Chapter 131: An Aerial Exhibition (2/2)
Mike sighed, ”Yes, yes. I get it. You're good, loving siblings who each want the other to be saved first. I was planning on heading there next, so just relax.”
The prince gave a strained smile, before his eyes rolled back into his head, and he collapsed back onto the ground.
Once Matthew's injuries had closed, and his life was no longer in any danger, Mike stopped his spell. He didn't have the mana to spend on bringing the man back to full strength. Standing back up, he nearly stumbled when a wave of vertigo swept over him.
This was starting to be a little too much for Mike to handle on his own. Almost as if on cue, a mental message reached him.
Grin forming under his mask, Mike thought to himself. [Its about time. Let's see if the bad guys planned for this.]
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Andrea opened her eyes, and immediately regretted it when a debilitating dagger of agony stabbed into her brain. Squinting in agony, she waited for the pain and sudden burst of nausea to abate. Once her head had cleared enough to look around, she determined she was on the deck of ship of some kind. Only there were no sails.....
The airship!
Memories flooded her mind, and she recalled the events of the last few minutes. Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt hot tears begin welling in her eyes.
Her brother had been disemboweled in front of her, and she was powerless to do anything about it. She couldn't even struggle as the Tennundian soldiers carried her away, leaving him bleeding on the ground.
[Some magical genius. I couldn't even protect Matthew from a bunch of armored brutes.] Andrea thought bitterly.
Wait.....There was something else, right before she blacked out. A vague image of a man in a crimson cloak formed in her mind. She tried to concentrate on it, but was interrupted by an arrogant male voice.
”Ah, it seems our sleeping princess is finally awake. I apologize for the rough treatment, but I'm sure you know how hard it is to get good help these days.”
She wrenched her neck in the direction of the voice, already recognizing its owner. ”Wendel, you bastard! You'll pay for this. I won't rest until I see each and every one of you traitorous monsters hang.”
”My, my, my. That's hardly refined behavior, princess. I expected better of you.” He clicked his tongue mockingly, ”Well, no matter, we have what we came for.”
He turned towards a short haired woman, dressed in plate armor. ”Have the handler's release the beasts, and then tell the captain its time to depart.”
”What about the rest of the soldiers?” The woman asked uneasily.
”If they haven't made it back by the time we're ready to depart, leave them. They understood the risks when they volunteered for this mission, and we can't delay. The royal guard should be here any time now, and we can't afford to tangle with them.”
”Ha, that's right! The royal guard will hunt you to the ends of the Ea for this. You will never again know peace, Wendel.” Andrea broke in viciously.
He looked over her and frowned, before motioning to a nearby soldier. ”Drag her over here. I want to make sure she sees this next bit.”
Andrea was roughly manhandled into a standing position near the railing.
With a smug smile, Wendel began monologuing, ”You may be wondering why I chose to take you alive. Well, the answer is quite simple. As we speak, agents positioned near your older siblings are putting an end to this undeclared civil war, in the most permanent way possible. And since your twin is probably cooling in a pile of his own viscera and excrement, this means you will be the heir to the throne of Almir by default.”
A red haze descended over her eyes, as she was filled with rage. ”Monster...when I get out of these bonds, I'm going to tear you apart!”
Wendel gave her a backhand slap which would have sent her spinning to the floor, if not for the soldier holding her up.
”This is what I get for trying to be polite, I suppose. You are lucky the Tennundians want you unharmed. Of course, that will probably only extend until the wedding.”
She felt her heart freeze. ”Wedding?”
”I thought that might get your attention. Yes, the Duke of Tennundi seems to think that by marrying you, he will be able to use your claim to legitimize his rule of Almir. Once they've conquered it, of course.” He said offhandedly, while frowning at something going on in the chaos below.
With a start, Andrea realized the airship had already taken off, and they were slowing raising into the air.
”On second thought, he might not have you killed until after you've given birth. A child of both bloodlines would certainly improve his claim.” He continued thoughtfully.
Tears filled her eyes again, as she fought back against the crushing despair that was threatening to consume her.
”It looks like the fight's still going. I have to admit, that I'm surprised by the level of resistance those spoiled brats are putting up. Not that it matters. I paid good money for a squad of Ateshan Death Wings. Even if the students manage to defend themselves from their Ruination Globes, the Deathspeaker will put an end to this fight. In fact, he should nearly be done with the ritual.....”
There was a wave screams from the students, as something took place on the ground below.
”Ah, there we go.”
[Isn't there anything I can do to stop this madman. Isn't there anyone...]
Suddenly the image of a masked figure entered her mind. The figure she'd seen emerging from the mist just a few minutes ago. She'd nearly forgotten.
Chuckling to herself, Andrea spoke quietly to the would-be victor. ”You've planned this quite well. It looks like you've thought of everything.”
”Done with the anger already? Or has this broken you? I thought the royal family would have been made of sterner stuff.” Wendel replied with a scoff.
”But you didn't plan for the return of a legend.” She continued with a smirk.
”I fail to see where you are going with-”
A roar shattered the battlefield. A roar that filled the milling combatants of both sides with a primal fear they didn't understand, but simply felt in the animalistic parts of their minds that governed the most base of emotions. A roar that told them they were in the presence of a superior lifeform.
As one they turned their gazes to the sky.
A red streak, moving faster than the eye could see, swept past two of the chimera, sending them spiraling to the ground, bodies shattered by the force of barely perceived attacks. Although, no one paid attention to the fallen monsters.
Silence descended on the battlefield, as all attention was drawn to the majestic creature that was hovering in the air with seemingly effortless strokes of its massive wings.
The two remaining chimera were the first to respond, turning tail and fleeing despite the commands of their riders, overwhelmed by an instinctual fear. However, they didn't get far, as the dragon took a deep breath and enveloped them in a cloud of scorching fire.
”Impossible!” Wendel yelled, hands gripping the railing, knuckles whitening. ”How is there a true dragon here?!”
Andrea started laughing. She'd caught the sight of a familiar figure landing on the deck of the ship. One wearing a deep crimson cloak, and a mask of the purest darkness.