Aisha and Archibald worked together swiftly.
The latter would beat some people up before throwing their bodies her way. The former would apologize before slapping them one by one.
Aisha had never hit a person before, but now she had to do it many times because there were so many of them. Her hand quickly became sore.
Honestly, she had no obligation to help these people. But life is a life, regardless of what kind of person they were. Aisha couldn't pretend not to see when she knew she could do something to help.
*SLAP
"Phew, I think that's the last one?" Aisha wiped the sweat on her forehead. Looking to her side, Archibald observed their surroundings with a hawk-like eye, seemingly deep in thought.
Aisha had a complicated feeling. She initially thought someone like him wouldn't care even if his men died, but he was surprisingly attentive. He didn't beat up people who were already injured and only tied them down for her.
'No, you shouldn't be fooled. He might be kind to his subordinate, but that doesn't erase his other sin of harming innocent people.'
"Have you finished?"
His voice startled her. While deep in her thought, Archibald approached her, currently staring at her. Or precisely, her bleeding hand.
Frowning deeply, he crouched down beside her before sighing helplessly. "If you have time to daydream, you should use that to pay attention to yourself."
Archibald pulled out a white handkerchief from his pocket before pulling her hand. Aisha was so shocked she forgot to breathe because he gently wrapped the cloth around her injured hand.
His usually cold and emotionless eyes actually held concern in them now. The rough and callused hand treated her smaller hand carefully like he was treating something dear to him.
As if he genuinely cared about her well-being.
But how could that be? This man forcefully took her away so he could take advantage of her.
Aisha bit her lips as weird feelings stirred inside her.
No, she couldn't get fooled. She absolutely couldn't forgive this man.
Only when Archibald finished treating her hand did Aisha could breathe normally again. She stared at her bandaged hand before slowly looking up at him.
"Get up. Now that we safely pass through that ordeal, it's time for us to escape."
The previous gentleness had gone entirely and replaced with his usual domineering self.
Aisha suppressed the weird feelings in her heart before responding, "Do you know the way out of this mist?"
"Who knows? But I'm sure help will come soon," he smirked confidently.
Aisha thought he was talking about help from the Empire, so she tilted her head in confusion, "But how can the people from the Empire know that we are in trouble?"
Archibald laughed. "From your reaction, it seems you really know nothing. Even a barbarian like me started to feel sorry for you."
Aisha didn't understand what he meant, but Archibald only waved his hand as if he didn't want to talk about this again.
"They should be coming soon. At that time, I hope you will cooperate with me," Archibald smiled wickedly.
It was the smile when he was up to no good, and Aisha suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Be that as it may, how long will you guys sleep? Wake up now!"
Archibald's roar successfully roused some soldiers awake. Primarily those who weren't injured much. They stirred in their sleep before waking up with a groan.
"What happened? Where is this?"
"I think I dream of the Emperor coming at me with swords in his hand. That was a horrible nightmare."
"Is it morning already? Crap, am I late to the morning training again?!"
Aisha was relieved to see their eyes had reverted to their clean state. They were no longer murky like something had blocked their mind.
For the idea she thought on the spot, it worked effectively. She didn't expect her blood could be used to clean the evil spirits from their bodies.
Aisha was grateful that no one was injured badly, but she had expended a lot of divine power to snap them to their senses.
As expected, the series of cleansing was too much for her. Especially after the purification she did to chase away the evil spirit who latched onto her.
Aisha's body staggered as her legs became weary. She was about to fall if it weren't for Archibald, who suddenly appeared beside her.
He gently held her by the shoulder, reducing the distance between them.
"Oh!" Aisha quickly straightened her back once she realized she was leaning against him. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty."
"It's alright. You can lean on me some more." Archibald said as he opened his arm for her.
"Huh?" Aisha was dumbstruck by his statement. The weird feelings she felt before returned, but she couldn't help but feel skeptical.
Whenever this man acted nice, usually there was a catch behind it. Aisha would rather fall on the floor than be bullied by him again, so instead of moving closer, she scooted away.
"I think I'm fine, Your Majesty."
Archibald only shrugged indifferently before putting his attention on his men. "If you guys have time to chat, get on your post!"
"Hiiee! Yes, Your Majesty!"
While everyone scampered, Leslie emerged from the crowd and knelt before Archibald. "Your Majesty, I have committed the greatest sin in life. Please punish me as you deem fit."
Archibald's brows raised in interest. "Ho? So you know you have committed the greatest treason to your Emperor?"
Leslie's face was rigid and pale as he replied, "Yes, albeit a little hazy; I remember some bits. I can't control my actions, but it was a fact that I almost hurt your royal body. Please punish me as you deem fit."
Aisha watched the scene before her and wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Leslie treated her kindly, but in the end, he belonged to the Roseau Empire. She had done her part, so whatever happened from here was no longer her business.
Still, it was hard to see Leslie receive punishment for something he had no control over, so she looked away.
"The sin of pointing your sword to your king could get you executed. If I say you will be punished properly according to the law, are you still willing to take it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Leslie answered without hesitation.
Archibald unsheathed his sword with a crazed smile on his face. "I like your determination. As a man, it will be shameful if I don't live up to your expectation, right?"
He brought the sword down, and Leslie shut his eyes tightly, bracing himself for the inevitable.