Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 39: Goddess of War, Part 4
“...For ice magic, it was spell with very fast activation time,” comments Herena just as the cube barrier disappeared. “Even if a person is able to feel the appearance of that spell effect with sensory magic, the spell will first activate before he can get away.”
Darminic could not move his eyes from the graceful figure of the princess. No, it was not because he had suddenly fallen in love. Darminic's heart will never move from the sexy, charming and seductive Herena. Darminic's eyes were fixed on Kanna el Vermillion because he still had a hard time believing what he was seeing. The fight ended even before half a minute.
Darminic of course has known the power of the princess. However, compared to the last time he saw her, Kanna had grown tremendously. Indeed, the saint did not seem to have exerted his full strength. But so did the princess. Even Kanna didn't seem to have the slightest trouble. Darminic even began to believe that even the emperor would not be able to defeat Kanna.
“If I had not been too sure about the realization of imperial ambitions, now I have no doubt. I'm so excited.”
Herena sighed hearing the words of her colleague. “Just make sure you don't get yourself killed.” Then Herena looked back and encouraged her soldiers to come forward. “Come,” he told Darminic as he stepped forward. “Now we approach His Majesty.”
...* * *...
The disbelieving sharpness dyed the faces of the Knights Templar warriors, especially the faces of the captains. They never imagined they would see their leader defeated in an instant. Seeing how their leaders were frozen, everyone realized they would never be able to escape. With that kind of magic, 100,000 warriors could be frozen instantly. It was no wonder the saint suggested they give up.
The expressions of shock that filled the faces of the captains spontaneously replaced the tension as they watched their two leaders lead the imperial princess over to them. None of them could have guessed what had been discussed there; the captains could only wait for the princess's arrival.
“Saint Arthur..
“Sir...”.
Arthur stopped three meters in front of all his captains. Merlin was about five meters behind him along with the princess.
“If any of you assume I haven't used full power yet, you're right.” Arthur bluntly. “I'm stronger than what you've seen. However, the same could be said of Princess Kanna. He's still stronger than you can imagine. So, if you think I'm pretending to lose, that thought can you guys get rid of.”
Then Arthur turned around without waiting for the response of his captain—or the soldier who heard it. Merlin strode quickly to Arthur's left, then turned his back to the soldiers like the saint.
“Daughter of Kanna, now you can hold them all like you're holding us back. As per the agreement, we surrendered and are now your prisoner.”
Kanna doesn't need any more words. His two palms instantly fused with each other. And instantly, replicas of kurtalaegons sprung up in the air. The number continues to grow significantly.
Once the number was sufficient, all of the sword replicas shot towards the Knights Templar.
Panic consumed their minds. Most have even installed defensive horses, some are ready to use protective spells, and only a small part is resigned. The Knights Templar captains belong to that small group.
All the sword replicas instantly melted into a series of runes before clashing with their protective weapons or spells. And before the shock dissipated from those faces, their bodies had been clad in the same rune array that had lined the bodies of Arthur and Merlin.
“With this seal, we can no longer pose a threat to the security of the empire. Now, will the Princess take us prisoner in the empire?”
Kanna's gaze refocused on the saint. “No,” the answer is quiet. “You will come with us to enter the imperial territory. Our goal is to save the Emiliel Holy Kingdom from destruction. The New World Order is our common enemy. They wanted to flatten the Emiliel Holy Kingdom with land, while the empire wanted the Holy Kingdom to help the empire in establishing unity and peace in Islan.”
Arthur's eyes narrowed. However, it was not her mouth that opened to complain, but rather Merlin's mouth.
“We don't make an agreement in that regard. Our agreement is purely on surrender and a guarantee to treat each other well if detained. We cannot accept you using the Order of 1 Knight Templar, Your Majesty.”
Kanna's lips curled thinly. “I didn't tell you guys or take advantage of you,” he said slowly and kindly. “I invite you to both save the wounded Emiliel Holy Kingdom. There is nothing I want more than the total peace of the Islans as it was when Lake Deus was still there. We used to be able to overcome the invasions of Veria and Medea because we were united. Wasn't Knight Templar's main task from the beginning for the sake of the security of the Holy Kingdom?”
“You have one hour to decide. Do you want to help us save your homeland? Or, you can stay here and wait for news of the destruction of Emiliel Holy Kingdom.”
Those were the last words that Arthur and Merlin heard before the princess completely walked away.
“...Arthur..that woman...she is dangerous...”.
Arthur looked at Merlin with his eyebrows raised. “Isn't that what I said from the beginning? Kanna el Vermillion is a dangerous individual.”
“Not dangerous like that I mean,” obviously the woman. “How to say let you understand? Hm, look, didn't we know from the beginning that the empire would rule over all of Islan?”
Arthur nodded.
“However,” continued Merlin, “heard it from Princess Kanna's mouth giving a different impression. His words, his expression, his eyes…. Don't you think the word ‘saint’ is more worthy of her than anyone from Knight Templar.”
“We are loyal to Miss Fie, Merlin.”
“Not on Emiliel Holy Kingdom?”
“….”
The simple question that came out of Merlin's mouth was successful in making Arthur silenced.
“Did you ever question it, Arthur, why is the Knights Templar like there is Lake Deus different from the Knights Templar after the lake disappears?”
“...What do you mean?”
“Knight Templar used to be the protector of Emiliel Holy Kingdom, as Miss Fie wanted. However, ever since the lake disappeared, the Knights Templar began to transform into protectors and guards of the stability of the Islan. The Knights Templar brought down the Deus Holy Church and damaged the prestige of the Deus Guardian.
“My question is, why did it happen? Why did the Knights Templar's goal change? Why are we told to set up an Islamic center here? Is this really what Miss Fie wants? Have you ever heard it directly from Miss Fie's mouth?”
“From what I noticed,” continued Merlin, “Nona Fie cares nothing but the security of the Holy Kingdom. He will also only act if there is interference from outside the continent or there are parties who want to cause drastic damage to Islan. Not once did Miss Fie say she wanted to bring Islan under the control of Luciel's Grand Church. And more importantly, does Miss Fie want her to be the most important symbol in the church?”
“...You want to say everything we believe so far is pure desire Pope Genea?”
...* * *...
“Good work, Your Highness.” Kanna's arrival was met with praise from Herena. “Are we going to directly continue the journey?”
Kanna shakes. “We wait here for an hour,” he replied. “I have a plan to make it easier for us to gain control over Emiliel Holy Kingdom. I don't like it this way, but it's necessary to avoid unnecessary things. We will influence the people of the Holy Kingdom to condemn the government of their leaders. We will be a savior to them for the effects that this war has caused.”
I need to contact Edelweiss and Achilles to prepare the logistics to convince the victims, Kanna added. But before going there, Fie Axellibra must be dealt with first.
...»»» End of Chapter 39 «««...