Holy Kingdom – Crossroads (3)

“Ian, are you sure about this? Your opponent is Cardinal Daniel. Even you can’t…”

“Enough. You’ve been worrying needlessly since earlier.”

“That’s not needless worry. Ian, surrender quietly.”

Instead of answering, Ian raised his hand once more.

[Bind.]

The same hands from before instantly swarmed Daniel.

However.

“Disappointing.”

“Kgh?!”

“Is this the level of skill that dared disrespect His Holiness the Pope?”

Daniel had already bypassed the massive hands and was thrusting his spear toward Ian’s face.

‘He’s really fast.’

A sigh of admiration escaped at the speed beyond imagination.

Apparently, he was a 7-star expert whose specialty was speed.

Today, Ian had truly met his match.

Ian’s face hardened, perhaps shocked by Daniel’s skill, as he used Blink to retreat backward.

“You bastard….”

“I’ll make you pay for insulting His Holiness the Pope. I’ll slowly crush your pathetic pride this time.”

“Ha. Unbelievable.”

‘This is intense.’

Though I didn’t know the details, it seemed there was bad blood between them.

While they exchanged words, I subtly stepped back to create distance.

Staying out of this was the best choice.

Trying to help would be useless, and I’d likely get caught in the crossfire.

Then. The Deputy Commander’s booming voice echoed.

“We’ll assist the Captain! The rest of you, arrest the criminal first! Don’t let her escape under any circumstances!”

‘Damn.’

Ian was busy fighting Daniel with all his might.

That meant the magic restraining the Holy Knights had stopped.

Some Holy Knights broke free and began advancing toward me.

-Clink.

I picked up a sword scattered on the ground.

‘Time to use some strength, even if it’s been a while.’

Though not at full condition, I was confident I could hold out.

If I went all out, I could wipe them out even without mana.

“Everyone, be careful. The target isn’t wearing Magic Suppression Shackles. Even with the barrier, her basic skills surpass ours.”

“Is subdual the goal?”

“Subdual is the priority, but severing limbs if necessary is acceptable.”

Their words alone were chilling.

Unlike Ian, who’d committed no major crime, they showed no mercy toward me.

“Your name was Rena, right? Don’t make us use force-cooperate quietly. With the Captain here, you have no escape.”

“…I’m sorry. I must escape no matter what.”

“So be it. Everyone, seize her!”

The Holy Knights charged at me all at once.

I focused first on the leading knight’s movements.

He feinted toward my arm while his gaze locked onto my legs.

Not bad… but I wasn’t someone to fall for such tactics.

I spun my body lightly to the side.

“Ugh?!”

-Thud!

The knight’s sword sliced through empty air and struck the floor.

In that opening, I slammed the sword’s hilt into the back of his neck.

-Whack!

“Ghk!”

-Thump.

The knight collapsed face-first onto the ground.

“Hoo…”

‘One down. If I take them out slowly like this, I should manage.’

Of course, the Holy Knights were just following orders. I felt a bit guilty about beating them up.

Well, they’d thoroughly enjoyed my body until now, so maybe it’s fine?

“You vicious bitch.”

“Haa, haa…”

My sword hand trembled violently.

But the Holy Knights blocking me showed almost no reduction in numbers.

‘This is bad.’

Knocking them out safely was fine.

The problem was that even when unconscious or incapacitated, the priests’ support quickly revived them.

At this rate, my stamina would run out before I could escape.

‘Ian…’

Still not ready to escape?

Glancing sideways, I saw Ian desperately fighting his own battle.

“Burn!”

-Whoosh!

Daniel’s body was instantly engulfed in blue flames.

“Apologies, but petty tricks won’t stop me.”

But Daniel emitted holy power, effortlessly scattering the flames like dust.

“Let’s see how long you last. Again.”

Daniel’s figure vanished from sight.

“[Emerge]”

Thick, giant spikes erupted before Ian.

-Crashhh!

Simultaneously, a deafening roar erupted as the spikes crumbled.

Seeing this, Ian Blinked without hesitation to reposition, but-

-Stab!

“Damn….”

He clutched his arm, failing to fully evade.

“Hmm. Dodging even this. You’re tougher than expected.”

“If not for this barrier, a bastard like you…”

“This barrier was prepared because we recognized your strength. Consider it an honor.”

At a glance, escaping would take more time.

Honestly, this wasn’t the time to worry about Ian.

“She’s exhausted already. Rush her all at once!”

“”Yes, sir!””

‘Again?’

To endure this, I’d need to reveal more of my skills.

“Flank her!”

“Let’s go!”

I calmly observed the multiple swords swinging toward me.

Then quickly decided how to respond.

Block this one.

-Clang, clang!

Parry this one. Dodge that one.

-Clank! Clang!

Counterattacks only threatening enough to graze their collars.

-Slash.

“Damn!”

“Ugh?!”

As I blocked every attack and narrowly countered, the knights hastily retreated, creating a temporary lull.

“Hoo…”

‘No end in sight like this.’

If subduing was impossible… I needed to disarm them.

Unlike before, I charged at the Holy Knights first.

-Tap!

“Block her!”

They seemed flustered by the unexpected move.

They’d assumed I’d only defend, never attack.

“Stop dodging like a rat!”

-Whoom!

I bent my knees to evade a sword slash and immediately targeted the opponent’s wrist.

-Thwack!

“Kgh!”

“I’ll take this.”

“Th-the sword?!”

I swiftly grabbed the dropped sword with my left hand and retreated.

Once distance was secured, I placed the sword on the ground and channeled mana to stomp on the blade.

-Snap!

The sword snapped cleanly in half.

‘Good.’

Handling them one by one like this should buy enough time.

“How does someone so young have such skill…?”

“Her swordsmanship truly surpasses her realm.”

Praises for my skill reached my ears.

Well, the Holy Knights must’ve been surprised by my unexpected prowess.

I could confidently boast my swordsmanship as ‘world-class.’

Jade grew strong so quickly because he learned from me.

At that moment.

“Stop wasting time.”

“Huh…?”

A fist was flying toward my abdomen.

In the slowed world, I calmly shifted my gaze to find Daniel-who should’ve been fighting Ian-suddenly before me.

‘Did Ian lose? Or did he slip past?’

‘I can dodge. But if I do…’

Dodging would reveal skills beyond what I’d shown. But taking the hit wouldn’t be fatal.

Better to take it.

I stared at the approaching fist without moving.

-Crash!

“Keugh?!”

A twisting pain shot through my organs as my body hurtled backward.

Whoosh- Thud.

“Keugh! Cough, cough….”

Expected, but… still excruciating.

Had something cushioned my fall?

Otherwise, I’d have crashed into a hard wall.

Contrary to expectations, my back landed on something soft.

Gathering my senses, I looked around.

‘Threads?’

Mana-formed threads enveloped me.

Following their source, I found Ian watching me beside him.

“My apologies. I lost track of him momentarily.”

“Haa, haa… I thought I’d die. Thanks for saving me.”

Having eaten little, at least I didn’t vomit.

-Drip, drip.

This was…

A sticky sensation made me look down to see Ian’s spilled seeds flowing out.

‘The Holy Knights must be imagining things.’

They’d want to capture and ravish me immediately? Too bad-I had no plans to get caught this time.

“Seize her.”

“Ha. Didn’t know you could do this too?”

A bitter laugh escaped as a hand reached toward me where I crouched.

I’d thought Ian wouldn’t care what happened to me.

“More nonsense.”

“…Thanks anyway. Unlike you, I say thanks when I’m grateful.”

-Grip.

“Hup.”

I took Ian’s hand and stood up.

“Rena?”

‘Huh?’

Turning toward the familiar voice,

“Jade…?”

Jade stood among the Holy Knights, staring at me blankly.

“Rena. What… are you doing?”

“Haa… It’s you. Thank goodness.”

I couldn’t recall how long it’d been since I last saw him.

Who knew I’d ever feel genuinely happy to see Jade?

Though I’d used him, I’d genuinely grown fond of him.

After confessing and making love in the Holy Kingdom, being torn apart overnight-our relationship was tragically unfortunate.

Regardless, Jade’s appearance was good news.

According to Ian, Jade hadn’t fully sided with the Pope yet.

If Jade intervened now, the Pope’s faction couldn’t easily capture Ian and me.

“I’ve been framed and imprisoned. I’ll explain after escaping, so please help-”

“…Shut.”

“Huh?”

“Shut up.”

“…”

D-did Jade just tell me to shut up?

His icy reply felt unreal.

Stunned, I could only stammer wordlessly.

“Rena, you betrayed me till the end. I regret agonizing over what to do with you all day. This was all meaningless.”

“J-Jade? Listen, this is-”

“Enough.”

-Shing.

“…Are you serious?”

This was the same Jade who’d whispered eternal love to me.

Now, he pointed his sword at me.

‘How did this happen? Jade couldn’t hate me this much…’

Had the brainwashing effects from his actions been stronger than I thought?

But Ian said Jade still had lingering feelings…

“No need to explain. It’s all exposed-you chose to abandon me for that bastard. Even sold your body for it.”

“Wh-what…?”

‘W-wait… Could it be?’

I belatedly realized why Jade was furious.

Right now, I was collaborating with Ian in a ‘prison break.’ Holy Knights surrounded us.

I was nearly naked, with semen dripping down my thighs.

But Jade only knew I’d been imprisoned without torture.

The conclusion he’d draw from this scene was obvious.

As if confirming my guess, Jade glared, ready to pounce.

“Don’t speak another word. I don’t want to hear more of your lies.”

“….”

‘I never meant for this.’

An enormous misunderstanding had unfolded unintentionally.

Truly.