The last vestige of the setting sun was about to be replaced by the moon. Commander Lucifer successfully reached Azanda's kingdom on his horse.
He was welcomed by commander Yufei and several others as he got into the kingdom. Immediately they saw commander Lucifer coming back without princess Chu Hua, everyone lost hope.
"She was nowhere to be found."
Commander Lucifer was looking in outrage and fury. Commander Yufei already knew what made him look that way.
"The destruction of the Gapsin kingdom."
Without wasting time, commander Yufei was eager to take commander Lucifer out of his anger as he updated him about king Cheng.
"You don't have to worry yourself, His Royal Majesty, King Cheng is safe." Commander Yufei said with a calm voice.
Commander Lucifer's reaction could scare someone away. He turned around and faced commander Yufei and stared him in the eyes.
" Where is he?" Commander Lucifer asked.
" In a safe room with Chao, your sword-bearer."
" Take me there!" Commander Lucifer responded with a command tune. Not minding his tune, Yufei led him to king Cheng.
On seeing king Cheng and Chao, a glimpse of happiness caught him. Chao was also happy to see him coming back safe and sound, even though he didn't see the princess with him. Chao never bothered to ask, instead, he rushed to hug commander Lucifer. They embraced each other in a tight hug. Out of happiness, Chao was shedding joyful tears as he let out a soft cry.
" It's okay, brother. Be strong. You are a conqueror, and you will continue to conquer forever. You have truly shown your capability of protecting the kingdom, even when I failed to keep my promises." Commander Lucifer spoke to Chao, who was tightly hugging him with teary eyes.
Chao managed to sneak out of the kingdom without the knowledge of the Gapsin men who came to attack them. It was as if he knew that the kingdom was going to be attacked that very day because he was prepared to take king Cheng to the Azanda kingdom that very day. But before time could reach for Chao to do that, they were already attacked by the enemies. He took the king out of the kingdom's escape tunnel, accompanied by two of his men. King Cheng was part of prince Junfeng's target, but when he got access to the king's court, he didn't see him. He tried everything humanly possible, but all in vain. Although Prince Junfeng was unhappy that he couldn't get the king, at least he was able to destroy the kingdom. That was somehow better for him anyway.
They finally freed each other after a long hug. Commander Lucifer stepped forward to where king Cheng was lying. He was actually sleeping as he was still on medication from his previous wound. Probably, he was yet to be cured of the injury as they kept treating the wound with some herbal remedies. No one knows what will be his reaction when he wakes up and discovers that his daughter didn't come back with commander Lucifer.
"Will he be disappointed at commander Lucifer, or he would take it as part of life, whereby anything can happen."?
Commander Lucifer stood over the king as he pitied his condition.
" Has he been able to eat anything?" He asked Chao.
"Yes, but not that much. He doesn't take lunch either, only breakfast and sometimes dinner." Chao responded.
" Please make sure to always feed him." Commander Lucifer said.
" Sure, I will."
" Hmph, where are the other two of our men?" Commander Lucifer sighed and asked.
" They should be outside, I think so," Chao responded.
" I praised your wisdom and courage. Thank you for not failing me. I will forever remain grateful." Commander Lucifer appreciated him.
" You don't have to be thanking me. It's everyone's duty to protect any of the royal family, be it the king, queen, princess, prince, or anyone else. I don't have to take praise for what I know I'm meant to do." Chao responded, and commander Lucifer gave him a reassuring smile and then patted his cheeks.
" Who are these men that attacked you?"
" No other kingdom, rather than the Gapsin kingdom," Chao answered.
" Gapsin? They still have the guts to attack us after what has happened?" Commander Lucifer was confused, knowing fully that they defeated them in the last battle they had before he found himself in the forest.
"Yes, they did."
"Summon commander Yufei, we need to discuss how we would avenge this."
" Yes sir, I will do just that," Chao responded and left.
As he left, king Qiangsheng, the Azanda's king, came into the room.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Commander Lucifer slightly bowed and greeted him.
"Lucifer, where have you been all this while?"
" Your Majesty, I went for an errand." Commander Lucifer answered.
" An errand? For what? Weren't you aware of your king's condition?" He furiously asked.
" With due respect, Your Majesty, I do. But the princess went missing, so I have to find her. Today marks the fifth day I spent in the forest looking for her."
" How did the princess get missing and where is she now?"
" Your Majesty, I couldn't find her."
" What! Why didn't you take some of my men along with you?" King Qiangsheng was beginning to get upset with commander Lucifer, even when he knew nothing about the whole situation.
Commander Lucifer was more worried. King Qiangsheng, who never knew or related to princess Chu Hua, then how would her father react? It will be more dangerous for him to get worried while in this condition.
" How then should I inform the king so that he won't be heartbroken? Maybe I should neither lie, nor leave as early as possible to attack the Gapsin kingdom before he wakes up. Or I should even hide from being seen by him." Commander Lucifer thought within him.
" Lucifer… I just asked you a question and I expect an answer." King Qiangsheng yelled.
"Y-yes Your Majesty. I apologize for not answering." Commander Lucifer apologized and continued, "I never knew that it would be tough for me to find her, so I decided to go alone because I promised His Majesty that I will always guard her. But now, all hope is lost. I don't know what to do."
Commander Lucifer explained.
"Oh, I see. So, you have failed him, and you are afraid to tell him, right?" He asked, and commander Lucifer nodded.
" This isn't an excuse, you neither go and look for the princess nor…" before he could finish his statement, Chao and commander Yufei dashed into the room.
The two men bowed to the king and greeted him.
" Gather your troops and go into every kingdom and forest, seas, mountains, or anywhere you might find the princess and bring her back to her father right now!" King Qiangsheng commanded.
" Yes, Your Majesty." The three warriors both answered and left his presence.
Commander Yufei gathered a quarter of his warriors as they got ready for battle. The Gapsin kingdom was far from them, so they needed to use horses to get to the Gapsin in a few hours. They were commanded to look for the princess, but they were going to a battle instead. They believed that princess Chu Hua was neither there, if not, then they have no idea of where she could be by now. Gapsin kingdom was their last hope of finding the princess, apart from there, then all hope will be lost for them. The sun has gone down. This shows that they will need to launch their attack by that night to avoid the wrath of king Qiangsheng.
Nuo sighted commander Lucifer from afar, and she ran to him. Although it was night, everywhere was still bright because of the bright moon and the kingdom's lights.
Commander Lucifer hugged her so tight that he could feel her heartbeat.
He knew Nuo most definitely asked of the princess, no doubt about it. Of course, she has been longing to see her, and besides, she is princess Chu Hua's handmaid. Nuo was sobbing in tears as they hugged. She missed both commander Lucifer and princess Chu Hua. It hasn't been easy for her to cope with the knowledge that princess Chu Hua has gone missing.
"Please, where is Her Highness?" Nuo asked with curiosity.
"Hmm, s-she is…" commander Lucifer stammered.
" She what? Please, don't tell me that something bad happened to her." Nuo pleaded as she jacked commander Lucifer's armor tunic.
" Nothing bad happened to her, and I wish nothing would." Commander Lucifer assured her.
" You wished? What do you mean by that? Isn't she meant to be with you?" Nuo was beginning to sense that princess Chu Hua wasn't found.
" I- I couldn't find her." That's what came out of commander Lucifer's mouth.
Nuo went cold and weak. She slowly brought down her hands from gripping him. It was as if she lost everything in this life. She turned around with teary eyes. Before commander Lucifer would notice her reaction, she slumped to the ground.