A demonic beast appeared, and the hunting ground’s barrier was shattered.

People lost their reason in fear, and Her Majesty the Empress calmly mobilized the mages to open a portal.

Liese got caught in the crowd trying to enter the portal and ended up returning to the imperial palace in Atlan.

‘Where could she be?’

As soon as Liese Willington set foot in the palace courtyard, she began searching for Empress Ariel Diaz.

But she was nowhere to be seen.

That meant, Her Majesty had not yet entered through the portal.

A streak of determination solidified in Liese’s blue eyes.

“I will return to the Helmir forest.”

“What do you mean by that?”

By the time Liese realized Ariel was not in the palace, the Pope had already entered to assess the severity of the situation.

She did not ask for permission from the Pope.

She informed him. That she would go to the Helmir forest.

“There might still be people left.”

For instance, Her Majesty Empress Ariel Diaz.

Liese swallowed her following words, and her throat quivered.

“There might be more demonic beasts. Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Even if there’s a single person left behind, I will go there.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“Well then.”

The Pope watched Liese’s back as she ran towards the open portal for a long time.

‘You shall follow your destiny.’

Soon after, Liese disappeared into the portal.

***

Liese’s feet touched the forest floor.

“Why have you returned here?”

The knights and mages who remained at the hunting ground focused their attention on Liese.

“Because I did not see Her Majesty.”

Liese looked around, but not a single hair of Ariel was in sight.

As she continued to check her surroundings, she sensed that something was off.

The feeling that they were hesitant to speak. Expressions of discomfort. Sideways glances checking on each other.

‘Could it be, something happened to Her Majesty.’

Anxiety found its way into Liese’s heart.

“Ah… Her Majesty…”

A knight unable to finish his sentence confirmed it for Liese. Something had happened to Her Majesty.

“What happened to Her Majesty?”

“She was kidnapped by a demonic beast. Duke Noah Diaz is in pursuit.”

“What, what did you just say?”

Her Majesty was kidnapped by a demonic beast.

Liese’s eyes widened in disbelief.

‘After ensuring everyone’s safety, you’ve put yourself in danger!’

Liese’s round eyes moistened.

It was the same back then. When they encountered thugs in Norca.

―Don’t you want me! Leave her alone!

Ariel’s voice, that echoed through the skies of Norca, rang in her ears.

‘Liese Willington, a mere low-ranking priest, was taken away by those ruffians instead of me.’

If Duke Noah hadn’t appeared just in time…

Overwhelmed with emotion, Liese’s lips tightened.

“As you heard, we are waiting here for the Emperor to arrive. We must report everything once he does.”

“That way?”

Liese pointed towards the north of the hunting ground.

“Ah, the Duke did go that way but…”

Thud, thud-!

Before a knight could finish speaking, Liese started running with long strides.

A sinister energy faintly lingered in the air.

It seemed to be guiding her to the location of the dark mages.

She poured more strength into her legs, kicking off the ground.

At that moment, Liese did not realize. She was running at full speed towards Diaton’s castle.

‘This time, I will save you.’

Perhaps a seemingly useless priest could be of use somewhere.

As per the Pope’s revelation.

***

In a deserted part of the forest where not even a footpath was visible,

Spring had filled the bushes up to knee height with its vitality.

Leopold, Evan, and Hyle, following Duke Noah Diaz, began to doubt if they were going in the right direction.

But since Duke Noah Diaz confidently asserted he knew where they had taken Ariel, no one questioned him.

Then, Leopold suddenly became curious.

‘How can he be so sure where Ariel has been taken?’

His red eyes glared fiercely at the back of Noah’s head.

Had he chased dark mages from the White territory and discovered their stronghold?

If that were true, why hadn’t he reported it sooner?

Or had he fallen for the dark mages’ trap, intending to lead the Atlan Empire to its doom?

Leopold’s red lips twitched as if he was about to unleash his inner thoughts on Noah.

“But now I’m curious about something.”

Hyle, who claimed to be Ariel’s teacher, opened his mouth.

“What are you so curious about?”

“Duke Noah, I mean.”

At Evan’s question, Hyle slowly slowed his pace as he pointed at Noah. At the same time, Evan and Leopold also stopped.

“Where was Ariel taken… how do you know that?”

At Hyle’s question, Noah also stopped walking. He turned his body to face Hyle.

“I will tell you everything once this is all over.”

“So, there is something you have to say.”

Noah turned his head under Leopold’s scrutinizing gaze. It was to avoid making eye contact.

“I will tell you later, Your Majesty. For now, rescuing Her Majesty the Empress is our top priority, please be patient.”

“What if those monsters harm the Empress, Your Majesty.”

Leopold gazed into Evan’s emerald eyes, which resembled Ariel’s.

‘Evan’s eyes are exactly like Ariel’s.’

A longing he had tried to bury surged in his chest.

He remembered Ariel, who would shyly avoid his persistent gaze.

He wished she would not avoid it.

Even if she did, it was okay.

Please, please. To be able to stroke those blushing cheeks with his thumb.

“We are almost there, Your Majesty.”

Hoping to see a bright face, telling him nothing was wrong.

“Your Majesty.”

I hate myself for leaving you alone.

Leopold buried his face in his hands. The guilt he had tried to ignore tormented him.

“Your Majesty.”

Evan looked at his lord, who did not respond to his call, with a worried look.

“Yes……. I am listening.”

“That child is, probably……. enduring well.”

Evan could instantly guess what the omnipotent Emperor of Atlan was afraid of.

“Emperor of Atlan. I understand what worries you, but we can’t afford to waste time like this.”

Hyle stepped forward in front of Leopold from behind Evan.

He continued speaking in a firm voice that somehow sounded sad.

“If we remain powerless like this, they might really harm Ariel.”

“How dare you—!”

Leopold reached out to grab Hyle by the collar.

“Hit me if it will bring you to your senses.”

Hyle tilted his chin up as if inviting a slap. His eyes twinkled behind his tousled white hair.

‘I have to save my disciple. Even if I’m hit by a brash young man like you, it won’t bother me.’

Then Leopold’s arm that had been suspended in mid-air,

Thud-

Fell down, hitting his thigh.

“Go now. To save Ariel.”

Hyle’s sharp words cleared Leopold’s mind.

“We don’t have much time left. Let’s get ready for battle. We don’t know what kind of magic devices are in that fortress.”

At Noah’s words, Leopold, Evan, and Hyle drew their swords.

They all harbored the same thought.

‘We will surely kill them.’

They advanced towards the fortress in the Helmir forest.

***

Ariel gazed blankly out of the unchanged window for a while before curling up on the bed covered in white bedding.

She hoped that this time would pass quickly and become a memory she could laugh about.

She imagined a hopeful future to ignore her anxiety-stained heart.

‘My mana…….’

Her mana had slowly started to replenish after being completely depleted.

But with that amount, she couldn’t even scratch the dark mages.

If no one comes to save her,

The worst situation she had tried to forget seemed to unfold before her eyes.

Then Ariel closed her eyes tightly.

That was when.

Thud, thud-!

Footsteps were heard outside the door.

“Hey, come out.”

It was Bill’s voice.

Ariel opened her eyes and lifted her heavy body.

“What is it?”

Thud-!

The door opened, and Bill’s pale face entered Ariel’s view.

“I was ordered by Sir Diaton to bring you.”

The expression on his face as he spoke seemed oddly cheerful, which irritated Ariel.

“What is it?”

Ariel repeated the same question with an annoyed voice.

“The decision has changed. Your corpse will have to be shown to Leopold Diaz.”

What kind of nonsense is this?

Ariel raised her eyebrows high, grinding her teeth in anger.