anwhile...
Julius's POV
There were only 20 people left on the island, signaling that the King's Ga was nearing its conclusion. I'd heard of nurous deaths occurring, but it didn't concern .
Throughout the duration of the ga, I'd stayed hidden, not even bothering to participate. My strategy was simple: let the others thin their own numbers through conflict, then strike when the field was ripe for the taking.
However, as the number dwindled to just 20, I sensed eyes on . Gradually, I felt two presences approaching, moving stealthily from above.
"It's quite unusual to see soone of your status mingling with the common folk, Your Highness. I must say, I'm rather surprised," remarked a woman, who was being carried by a dark-skinned woman as they descended towards .
I was perched atop the largest tree on the island, my chosen base. Not only did it provide an abundance of food, but it also offered safety from elimination. Not that I was concerned about being eliminated if I stayed below, but conserving energy was key.
The dark-skinned woman settled onto a large branch of the tree, gently lowering the woman she carried. I recognized the woman imdiately—she was the commander of the magic knights.
"Well, well, Commander Lilia," I greeted with a cheerful smile. "What a pleasant surprise. Last ti we crossed paths was last year, on my 18th birthday, if I rember correctly."
"That's correct. It's your coming of age, so naturally, I had to be there," she replied with a smile. "Now then, Prince Julius, care to enlighten on your motives? This isn't my directive; it cos straight from your father. He's been on edge lately due to your recent actions. He's practically sweating buckets."
"Father? I've already discussed my plans with him, haven't I?" I retorted. "Why would I need to repeat myself?"
"Well, it seems he's rather anxious. He needs constant reassurance, multiple tis over, to put his mind at ease," she explained with a shrug.
I chuckled mockingly, "Is he that terrified of snatching his precious throne?"
"That's correct," Commander Lilia replied matter-of-factly. As the head of the magic military, she was keenly aware of my father's state of mind. "That's why he tasked with preventing you from winning."
"Will you stop ?" I inquired.
The commander simply smiled. "Why would I? I couldn't care less about the royal family drama or who ends up ruling the kingdom, or even the world, for that matter. All I care about is myself, my position, and all the wealth and privileges that co with it. That's all I want."
"Oh?" I exclaid. "So you're suggesting that if I succeed, you'd like to retain your position?"
"Exactly," she confird.
As she spoke, I sensed a subtle energy emanating from her mouth. So she was attempting to influence with her power, huh? Unfortunately for her, my clothes were equipped with a power dampener, rendering her control ineffective. Nevertheless, I didn't mind the idea of her remaining as the commander. She was cunning and manipulative—qualities I could appreciate in an ally.
"If you wish to retain your position as commander once I beco king, I have no objections," I declared, extending my hand to her.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she replied gratefully.
After we released each other's hands, I inquired, "Is that all you desire?"
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "There are so pests attempting to undermine both you and , Your Highness. I could simply command them with my power, but brainwashed subordinates aren't exactly reliable for important tasks."
I could feel her power at work again, attempting to exert its influence over . However, this woman seed unaware that there were individuals resistant to her manipulation. The Queen, Myrcella's mother, for instance, was immune to her control. Fortunately, my power-dampening attire provided with a similar safeguard.
"So, you're asking to deal with these pests?" I confird. For the ti being, I had to agree. I truly desired this woman as an ally.
"Yes, indeed," she affird. "It will be much easier for you to seize the throne under those circumstances."
"Alright, I'll go along with your plan," I agreed.
With that settled, we clasped hands once more.
***
Robyn's POV
The island was sweltering hot, making feel like I might keel over from the heat at any mont. I was certain I could get heatstroke from this relentless sun. Unfortunately, our captain, Angelica, was adamant about not allowing us to rest. According to her, the commander might strike at any mont.
Honestly, dying from heatstroke or getting killed by the commander felt like two sides of the sa coin...
"Stay vigilant, Robyn," she warned with a growl. "There's no telling when that woman will turn against us."
I sighed, feeling exasperated. It seed like I had sighed countless tis today. "Are you really certain she's out to get us, Captain? I an, I know the commander is intense and a real sadist, but I doubt she'd go so far as to eliminate her own subordinates."
"You don't know her at all, Robyn," the Captain retorted. "That woman is far more sinister than you realize."
There was clearly tension between Captain Angelica and Commander Lilia. It didn't seem like the Captain's bitterness stemd solely from losing her command position to Commander Lilia. I suspected there was more to their conflict than t the eye.
Maybe their history was much more deeper than I thought.
As I pondered this, I glanced back at the forest. The surge of powerful auras I had sensed within its depths intrigued , especially one that seed particularly nacing. I wondered whose auras they belonged to and what their intentions might be. Unfortunately, I couldn't investigate further as I was stationed here.
Three hours later, and I felt like I'd been roasted by the sun. The heat was so intense that I thought I might just lt into a puddle. All I wanted was to dunk my face into so cold water, or better yet, take a refreshing shower. If I weren't on duty right now, I'd definitely be taking a dip in the ocean...
As I pondered, a sudden wave of terror washed over . Sothing was approaching, and fast.
"Sothing's coming!" I exclaid.
The squad imdiately snapped to attention as the source of the ominous aura drew nearer. It was a young man, exuding an air of royalty, with a smirk playing on his lips.
"Hey there," he greeted cheerfully. "Looks like I've got everyone gathered. Excellent." With a flourish, he gathered mana and conjured a fireball in his palm—a massive one, even larger than the Great Fireball spell. This was deadly.
"I figure it's best to have you all in one place for an easy slaughter," he remarked casually.
"Everyone, scatter!" commanded the Captain urgently. "That's Prince Julius. That fireball of his can incinerate an entire city! Run as fast as you can!"
But it was too late. Prince Julius had already completed the formation of the fireball. With a casual remark of "It's a sha, but oh well," he hurled it towards us.
In an instant, we were engulfed by the searing heat, both from the scorching sun and the fiery projectile launched by the Prince.
***
Myrcella's POV
As we prepared to retreat to our base, a sudden surge of scorching heat swept over , its fiery tendrils licking at my skin and sending shivers down my spine. With a sense of foreboding, I turned my gaze towards the source, where ominous clouds of smoke billowed into the sky, painted crimson by the raging flas that devoured everything in their path.
"Julius..." I breathed.
Without hesitation, I began sprinting towards the inferno, with Johanne at my side.
"Princess, don't rush into things," he cautioned.
"I know," I replied, determination etched on my face.
We dashed through the dense foliage, the cacophony of our footfalls drowned out by the crackling inferno ahead. As we burst from the oppressive shadows of the forest, a scene of devastation greeted us. Amidst the roaring flas stood my brother, a dark silhouette against the backdrop of chaos and destruction. His laughter, tinged with madness, echoed through the island.
His arms were outstretched, a twisted mockery of triumph as he reveled in the destruction he had wrought. The charred remains of his victims lay scattered around him, their flesh reduced to ash, leaving only skeletal remains behind.
It was a grueso sight, one that sent a shiver down my spine. The flas danced in his eyes, reflecting the madness that consud him. In that mont, he seed more monster than man, a terrifying force of nature unleashed upon the world.
"Julius!!!" I scread, my voice cutting through the crackling flas.
My brother turned to face , his grin widening into sothing sinister. It was a chilling expression, entirely unlike the uneasy smile I was accustod to seeing on his face. This grin held a darkness that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Well, well, well, look who's here," he sneered. "Do you want to join them too, dear sister?"
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