Chapter 28
It didn't took me long enough to find the castle gate, as I keep bouncing around the rooftop of each building. After seeing the gate tightly close like what Isabelle said, and saw countless monsters body laying on the ground, cold and butchered, I then dashed forward and landed a couple more distance from the gate
"[Gales Embrace]"
Rushing myself with haste, I then closed the distance between me and the gate
Shaa!!
Waaa!!
Yark!
Chirrup!
Chirrup!
But of course, I wasn't welcome without a fierce greeting, as monsters then came at me. I took 3 arrows from my quiver - that was enhanced by my blessing - and placed on my bow string. Aiming at the 3 monsters that was dashing at me - a {Horned Dog-Kobold}, and 2 {Dessert Serpents} - sighting them as I hold my bow on my left, while stretching it strongly as I ran myself without stopping
"Combine them, [Meld]"
"[Sparrow Shot]+[Gales Embrace]"
I then fired the arrows from my bow as I turn to my left, as I bend down with my left foot forward, striking the enemy at their head and chest, drilling them with my arrows swift strike. I then took another 2 arrows from my quiver and flip myself up, after I dashed and dodge the 2 sword slash of 2 {Dog-Kobolds}, and released the arrows from my bow, impaling them at their head till their jaw.
Before I landed, I took 3 arrows from my quiver in the mid-air, and shot my arrows as I landed unto the 3 rushing {Dessert Serpent} and {Sand Snake} - 2 - and slayed them as I aimed at their respective head. I then stood up again, and took another bunch of arrows - 4 - and aimed at the 2 {Brown Feathered Sparrows}, that was striking both at my side. I aimed one at my right first and shot my arrows - 2 - after I combined [Gales Embrace], [Sparrow Shot], and [Tempest Storm], shutting down the flying beast like a hurricane. I then bend down and rotated myself to my left, and fired the remaining 2 arrows from my bow, and shoot the flying monster unto its right wing and bottom left torso
CHIRRRUPP!!
After the monster cried its last growl, it then fell down with its holed, tattered body. I then turn myself without wasting any more time, and went directly to the gate, jumping from the horde of corpses that was laid bare to see. As I arrived
Bang Bang Bang
Knocking the entrance door with my fist I called
"Open th-"
"Cease your insolence this instant!"
A loud deep voice then suddenly shouted at my right, causing me to halt. I then turn myself to that voice direction, and saw a silver armored Knight, bulkier and taller than the one we saw when we arrived here
With the Knight in front, 2 seemingly armored Knights followed him at his side. One was quite thicker to the other who was quite slender. The former strive with pride and dignity, while the other walked with beauty and elegance. The 3 have a {Griffon} monster design at their front chest, bearing the kingdom's guardian or symbol
The big man was wearing a great helm helmet with a bulky shoulder, like a bended round shield - I think it's the pauldron - and plated armor that stacked with consisted series of plates, that were linked on top of each other. It also has a huge tear drop shape shield, that he holds infront of his left, and a sword that was placed behind his back
The slender Knight was wearing a very elegant silver, with a dash of gold armor, with a short skirt that just below her butt. It has a 6 silver feather design attached to her left shoulder only. The armor also emphasizes the wearer's curves and plump body, that were attracting men with her alluring long legs and shape butt - her breast were average compared to mine. The Knight has a rapier that was attached to her left. (Note: I took the design from Project Fiora)
The last one was wearing a scale mail armor, and a barbrute helmet. The Knight was carrying a long knight sword on his right, and a cape that was coated in vermilion red, and a jet black edge
'What's with the cape anyway?'
As the man infront who spoke first came, I just then realized how tall they all were. I have the same height as darling, but as I stood before them, I could only look up as I gazed him at his sturdy steel helmet, that ooze an aura of menace and knightly. I was only at chest high with the man upfront, and shoulder level for both the woman and man at the back.
'What a huge family'
"I am-"
But before I could state my purpose and myself to them, out of nowhere, a sharp edge of a polished sword were then pointed at my smooth neck, threatening me with its pointed tip
'His quick'
I nonchalantly thought, as the young man that was on the left of the big guy, unsheathed his sword and turn its edge at me, intimidating me, as he stared at me from his helmet's visor. The man then utter
"State your business peasant, dare to lie and this sword shall cut that filthy head of yours"
'..... I was about to, idiot'
With a charming smile, I spoke
"I am Natsumi, an adventurer, one of the party members of dar-Creeper's group. Right now, as the whole kingdom was in turmoil, we tried to escape the jaw of death, and now, with great fortune, found this path that leads to this very place. I a-"
"Where are the others?"
With an intimidating voice, the big guy questioned me as he halted my words
"Pardon?"
I Confusedly asked
"I inquire, where are the others you are speaking off?"
As I stared at his helmet's eye holes, I could feel the increase of the atmospheres temperature, from the warm of the setting sun, it suddenly exude a chilly coldness of the night
"... They are now heading here. They let me-"
"Then why are you here first?"
The young man spokez which irritated me
'For fuck sake, let me finish!'
"I beg your pardon, but if you like to question me, please do so after I finish explaining my circumstances. I am here to ask for assistance, not to join your merry ban, so recruitment could hold off until this commotion cease to exist"
"You!"
With annoyance, the young man was about to dash at me, but was stopped by the man upfront
"Fa-General! This insolent fool dared to speak with me with such words and remark! Bearing her fangs to me! A noble! How can we, I, let it slide like it was a mere words of nothing!?"
'Father? So this big guy is their daddy, if that woman is his sister'
"His utterly right [Knight General]. Forgive my displeasure and rudeness, but Knight Kyle spoke words of truth. This woman dare to utter those speeches nonchalantly, stating her words with no etiquette, but with demand and no respect. If I may, slitting her throat will not suffice to her vile tongue"
The woman muttered, as she steps forwards beside the big man infront, walked as she showed her elegance
"Oh forgive me then, for I wasn't taught to please, but to silence" (Note: silence here means to kill)
I spoke in a mocking voice, as I placed my right hand on my chest, and slightly bowed, trying to provoke the two overheated royalties
"Stop"
At the big guys word - General as they called - halted the young woman, as she was about to unsheathe her rapier, and dash at me with a killing intent
"General?"
She asked in confusion. The General then spoke as he turned his gaze on me, even with that helmet on, I could guess his displeasure
'What now, big guy?'
"Young lady, please forgive them for they are still quite young, and was now confused"
Dumbfounded to his words, I stare at him
"General!?"
The two yelled in question, but the man didn't stop, neither turn as he continued
"But do remember, that I am Knight that was bound to the order, and may only follow his majesty's command"
He then came at me, towering with his intimidating aura, like how a frail lost deer stare at the manacing lion
"So, if I deem your word untrustworthy, this blade on mine will meet your delicate neck. I will only hear your words out, and may only let your company in, if the king himself wishes to"
"So you are saying, you will let us die, and watch us groveled the ground till we succumb to our death?"
"If the king wishes to, then that will be your fate"
I swear that I could easily play these two arrogant cheetos, like a cornered rat on the cat's claw. In 1v1, either the man or the woman, killing them will be easy, but challenging them both will surely be hard but not impossible. Sacrificing my leg or arm to cut them both will be worth, but this man? This man? Even sacrificing my whole 5 life, I can't even make him bleed even a drop of blood, that's how strong this guy is
'And a like of him was bound to a king, who sits his throne like a beggar in the street, but with fancy clothes and shiny rings, how stupid'
"Your king is quite a man I say"
I teasingly spoke
"I ask that you should stop addressing his majesty with such words, if you still want your mouth to move and your head to be attached, young lady"
With such words, I was silenced. A couple of seconds of staring at him, I then opened my mouth and spoke
"Lady Isabelle Fall is with us"
With such words I utter, the situation became tense. The sudden chilly aura that was turn into a pleasant - in a way - was now back to the coldness of the winter storm
"It seems I might gone senile"
The big man spoke, as he stared at me
'Shit!'
"Does my word sound soft to you, young lady?"
He questioned, as he grab the hilt of his giant sword behind him. With sweat roll down my forehead, I gulp down and answered
"Does my word seem a lie to you? I'm hurt"
I jokingly stated, trying to steer the situation off but
"If being a clown is your profession, the circus is just up ahead"
Smirk
Snort
As he uttered those words, the two Knights behind him giggle with mocking gaze - with their helmet on, I am sure they are - and snickers
'What a surprise, daddy Knight knows how to joke'
With such mocking and irritating thought, I took a deep breath, and unbothered to their words as I continued
"Lady Isabelle Fall is indeed with us. We aren't close to be called friends, but as we are bit connected - in a way - so being a companion is a must I say"
The young man then pointed his sword again at me, not on my neck, but on my beautiful, alluring face, that was able to temp darling
"How do we know if your words hold truth?"
I then outstretched my right arm in a horizontal manner, and spoke
"Why not see it for yourself then? If my word bares truth or lies"
As I said that, the 3 then looked at my right and saw two silhouette - 3 if you count the unmoving princess on Isabelle's back - dashing at us, being companied by a horde of monsters that were chasing them, full of lust and anger as they tried catching the 2 preys before them
With the stunned figure of the 3, I then took 4 arrows from my quiver, placed them on my bow string, stretch it out and aimed at the horde behind the 2 who were being chased, and took a stance - where my left foot forward, forming a slight "V" form
"Combine them, [Meld]"
"[Sparrow Shot]+[Tempest Storm]+[Gales Embrace]"
And added the new skill I got, back at the village that being seige by {Hobgoblins}, and {Hobgoblin Variants}
"[Force Duplication]"
My arrows were then released from the bow string grasp, shooting themselves forward with great speed and might. The 1 arrow were then turn into 3, turning the 4 arrows into 12, multiplying their domination of force, and their fierceness intent of killing their enemy upfront.
The 2 then dashed sideways to not be hit by my arrows - which wouldn't happen - and also letting me have more vision to the opponent up ahead. I then took another arrow from my quiver, and aimed at the dashing enemy
SHAA!!
AOON!!
WAAA!!
The sounds of the monsters being shot by my arrows, raining them with death but not silence. And before I could stretch and unleashed another arrow at them.
Swooosh
Like a breeze of the wind, the 2 young Knights disappeared from where they stood, and appear behind Isabelle and Sheryl's back. The young man Kyle took the right side, while the young woman took the left, both was eager to show their capability.
The young man swung his sword with great might, and slashed all the poor monsters, with force so strong that their head was cut, and their body pushed. The young woman also didn't want to be left behind, as she thrust her repair with swift move and unseen through attack, as she slit and stab her enemy upfront
Bodies of flying monsters were raining down, with cut and slashed on their buttered body, drilled holes and multiple slits were seen on their bare skins. The two gracefully danced their way on the horde. The young man was quite rough but precise to his movements, while the young lady moved with elegance and swiftness.
The two that was quite arrogant, truly back their words of annoyance, as they kill and wipe the ground with their enemy's blood. The two didn't stop as they let Isabelle and Sheryl get into safety, which is quite an honorable act, if I might say myself
'So they weren't just some spoiled brat, but an arrogant shit holes too? How annoying'
The big man then moved forward, passing me by like I wasn't there in the first place, which made me frowned, and welcomed Isabelle, and only her
"What the hell are you doing Natsumi!? We are dying there, and here you are acting like a celebrity!"
Sheryl shouted at me with irritation. I just shrug and moved my waist to the left, and placed my arms below my breast, and spoke in a teasing tone
"Well, having a huge boobs will surely make you popular, it seems"
"You!?"
But before she could continue her hissing curse at me, the big man then kneeled infornt of Isabelle, and spoke
"Forgive me if I may, even though we are in this crisis, but let me welcome you, my Lady Isabelle Fall in the [Kingdom of Entel]"
Shss
I hissed. Years ago, me and Sheryl were indeed quite shocked finding out that Isabelle, the first woman who welcomed darling in the city and his third lover - first if he accepted her, which for some reason he didn't - which was spoken by darling himself during our adventure years ago, was a noble. Though we know that Isabelle is a noble, but the way this man welcome her was quite peculiar
'I remember that Isabelle's family was given a title of a Baron, but it seems it wasn't the case if the full story was told, how amusing'
"I can deduce that both father and mother avoided, intentionally, a great promotion from the king"
Sheryl whispered, as she came at my side, trying to breath with precision and silence
"And how can you say that? Any evidence to prove it?"
"It's just an intuition. I'm not smart enough to assume something out of nothing"
She answered. I then looked infront and narrowed my eyes, and stared at them
'Doesn't matter anyway, Isabelle is Isabelle, and she's not stupid enough to trick darling'
(Isabelle's POV)
Seeing Sir Roland kneeled and bow his head on me, brought me quite an uninteresting feeling, especially when he ignored the other two, but saying that out loud will cause a great impact, so I stayed quiet
"That's enough. Stand up as it will not elevate our situation"
I spoke in a stoic cold voice
"As you wish"
Sir Roland then stood up and towered me, even when he kneeled, I can say that he was indeed a huge man, as he reached me till my chest high
"Right now, I need an audience from the king to discuss this unexpected assault"
I spoke
"Certainly, I shall ask his majesty, and quite coincidentally, his majeties, his highnesses, and other nobles were now inside the palace, discussing about this matter"
I then looked at him, after I turned my gaze towards the 2 young Knights, that just finished dismantling the enemy and were now bowing at me, with their right hand on their chest on a horizontal manner
'The 2 had gotten stronger than before'
"That's much better then. Find me a Healer, a Priest will suffice or even a potion, but if there were none, just a room will do"
I stated, not as a request, but as an order. Even if this guy follow the command of the king, he will still listen to those who above them, especially if they are royalties from the inner circle
"As you command"
The man then narrowed his vision toward darling, the person that I am personally carrying
"If I may ask, are these people your companion?"
"Yes, they are. Is something wrong about it, Sir Roland?"
I annoyingly asked, without hiding it
"There wasn't. Please forgive my rudeness, as I am just merely confirming their words"
He then bowed at me
"So be it"
I muttered while trying to hide my discontent. Sir Roland then walked and passed the two, which I could see their disgust and displeasure. He then opened the castle door and utter
"I shall speak his majesty about your arrival, so please wait in the room for some time, until I got a word from his majesty"
"Will do"
I answered. I then looked at the two and nodded at them, before we entered the castle
After we got in, we were then lead to a room after climbing the stair up, and took a left turn. I then placed darling with the help of Sheryl, and let him lay on the bed, safe and sound. A Healer then came in and started healing darling, though he wasn't that wounded, expect for his both fracture arms - that was already healed - I'm still quite worried for him.
"That will be all?"
The Nun asked at me, I then nodded
"I shall take my leave then. If by some chance you seek my assistance, please let me know"
The Nun then leaves the room, which leave the 4 of us alone
"What a kingdom we are in ha"
Natsumi spoke without hiding her disdain, while Sheryl shrugged her shoulders with displeased
"Can't blame you for that"
I replied, as I carefully arranged darling's bed sheet and sweep his hair, while I worriedly looking at him as I smiled
"Royalties will be royalties, nobles will be nobles, even how big or small a kingdom is. There are some exception, but only quite"
I stated, as I gently brush my thumb to darling's cheeks, trying to feel his gentle skin
"That's why, I really hate being a noble"
"Speaking of being a noble, Isabelle, you aren't just a Baron, aren't you?"
Sheryl asked out of curiosity - if it's only mere curiosity
"... Well, in a sense, I wasn't, but was"
I said as I stood up and faced them, which the 2 give me a confused look. I then took a seat nearby, just a distance from darling and spoke
"Duke, we are given a title of a Duke that time"
"Wait, Duke!?"
Natsumi asked in aghast, as she looked at me
"If I remember, a Duke rank is just 2 ranks below the king, if we add the princess and prince in the equation. So how, how and why?"
As Sheryl tried to analyze as she looked at me, speaking her thought out as she asked
"Its-"
Knock Knock
Before I could finish my words, a sudden knock then came from the room we stay in
"Lady Isabelle"
With a sigh I replied
"You may come in"
The door of the room then creaks open, and stood a young man who was with Sir Roland in the palace entrance, Knight Kyle. He was wearing a dignified look, and a bit of excited expression, full of expectations and uncontained interest
"What honor may I have, for Knight Kyle to come?"
He then streghten his posture as he reported the reason why he came
"His majesty, the King, has given you permission for an audience with him. The servants are now preparing a room, so I was told to inform you, the you will be called a minute after"
"Is it only me and the King?"
He then shook his head, and replied
"From the Count till the Duke will be joining the conference"
"Very well then, I'll gladly awaits his majety's call"
Knight Kyle then bowed down, and then turned his body around and leaves, but before he did, he took a brief glance at darling before closing the door. Silence then deluge the room, so to break such awkward atmosphere, I spoke
"Guard darling here, after the meeting, I'll glaldy give you all the information that you needed to know"
I then lean my back towards the soft couch, and gaze at the ceiling
"But before that, I think I need a sip of some brewed fresh coffee, so will you, Sheryl, do the honor?"
Sigh
With a sigh she stood up, and went over to get the tea pot, a jar, and a tea cup, that was already prepared on the table just a distance from the bed
"Now you are acting like a princess"
I smiled in her remark, as she started brewing
'How I wish to just disappear with darling this instant'
With regret that I didn't have such convenient skill, I just closed my eyes