I Stole the Emperor's First Night - Chapter 53
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.
โWhere could she be?โ
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 Lieseโs blue eyes.
โI will return to the Helmir forest.โ
โWhat do you mean by that?โ
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.
โThere might still be people left.โ
For instance, Her Majesty Empress Ariel Diaz.
Liese swallowed her following words, and her throat quivered.
โThere might be more demonic beasts. Are you sure itโs okay?โ
โEven if thereโs a single person left behind, I will go there.โ
โTake care of yourself.โ
โWell then.โ
The Pope watched Lieseโs back as she ran towards the open portal for a long time.
โYou shall follow your destiny.โ
Soon after, Liese disappeared into the portal.
***
Lieseโs feet touched the forest floor.
โWhy have you returned here?โ
The knights and mages who remained at the hunting ground focused their attention on Liese.
โBecause I did not see Her Majesty.โ
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.
โCould it be, something happened to Her Majesty.โ
Anxiety found its way into Lieseโs heart.
โAhโฆ Her Majestyโฆโ
A knight unable to finish his sentence confirmed it for Liese. Something had happened to Her Majesty.
โWhat happened to Her Majesty?โ
โShe was kidnapped by a demonic beast. Duke Noah Diaz is in pursuit.โ
โWhat, what did you just say?โ
Her Majesty was kidnapped by a demonic beast.
Lieseโs eyes widened in disbelief.
โAfter ensuring everyoneโs safety, youโve put yourself in danger!โ
Lieseโs round eyes moistened.
It was the same back then. When they encountered thugs in Norca.
โDon’t you want me! Leave her alone!
Arielโs voice, that echoed through the skies of Norca, rang in her ears.
โLiese Willington, a mere low-ranking priest, was taken away by those ruffians instead of me.โ
If Duke Noah hadnโt appeared just in timeโฆ
Overwhelmed with emotion, Lieseโs lips tightened.
โAs you heard, we are waiting here for the Emperor to arrive. We must report everything once he does.โ
โThat way?โ
Liese pointed towards the north of the hunting ground.
โAh, the Duke did go that way butโฆโ
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 Diatonโs castle.
โThis time, I will save you.โ
Perhaps a seemingly useless priest could be of use somewhere.
As per the Popeโs 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.
โHow can he be so sure where Ariel has been taken?โ
His red eyes glared fiercely at the back of Noahโs head.
Had he chased dark mages from the White territory and discovered their stronghold?
If that were true, why hadnโt he reported it sooner?
Or had he fallen for the dark magesโ trap, intending to lead the Atlan Empire to its doom?
Leopoldโs red lips twitched as if he was about to unleash his inner thoughts on Noah.
โBut now Iโm curious about something.โ
Hyle, who claimed to be Arielโs teacher, opened his mouth.
โWhat are you so curious about?โ
โDuke Noah, I mean.โ
At Evan’s question, Hyle slowly slowed his pace as he pointed at Noah. At the same time, Evan and Leopold also stopped.
โWhere was Ariel taken… how do you know that?โ
At Hyle’s question, Noah also stopped walking. He turned his body to face Hyle.
โI will tell you everything once this is all over.โ
โSo, there is something you have to say.โ
Noah turned his head under Leopold’s scrutinizing gaze. It was to avoid making eye contact.
โI will tell you later, Your Majesty. For now, rescuing Her Majesty the Empress is our top priority, please be patient.โ
โWhat if those monsters harm the Empress, Your Majesty.โ
Leopold gazed into Evan’s emerald eyes, which resembled Ariel’s.
โEvan’s eyes are exactly like Arielโs.โ
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.
โWe are almost there, Your Majesty.โ
Hoping to see a bright face, telling him nothing was wrong.
โYour Majesty.โ
I hate myself for leaving you alone.
Leopold buried his face in his hands. The guilt he had tried to ignore tormented him.
โYour Majesty.โ
Evan looked at his lord, who did not respond to his call, with a worried look.
โYesโฆโฆ. I am listening.โ
โThat child is, probablyโฆโฆ. enduring well.โ
Evan could instantly guess what the omnipotent Emperor of Atlan was afraid of.
โEmperor of Atlan. I understand what worries you, but we canโt afford to waste time like this.โ
Hyle stepped forward in front of Leopold from behind Evan.
He continued speaking in a firm voice that somehow sounded sad.
โIf we remain powerless like this, they might really harm Ariel.โ
โHow dare youโ!โ
Leopold reached out to grab Hyle by the collar.
โHit me if it will bring you to your senses.โ
Hyle tilted his chin up as if inviting a slap. His eyes twinkled behind his tousled white hair.
โI have to save my disciple. Even if Iโm hit by a brash young man like you, it wonโt bother me.โ
Then Leopoldโs arm that had been suspended in mid-air,
Thud-
Fell down, hitting his thigh.
โGo now. To save Ariel.โ
Hyleโs sharp words cleared Leopoldโs mind.
โWe donโt have much time left. Letโs get ready for battle. We donโt know what kind of magic devices are in that fortress.โ
At Noahโs words, Leopold, Evan, and Hyle drew their swords.
They all harbored the same thought.
โWe will surely kill them.โ
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.
โMy manaโฆโฆ.โ
Her mana had slowly started to replenish after being completely depleted.
But with that amount, she couldnโt 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.
โHey, come out.โ
It was Billโs voice.
Ariel opened her eyes and lifted her heavy body.
โWhat is it?โ
Thud-!
The door opened, and Billโs pale face entered Arielโs view.
โI was ordered by Sir Diaton to bring you.โ
The expression on his face as he spoke seemed oddly cheerful, which irritated Ariel.
โWhat is it?โ
Ariel repeated the same question with an annoyed voice.
โThe decision has changed. Your corpse will have to be shown to Leopold Diaz.โ
What kind of nonsense is this?
Ariel raised her eyebrows high, grinding her teeth in anger.