Derland eyes were fixed ahead. He could see Shakky suspended in the air near the monster, but the sight only made his tension rise. Her sword had pierced straight through the monster, yet it seemed completely unharmed.
The monster swung its arm-like blade at Shakky.
Derland immediately moved his sword and blocked the attack. With his left hand, he grabbed Shakky and pulled her close. His sword forced the monster backward.
Raising his sword into the air, Derland shouted,
"Crust Buster!"
The moment he said those words, his sword began to shine.
An immense pressure surged through the blade.
Seeing this, the monsters realized what was about to happen and charged toward him all at once. But before they could even reach him, Derland pointed his sword toward them.
The moment he did—
A massive beam of light burst from his sword.
It swallowed all the monsters at once, reducing them to ash.
The power of the light was so immense that even the trees caught within its path were turned to ash.
Seeing the attack, the remaining monsters fled toward the forest.
Derland was slightly exhausted from the attack. He could feel his magical energy draining rapidly.
He looked at Shakky, whom he was still holding, and gently placed her down.
"I'm sorry, Princess."
Shakky looked at him.
"It's okay."
Just then, Derland heard the sound of approaching horses.
He turned and saw several knights wearing silver armor riding toward them.
Derland looked back at Shakky.
"Looks like the reinforcements have arrived. You're safe now, so you can leave this place. I never thought something like this would happen."
Hearing that, Shakky laughed.
"What are you saying, Uncle? Do you really think these monsters could do anything to me—"
She suddenly stopped.
Something felt wrong inside her body.
A horrible sensation washed over her.
Shakky immediately covered her mouth with both hands. The smile on her face disappeared, replaced by a troubled expression.
Derland stared at her, confused.
"Princess, are you alright?"
Shakky looked toward him.
Suddenly, blood spilled from her mouth.
Derland's expression changed instantly.
"Princess!"
Shakky lowered her head and spat out all the blood that had filled her mouth. She raised one hand toward Derland, stopping him from coming any closer.
After wiping her mouth, she said,
"I'm fine. Are the others alright?"
Seeing her like this, Derland thought to himself,
Day by day, the Princess's power is slowly killing her... but this... I never thought something like this would happen.
He looked at her and said,
"Everyone is fine. But first, come with me."
Derland walked over to her and lifted her into his arms.
Shakky immediately protested.
"Ahh! I'm not a child anymore!"
Derland smiled at her.
"But you're still a child to me. And after what just happened, there's no way I can ask you to walk."
Shakky still tried to get down.
Seeing this, Derland calmly said,
"If you keep doing that, I won't bring you with me next time."
Hearing that, Shakky immediately became quiet and puffed out her cheeks.
The silver-armored knights who had just arrived approached Derland.
"Sir Derland, what happened here?"
Derland looked at them and calmly replied,
"There was a group of goblins and Ahiru monsters here. But I defeated them. Check this area thoroughly. Until then, I'll take the Princess back."
The knight bowed.
"As you command, Lord of Knights."
Derland began walking toward the horses.
Shakky looked at him in confusion. "What? We're going back? But the survey isn't over yet."
Derland smiled at her words. "You're right. But if your condition gets any worse, Miss Ameria will never forgive me."
Derland reached the horse and carefully lifted Shakky onto it before mounting behind her. He then looked at the Silver Knight standing nearby.
"If anything unusual happens after I leave, report it to me immediately."
The knight nodded.
Derland then left with Shakky.
After some time, they arrived at the VIP noble house, where Ameria was already waiting outside.
Shakky lived here, away from the royal palace. The place was reserved especially for important guests of the kingdom.
Derland stopped the horse in front of the entrance and climbed down. He then helped Shakky down as well.
The moment Ameria saw the goblin blood covering Shakky and her white gloves, which had now turned red, she narrowed her eyes.
"Don't tell me... the princess killed those monsters herself."
Derland gave an awkward smile.
"Well... that was partly my fault, so don't say anything to the princess. Things suddenly got out of hand—"
Ameria interrupted him.
"A monster attack happened, the princess killed them all, her sword turned to ash, and then she vomited blood. That's what happened, right?"
Derland stared at her for a moment before laughing.
"Wow. You really do know everything."
Ameria turned toward Shakky.
"And you. How many times have I told you to use your Saint Skill carefully? Every time you use it, your condition gets worse."
Shakky raised a hand toward her.
"Fine. I won't use it anymore."
Seeing Shakky attitude, Ameria pulls it close to her chest and presses it against her boobs and said,
"You're becoming more and more mischievous day by day. You're a princess. You need to behave properly."
Derland looked somewhat troubled seeing Ameria fuss over Shakky like that.
Shakky simply gave Derland a thumbs-up, as if saying everything was fine.
Ameria finally let her go, then gently grabbed both of Shakky's cheeks.
"By the way, you have dinner with His Majesty tonight."
Shakky immediately shook her head.
"What? Tell him I'll eat here again today."
Ameria sighed.
"That is the king's order. We have to go."
Ameria then looked toward Derland.
"You go and prepare the carriage. I'll get the princess ready."
Ameria took Shakky inside.
She bathed her and prepared her for the dinner. Shakky wore a beautiful yellow dress, elegant jewelry, white gloves, red shoes and socks. Ameria also placed a small crown on her head before beginning to arrange her hair.
While looking at Shakky through the mirror, Ameria sighed.
"Princess, why can't you just behave like a normal girl? You've returned after five years. If you continue behaving like this, His Majesty won't be happy."
Shakky lowered her gaze.
"I never wanted to come back... but somehow, I'm still here. I wanted everyone to forget me after I died... as if I had never existed among them."
Ameria smiled faintly after hearing those words.
"If that's what you want, then I should be the first one to die. That way, when I go up there, I can tell my friend about her daughter childhood."
Shakky looked at her.
Her expression became serious.
"If you ever say something like that again, I'll order you to have your tongue cut out."
Ameria smiled.
"As you command, Princess."
Shakky looked at herself in the mirror and quietly said,
"Besides... you're my mother anyway."
Ameria said nothing.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Outside, Derland was waiting with the carriage.
After a while, he saw Shakky and Ameria approaching him.
Shakky was dressed beautifully in a yellow dress, with a small necklace around her neck, a tiny crown on her head, white gloves, red shoes and socks. Her appearance made her look even more like a princess.
Except for the dark circles beneath her eyes, which Ameria had managed to hide quite well with makeup.
Derland walked toward Shakky and knelt before her. He extended his hand.
Shakky took his hand and stepped into the carriage.
Ameria followed her inside.
Derland then took the reins and began driving toward the royal palace, located at the center of Polard City.
After some time, they finally arrived.
Derland drove the carriage through the large gates and stopped directly in front of the palace entrance.
A magnificent waterfall flowed on both sides of the path, while tall trees lined the road leading toward the palace.
Derland climbed down, opened the carriage door, and smiled.
"We've arrived, Princess."
He extended his hand.
Shakky took it and stepped down from the carriage. Ameria followed behind her.
Shakky looked toward the palace.
She didn't look particularly happy to be there.
Derland glanced toward Ameria.
"Well, I should be going now."
Shakky immediately looked at him.
"Why, Uncle? Aren't you coming with us?"
Derland smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Princess. I have to go guard the tower. And besides, Brother Benjin probably wouldn't be happy to see me there."
Shakky's expression became slightly disappointed.
Derland noticed it and smiled.
"Although... I might be free tomorrow. Maybe I can spend some time with you."
A smile immediately appeared on Shakky face.
Derland gave them a small wave.
"Then I'll be going, Princess."
He turned the carriage around and left.
Shakky watched him disappear into the distance.
Ameria looked at her.
"We should go, Princess."
Shakky turned toward her.
Then, together, they began walking toward the palace.