as a food delivery boy for the kingdom. I often saw you training with King Arthur, and you also really loved Queen Ariadne as your adoptive mother. You also attended the wedding of King Arthur and Queen Victoria. Oh my God!! Queen Victoria..."
Because talking with Edgar, Erick almost forgot his purpose. He then rushed to push the cart and approached Victoria's body which was lying on the grass.
Edgar followed Erick. And of course Edgar was very surprised. He saw his sister-in-law had died because of the war. Edgar immediately covered his mouth and tears rolled down his cheeks.
Edgar helped Erick put Victoria's body into the cart.
"Where are you taking her?" asked Edgar.
"My daughter is hiding somewhere with the others. I'll be there. And you'd better come with me, Mr. Edgar."
"Okay then where is Arthur? Why are you alone?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Edgar, I don't know where King Arthur is. When I was sent out of the palace, I didn't meet King Arthur or Prince Royce." Erick said.
Edgar really felt sad. He himself has lost members of his family. However, he was reminded of his younger sister, Jasmine. "Erick, after delivering Victoria's body, I think I should leave immediately. Arthur's younger sister, Jasmine. She who lives with her husband in another country, she definitely hasn't heard of this bad news by now. And I have to see her."
"Don't worry, Mister Edgar. We'd better get out of here first. We have to meet the others who are hiding. And my wife will treat your wounds later." Erick said.
Edgar nodded. Then he immediately helped Erick pull the cart. They went together and entered the forest.
It was already getting dark. However, Erick knew the route in the forest very well. Of course they remained vigilant, because it was possible that Jackson's troops were still lurking around the royal area.
*****