Meanwhile, the battle outside the garden of the castle grounds was getting fiercer. And a little before the flash of light was fired towards the azure sky...
Back inside the royal palace, a heavy tension filled the air as the sound of constant explosions echoed, along with the cries of the civilians who were still resisting being slaughtered mercilessly by the invaders of the kingdom of Zestril could be heard from afar.
The maids were currently in low spirits as the threat of the kingdom of Zestril loomed over their heads, filling them with a heavy sense of dread.
With the current state of the capital, the personnel currently moving around the royal palace were few in numbers, and only a meagre number of them had combat experience.
The current king of the Alberta kingdom, King Marcus, along with his wife, Queen Lisa, currently sat down in the throne room with a conflicted expression on their faces.
The queen's beautiful face contorted into a mix of both pain and worry as she played with a strand of her luscious silver hair.
"... Dear?"
Lisa's bright, beautiful blue eyes gazed at the middle-aged brown-haired man dressed in a royal robe decorated with various embroidery, who sat beside her. With a worried look on her face. Her lips parted slightly as though she wanted to say something, but stopped midway when she saw the seriousness in the expression on her husband's face.
"It's okay, you don't need to worry. If by some off chance the worst actually happens, I already have a plan for that."
"Eh, you have a plan?"
Lisa raised an eyebrow as she gazed at his face curiously. The capital city is currently under the influence of the Zestril kingdom, along with the knights who had already fallen in battle, weakening their overall strength.
She couldn't see any way to overcome the current situation, even with the help of Matthew, who was currently on the battlefield.
After all, what could a single person do against the might of an entire nation?
Taking on an army alone was already considered a suicidal act, no matter where one looked at it.
That was because no matter how skilled a single individual was, in the face of multiple powerhouses, they would inevitably be worn out in no time.
In the end, this was the only conclusion he could think of, as king, Marcus not only needs to think of his family, but his people as well.
He couldn't choose self-preservation under the current situation.
"As I said before, you need not worry. No matter what happens, I will send the hero along with Adrianna, and you will be somewhere safe as well. I'm going to activate that thing."
He muttered calmly.
"What! You... You are actually going to sacrifice yourself to allow us to escape?!"
She exclaimed as she jumped from her throne. Her bright blue eyes gazed deeply at her husband as though she wanted to see through all existing falsehood and see only the genuine truth.
However, Marcus's eyes were as indifferent and calm as before as he responded.
"You don't need to look at me like that, even if I die, you still have Ryan here as my heir."
(We are currently facing the biggest crisis we have ever faced. I don't know what method that old bastard used to destroy the barrier, but I can assume it was probably the reason for his confidence.)
Marcus narrowed his eyes sharply.
(... The question is, how often can he use that weapon? Even if I die, it doesn't matter to me as long as my kingdom survives in the end.)
"Tch, you... You actually want to sacrifice yourself! How selfish are you?!"
Lisa exclaimed.
"... Selfish? What do you mean?"
He inquired, genuinely confused.
"You have a son, a daughter and a wife. And yet... You actually want to sacrifice yourself and leave us behind? I know this kingdom is precious to you, but..."
"But what? Should I throw away everything my ancestors, my father, left behind? Is that what you want?"
"Do you want me to go to that old bastard and lower my head and beg him to spare my life?" King Marcus asked, his voice indifferent.
Even though the chances of him surviving this invasion were below 10%, he still didn't show any ounce of fear or panic.
His pride as king and the ruler of a nation wouldn't allow such an embarrassment!
"... Why?"
Lisa's lips trembled as she mumbled to herself.
Why did life have to be so... So unfair?
Her expression contorted in a mix of grief and helplessness at the possibility that she might lose the man she loves the most.
Marcus looked at his wife warmly as his hand gently caressed her fair, white, rosy cheeks lovingly as he whispered in her ear.
"Even if I die... Our children need you. Don't forget we also still have the hero whenever we need her legendary powers; if necessary, use it to protect yourself."
He said in a serious tone.
As he hugged the trembling body of his wife. She buried her face in his chest as she sobbed.
Marcus kissed her head as his hazel eyes flickered occasionally, as though he had many thoughts running through his mind.
Once Lisa had calmed down enough for her to articulate words properly, she finally spoke.
"... Where exactly will we go?"
With his hand caressing his beard, he opened his mouth.
"Once you have acquired our son and daughter, as well as the hero, head east."
"Eh, east... But isn't that?"
Lisa gasps as her blue, ocean pupils shone faintly from realisation.
"... The kingdom of Watanabe."
It was no secret that the kingdom of Watanabe and Alberta were extremely close and had a very deep relationship. Both the kings of each nation had a brother-like relationship and had been in touch for a long time now.
With the current situation, he could only request help from the king of Watanabe and hope to get his aid in this difficult situation.
Though the chances of them actually accepting seemed very low, as this would also make the kingdom of Watanabe Zestril's next target, but...
(Knowing that old bastard, he will definitely turn his eyes onto the other remaining two kingdoms as soon as he conquers this nation.)
The Alberta kingdom, as one of the most powerful and influential nations, had many powerful artefacts and wealth. Naturally, the king of Zestril's goal, aside from conquering the great nation, is also to acquire that wealth and artefacts.
He was certain that the king, who was known for not only his ruthlessness, would turn his eyes towards the other neighbouring kingdoms for their wealth and treasures as well.
Under such a predicament, perhaps the only way to overturn the situation was for the remaining nations to ally.
(Sure, this kingdom will fall, but I will definitely be seeing you in hell, you old bastard!)
Marcus's eyes narrowed as a smirk appeared at the corner of his lips as he thought that.
"... I see. You want us to request help from the royal family of Watanabe."
Lisa asked, while letting out a faint sigh. In the past, she never took the Watanabe kingdom seriously at all. Even though they were a major nation, their military prowess was so low that she even considered them a joke.
And now, she has no other choice but to request help from such a kingdom. Fate really can be mysterious sometimes.
"That man is like my little brother, I can guarantee he will give you his support, just go there and try to find peace... Hopefully... Hopefully, with the help of the hero, maybe you could..."
He said cryptically, his gaze gradually grew sharper as he spoke, who knew what he was thinking.
(No, perhaps the heroes' sudden arrival is related to this...)
He thought inwardly but ultimately shook his head in the end.
...
As Lisa was making preparations for their departure...
A figure clad in black robes stood on the terrace of the royal palace, gazing downwards at the scenery of the chaotic city where the civilians were being slaughtered indiscriminately.
His deep jade-coloured eyes flickered as he gazed at the energy circulating throughout the atmosphere each time a life was lost.
He then took out a ruby coloured gemstone similar to the one Monica had. Each time the ruby coloured gemstone came into contact with the strange energy within the atmosphere, the gemstone shone brighter and brighter.
An intense aura of darkness shrouded his figure as he watched everything with an unreadable expression etched on his face.
However, his lips soon curved upwards into a smirk. Finally, the day he had been waiting for has arrived. Today, he shall destroy that pesky source that kept empowering the core of the seal that held back the demon race.
The man's jade-coloured eyes sharpened as he gazed at the flying beast in the sky. His slightly long, darkish green hair peeked out from his hood that covered his face.
And in the blink of an eye, his figure vanished from the terrace, disappearing into another part of the royal palace.
...
Meanwhile, in another room...
"M-Mom, what do you mean we are leaving?"
Princess Adrianna asked, taken aback. She knew the situation was bad, but she didn't think it would get to this point where they had no choice but to flee.
"... I'm sorry, but this is the decision that he made."
Lisa replied in a slightly shaky voice. Despite the air of composure she was putting on, it was evident her emotions were conflicted from the hesitant light that flickered occasionally in her eyes.
Naturally, she wanted to stay by her husband's side, even if it meant her own demise. Her aching heart couldn't accept this.
She couldn't acknowledge this reality.
If she had to choose between her kingdom and her family, naturally, she would choose her own family without the slightest hesitation.
But she knew this wasn't an appropriate mindset she should have as a queen. After all, as the ruler of her nation and people should always be the main priority.
But her heart couldn't let go of the family she had been with and had come to love since the beginning.
Seeing the state her mother was in, Princess Adrianna seems to have regained her composure.
(Mother is suffering and yet, I...)
Adrianna bit her lips in frustration.
(Why am I so...)
So powerless...
Was what she wanted to say.
She clenched her fist, and after taking a deep breath, her light blue eyes shone with determination.
"I understand, Mother. I shall inform the hero immediately and prepare for our departure."
She said, with some seriousness in her voice.
With her mother's current state, she knew she had to be the one with a clear head, even if it was only a little; she had to lighten the burden on her.
With that, Princess Adrianna pinched the hem of her beautiful, long blue gown as she hurriedly left in the direction of the room Mona was currently occupying.
Three hours later...
Queen Lisa, Princess Adrianna and the hero, Mona, boarded one of the royal carriages of the royal family and left the royal palace through the back garden along with some skilled knights.
Seeing that they had left safely, King Marcus's expression became stern as he went to a certain room inside the royal palace.
It was a room only available to the royal bloodline.
With a soft creak of the door. Marcus stepped inside the room and closed the door before turning around when, suddenly...
Swoosh!
Spurt!
Marcus's expression changed as he felt a burning sensation in his hands. When he gazed downwards, he saw a sight that gave him chills. Both of his hands from his shoulder had been completely severed and had fallen to the ground with a thud. His severed hands continued to spurt blood.
Blood also spurted from his shoulder.
"Argh!"
A painful cry, akin to someone receiving torture, filled the room!
"Fufufu... Isn't it quite unsightly to be screaming like that, your royal majesty?"
With a slight chuckle, a figure cloaked in black made his appearance.
When Marcus saw this figure, his pupils constricted slightly as he bellowed.
"You... Adelio, you traitor!"
Indeed, the one who had appeared dressed in black was none other than Adelio.