Chapter 34
After the sudden impulse of change that took a tide in the situation, everyone who were standing suddenly and gradually kneeling, and bowed at the pressure that was oozing from darling, or once was. It was terrifying, and suffocating
Those adventurers that were captured by the king's skill were suddenly, as if they were splashed by a cold water in their drunken state, shiver as they kneeled and their head bows. Their sweats rolled in their forehead, dripping down towards their chin and drops below. None dared to look up, and none dare to disobey
Tap Tap Tap
Every steps he took, was like a mountain pressure that's trampling above us. And every time he passed each one of us, pressure of oozing death followed through. Both smoldering and sudden coldness of death, were attached to him as he walked with dignified and elegant stride, like a great king and a mighty emperor, and we are all but mere bugs before his very feet.
"[Ruler's Authority]"
"!?!"
After he spoken his skill and casted it, a feeling of a dreadful death bodies of once living, crawled and breeze us with their presences, as if we are all kneeling in a hundredth of thousands of dead bodies below us, like a graveyard from a great war
" My beloved servants"
His tone were both soothing and dreadful
"Your king is quite distress from this impulsive tarnation of idiocracy"
He then halted at the center of us, and looked behind him then utter
"Why not dispose these maggots for your king?"
And smiled like a lunatic, but a handsome one, and added
"And pleased this king of yours, by your bravery"
With those words spoken, chill then came at us, pushing and appealing us with their whispers of carnage, and massacre
'W-wh-what the hell!?'
In confusion I was puzzled, asking, what is happening? Who is he? Why is this happening? What triggered it? Who am I speaking to? And, how could I turn him back? Can I turn him back? Where all the questions that lingers on my head, spinning on my mind, and loitering on my thought
But the most important question that I should really ask is, can I really disobey him? Such thought were like 2 wooden gear, moving in a perfect and symmetrical way, but a sudden wooden log, blocked and halted their shifts, making the gears stop and suspend its movements
As I bow my head, tinkering whatever nook and cranny my mind has, I can't seem to find any way to defy him, even ignoring his words were already hard to do so, and I can say for sure that Sheryl, someone who is much more of a thinker than I am, should already know that trying to cut an iron with a wooden sword, is an impossible feat.
After he gives his command, none move, none breath, and none flich, as every one only bowed down, and none where strong enough to present themselves before him
"... I may say, your disobedience is quite complimentary, and courageous"
He then turned around with a pressuring stride, trying to squash everyone with every step he took
'Arghh'
And I could only grit my teeth, just to make sure that my consciousness won't fall
Tap Tap Tap
"But make no mistake, I hate selfish, and audacious rats"
He then halted in between me and Sheryl, as his words became more infuriated and alarming
"..."
Long silence then deluge the place once again, as everyone tried their hardest just to catch their breath, trying to grasp their consciousness intact, until
"Argh.... D-don't try to be-"
Splatter!
"Did I give you permission to speak?"
Eyes widen and mouth agape, as everyone who was present saw how that huge man, with muscular and toned body, splattered in pieces. His full plated armor didn't even defend him, on how his upper body squashed with an invisible force, and squeeze him like a tin paper. Everyone who was beside him were silently cursing, as their eyes speaks horror themselves, as the man beside them, their ones teammate and companion, was reduced into a formless, ruffled dead body, as its blood splash, his organs squashed, and every bone and muscle crackled
With such thing happen, none of the haughty adventurers dares to opened their mouth, and tightly close it as they bit their lower lips, completely sealing their mouth to not even utter their sigh. Everyone who was controlled by fear, tried to resist the urge to flee, or even moan in agony, as they fear to accept death in a manner than none wish to experience.
'S-so-so strong'
I thought, as how someone like darling(?), a mid-gold rank adventurer, was able to kill someone without even moving
".... My dear servants-"
"Huff... Huff..... Huff..... If, if I may, your majesty"
"!!!"
After what happened to that man, I thought everyone knew what consequences would happen if you dare to talk back, or interrupt him, but alas, there was still an idiot among the group of monkeys!
'Wh-wha-what the hell, Sheryl!?'
Shocked and baffled I was, I couldn't help but stare at her, as she composedly acted in a manner where she was the weirdest of the group, as everyone of us where drowned in our fear, confusion, and conflicted, but she still gain her touch and hold her ground, as she bowed with elegance and mannerism, befitted a noble
"... Such bravery I comment, speak"
"Such honor your majesty"
'Holy shit! Way to go flat-loli!'
"Your majesty, your men can't seem to move if you place them on such pressure, may I ask for you to withdraw them?"
With her words spoken, in a quite rough tone, darling then looked around him, and observed the people that were kneeling in front, and utter in a cold, nonchalant tone
"For such mere pressure, you are all quivering? It seems I have misjudge this people"
"Garghhh!"
"ARGHHH!!"
"GAHHH!"
"AHHH!!"
"KUHHHHH!!"
'W-wh-what the!?'
Flabbergasted to the sudden occurrence of the situation, as every adventurer that was once kneeling before him, were now growling in the ground, pressing their hands to their heads, squeezing their chest, and were choking as they gritted their teeth
"So why should I gather mere fodder, just to be a monster's meal?"
"If I may your majesty"
"Not just once did you dare to disrupt me, woman"
The pressure that darling released was then focused on Sheryl, as her body was now groveling on the ground. Sheryl tried to resist as much as possible, as she even used her arms to be her pillar, and gritted her teeth to fight back
"... Speak"
Fuahhh!
Like it was a vivid dream, the pressure that darling gave towards Sheryl vanished, as she breathed in pain and hoarse tone. She tried to catch her breath, before she got herself up, and kneeled back to not tarnish her dignity and pride
Hah... Haah
Fooo~
"Forgive this fool's insolence your majesty, but even if his majesty is capable and powerful, fighting over a mere horde of pest will surely tarnish your reputation, and title"
Huff.... Puff... Huff
"So your majesty, if I may suggest, please use us to your utmost content, and beseech us with your grace. Our body will be yours to command, and our life will be yours to extinguish"
Snap
"GAHHH!"
Huff Puff Huff
Pant Pant Pant
"Kuhhhhhh!!"
After darling snapped his finger, everyone who was at their death door was released, and are now trying to grasp some air to breath, trying to catch their almost lost lives
"You have my thanks, your majesty"
Darling then turned around, and walked
"To fight a spear you needed a spear" but it seems in this situation, I just need to let some pest clean a pest waste"
He then turned around and walked. As everyone breaths their sense of relief
"You"
His voice once again resound the area. Everyone who hear his voice then anxiously turned around, and saw him pointing to someone. As we tried to find whom he was referring to, we then saw a young man, with leather armor and a steel sword, hanging on his waist, flinched. The young man then hurriedly came over and awkwardly bowed before kneeling, which made us feel pity on him
Just a second then, the young man ran towards one of the houses near us, and brought a not stunning but yet simply beautiful crafted chair towards darling. Darling then without a word seated and dismissed the young man, with a relieving face, the young man then ran towards us
"For now, do what we have told and stick to the plan. Any monsters in the south vicinity must be eliminated. If you find any civilians who weren't swallowed or touched by darling's flame, secure them with out most priority"
"Wait darling!? That man?"
A young woman who was wearing a short skirt with a wand on her hand, fearfully asked Sheryl
'Can't blame her, I will also have the same reaction like her, if I was in her position'
"Yes, but as of now, I can't say for sure that he is the same darling I have once knew, so I can't assuredly state that I can tamed this situation we have now, so I apologize"
"...."
As her hope was crushed, the young woman then downcast her gaze. Sheryl then smiled and spoke
"But don't worry, I could at least make sure that none of you will be hurt by him, I can promise you that"
"How?"
This time, the one who asked was a middle-aged man, who seems to be the leader of a party. Sheryl stared at him, and smiled with a loving touch
"Beacuse he loves me, and I love him"
And answered with a vague respond. Afterwards, all the adventurers that were employed by his majesty - with a sullen and anxious faces - moved to do what they are tasked for. But before they dashed forward, everyone were uneasily glancing at darling before everyone steeled their heart and moved
The only one who was left in the area was me, Sheryl, and darling, who was sitting a bit uncomfortably on the chair that he ordered one of the adventurers to take. Standing by him was somehow nerve wracking, as I can't even make a proper eye contact, as my eyes were wondering from here to there just to make sure that my vision won't coincidentally alight to him - as darling was a tall man, and sat on a tall chair, even when sitting, darling still reached till my shoulder
'Why is that woman taking so damn long to come!?'
I pissingly thought, as I keep wishing and wishing that Isabella, a platinum rank adventurer, will get here as soon as possible, to at least keep darling in check
"Your majesty"
"Speak"
"Such honor"
And beside me, at the side of darling was Sheryl, who was seemingly unaffected by darling's demeanor, and just keep herself being formal, and acted like an attendant or advisor to him
'Is she not afraid?'
I puzzling asked, as me on the other hand was already just an inch away from jumping to a cliff, on how pressing and pressuring darling auras became
'.... I wish'
As I tried to sway the thought away from me, a sudden touch then came. As sson as I felt it, I then turned my gaze and saw darling holding my right hand with his left, and realized that the 2 were already finish discussing something important
"You are the same as always, such a scaredy-cat"
And kissed the back of my palm which caused me to be taken aback and puzzled, but also cooled myself, as both warmth and soothing pleasure took over me
'Ehhh!? W-wh-what is he talking about? The same as always? Did darling just remembered me? Seriously!?'
With such unexpected turn, I was quite overjoy
"But that is what I always like about you, Sully"
And placed my palm on his cheeks, and let his alluring lips touch my hand
".... What?"
But suddenly, my world halted, everything seems to stopped, and only my thought rampage across my mind, and the feeling of anger, dissatisfaction, displeased, hatred, and wreckage, loitered around my chest, and were thumping my heart in panic, asking in an irritated tone as I grips his hand with mine
"WHO THE FUCK IS THAT WOMAN!?"
And angerly glared at him
(Sheryl's POV)
'Shit!'
Even I was shocked and truly surprised, when darling spoke from his very own mouth a woman's name that even I, myself, didn't know about, but rather than thinking about that, I should focus on what's in front of me, as Natsumi is about to explode
'Not good!'
One of the greatest enemies of a woman is their tendency to get jealous. No common sense, neither any logical or rational coaxing could mend them, if they were pulled too deeply in thier jealousy, and what so dangerous about it is, when they falled down towards the black abyss, they will tend to be dangerous and aggregate to be stop, and any unforeseen action or words will greatly affect their lover, and themselves, especially to woman like Natsumi, who tend to get jealous easily.
And as I was about to calm the situation down
"My, my, you never change"
Darling then brushed Natsumi's cheeks with his left hand, with a caring tone and a gentle touch, causing Natsumi to be taken aback
"You never change. You still tend to get angry for no reason"
But what comes after made the halted beast to yell
"No reason? No reason!? You-"
"Ehhh?"
And kissed her, darling brought her head down and as he raised his body a bit up, which made the rampaging cow to halt, blushing herself with a tint of red
"That's why you are cute"
And kissed her on her forehead, which made the cow to be fully put down, and could only express her bland and dizzy expression, and repetitive "ababababababa"
'Geez, women'
Can we be blame anyway? We sometimes are quite haughty and prideful for our own good, but also quite easy to be pleased
'Well, we women's are quite easy - except for the few who are like boulder when it comes to defense'
Cough
Clearing my throat and trying to seek darling's attention - not for jealousy of course - I then spoke
"Your majesty, as I have said, please be apprehensive of how you release your aura, as not all people could easily fought back against your pressuring pressure. We are lucky that no man - except for one - were greatly injured, or else, we can't fully negate all the upcoming monsters that would intrude or have been, inside the kingdom"
"Crippling a dog or two wouldn't affect the whole plan"
"But it will greatly ruined the whole operation, your majesty"
"..."
A bit annoyed on how carefree he was, I intended to raise my voice a bit for him to understand. He then quietly stared at me, and smiled
"I really am thinking whether you are my mother, Ling-Ling"
'Ling-Ling!?'
"For how much you never cease to amaze me, how you able to talked so.....demanding, in front of your king"
'So Ling-Ling is like a Minister then? Then this will be easy'
Tryign to keep my emotion in check on how darling just called me, I then spoke
"I beg your pardon, but as someone who always stand beside you, it is my job to make sure you knew the lines your should, and shouldn't cross"
"Hmmmmm..... And why is that, if I may ask?"
"Except for being to prideful, you are so insensitive when it comes to other people, your majesty"
'!?'
I suddenly jolted when darling just out of nowhere touched my cheeks, as I coldly made my remark. He then gently burhsed my cheeks and spoke
"Why do I need others presence, when you alone is enough to make me crumble"
And smiled with a charming look
'Gahhh! This is unfair, and so corny!'
Cough
"Y-your majesty, it's inappropriate to act like this in public, please mind your reputation when doing so"
"Why such title should be minded, if being your one is enough for me to be conceited"
'So chessy! 🤍'
Is darling by some chance a cheesy, playboy king, or what? Though I can't say I hate it, but
'It's too much to bare not to laugh on how cheesy his line were'
And while I was trying to fight back such thought to be spoken, at my front, at darling's left side, was Natsumi who was sulking as her cheeks gone reddish with her chest Puff - as she placed her arms below her breast. If she was a Beastkin, her tail should be wagging like crazy, or an Elf with their long ear flapping
Cough
"B-back to what we discussed"
".... You never really change"
He then gives me a bit of lonely smile, and put his hand down and crossed it. Seeing him like that almost made me jump at him, wanting to spoil him. Gritting my teeth with such frustration, I then spoke
"Your majesty, as I said, whatever action you take will cause a commotion towards the nobles in this kingdom, especially to the royalties" (Note: in this novel, I will distinguish the king and prince as royalties while the novels as nobles, so it won't be confusing)
I then added
"Especially when the Crown Prince himself will be heading here, with 2 Knights escorting him, and a Duke. As we don't want to cause any other issues until this situation cease, I may ask that please be mindful on how you speak towards them"
Sigh
".... If that is your wish Ling-Ling, then I will do so"
Greatly relieved, I was thankful enough that he still tend to listen like how darling was, though it truly irritates me how he keeps calling me by some other woman's name
"You have my thanks, your majesty"
"And please ceased that formal way of speaking to me, I felt...distance from you"
'I also wish'
"Forgive me, but as someone like you, such proper etiquette must be comply"
Sigh
"..... So be it"
'Please don't give me that look'
I was also wishing that he will stop giving me such longing gaze. Sighing, I then gaze at Natsumi and spoke
Ahem!
Which caused the daze cow to flinched, and looked at me with her deep red face
"W-what?"
"I already asked his majesty to let you observe the other adventurers"
"What? Why me?"
"In this situation, only you, as an Archer, could help them in a distance. So I asked you to lend a hand to those people, until they somewhat make the situation clear"
Tsk!
"So you are saying that I am getting in your way to have "his majesty's" lovey-dovey moment?"
"Is that true?"
Darling then teasingly asked, as he questioned me with an innocent, and playful look, causing me to blushed as I retort
"O-of course not! Just get there already you damn buffoon of a cow!"
He then snorted as he stared forward, trying not to laugh as he keep his prideful self intact
(Isabelle's POV)
It's already been almost an hour and a half when the group his majesty employed, the adventurers who took the quest went towards their designated places, and as I was silently sipping my coffee, a sudden impulse of a strong aura came in, causing me to unconsciously stood up, which made everyone in the room to be concerned
"Lady Isabelle?"
Her highness the Princess asked
"Your majesty, I just felt a strong aura of something in the kingdom's vicinity"
As I state that, the King then questioned me
"Where?"
I then looked at him, and stated
"In the south vicinity, and north vicinity"
Which such statement made, the nobles around us, and the royalties were then flabbergasted
"I'm not sure what it is, but, I suggest that we should withdraw his highness away from the battlefield this instance"
"I agree to Lady Isabelle's word, your majesty"
A deep voice then replied at me. As I turned my gaze to whom spoke, I then saw one of the [Knight Legion Commander] that was guarding the [Council Chamber] - which then came in after 2 of the other Knights escorted his highness, and also to protect the King from any unknown skim, that includes me and the other nobles - was gazing somewhere
"The kingdom's vicinity has took a great change, I asked that your majesty to make haste and take his highness back"
"..."
Silence then deluged the place, as the King was poundering what action to be taken, with the Queen being anxious and the Princes worried. The other nobles were quite on their shoes as they didn't anticipated such turn of event
His majesty then spoke as he commanded
"Order all our men to fortify the north area and be ready to whatever may come. Command the others to join the group that was heading towards the south"
He then looked towards me, with a heavy expression before speaking
"Lady Isabelle, might I ask your cooperation to protect this kingdom's Prince?"
I then nodded
"You have my thanks"
As he stated with relief
"Warn the other Knights of any unforeseen, upcoming danger! And protect the 0rince and the kingdom at all cost!"
"As you command!"
The [Knight Legion Commander] that was on his majesty's right then bowed as he replied. He then moved with haste
'Darling, please be careful'
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Unknown to Isabelle, the man he was worrying off was one of the 2 that was greatly disturbing the kingdom
And outside the kingdom's outer wall, large hooves of footprints were printed on the sand ground. Loud cry of a huge creature resound the hot dessert. With thier loud thumps and stump, their foot echoed the ground of the approaching calamity
And standing before them was a full plated armor creature, gazing with his redden eyes, as it stared towards the kingdom's wall. In the scorching dessert, hordes of monsters of unknown were marching towards the kingdom wall
"Let us shall great our every good friend, shall we?"
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