Chapter Six: The Duke's Icy Resolve
998 Words
Chapter Six: The Duke's Icy Resolve
The army of magical beasts came and went like a fleeting storm, leaving behind a battlefield scarred with blood, dust, and the shattered remnants of what once stood as mighty walls. Duchess Shia frowned at the sight, her expression one of clear distaste for the devastation that surrounded her.
Beside her, Lundy shook his head in a gesture of resigned acceptance and took a small step forward. "Your Grace, perhaps you should return and rest. We can handle things from here."
His words were a plea for the Duchess to take respite, for it was her and the Princess's arrival that had turned the tide of battle. Yet, both ladies seemed to bear the weight of their efforts, their exhaustion palpable. Now was the time for rest and recuperation.
Lundy looked at the soldiers, their faces filled with reverence as they gazed upon the Duchess and the Princess. He could only offer a wry smile. These two were not figures to be admired from afar. With a shout, he organized the lightly wounded to assist their more severely injured comrades back for treatment, while the unscathed were tasked with the grim duty of retrieving the dead, and perhaps salvaging the magical cores of the fallen beasts.
On the other side, Princess Erin stood with a cold gaze fixed upon the severely wounded Nadas, her stare so intense it drew cold sweat from his brow, forcing him to cower in fear.
Nadas cursed his luck in silence. Why was Lundy always the one to fare well in battle, while he found himself bested by the very beasts he sought to repel? Had it not been for the timely intervention of the Duchess and the Princess, his fate would have been sealed.
"Useless," Princess Erin scoffed, her disdain for Nadas's failure clear. With a final, dismissive glance, she turned and followed the slowly retreating figure of Duchess Shia. A faint smile played on her lips as she remarked, "It seems Lundy has distinguished himself once more. At the most critical moment, he managed to hold off four high-level magical beasts single-handedly!"
"Merely fortunate," Duchess Shia responded, her brow furrowed in concern rather than delight. "Why... do you concern yourself with such matters?"
Without further comment, Princess Erin followed the Duchess towards the palace that bore little resemblance to a traditional royal residence.
...
Carson and Angelina had been in the large crater for half a day, moving only when necessary.** the strange powers of the fireseed, their injuries had significantly improved. Yet, without a few more days of rest, neither could stand without difficulty.
To Carson's delight, the fireseed's path of operation was reminiscent of the internal energy arts from his old world. Not only did it heal wounds, but it also strengthened the fireseed itself. Though the improvement was minimal in such a short time, every little bit helped, and he welcomed the growth of his power.
As the red moon, a celestial body that hung in the sky like a second sun, began its slow retreat towards the western horizon, Carson offered a faint smile. "Angelina, we should leave now. Those two women may return soon, and if they do, escape will be impossible."
"I won't go!" Angelina's childish stubbornness flared at the most inopportune moment. Her cheeks puffed out in a display of petulance, and she fixed Carson with an adorably stern gaze.
Carson chuckled, though it was tinged with a hint of helplessness. Before he could say more, a cold voice from outside interrupted them. "Bring these two inside!"
Carson froze. It seemed neither of them would be going anywhere now.
Two demonic soldiers, clad in armor that resembled tattered animal hides, descended into the crater. Their visages were twisted into expressions of malevolence, and a mere glare from them was enough to make Carson feel as though he was being stalked by a wild beast.
It was clear that these two demons were formidable.
Without resistance, Carson and Angelina were escorted into the Duke's residence. From the outside, the palace seemed no different from any other grand building. However, once inside, the true essence of a ducal palace became apparent.
Though some areas had begun to show signs of decay, the overall structure was impressive. There was an air of antiquity that hung heavy, as if the palace itself were a beast in repose, ready to awaken at any moment.
A grassy area, akin to a town square, exuded the scent of fresh grass so potent it induced a sense of lightheadedness. Beyond this verdant space lay a room that resembled a grand parlor.
The seats of honor were crafted from luxurious, finely upholstered materials. The luster of the fabrics alone spoke to their value. Along the sides stood chairs made from redwood, a type of timber that, in the demon world, was a symbol of wealth and nobility.
They had been standing in this grand hall for some time, the vastness of the room making it feel strangely empty. The two women who presided over this space watched them with unyielding scrutiny. It was difficult to feign confidence under such a gaze.
After a long while, to the surprise of the two women, the girl named Angelina regarded them with eyes that held only innocence. As for the other, he had done the unthinkable—fallen asleep!
Their intentions had been to create an atmosphere of***, but the sleeping man had thrown their plans into disarray. What sort of pressure could be exerted by a man who could slumber so soundly in such circumstances? Was he naturally inclined to sleep, or had he truly devised such a bizarre strategy?
When Lundy and Nadas entered, they found a man sprawled in the center of the room, fast asleep, and a girl whose eyes still held a touch of innocence as she observed the two noble figures. Their expressions were a study in bewilderment.
- Writer
