In an open space, two girls stood in tense confrontation, both poised to fight at any moment.
"So, this is the so-called Princess's bodyguard?" the orange-haired girl sneered, her mouth twisting into a mocking smile. "It seems this Princess isn't anything special."
This was Seryu, whom Kaguya had encountered in the forest not long ago. She snorted disdainfully, looking down at the black-haired girl before her with contempt.
"Don't you dare insult the Princess!" the black-haired girl retorted, biting her lip in anger, her eyes blazing with fury.
She was Sayo, whom Kaguya hadn't seen in days. Compared to the neatly dressed Seryu, Sayo looked a bit worse for wear. Her clothes were covered in dirt, with several rips exposing her white skin, and some spots even oozed fresh blood. It seemed she had suffered quite a bit at Seryu's hands.
"Is that so?" Seryu mocked, "Nothing but a pretty vase."
"You bastard!"
Sayo shouted, gripping her bow tightly. She swiftly drew three arrows from her quiver and nocked them on her bowstring, pulling it taut.
"Thwang! Thwang! Thwang!"
Three arrows shot toward Seryu like lightning.
"Koro!"
Seryu snapped her fingers with a cold smile. The small dog beside her suddenly swelled, transforming into a three-meter-tall monster, shielding her.
"Do you think you can hurt me?"
Seryu's pupils suddenly contracted as she realized the three arrows arced perfectly in mid-air, curving around Koro, and hurtled toward her.
"Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!"
Three muffled thuds of arrows hitting flesh echoed. Sayo wiped the blood from her mouth, a victorious smile on her face. She had not been idle during her time in the Princess's palace, training diligently. Even though she knew she wasn't as talented as Kurome, she had never given up.
This move was the result of her hard work—firing three arrows simultaneously in different directions that could change course mid-air, allowing her to strike targets hiding behind cover.
"Not bad, but still not enough."
Sayo's eyes widened in disbelief as Seryu emerged from behind Koro, holding two arrows in her hands, with the third clamped in her mouth.
Seryu wasn't unscathed, though. Her hands gripping the arrows dripped with blood.
"Clink, clink, clink."
The blood-stained arrows clattered to the ground.
"You've made me angry now," Seryu said, her face contorted, grinning menacingly. "I didn't want to kill you before, but now, you'll die."
As soon as Seryu finished speaking, Koro's body expanded, its massive maw opening wide, claws extending. It launched itself at Sayo like a cannonball.
Startled, Sayo gripped her bow tightly, nocking an arrow. With three sharp "thwangs," a stream of arrows flew toward Koro like shooting stars.
To her shock, the arrows struck Koro's thick hide with no effect, unable even to slow it down.
Despite its size, Koro was incredibly fast. In an instant, it was upon Sayo, swiping its claws at her.
Fear finally showed on Sayo's face. She hadn't expected her attacks to be so ineffective. It was too late to escape now.
Am I going to die here? How frustrating…
Sayo's mind went blank, and for some reason, the image of that silver-haired girl floated before her eyes.
Suddenly, a flash appeared before her eyes, followed by a dull "boom." The ferocious giant dog was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing through several large trees before coming to a halt, splintering wood, and billowing smoke.
A silver-haired girl wearing a fox mask appeared in front of her, exuding elegance and charm.
It was the Princess.
"Your Highness!" Sayo exclaimed, rushing over with a flushed face, apologizing, "I'm sorry for embarrassing you."
"It's nothing," Kaguya said, gently patting her cheek with a smile, "You should step back. Leave the rest to me."
"Yes." Blushing from Kaguya's affectionate gesture, Sayo retreated, but stayed nearby.
"So you are the so-called Princess," Seryu laughed lightly, "You don't seem all that special to me."
"How dare you!" Kaguya frowned, pointing at Seryu with her jade-like finger. "You don't kneel before the Princess? Are you rebelling?"
Caught off guard by Kaguya's words, Seryu's smile froze. For some reason, seeing the clear eyes behind the mask, a surge of fear welled up in her heart. In a daze, she found herself kneeling instinctively.
Only after kneeling did she snap back to reality, her face flushing with embarrassment. She didn't know why she had acted this way but instinctively blamed the Princess.
Seryu leapt to her feet, but before she could act, a smooth, jade-like leg slammed into her abdomen.
"Ugh!" Blood spurted from Seryu's mouth as the immense force sent her flying, crashing to the ground like a broken kite, skidding over ten meters before coming to a halt.
"Roar!"
Seeing its master attacked, Koro let out an ear-splitting roar, muscles bulging, eyes bloodshot, baring its teeth. It lunged at Kaguya, claws slashing downward.
"Just a mere beast, how dare you be so noisy?"
Kaguya snorted coldly, swinging her long sword like a flash of lightning, cutting through the air like a rainbow.
Blood sprayed as flesh flew.
Before Koro's massive body hit the ground, it disintegrated mid-air into countless pieces, scattering across the earth. Blood mist filled the air, painting the withered leaves crimson.