Episode 610

“Ah, miss.”

It was the voice of the servant calling her. Kyla didn’t respond, only staring toward the door.

There was something off about the tone—different from usual. For a moment, she worried something might have happened to her mother, who had gone to meet Lord Bariel. But the timing didn’t add up. How long had it been since she left?

“What is it?”

No, maybe she’d run into bandits on the way up? That would be a serious problem.

Instinctively, Kyla’s guard snapped tight the moment her hand brushed the doorknob. She didn’t know why, but the thought of bandits sent an uneasy signal through her subconscious, though she couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause.

Quietly gripping the doorknob, she pressed her ear to the door.

“It would be best if you came out for a moment. Some guests wish to see you.”

The servant’s voice came from a short distance away. That meant someone was standing there, occupying that space. Could it be that foolish royalist faction had decided to deal with her once and for all? That would be a pointless move, but…

Frowning, Kyla carefully stepped back.

“Tell them I’ll be out shortly. I’m changing clothes.”

“Understood, miss.”

Kyla immediately scanned the outside through the narrow gap in the window. The street was dimly lit. Among the royalist faction’s carriages, she spotted a horse bearing the Kalamath guard’s banner. It looked like a messenger who had just arrived.

“Whatever it is, that’s what’s come to see me. Damn it. I need to know what’s going on to respond properly.”

If she fled hastily over something trivial, she’d only make things worse. But if she let her guard down, who knew what fate awaited her?

Pressing her palm to her forehead, Kyla kept watching outside, searching for any clue. Please, please…

Then—

In a dark alley, she saw royalist guards gathering in small groups, whispering among themselves. They drew their swords from their waists and began scanning the area.

Kyla’s heart sank.

“I’ve been caught.”

The low-quality weapon shipment scandal had been exposed.

If that was true, the situation was completely reversed. Whether noble Bariel, the Rankvis branch lineage, or negotiations—none of it mattered. The royalists would want to twist her and her mother’s necks immediately.

Tampering with military supplies during wartime was an unforgivable act of treason. Kyla had her reasons, but who cared?

Creak.

Muttering curses through clenched teeth, Kyla carefully opened the window. She had two options: climb the wall to the rooftop and escape through the neighboring building, or drop down immediately, steal a horse, and flee.

Gripping the window frame, she hesitated for a moment.

“Down it is.”

With a longsword strapped to her back, Kyla climbed onto the window ledge. Then, with all her strength, she kicked off and grabbed the tree trunk across the way.

The rustling sound made the royalist guards turn their heads, but the thick leaves concealed her.

With a soft landing, she slipped behind a carriage and surveyed her surroundings.

About ten men waited outside, all armed and likely skilled since they were guarding a commander. There was no chance if she faced them head-on.

Boom! Thud!

Suddenly, a dull commotion came from above. When Kyla didn’t respond, the sound of the door being broken down followed.

The men outside looked up, startled. Seizing the moment, Kyla drew a dagger and cut the reins of all the horses.

“No time.”

If they realized she was out, search parties would flood the area. Better to break through now.

She mounted the nearest horse and tossed the daggers toward the others.

“Whoa!”

“What’s going on all of a sudden?”

“Huh? The reins! They’re loose!”

“Hey! Hey! It’s the possessed lady! Over here!”

“What are those idiots doing outside—!”

“Chase her! After her!”

The men rushed forward, but the startled horses reared and bolted, preventing them from getting close. Kyla pressed herself low over the saddle and yanked the reins hard.

“Giddy-up!”

The horse, threatening with raised front hooves, suddenly surged forward, racing wherever its feet took it, cutting through the wind.

She wanted to direct it, but this was the outskirts of Kalamath. She didn’t know the roads—only following the natural paths.

“Catch her! Catch her!”

“She’s a spy! Kill her!”

Clatter, clatter!

As expected, the pursuers quickly closed in. They fired arrows from behind, and Kyla swung her sword wildly to deflect them. She didn’t mind if she got hit on the arms or thighs, but if the horse got hurt…

“Eeeek!”

“Ah!”

Just as she feared, an arrow pierced the horse’s thigh. It stopped abruptly, shaking violently. Kyla struggled desperately to stay mounted. Come on! Please, keep going!

Whizz! Slash!

But the relentless arrows from behind finally knocked her off. The horse limped away, disappearing from sight.

“Ah… damn it.”

“Got you! Where do you think you’re running?!”

“You’ve been scamming us for a while, haven’t you? Better prepare yourself. We’re going to have some fun too.”

“Tie her up so she can’t run. Even if we have to cut off her ankles, make it tight.”

As the men approached, chuckling, Kyla straightened her stance and readied herself to fight. Her wild hair framed eyes that burned with fierce clarity.

“Come on.”

“Look at her, acting all high and mighty just because she’s a noble. So different, huh?”

“Thinking she’s tough just because she fought in the duke’s backyard? I’m shaking with embarrassment. Hahaha!”

“Whether it’s a sword fight or whatever, we’ll see once I cut you. Come on if you dare.”

Kyla tried to hide her tension by hardening her gaze, but she wondered if this was the end. Was this fate unavoidable? Still, she had no intention of surrendering quietly.

“I’m killing at least one of you here.”

“What?”

“…One, no exceptions. I don’t lose out alone.”

Her warning drew bitter laughter from the men. She was a woman with neither size nor experience to be taken seriously, but her courage was as sharp as any seasoned fighter’s.

One man slammed his sword down provocatively and stepped closer, as if to say he could catch her barehanded.

“Damn it. A spy with nothing but pride.”

“Come, and I’ll kill you.”

“Is that so? Should I stop then? Hahaha!”

He sneered at his comrades behind him, and without hesitation, Kyla lunged, swinging her sword. The finely sharpened blade sliced through the man’s neck in one clean cut.

Ssshh!

Blood spurted as the man clutched his neck and collapsed forward. Kyla quietly corrected herself.

“Not one, but two. They die.”

“You damn Bariel spawn!”

“No mercy! Kill her!”

Focusing intently, Kyla met the incoming blades head-on, dodging with skill that was anything but ordinary.

When they thought she was just some noble lady who sipped tea in the backyard, they were shocked. But before long, blood spattered again from the tip of Kyla’s sword.

“Ughhh!”

She had slashed a man’s face.

Trembling hands braced on the ground, she rose. The more blood stained her hands, the narrower her retreat became. She had steeled herself, but now that reality was here, the fear threatened to overwhelm her.

“It’s okay.”

It was alright to be afraid. That was only natural.

Gathering her spirit, Kyla charged again. This time, the men attacked simultaneously. Her sword flew from her hand after a clash, and theirs snapped in half.

“Damn it. It’s not sugar dust—why do these break so easily?”

The men grabbed her by the hair and roughly struck her cheek.

Crack!

Repeated blows blurred her vision and dulled her senses. Eventually, Kyla lost consciousness.

---

“I’ll return ahead of you.”

Danit hurriedly grasped the hem of her dress and bent her knees. Though she hoped it wouldn’t come to this, unexpected situations always arose.

Over the past decade in chaotic Burgos, Danit had seen it all. As Ian said, it never hurt to be cautious. She felt better hurrying back with the emperor’s message.

“We’ll bring Kyla to pay our respects to His Majesty again. Then, we’ll present the news of the royalist faction’s dissolution and the disbanding of the Kalamath garrison as a gift.”

In other words, Danit urged the emperor not to dawdle but to come quickly near Kalamath.

“So it wasn’t an impossible scenario after all.”

“You mean the bandits? Though unlikely, it never hurts to be careful.”

“Yes. If the lady is worried, we can order a mage to escort her to Kalamath. What do you think?”

The lady hesitated briefly, then nodded. This wasn’t kindness. Without a doubt, it was to ‘confirm’ whatever had happened to Kyla. If the royalists held her hostage, Danit’s options would change, and she wanted to prevent that beforehand.

“I would be grateful if you did.”

Danit smiled faintly, hiding her face behind a fan. Whatever her intentions, it was best to use every advantage available right now. If Kyla was in danger, wouldn’t a mage be a great help?

“Hale.”

“Yes, Lord Ian.”

“Escort the lady to somewhere near Kalamath.”

“Understood. I’ll go with Nakina.”

As soon as Ian gave the order, Nakina appeared from among the mages. She politely asked Lady Danit for a moment’s patience, then slipped her hand under her skirt and lifted something into her arms.

“Oh my!”

“Excuse me, ma’am. Hold your dress tight. You don’t want it flipping up and embarrassing you.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Hale and Nakina activated their magic and soared into the sky. Shangdet watched them go, stunned. Was he really going to be left alone here with the Bariel forces while they left like that?

“I—I’m—Lady!”

His shout fell weakly into the air. The mages glanced at him with a look that said, “Oh, right, he’s here too.”

But Ian, Jin, Tweller—no one gave any other orders. Since Lady Danit was bringing a ‘hostage,’ it made sense to keep a firm grip on her.

“Sir Shangdet, you will move with us. Lead the vanguard and clear the way.”

“Y-yes, yes, Minister of Magic.”

“Then let’s prepare. Everyone, move out!”

The Bariel army, which had briefly halted, resumed its advance. At this rate, they’d probably arrive by nightfall.

Whoosh!

“Ugh!”

Meanwhile, Lady Danit gripped Nakina’s neck firmly as they flew through the air. The speed was so fast it made her eyes roll back for a moment, but then she realized how excellent mages were as a means of transportation. Could she find a way to make money off this?

As she pondered, Nakina nodded toward something below.

“Do you see that, ma’am?”

“What is it?”

“A limping horse. There don’t seem to be any settlements nearby.”

“Uh…”

A bad feeling settled over her. Flying a little further, they came upon a pool of blood soaking the path. Judging by the two sets of tracks, it looked like two people had been killed here.

“Please, just a little faster.”

“I’m already at my limit.”

“Please.”

“Understood, Captain Hale!”

Ziiing! Pwoom!

With a sudden burst of speed, Danit squeezed her eyes shut. Soon, the small manor where they had been staying came into view—but something felt off.

“Huh? There!”

“A mage! A mage!”

“Is that Lady Danit? Hey! Lady Danit’s back!”

Escorted by Hale and Nakina, she landed in the garden. Soldiers stood before her, fully armed. Danit gripped the hem of her dress tightly and spoke calmly.

“I bring a message from His Majesty the Emperor. Are the royalist guests still here?”

“We were just waiting for you. Got something to say?”

“…What about Kyla?”

“Kyla? Your daughter?”

“Exactly. Do you know where she is?”

The men chuckled, but the smile vanished from Danit’s eyes. She strode up to the nearest man and slapped him hard across the face.

Smack!

“You fools! Can’t you understand? I asked where my daughter is.”