episode_0017

Kingdom of Francia. Capital, Paris.

While fierce battles raged on the eastern Delphine River, life in the capital continued as usual. Flakes of pure white snow gently descended from the sky, and on well-paved roads, noble carriages raced ceaselessly.

Dorothy, wrapped tightly in her coat, gazed out from a splendid carriage traversing the city, her breath forming wisps in the cold air. Was there a soirée at some nobleman’s mansion tonight? It was uncertain, but ultimately inconsequential. In Paris, such gatherings were always in abundance.

“Ugh, if I’m late again, I’ll surely be scolded.”

Having grown up in an ordinary middle-class household in the city, Dorothy hurried her steps as she watched the sun dip below the horizon. Engrossed in catching up with friends after a long time, she had lost track of time. While the city’s security was commendable, it wasn’t wise for a young lady to be out alone so late. Returning home even slightly tardy would undoubtedly incur her parents’ disapproval, perhaps even resulting in a few days of restricted outings.

Deciding to take a shortcut through a dimly lit alley, despite her unease, Dorothy reasoned that it would ensure her safe and timely arrival, avoiding the need to take a much longer route around. Carefully navigating the partially frozen cobblestone path, she entered the narrow alleyway, flanked by towering buildings that completely blocked out the sunlight. If it were a bit later, patrol torches might have been lit for security, but at this hour, as the sun set, no such illumination was present. After taking a few deep breaths, Dorothy pressed onward.

Gradually feeling her way through the familiar yet shadowy alley, relying on her somewhat accustomed eyes, she ventured for quite some time. Just as she began to think she must be nearing her home…

Creak—

It was a sound she had never heard before. It was like the bubbling of phlegm, and at the same time, it was like the sound of furniture scraping against a wooden floor. Dorothy instinctively stopped in her tracks, overcome with unease. She felt that if she just went a little further, she could make it home. But now, even the sound of footsteps seemed forbidden, as warning bells rang loudly in her mind.

At the dead end of an alley, something enormous rose up. Dorothy’s gaze slowly followed its form upward. It seemed almost the size of a two-story house, with horns attached to its head like those of a bull. It gradually turned towards Dorothy.

“Gag…!”

She forced back the urge to retch. The creature’s body was speckled with crimson blood. Behind it lay what had recently been human flesh. Not just one or two—there were at least ten bodies, or so it seemed.

If she didn’t move now, she would definitely die. Determination to survive spurred her limbs into action. She took a step back and attempted to turn and flee.

“…Huh?”

Her vision spun without resistance. Dorothy’s eyes fell upon her lower body, which had vanished. How did this happen? Like a stick of rock candy, the monster had devoured her lower half. She looked down at her own body with trembling eyes. Only her upper torso remained, her lower half gone. Blood gushed from her abdomen, and only then did she feel the agony.

“Aaahhh!”

The last scene reflected in Dorothy’s retina was that of the giant monster’s foot crushing her.

Crunch!

#

Aaahhh! Someone, help me!

Please, someone help!

Dozens of carriages neatly parked in front of the mansion lay scattered across the road, their metal frames twisted and shattered. In the mansion’s garden, the corpses of nobles, regardless of gender, lay submerged in pools of blood. Considering their former status, it was a pitiful way to die. No one could have imagined they would meet such a fate in Paris, the capital of the Kingdom of Francia.

In the garden, there was not only a corpse but also a gigantic monster rampaging on the second floor. Although there was only one of them, it was enough to turn the place that had been hosting a party into a brutal slaughterhouse, except for a fortunate few. It seemed difficult for anyone to survive, apart from a small number who were lucky enough to escape the monster’s clutches. However, every time the monster swung its claws, another life inevitably vanished.

This situation was not unique to this mansion in Paris. Bloodshed was unfolding in the alleys, by the riverside, and on the streets. The Parisian police, patrols, stationed military forces, and even the Royal Guards were exerting all their efforts to quell the monsters’ rampage.

“Where the hell did they come from?”

“Weren’t the monsters only supposed to appear in the east?”

Even frontline soldiers had some information about the monsters. Nearly 60,000 troops had been mobilized, forming a new legion, and the reason for this deployment couldn’t have been entirely fabricated.

They had set up barricades on the main road cutting through the heart of Paris to delay the advance of the colossal monsters, but it was insufficient. Just a brief delay. If this route was breached, it would lead straight to the palace. Thanks to this, the Royal Guards and infantry units were stationed to guard this path.

Their magical gunfire was handling creatures the size of humans quite effectively, but they were unable to deal with the monstrously large one. Despite employing powerful defensive spells, they couldn’t hold out.

Even as their comrades fell, there was no hesitation or fear in the actions of the Royal Guards. They calmly aimed their magical rifles at the creature’s head. However, the creature’s skull seemed so thick that it only left superficial wounds on its skin, making it more ferocious.

Ping! Thud!

With a tearing sound that split the air, a tremendous explosion resounded. Simultaneously, the head of the monster, which had only suffered superficial wounds from dozens of bullets until now, burst like a watermelon. It collapsed with a thud, creating a dust cloud as tall as itself. The soldiers at the barricade all turned around at once.

In the center of Paris, faint but discernible atop the highest spire of the Ettrui Palace, a human figure could be seen. Despite the immense distance, the soldiers were all convinced that the recent gunfire had originated from there.

“It’s the princess!”

The shooting from the spire was not directed solely towards this side. It was unreservedly firing in every direction. Judging by the trajectory of the bullets, the central part of Paris was well within range. Rene Wallon de Francia, the third princess of the Francian Kingdom. In the Francian bloodline, magic flowed instead of blood, and Rene possessed an exceptionally outstanding level of magical ability even among the high-ranking royals known for their exceptional magical prowess. Enthusiasts would claim she was the most powerful mage in the Francian Kingdom.

With platinum hair fluttering, Rene relentlessly fired without pause, her eyes ablaze with determination. Screams echoed amidst the black smoke. Paris wouldn’t crumble under such an assault. Even if it weren’t Rene herself, the Royal Guard and Parisian defense forces alone would be able to hold off. However, her ascent to the top of the spire to unleash her magic had no particular reason beyond being a change of pace. It wasn’t driven by any altruistic intentions to rescue someone. It was simply a change of pace due to the fact that despite turning twenty and reaching the age for marriage, she had postponed her wedding with various excuses, and now she could delay it no longer.

She had no desire to get married. Her two older sisters found satisfaction in marrying into neighboring countries, but not René. From the start, the idea of inferior lineage mingling with her noble body was repulsive. Marrying some distant relative within Francia was equally unappealing. René’s elaborate excuses were just that, excuses. Ultimately, she simply disliked men, seemingly unaware of her own inclination.

“Hmph. A prince from the Welsh Union? Who would want to go to such a rural town?”

What was Francia? Situated at the heart of the European continent, it encompassed the Delphine River to the east, the Black Forest, the verdant mountain ranges to the west, the expansive Central Sea to the south, and the Crane Strait to the north. There was no rival in any direction, making it naturally the hub of European culture.

Once again, she blew off the head of the massive creature in front of her. Each time a monster fell, a sense of relief washed over her.

“Should I just run away?”

Though the word “runaway” seemed a bit late for someone in their twenties, there was no one to scold her for doing so. Besides, her own prowess was exceptional, so if she set her mind to it, she could do it anytime.

Of course, she had thought about running away countless times. However, when she began to plan her “escape,” she noticed various inconveniences. How could she live without the numerous servants who attended to her every day?

Moreover, leaving the Etlu Palace meant enduring distasteful food. Sleep? Clothing? Even in the midst of engaging in combat and refined marksmanship, René wore uncomfortable dresses. Wearing anything other than a dress was unthinkable to her. Matters of diplomacy between nations were not her concern. The problem lay with her father, whom she had been forced to marry against her will. Today, once again, she resolved to run away.