Chapter 577: Dunas Condition (2/2)

”Seems like the people have already vacated the area and left for the Grassland Region,” Leon muttered after landing on a hill beside the empty camp.

A soldier walked out from a nearby tent before he froze on Leon's figure.

Shortly after, the soldier exclaimed with joy, ”Y-Your Highness! You're alive!”

”Of course, I am. Did you wish I was dead?” Leon responded wryly.

”I would not dare, Your Highness!” The soldier exclaimed with shock before he said, ”Please excuse me, Your Highness! I need to quickly inform the General Marquis.”

”Alright, go on ahead,” Leon nodded.

…

Within another part of the military camp set up in the Elder Tree's vicinity, Aria was seated on a log by the campfire outside of a big tent.

A boiling pot hung over the fires, but it did not have Aria's attention despite falling directly in her line of sight.

She stared at seemingly nothing with her gaze unfocused like she had lost her soul and purpose in life.

”How long are you planning to cook that pot of soup, Aria?” A familiar voice suddenly rang in Aria's ear, causing her body to shudder for a moment.

Shortly after, she turned her gaze and met with Leon's approaching figure.

Tears immediately welled up in her eyes before she immediately got up and dived straight into Leon's chest.

”I thought that you were… you were…” Aria wept in Leon's arms. She could not stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks as she failed to complete her sentence.

Leon caressed Aria gently with a warm smile before he said, ”Didn't I say to believe in me?”

”But… but the Blue Luans said that they saw your body floating motionlessly in the Neutral Zone… They even said…” Aria did not finish her words.

The Blue Luans informed her that after taking the brunt force of the Peak Rank 2 Transcendent Three-Legged Golden Crow's attack, it was impossible for Leon to survive.

At that point, she still held onto hope in her heart.

But after the Blue Luans described the severity of Leon's injuries in detail from what they had observed, even she would be discouraged.

”Ptui! Those lousy birds were just jumping to conclusions and speaking nonsense to scare you,” Leon admonished the Blue Luans unjustly before he said, ”All is well now that I am here.”

”Mm.” Aria rested her head on Leon's chest.

Feel the heat emanating from Leon's body and being held in his arms, Aria was comforted with a peaceful expression despite her tear-stained face.

Shortly after, Leon casually inquired, ”Did my mother and the others also thought I was dead?”

”No, mother had already departed the area with the two elven princesses before they could learn about your situation…” Aria shook her head.

”That's good,” Leon nodded with relief.

It was hard for him to imagine how his mother would have reacted upon hearing news of his death even though he was still alive.

'Would she have slashed up every Three-Legged Golden Crows' carcasses into unrecognizable states?' He mused wryly with slight amusement.

Leon suddenly paused before he asked, ”What about Duna? How is she?”

”Duna… She is…” Aria hesitated to speak while shifting her gaze in the direction of the big tent beside the campfire.

Leon's heart nearly stopped before he asked, ”Is she inside?”

”Yeah…” Aria answered.

The two quickly entered the big tent, where Supreme Elder Haldir could be seen seated beside the bed in the center.

”Young Prince, you're alive! That's great news,” Supreme Elder Haldir exclaimed.

Leon nodded before shifting his gaze to Duna's body lying on the bed.

When he saw the terrible state Duna's unconscious body was in, his expression instantly turned heavy and gloomy.

”Duna… she wanted to retrieve your body from the Neutral Zone, even if you were dead… However, the Neutral Zone's barrier was too strong, even for her Destruction Law…”

Aria started to explain, ”Despite that, she still stubbornly attempted until she became like this…”

All of Duna's limbs were missing, and the remains of her body were riddled with cracks.

She was in a far worse state than when she slew the Peak Rank 2 Transcendent Three-Legged Golden Crow.

Her remaining body looked like it could shatter at any moment.