Lia was walking on the streets, cautiously looking for a place to restock.
While the believers of the God of Games were not to the extent that everyone would want to beat them up, they were still the kind of people who were disliked. Moreover, she was a princess of the previous dynasty and was a wanted criminal, and she would definitely be targeted if she openly went to a proper restaurant or bar to buy food.
To her, it was more convenient to go to the black market or shops run by neutral churches.
"Your Highness, we're being followed."
One of the guards behind the girl suddenly whispered.
Lia did not rashly turn around to alert the enemy. It was not the first time she was being followed over the years, and she already had a certain level of experience in dealing with being followed.
She pretended to be interested in the antiques displayed on a roadside stall, and spoke to the guard who warned her with a curious and happy smile.
"Could we have been noticed by the clergy of those churches? Could we find out who's following us? "
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. They're very discreet, and we're lucky to have found them. "
The man shook his head lightly. In the eyes of the bystanders who couldn't hear the content of their conversation, the conversation between the two of them was like a pair of brother and sister. The younger sister wanted to buy something from a street stall, but the older brother didn't allow it.
"Then there's no helping it. Let's retreat."
Lia thought for a moment and quickly made her decision. "We'll meet up in the woods east of the city gates after shaking off the enemy."
Since the enemy did not attack them immediately after finding them, it meant that they were hesitant to attack them on the streets.
That way, there was an eighty percent chance that they wouldn't be able to raise the banner of light and justice and act as they pleased in front of the citizens. Excluding the smaller possibility of slave traders, the biggest possibility was that they were being targeted by the cultists again!
The other guards all made a 'yes sir' hand gesture, and at Lia's command, they suddenly spread out and darted into the alleys on both sides of the street!
Their movements were too sudden, and with the guards deliberately hiding Lia's figure, the cultists who never imagined that Lia's group would actually split up and move under such a situation where they were so short of manpower were left at a loss. Damn it, which group should we chase now?
☆
After confirming that she had shaken off her pursuers, Lia and the guard who was covering her entered the woods first.
In the end, he realized that there was already someone in the forest.
"Uncle Carlo …" Lia looked at Carlo, who was standing in the woods with his hands behind his back. "Why are you here?"
"Your Highness, I've watched you grow up. It's not just your swordsmanship, I've also taught you strategies and tactics after the fall of Tierra." Carlo slowly turned around and stared at Lia. "I know your way of thinking like the back of my hand … You would choose to split up and flee after realizing that you were being followed. Based on the route you had taken, I deduced that you would meet up in the east, and with your habits and a little observation skills, isn't it normal that you would meet up here?"
"Your Highness, be careful. He's no longer the Captain of the Imperial Guards in the past!" The only guard beside Lia warned nervously.
"Yes, I know."
Lia nodded.
Carlo was considered an enemy by the game system, so naturally, there was a health bar above his head. Below the health bar, there was a "Fel Corruption" buff icon.
As long as one focused on the icon, they would know that the buff's effect was a 10% increase in strength, speed, and stamina. Attacks would also carry poison.
While Fel Corruption sounded like a debuff, it was in fact a blessing that the Rotten Bones Church bestowed upon its believers.
While this did not seem like much, Carlo had only joined the Rotten Bones Church for a few days, and apart from betraying Lia's group as a token of loyalty, he did not have any contributions himself. In other words, he still received a blessing from the Evil God, basically increasing all his attributes by 10%. It was clear to see how strong he would become if he was allowed to continue growing …
"Don't worry, Lia. After using your head to exchange for the Rotten Bones Church's trust and allow me to become stronger, I will fulfill your last wish one day and take revenge on those who pillaged and pillaged Tierra's lands! "Carlo slowly unsheathed his sword and walked towards Lia.
"Stop joking! I don't have such a boring last wish! " Lia was well aware that there was no room for escape, and that exposing her defenseless back to the enemy was an immeasurably foolish choice. Hence, she raised her sword to meet the attack. "I'm no longer that little girl who can only rely on you for everything, Uncle Carlo … No, rebel Carlo!"
"Your expression is much better now. It seems that your wanderings have allowed you to grow considerably, Your Highness. If this continues, you might become a qualified empress." Carlo smiled, but it was a smile that sent chills down Lia's spine. "It's a shame that the growth of one's temperament doesn't affect one's ability. You're about to die here, Your Highness."
"Please run, Your Highness. I'll hold Carlo back for you!" The remaining guard stood between Carlo and Lia, staring at Carlo as if he was a great enemy as he slowly approached. "The God of Games will protect you!"
The game system had the ability to adjust pain, and as long as it was minimized, he could ignore the pain and fight with his life on the line. He would at least be able to hold Carlo back for some time, giving Her Highness a chance to escape. The guard thought.
Lia stared nervously at Carlo, her mind frantically calculating whether she should run or fight. Still, the fact that she had never won against Carlo before left her mind a little confused. The feeling of being unbeatable that seemed to be carved into her very bones was even making it hard for her to breathe normally.
"The God of Games and whatnot are all lies! Why can't any of you understand! " Carlo barked coldly. "That's the delusion of a blind and foolish king! He's stupid, and so are all of you! You're willing to be deceived for so long! "
That was when a translucent pop-up window suddenly appeared in front of Lia.
[Ding! You've triggered side quest: Kill him!]
It was clearly a completely different style from the previous mission names. It was simple, crude, and even a little vulgar, but Lia found that her restless heart had calmed down instantly. Her muddle-headed mind had calmed down once more, and she even felt a lot more relaxed.
"There's no need to run." Encouraged by the quest, Lia's heart was filled with determination. "Because I will defeat you here!"
"Oh?" Carlo narrowed his eyes, his expression turning dangerous.