After the monster attack, we continued toward Arvalis, though the mood was heavy. The knights and mages looked exhausted, their injuries slowing them down. It was supposed to be half a day's journey, but every step forward felt longer than the last.
The trees thinned as we moved along the road, opening up patches of bare land. The air felt strange—too quiet, like something was waiting. My instincts told me trouble wasn't far.
"Uzu," Princess Rimu said softly from inside the carriage. "Do you think the others will be okay?"
I glanced at her. She tried to keep her voice calm, but I could hear the fear underneath.
"They've been through worse," I lied, though I wasn't sure myself. The knights and mages had fought valiantly earlier, but they were already wounded. Another attack could easily overwhelm them.
Suddenly, a chilling roar echoed through the trees. The ground trembled slightly. My heart sank.
Not again.
Shouts erupted from the knights as ten shadowy figures emerged from the forest. Demons—uglier and more vicious than the last group. Their twisted forms snarled and snapped, their glowing eyes locked onto us.
The knights drew their swords, and the mages prepared their spells. But it was clear—they were in no condition for another battle.
"Protect the carriage!" one of the knights shouted, his voice shaky.
I stepped out of the carriage, standing next to Princess Rimu. She grabbed my arm. "What are you doing? Get back inside!"
"I can't just sit here while everyone's fighting," I said firmly.
"You don't have magic! You'll get yourself killed!" she hissed.
Her words stung because they were true. But I couldn't stand the thought of being useless again.
The battle began, chaos erupting around us. The demons were relentless, their claws and fangs tearing through the defenses. One by one, the knights and mages fell, their injuries worsening. Seven demons were killed, but three still remained.
The carriage became their target.
"Stay behind me," I told the Princess, trying to keep my voice steady. My fists clenched as the three demons charged toward us.
Time seemed to slow down. I felt helpless.
And then it happened.
A golden shield appeared out of nowhere, shimmering like sunlight breaking through clouds. It surrounded us completely, stopping the demons in their tracks. Their claws scratched at the barrier, but it held firm.
"What is this?" Rimu whispered, her eyes wide in shock.
"I… I don't know," I replied, equally stunned.
Before we could process what was happening, a figure descended from the trees. A girl, no older than seventeen, landed gracefully in front of us with a mask on her face, her dressing sense was like some sort of mage who loved to battle. Her presence was commanding, her eyes sharp as she surveyed the scene.
"I see you're in trouble," she said casually, as if this were all routine for her.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice filled with both awe and suspicion.
She smirked. "The title's 'Manrav.' That's all you need to know."
Manrav. The name sent a chill down my spine. It was a title reserved for someone who had killed 10,000 enemies—humans, demons, monsters—it didn't matter. To earn that title, you had to be a force of nature.
With a wave of her hand, flames erupted from the ground, engulfing the remaining demons. Their screeches filled the air before they were reduced to ash. The battle was over in seconds.
She turned back to us, her expression unreadable. "You should be more careful. These roads aren't safe."
The knights and mages groaned from their injuries, some barely conscious. Manrav pulled out a pouch and tossed several vials onto the ground.
"Potions," she said. "They'll heal your people. Don't waste them."
"Why… why are you helping us?" I managed to ask.
She paused, looking at me as if deciding whether I was worth answering. "Let's just say, I don't like seeing people die when they don't have to. But don't expect me to stick around."
With that, she disappeared into the forest, as quickly as she had arrived.
I stood there, stunned. Rimu touched the golden shield around us, watching it fade away.
"Who was she?" Rimu whispered.
"I don't know," I said, still staring at the spot where Manrav had vanished. But one thing was clear—she wasn't someone we could forget.
As the potions began to heal the injured, we prepared to move again. But my thoughts remained on the mysterious girl who had saved us.
"She defeated three demons of higher tier within one move." One of the mage pointed out.
She was a interesting girl, who just wiped out three demons with only a single move. Her magic attributes might have already surpassed the nature magic which was suitable for mages etc.
"With high efficiency healing potions too." Princes Rimu added.
It was a good point to be added, as I had never seen or heard these type of potion. She might actually the strongest.
Well everything was fine, so after taking a short break at the same spot where demons attacked, we departed.
I actually had a doubt maybe I had seen her before but she had on her mask still her eyes was like maybe I knew her.
Princess Rimu broke the silence, studing the girl who had saved us while ago,"I have never seen her before.... But her magic..."
Rimu continued, her voice trembling slightly,"Her magic- it was like my cousin Noel Taiki Dweep's. He was the crown prince. But he died four years ago in the battle against the new demon king."
I asked Rimu, " Only reminder or same..?"
She fell silent for for a while. She adjusted her tone and said,"Not same but yes he was enough powerfull to slay a demon or tons demons within a second."
It was a new to me, I had heard about crown prince in villages.But he was this strong was new to me. Well, she had told us her title 'Manra' so, there was no doubt about it. But what about crown prince.
"Was also crown prince had-" I was stopped in the middle.
"No Crown prince was not recieved the title 'Manrav', he was genuinely or born made strong." Princess Rimu said.
After this battle New Demon king never showed in any human land. He started ruling from the shadow after the battle. Still it was not clear that what happened to old demon king.
And now we were in front of the main gate of capital Arvalis of Pushkaradweep.Let's see what will happen to my peacefull days.