Not a single common wind-cutting noise was heard. At the warning from “Eyes of the Dragon,” the moment Shi-en crouched down, a crimson line was drawn above her.
A sword so fast it outpaced sound.
Eventually, the atmosphere that had been torn apart belatedly screamed and writhed. A few strands of hair, whipped by the gale, symbolized the urgency of the situation.
It had been close.
Had she been even a little slower, or had the princess been even slightly taller, that crimson line would have become a cutting line—straight into the princess’s skull, spilling its contents to the world.
No matter how much she thought about it, the opponent was too strong. Even if they were heir to vampire blood, could that alone explain such growth?
Something was off.
As the threat of death approached, the princess’s mind began to whirl at high speed. The survival instinct transformed her extraordinary mind into an even more exceptional one.
Think, think!
The outcome was obvious if things continued this way. Death was certain. To survive, there was no option but to devise a clever plan.
Words of all kinds flowed unhindered through her mind.
Blood, vampire, strength, rampage… and “me.”
That brief word pierced through the princess like a divine revelation. Whether fortunate or unfortunate, there was no more time for hesitation.
The fleeting moment before the next strike.
The princess hastily rose and shouted.
“Hold on!”
Of course, the sanity-less monster had no reason to heed the princess’s plea.
Right before Ceria swung her sword without hesitation, Shi-en gathered all her strength and called out loud.
“Didn’t you say you needed blood?”
Startled, Ceria’s movement halted for the first time. Ceria’s azure eyes silently stared at Shi-en.
This seemed to indicate an intention to listen.
The princess inwardly sighed in relief as she began to calmly explain her thoughts.
Still readying a contingency spell, just in case.
“If you want my blood, don’t you think my body should at least maintain its current form? Take a look at the power of your sword!”
Ceria remained silent. Her gaze, although steady, had a vacant focus that made it difficult to discern her thoughts.
Still, Shi-en didn’t stop. She believed this was the only way out.
“Trees by the dozens can be cut in half by your blade. What do you think will happen if it hits me directly? I’d be shattered, and naturally, you wouldn’t obtain my blood…”
“Your Highness resembles me.”
An unexpected comment.
Even the most astute princess couldn’t have foreseen such a development. Shi-en paused momentarily, startled, before pressing on with the prepared spell.
The more variables introduced, the further the peaceful resolution drifted.
In such a case, only violence could be relied upon. Shi-en, who had studied the art of kingship since childhood, was well aware of this.
Silent spell-weaving.
A highly difficult technique challenging even advanced students at the Academy. Yet, Shi-en, top of her year and heir to the dragon lineage, could wield it with ease.
Just a little bit more…
Had the desperation in Shi-en’s heart been noticed?
As Ceria gradually lowered her sword, a sigh-like comment escaped her lips.
“Is this the solution you found after all the fleeing? A negotiation, a plea… Ah, there was a time I was like that too. First fleeing, then crying and begging, and eventually ending up here.”
A faint, bitter chuckle escaped Ceria’s lips.
The look in her eyes as she glanced at her own blade revealed a sense of despair. Her pupils, brimming with regret and resentment, created a melancholy portrait.
“Truly, Your Highness resembles me.”
“Does that make you sympathize with me?”
Shi-en asked, forcing a harmless smile.
Of course, unseen behind her were her hands weaving several geometrical patterns, readying the strongest magic the princess could muster.
She was an expert at acting.
Shi-en reaffirmed her resolve not to let her smile falter. Fortunately, her adversary was a half-insane monster, showing no suspicion towards the princess.
“Hmm… not sympathy, but something else…”
At that moment, as Ceria’s head dropped as if contemplating,
Shi-en sensed this was her last chance. The enemy had completely dropped all guard, their gaze not even directed here.
The moment of opportunity to exploit their negligence was now.
Behind Shi-en, dozens of geometric shapes materialized.
Before Ceria could notice, intricate magical circles began to resonate, unleashing a violent gust. Thanks to her prior preparation, the activation time was exceedingly short.
Afterward.
“Lightning, ignite! As the star of truth that pierces the world… Thousand-Li Leap!”
A streak of light spread its wings and soared.
It all happened so fast, it was hard to distinguish between leaping and gliding through the air.
By the time Ceria caught on, Shi-en was closing in on the silver-haired maiden. It felt as though folded space was unraveling, or a hallucination of moving alone in a paused time.
Even then, Ceria showed no reaction. Confirming this, Shi-en’s countenance lit up with relief.
It’s done.
Even if a mage is at a disadvantage against a swordsman in a one-on-one fight, the story changes if given time to weave a spell.
The firepower of magic is overwhelming. Especially so if the spell has been prepared with care, leaving even two steps ahead of a swordsman in peril.
Ceria, as witness, didn’t seem to resist, standing there as if having given up.
Shi-en quickly prepared to retreat. She intended to flee as far as possible and leave the situation to I-an.
Yes, that’s what should have happened…
Had it not been for the ominous sound spreading.
The royal princess, in mid-flight, froze in place. What she saw was simply beyond belief.
The sword was lodged in the light bird.
As though magic power was nothing but glass or marble, cracks began spreading from where the blade was driven. What was even more alarming was that the leaking magic power had someone as its target.
None other than Ceria.
“Ah, this is so annoying…”
That quiet mutter was the signal.
With a pop, the light bird turned into glowing dust. And through that shining dust, a purple streak of light shot forward.
There was no time to resist.
Shi-en’s trembling gaze gradually moved toward the streak’s end.
Her thigh, already pierced by the blade.
Blood droplets were trickling down from the sword’s tip. For a while, Shi-en merely stared blankly, unable to grasp the reality of the situation.
What…
Exactly what just happened?
The delayed pain surged through her spine like a wildfire.
“Nggh, th-that… AAAAHHHHHHHHH!”
It was an indescribable agony, one seldom experienced throughout her brief lifetime. Unable to bear it, Shi-en promptly collapsed, her trembling arms attempting to touch the wound.
Even that brief moment didn’t last long.
Before she could catch her breath, another streak of light pierced her left shoulder.
It was a small stone. The pebble Ceria casually kicked became a weapon that easily pierced through Shi-en’s limb.
Heartrending screams erupted from Shi-en, now missing an arm and a leg.
“Ugh, ex-tre-mel-y… KKKKUUYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
The excruciating pain constricted her vocal cords, making it hard to cry out.
Tears streamed down Shi-en’s face as she struggled to emit any sound at all. As she grew quieter, her surroundings were met with rhythmic footsteps.
Thud, thud, thud.
Every step carried an indifferent questioning tone.
“Do you know why Your Highness always had to run away? And why you had to bow and beg?”
“Guh, krrrh… hhuuuuu……!”
Shi-en’s mind had long been overtaken by pain. There was no room left for Ceria’s words to register.
Still, Ceria continued her relentless monologue.
“Because you were too weak.”
And with that, thud again.
The stone Ceria kicked pierced Shi-en’s remaining shoulder. The princess could only grit her teeth, eyes bloodshot, barely enduring the excruciating pain.
A suppressed moan escaped through her clenched teeth.
“Ugh, gruh… KHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“Because you were stupid and powerless, unable to gain anything… Now, look at the state you’re in.”
Drip, drip.
Shi-en’s tear-filled eyes, veins bulging, glared at Ceria with a mixture of enmity and fear. Ceria was now just a few steps away, leaning down with her arms crossed, her eyes completely void of emotion.
