Chapter 35
(Creeper's POV)
As we are laughing on Ling-Ling's cute retort, who was seem to never change even in the past, as she still wore a blacken dress
'!?'
A sudden rush of pressure then came in, which maze me turn my head towards my back as I stood up
"Darling?"
Both then worriedly asked as they looked at me
"Sully, assist the adventurers that went to the Frontline, and be sure to be cautious"
"...."
As I heard no reply, I then turned myself to the side and glares at Sully
"Sully!"
As I yelled, Sully was perplexedly in shocked, which is puzzling for me
"Who-Y-yesh! I'm Sully! Sully here!"
"... Forget it. Head towards the Frontline and assist those people as much as you can. Be cautious to any unknown attacks, and verify your surrounding first before you act"
"Got it"
She then nodded. I then looked towards Ling-Ling and commanded
"Ling-Ling, head towards the west area, and make sure no pincers move will pass through. Assist them as best as you can"
"D-ahem! Your majesty, what will you do then?"
"Something, or someone, is coming from the north gate. Whatever it might be, it's a creature that no doubt will tilt the kingdom upside down"
"..... Rank?"
I then gaze at her and stated
"At least at peak platinum, or early emerald rank"
"What!?"
The one who exclaimed was Sully, who was staring at me with baffled look and anxious expression
".... How many?"
"... 25, if I count that bastard with them, there will be 26 of them"
As I stated that, a playful grin then slip out from my lips, as I suddenly felt another monster coming in
"Make that 27"
(???? POV)
As we stood just a distance from the gate, I then signaled my horde to halt
"Let us start shall we"
Snap
GRROOOOOOWWWWLLLL!!
KRAAAA!!!
ROOOAAARRRRR!!
Roaring of thunderous cry then resound the whole kingdom and its vicinity, calling out for war, and stating our murderous presences. After the loud roar was heard, Knights after Knights were then spotted above the kingdom's wall, readying their bow and arrows. Seeing them swarming the gate, I then snapped my finger ones more.
A hissing sound of a creature was then heard, burrowing underneath the sand. It took just a mere second for it to appear before me, as the sand that I was standing made a wave like a tide, but in a linear path. It then circled around us, around the horde, before it pops from behind with a loud bang. It then scattered all the sand around like a rain. It then stood up as it coiled itself and stood on its long, flexible body, with its thick scale.
After the monster showed itself, it then roared with a horrifying cry, which made all the guards above to stumble down and fall, fainting on their death. As the monster opened its wide jaw, a large quantity of magic aura was then gathered on its wide mouth, painting it with a light shade of red-yellow with a hint of yellow.
The monster then roared the gathered magic on its mouth, and burst the whole north wall into smithereens, leaving only a battered debris on its wake. After a large hole was drilled on the once sturdy wall, I then signaled the horde to marched upfront, and rampage the whole kingdom apaet
GROOWWLLLL!!
KRAAAA!!
ROOOAARRR!!
Loud thud of stumping then came, as the horde dashed themselves forward, rushing towards the defenseless kingdom
(Isabelle's POV)
After the [Knight Legion Commander] left, all the people inside the [Council Chamber] were anxious, some were somewhat trying to calm themselves, and some were already lost in deep thought, trying to come up with countermeasures and such, and among those people was the King himself, the Queen, and the Princess
A sudden loud commotion was then heard outside the room
As the room was designed to block any noises, not completely, only loud yells and knocks could be heard if the room's door was shut, blocking any other noises even if someone would try to peek.
With such loud commotion outside, the nobles were started murmuring irritatedly and curiously. Then a sudden yell came, and an unexpected guest barge inside the room
"Hey!"
One of the Knights outside yelled. As the unexpected guest came in, all the nobles were on their toes, except for the royals behind me. And as I was the only combatant in this room, I then stood upfront, and have the responsibility to confront the enemy, until the guest then manifested itself from the shadow, and stood before me
"Sheryl!?"
A bit surprised for the visit, I asked her in baffled and puzzled tone
"Insolense!"
One of the nobles then exclaimed. As I turned myself around, I then saw who spoke, and meet the Baron who was sweating. The fat lord was wearing the same outfit as Lord Mack Tibalt back at the 1st visit he made with me.
"Daring to barge inside this chamber, you dar-"
The King then silence the noble lord, and glared at the woman in front without flinching, as if unfazed
"If I remember, you are one of the people whom Lady Isabelle herself suggested. Daring to invite your own self inside the chamber without my permission, color me surprise. I do wish to know what honor do we have that you came in, uninvited"
As he spoke those words, his tone were both demanding and pressuring, cold and frontal. And the way he spoke were pointed in me - without being obvious - asking about my loyalty towards the kingdom, by how someone I have suggested came in uninvited to the chamber, which where all the nobles and royalties were. And added the fact that she came in during the commotion, if that wasn't mere coincidence, then all the people inside the chamber should have thought that I ordered her do to so
'He wasn't a King for nothing'
With that stated, I then turn my gaze back at Her, and as I was about to question her
"You are her double?"
I spoke, when I suddenly noticed that her foot that was touched by the chandelier's light, and sun's ray - as the chamber has 3 huge windows at its side - didn't reflected its shadow. As I asked that, Sheryl's double then nodded and spoke
"Something happened to D-our leader"
Her statement which she uttered made me stun. But trying not get swayed by my emotion, I calmly asked with a bit of anxious hint of tone
"What happened to him?"
"We don't know"
"Don't know?"
Baffled I aksed
"Yes, our leader just out of nowhere convulsed a strong heat, like a dip metal on a hot furnace. His body then suddenly begone to smoke, like his body was being set on fire. He then suddenly acted differently also, and for some reason, he keeps releasing an aura of....of something else, entirely different to what I know, to what we know"
As she said those, her voice was quite worried and heavily concerned. I was then went on a deep though as my mind went on an overdrive, trying to come up with a way, an action that won't cause darling's reputation as I was in front of a leader, who was trying their best to court me using their only son. And by some chances they found out that I have someone already, they will not sit on their throne like it was nothing, especially when it comes to seeking revenue and value.
'This is a headache'
As I irritatedly thought that, a sudden loud bang then came, shaking the whole kingdom with its terrible shake, except for me
'Perfect timing!'
Quite glad to the sudden interference, I was able to lift some of the troubles from my shoulder. After that loud explosion outside, like a sudden earthquake, the nobles and royalties was now greatly felt uneasiness. The door of the room then forcedly opened, making everyone distress
"Forgive me if my impudence your majesty"
With a deep tone of his loud voice, the [Knight Legion Commander] then came in
"Formality should come second, speak!"
Without expressing his anxious self, the King then asked in his natural tone, towards the Knight who came in
"I suggest both of your majesty to head towards the fortified chamber below the castle with haste"
"...."
Everyone was aghast to the Knights words, confusion and anxiousness painted on their expression
"Silence! For what reason?"
"The north gate has been breached, and one of the Knights that was stationed there, who miraculously survived, for now, reported of spotting a {Wrym} among the trespasser, your majesty"
"!!!?"
"A {Wrym}?"
I asked, the Knight then nodded
"Continue"
"The {Wrym} unexpectedly came forth from the unknown direction and destroyed the north gate, leaving nothing but battered and broken debris, of once was a fortified north wall and gate. Hordes of huge Boars then intrude the broken wall, marching and rampaging throughout the kingdom's ground"
"A {Giant Sand Boar}?"
The King asked, quite puzzled too. I was the also the same, for a {Wrym} who has the strength of an emerald rank, to accompany a group of early gold rank was kind of unheard of
"At first I thought the same your majesty, not until my subordinate explained the whole situation"
He then looked toward the King with an uptight voice, betraying his demeanor and status as a Knight
"It was an unknown type of Boar, as it is much bigger and quite powerful than a normal {Giant Sand Boar}. It was standing at the same size of the broken gate, and it was being accompanied by the other huge Boars. The report also includes that among the Boars that came in, 5 of them or so was being ridden by some monsters atop"
"..."
After the report was finished, everyone was then was quiet, until the King then commands
"Prioritize the civilians and lead them out of the fray. Inform the other group of this matter and fortify their defense! Make haste and start parrying those beasts!"
"As you command, your majesy!"
The Knight then exclaimed, as he stood and dashed forward.
"All the nobles will accompany me towards the [Underground Chamber]"
"Forgive me your majesty, but I shall refuse such offer"
As I stated that, everyone that were inside the room looked at me, puzzled and surprised
"Lady Isabelle, I know for a fact that your strength could drive monsters of great number into hiding, but as a {Wrym} and an unknown beast probe in, I suggest that you should back down from such fight"
The Queen then worriedly spoke her reason, which I replied with a stoic and unwavering tone
"Don't worry your majesty, I wasn't thought by my parents to be an idiot in a battle. I shall only serve as an aid during this commotion, and save as much soldiers and civilians I could. If worst come to worst, we can at least gather as much manpower we could have in this fray"
"..."
The Queen was then brought to silence
"If that is what her lady desire, then I have no rights to interfere, but please be careful as we shall await your return"
The Ming then spoke with pride of a King, and a tone of a father. I then bowed as I leave
(King Antoine's POV)
As I watched Lady Isabelle disappear
"Your majesty, should we have stopped her?"
My wife, the Queen, then anxiously asked
"If her lady perish, then she only worth that much"
As I replied with a cold, nonchalant tone, everyone on the room was flabbergasted. I then turned around as I lead everyone towards the chamber and added
"I shall not let a dying horse tie towards the kingdom. This isn't a stable for a weak mount to stay"
'You two, head out and find the culprit. The situation is escalating in an unknown direction, seek whoever dared to attack my kingdom'
'As his majesty's command'
The 2 dark silhouette then vanished as I ordered them to
(Creeper's POV)
GROOWWLLL!!
ROOAAARRR!!
KRAAAA!!
BAAANNNGG!
After the thundering roars and deafening explosion, chilling aura of pressure then followed through, breezing everyone with its dreadful touch
"Darling, what was that?"
As Ling-Ling asked with beads of sweats rolling from her face, I could sense Sully stunned and anxiously staring at the north, where the sudden commotion came in. I then both tap their head and stared with reassurance
"I'll be heading north, fortify the south and assist the west as much as you 2 could"
And as I was about to dashed forwadd
"W-wait!"
Ling-Ling then halted me as she grabs my left arm
"W-what the hell are you thinking!?"
She yelled
"Those monsters are stronger than you think, idiot! And what will you do when you get there? Greet them!?"
As she continued scolding me
"Let just head back to the castle and wait till-"
"Ling-Ling"
(Sheryl's POV)
As I heard his voice, the surrounding area around suddenly felt cold, like I was cage in a cold iron. And as I turned myself - anxiously - toward my front, I then saw darling glaring at me with daggered eyes, and spoke
"That was not a request"
And felt a thousands of swords circling around my neck with their sharp, deadly edge
"That was an order"
"Y-yes"
Shutteringly spoke, I then uneasily, and hesitantly, removed my hand from his arm, and bowed my head as my instinct told me to. As second came of silence, he then brought his lips towards my forehead and spoke
"Don't worry, I'm not planning to die there, especially-"
He then gently raised my face up as he hold my chin. As our eyes meet, he smiled and spoke
"Especially that our child isn't yet born"
Blush
"!?!"
'.... Eh? Eh? Eh?! Ehhhhhhhhh!?!'
As if my brain just broke down in a million pieces when I heard his words
"Assist the west, and fortify the south. Tell Isabella to head towards the north to assist me
Trying to calm myself down, I then silently took a breath
'Isabella?'
He then dashed forward with an explosive bang as he propelled himself forward. After he left, it was me and Natsumi that was only left
"..... You seem overjoyed"
"Ahem!"
"Isabella? Does he mean Isabelle?"
Natsumi asked
"I think"
'That's strange. Isabella and Isabelle's name were....the same?'
"Hey flat-loli"
"Mhmmm?"
"What was that?"
I then looked at her and stated
"I don't know. Darling didn't told us anything, even back when we are still venturing as silver rank, so I don't know"
I spoke with a bit dejected tone. I then swayed my head and stated
".... My double already went towards Isabelle and informed her, just go towards the south while I shall assist the west. Afterwards, let us gather all the remaining people and head towards the castle, or either assist darling in his battle"
Natsumi then nodded. Both of us then gazed towards the north direction, heave a deep sigh then dashed to our respective positions
'Please be safe darling'
(Pierre's POV)
GROOWWWLLLL!!
KRAAA!!
ROOAARRR!!
BAAANNGGG!!
As a loud, thunderous cry, and crashing explosion came, I then halted from I was - just a couple distance from the palace's door - and with distressed, looked towards the epicenter of the commotion
"Your highness, we should head back"
One of the Knights that escorted me spoke. As I turn around, I then saw both of them, anxiously staring at the north direction, I was also thinking whether to head back or move forward, until
"Your highness"
I then hurriedly halted the 2 Knights that already moved upfront, and took both of their weapons out, went to their stances, and glared at my hidden guard
"Popping out of nowhere like a bug, speak"
"Forgive my insolence your highness, but I suggest you to head back to the castle, and head towards the [Underground Chamber] this instance"
"Quite demanding for a servant, aren't you?"
"Forgive my foolish, arrogant tone, but your highness"
She then stared at me, underneath her black viel, and stated with great importance and seriousness
"A {Wrym} was spotted outside the kingdom's wall"
With her words, the 3 of us were then taken aback, and petrified with great shocked
Shaaa!
Kraaaa!
Growwwwllll!!
Shhaaa!!
Chirrup!
Chirrup!
Kraaa!
Hearing loud cries of monsters, I then turned my gaze behind me, then stared at my side then upfront, and spoke as I took out my rapier from my waist and stated
"It seems that our guest doesn't want us to leave the party, unattended"
The 2 Knights that was guarding me then took their suspiciousness away from my hidden guard, and went upfront, and took their stance once again
"Bugs"
She annoyedly voice out. She then stood up and took her battle stance, and stated
"I shall carve a path for his highness, please run with great haste"
She then dashed forward after saying those words. As she approached the enemy upfront, she then summoned her weapon out from her [Storage Ring], and slit all the enemies before her with her long, black scythe. From above then below, and then to each side, she cut every enemy she confronted without any wasted movements, as she connect her 1st attack to her 2nd
"... Your highness, who might be this young lady be?"
Lord Fredrick asked, as he guarded my left side
"Let us shall say, that she's one of my trusted companion"
I then vaguely answered, as I dashed forward. Both then followed me.
'What ploy is being orchestrated here?'
Deep in thought, I still continued dashing forward, following my servants path that she created for me to pass, with monsters after monsters slashed and cut, and being piled around our side
(Isabelle's POV)
After I head out with Sheryl's double, we then dashed forward, towards the entrance
"I'll be heading out first, myself(me) needs my assistance"
Sheryl's double spoke. I then nodded, which she then pleasingly took, as she merge herself with the shadow and disappeared. After she was gone, I then continued dashing forward as I activated one of my skills
"[Quick Step]"
[Quick Step] is an upgrade version, or high teir version of [Swift Feet]
With the additional boost of my speed, I was able to arrive at the palace's entrance. After that, I then took a right turn and headed straight towards the south area, where darling and the other adventurers went to.
As I dashed forward, I then boost my speed with [Speed Boost], to increase my speed after casting [Quick Step]. With great haste as I rush forward
"!"
I was able to sight a group of people who were rushing towards my direction. Closing the distance between them and me, I was able to recognize his highness who was accompanied with the 2 Knights, and an unknown woman that was holding a black scythe, dashing towards upfront. As I narrowed my vision, I was able to notice some dead bodies of monster laying down the side of their path, and it wasn't just mere few of those bodies, but a great amount
As we already just a couple of distance from each other, we then - myself and their group - halted.
"Lady Isabelle?"
"Your highness. I am quite relieved that you are in a great shape your highness"
"You flatter me"
"I'm sorry if I'm going to cut our little chat. Your highness, the King and the other nobles were now waiting for you at the [Underground Chamber], so I asked that you needed to get there as soon as possible"
"What about you Lady Isabelle? Where are you heading?"
"I need to at least lend a hand to each of our soldiers, and secure as much citizens I could, so I apologize, but I won't accompany his highness back to the palace"
"Wait, I'm coming with you"
"Your highness!"
The 3 of his escorts were greatly shocked to his sudden impulsive decision
"Your highness, that is reckless"
"But it much better than to let you, yourself, head their alone isn't it?"
'For fuck sake'
"Your highness, this might be rude of me but, as a Crown Prince of this kingdom, your safety must be prioritize. Heading towards the battlefield with less knowledge about the battle, will greatly cause you your life. So I suggest that you need to head back there, and await until the situation settle down"
"Are you telling me that I am a commoner in a noble class? You are quite underestimating me, Lady Isabelle"
"My apologies if I sounded quite rude to my words, but your highness, I won't overlook this matter if you dare to follow me without any proper-"
ROOOOOOAAAARRRR!!
BOOOOOMMMMM!!
A sudden deafening sound then resound the whole kingdom, which made me stunned. As I turned my gaze, I then saw a grayish-black smoke, and a few glimpse of reddish-orange with hint of yellow in the north direction
Without wasting anymore time talking to a stupid man, I then dashed forward
"Speed me, [Speed Boost]"
"[Quick Step]"
And vanished from where I stood
"Lady Isabelle!"