Night had settled over the Zestella encampnt, cloaking the desolate battlefield in a heavy shroud of darkness.
The mood among the Zestella Knights and their allies from Sancta Vedelia was oppressive. What little camaraderie the soldiers clung to was overshadowed by despair. The losses they had suffered today were staggering, their ranks decimated by the overwhelming power of Kendel Teraquin.
His strength was undeniable, and the ferocity with which he led his troops was demoralizing. The Zestella forces, already weary, could barely hold their ground against the reinvigorated Teraquin warriors.
As if his arrival wasn't catastrophic enough, a second, even more nacing figure appeared- one of the four Executives of Behemoth.
Now, the camp lay in somber disarray. The injured huddled together, faces etched with pain and despair. Makeshift bandages and hastily applied splints bore witness to their desperate attempts to treat wounds. So knights nursed what little strength they had left, clinging to tokens from loved ones-a pendant, a ribbon, or a scrap of cloth-to remind them of ho.
Farther away, the royal tent stood, housing Celeste, Alicia, and two additional guests who had joined them this evening.
***
I sat on a weathered wooden bench near a campfire, idly poking at the burning logs with a branch. The flas crackled and danced, their reddish-orange hues reflected in my amber eyes. I found myself srized by the fire's beauty-a fleeting, destructive force that could both illuminate and consu.
"It was reckless."
The stern voice jolted from my thoughts. I looked up and no, it was my mom scolding but instead, I t the disapproving gaze of a twelve-year-old looking girl.
Levina stood there, arms crossed.
When I had arrived at Zestella, I'd acted on impulse. Using Samara's ability, I propelled myself across the vast expanse of battlefields at high speed, determined to reach the frontlines where the main conflict raged. The journey had been grueling, burning through most of my mana reserves as I pushed myself to the brink. For thirty exhausting minutes, I poured every ounce of mana into sustaining my velocity.
But I had arrived-barely. The timing had been critical, and though my body ached and my mana was depleted, I had made it. It had been worth the cost.
Navas Dolphis was there. Celeste was laying drained on the ground while Alicia barely managed to stay on her feet, her blade trembling in her grasp.
When I locked eyes with Navas, my first instinct had been to aim for his head as I prepared Trinity Nihil, but a sense of foreboding scread at , urging caution. It wasn't fear-it was survival. I felt like going greedily for his head would spell death for . So, I redirected my attack, aiming for his arm instead.
Even then, the bastard shifted just enough to mitigate the blow. In the end, I severed only his hand—a far cry from the decisive strike I had hoped for.
"Everything ended well in the end," I said with a faint smile, attempting to downplay the situation as I t Levina's gaze.
"You could have died," but Levina retorted unwilling to let it go.
We had spent quite ti traveling together on the sea trip to Sancta Vedelia that we had grown closer, perhaps more than I realized.
"Fortunately, I didn't," I replied with a shrug, attempting to ease the conversation.
Levina, however, wasn't convinced. Her small fingers curled into fists against her crossed arms. After a mont, she turned on her heel and walked away without another word.
"Vina." I sighed, calling after her, but she ignored , her petite form disappearing into the distance.
"Who is she, Your Highness?" A voice rang behind .
I turned to find Lera, Celeste's maid, approaching with a delicate cup of tea in hand.
"She's... my friend," I said after a pause, accepting the tea with a nod of thanks.
Lera's brow furrowed slightly. "She seems very young. Is this a suitable place for her?" "Definitely not," I admitted, my gaze drifting toward Levina's retreating figure. "But it feels like she's seen worse-or maybe she's just used to it."
The truth was, I didn't like having her here either. The battlefield was no place for her-or anyone, for that matter. But Levina was stubborn, insisting on staying close. She claid it was to ensure I wouldn't forget my promise to her, but I was certain there was more to it than that.
"Could you prepare sothing for her as well?" I asked Lera.
Lera's lips curled into a warm smile. "Of course, Your Highness." She bowed deeply before turning to leave, but not without one final remark. "I thank Your Highness deeply for saving the Princesses."
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