I couldn't believe what I had heard.
The experience she went through was beyond terrifying. Far more than anything someone should have to endure.
"Who do you think was speaking to you?" I asked.
"I can't say for certain, but I'm sure it was the Source. The Oracle said that the Source was a person, correct? Maybe that was him," Isabella said.
It seemed very likely, but the implications of his power being so vast and far-reaching only made the situation feel more dire.
He claimed that the world already belonged to him.
How much time did we have left? Was there any hope? Or were we already doomed?
I might have hated a lot of things about this world, but it was still our home. I wanted to save it if it was still possible. It meant that I would have to try even harder to get stronger.
"Isabella, do you think you'll be able to recover completely?" I asked her.
"Good question. My arm feels like it was broken, but the bone mended somehow. Likely when you used your healing magic on me. Although, I feel like part of me is missing inside..." Isabella said.
"The Black Ooze eroded part of your soul away, didn't it? I wonder if there's a way to get that piece of you back..."
"I think that would be a suicide mission, Mizik. At least right now it would be. I felt the power coming from the Source... It seemed truly bottomless..."
Damn it all...he's that strong, then? We need to act now, but...we don't stand a chance...
"Mizik, let's not worry about those things right now, okay? Worrying won't help us at all."
I let out a quiet sigh.
"Then I'll push it out of my mind for now. But soon, I'm going to raise my level as high as possible so that next time, I won't be caught by surprise."
"Good. And I'll do my best to ensure that Albatross backs you as best as we can."
I smiled at Isabella and she returned it.
"Mizik, can you promise me something?"
"Of course, what is it?" I said.
"Promise me that no matter how bad things get, you won't abandon me. And that you won't die before I do."
"Only if you can say the same to me."
"Very well, then. We'll say it at the same time. On three. One...two...three."
"I promise."
"I promise."
I defied fate.
I saved Isabella's life and changed the course of history. Deep down, I hoped that my efforts to protect her would not be in vain.
Once Isabella began feeling tired again, I moved the desk with the lantern back and scooted one of the infirmary beds together with Isabella's.
As always, we slept together.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
* * *
In the following month after Isabella recovered, I made a strong effort to continue my training. I continued to take jobs on behalf of Red River and worked to increase my level.
The status menu still could not identify the monsters we fought that day. We gained zero exp from killing them all.
Luckily, in a month I had raised my level to fifty-five.
When I wasn't busy, I would spend time with Isabella while she continued her studies.
She began picking up the subject of military tactics. So far, she seemed like a natural.
Honestly, just watching her exercise her knowledge amazed me. I knew she was smart, but genius seemed more like it.
At first, the teachers would shoo me away and say that I was distracting her. But Isabella would order them to let me stay and they couldn't deny the First Princess of Albatross.
Curiously, Isabella was also talented at playing several instruments.
Of the instruments that she played, she was best with a piano and a violin.
It was strange to watch the person I was engaged to willingly partake in so many activities. But by the end of each day, she would be more tired than I was even if I had been working on guild requests that day.
It made me truly understand why she wanted to be an adventurer so badly.
Everything she had to do on a daily basis was so overwhelming. She had many things to study and even more responsibilities to tend to.
Sometimes, Isabella would get up extra early just so she would have more time to study things that were useful to fighting the Black Ooze, like military tactics.
No amount of convincing would make her relent, either.
She was determined to be of use to me in some way.
Eventually, I caught word that the Queen had returned to Albatross city.
I stood at a window on the third floor and watched a large extravagant carriage come into view. The King had already gone out to greet her.
From a distance, I could easily tell where Isabella got her good looks.
Queen Evryss was gorgeous.
She had all of the beauty of her daughter Isabella, but somehow much more mature and refined. She wore an extravagant purple and gold dress with a crown on her head.
King Ronald took her by the hand and the two of them made their way into the castle, followed closely by a group of elite guards.
I decided that I would go to the training grounds today and practice my attacking and defending. I would have plenty of time to meet the Queen, later.
Lately, I'd been trying hard to get Vengeance to speak to me, but the sword always stayed silent. I couldn't figure out why.
Sometimes it even felt like the blade had begun to dull.
It was one of the many things that worried me these days.
But, I had other things to take care of, currently...
I left to go to the training yard.
On the way there, I felt a pair of arms wrap around me from behind.
"Hey Isabella," I said with a smile.
"Mizik! I was hoping to run into you! I just finished one of my classes and wanted to spend a few minutes with you," she said.
"Well, I was heading to the training yard to practice. Want to join me?" I asked.
Isabella stepped back and nodded.
Once we arrived, Isabella sat down on one of the benches and watched me practice my sword swings and defensive stances.
I felt like I was getting much better at using a shield lately, which would make up for losing Isabella and help me in battle.
A few minutes into practice, however...
The doors to the training yard suddenly swung open and the knight Grandmaster stood in the doorway.
"Princess Isabella Victoria Albatross, your presence is requested in the throne room. Queen Evryss would like to speak to you," he said.
Isabella looked greatly disappointed to hear this and reluctantly got up.
Although...she also seemed nervous.
"I'll see you later, alright Mizik?" She said.
"Actually, Mizik should come along too. The Queen wishes to meet your fiance, Princess Isabella," Sir Gordon continued.
For some reason, he was acting much more formal than his usual demeanor.
Isabella looked greatly worried by this and glanced at me.
"Is everything okay?" I asked.
"I...don't know... I was really hoping to avoid you meeting mother for a while..." Isabella said.
Is there something wrong with her mother? She looked really nice...
Regardless, the Grandmaster escorted the two of us to the throne room.
* * *
After we reached at the throne room, the two of us approached the seats of royalty in the center back.
"Let me do the talking, please," Isabella whispered to me.
We both simultaneously bowed on our knees and Queen Evryss spoke up immediately.
"Isabella darling, there is no need for you to bow down to your own parents. Please relax. I don't know how many times we've told you," Queen Evryss said sternly.
"Forgive me, mother. But I believe it is important to respect the throne of our great nation," Isabella said.
"Of course. There's nothing wrong with that, dear, but I've had quite a long journey. I want to know how my beloved daughters are doing! Speaking of which, where is Cassandra?"
Oh shit. She wasn't told yet, was she? This is not going to be pretty...
Isabella glanced over as if to tell me to keep quiet. I still remained at my knee and Isabella cleared her throat after she stood up straight.
"Her Majesty, Queen Evryss, as well as my beloved mother, should hear the truth about my dear sister," Isabella began.
I could visibly see King Ronald nervously shifting on his throne as he looked away from everyone.
I'm starting to not like this.
Queen Evryss suddenly adopted a much more serious disposition.
"Has something happened to my sweet little Cassandra?"
Sweet little Cassandra!? DON'T MAKE ME VOMIT!!!
I felt myself gag at the thought of anyone calling that demon sweet.
The King looked over and smiled nervously.
"My dear beloved Evryss, I would like to ask you to remain calm and listen to the full story before-"
"Ronald! WHERE. IS. CASSANDRA?" Queen Evryss shouted loudly.
"Mother, if I may. Cassandra was found to be torturing and murdering innocent people, prisoners, and even other nobles within a dungeon secretly built underneath her very own room. My fiance, here, is one such victim. He is also the only survivor of the heinous crimes she has committed. Cassandra is currently located within the castle dungeon until her fate is decided," Isabella explained.
Queen Evryss was completely silent.
I kept my eyes downcast in fear that she would direct her anger at me.
"I have many things to say about this, but I will keep it brief. First, I am curious as to why Arvild is not your fiance anymore. And second, I wish to inquire about the proof to back up such outrageous claims."
Queen Evryss spoke seriously and precisely. Her tone hid a tremendous amount of rage.
"My dear Evryss-" The King began.
"Be quiet! Isabella is not done speaking!" She shouted at The King.
This guy has it pretty rough...
The King sank back in his throne with a timid expression. Although, he seemed to be getting angry as well.
"Of course, mother. Arvild was proven to have had a hand in luring my fiance into Cassandra's room so that she could drug him. Arvild is also currently married to three other women. He has more than enough people to help him provide an heir to his useless family and I have decided to break the engagement on the grounds that he is both a pervert and a wanted criminal," Isabella explained once more.
I wasn't sure that was the correct order...but I didn't want to interrupt her explanation.
"Lastly, the proof of Cassandra's deeds would be the dungeon beneath her room, the hundreds of dead bodies found in the disposal shaft in said dungeon, as well as the scars and testimonies of my fiance. Walter and I are also witnesses to her torture of this man," Isabella finished.
"Bring Cassandra up here. I want to speak with her NOW!" Queen Evryss shouted.
At once, the guards at the entrance of the room hurried off.
Almost immediately, I felt my heart beating faster.
I started to sweat and my breathing became ragged.
"Mizik, please calm down!" Isabella whispered.
I looked up at her and gave a slight nod.
"You. Young man, 'fiance' of my beloved daughter Isabella. Rise. What is your name?" Queen Evryss said sternly.
I got to my feet and composed myself.
"M-my name is Mizik, y-your Majesty Queen Evryss. It is a pleasure to f-finally meet you," I said and gave a bow.
I learned that one from Walter.
Unfortunately, my voice trembled out of fear that I was about to be near Cassandra again.
"Nervous, are we? Well, you seem like a nice gentleman. Handsome too. And I see you have quite the scar on your face as well. A shame," the Queen said.
"I thank you for your kind words...your Majesty..."
"Unfortunately, it also seems that you are an Iratus. You have a lot of nerve showing yourself in our country after what Kalsa did to us all those years ago. And to propose to my daughter, too? How disgraceful can you be!?" She shouted at me.
I closed my eyes and bowed my head to her.
I wanted to speak with her honestly and openly, but she didn't seem as easy to talk to as her husband. That poor bastard...
"Mother, Mizik was actually born in Lorelei. He is the son of Ulysses Iratus as well as a woman named Karia. He is the heir to the household and a perfect gentleman. Mizik has treated me far better than any man I've been previously engaged to and finally, he did not propose to me. I am the one who requested that he become my husband," Isabella said in my defense.
"So he's the spawn of that murderer and a filthy commoner from that disgusting town run by a madman down south? Is that what you're telling me? And to top it off, you have defiled yourself by requesting such a man to become your husband? Dear Isabella, you're not making him sound better by telling me these things."
For the first time in a while, I could see something shift in Isabella.
She was visibly disturbed by her mother's comments. And she was shaking with rage. Isabella, however, maintained a calm demeanor.
"Isabella, dear, perhaps you should do yourself a favor and separate from this trash. This Mizik can't possibly be any better than a gentleman like Arvild, can he?" The Queen continued.
"But, m-mother, I should tell you that Mizik is...h-has been far kinder to me than any other-"
"I am not sure any of that matters. This boy is the low-born trash of an Iratus and a commoner woman from a place as filthy as Lorelei. You are beautiful and smart, Isabella. No, you are a gifted genius who will lead our country into a golden age of prosperity. You should remember that your husband also gets to be the next King. Perhaps you should think more thoroughly about your choices."
"..."
Isabella was stunned silent. She still wore a smile on her face and wanted to defend me as much as she could.
"I disapprove of this engagement. I declare it null and void by the authority I wield as Queen of Albatross. Also, this FARCE has gone on long enough! YOU WILL MARRY ARVILD! I WILL PERSONALLY REINSTATE YOUR ENGAGEMENT TO HIM, IMMEDIATELY! As soon as I get into contact with Lord Darius, I will get everything in order. Hopefully, you two will be wed by next week."
What...? Next week...?
Isabella dropped to her knees. Her eyes were wide with desperation and fear.
"N...no...please...mother... I don't want to marry Arvild..." Isabella whimpered.
I kept dead silent.
Once again, my cursed blood had caused me problems.
Why was this happening...?
And then suddenly...
The doors to the throne room opened wide and in stepped a woman bound in magic-nullifying chains that looked exactly like Isabella.