"We should be far enough now" I brought the horse to a halt and went to tend to Kaylee.
"Could-could you help me down..."
I gently grabbed her and placed her against a nearby tree. There seemed to be no visible injuries but her face is so....pale.
"Are you alright?? Your face seems pale. Were you hit by it's attacks?"
I examined her body but there were no blood visible. Despite that her condition keeps getting worse and worse.
"I'm not s-sure...but it began way before we met....the....giant"
That's odd
"Here, let's get you back to the camp. I'll get a doctor for you"
We mounted the horse and made haste towards the camp. However when we had arrived, there was no one in sight. It's almost as if everyone was evacuated in a hurry. There were teacups and plates shattered on the grass floor.
"What in the world happened here?" Kaylee questioned as she struggle to compose her breathing.
"...It seems like the monsters had invaded the safe zone" I grabbed the broken fang that laid on the grass.
"That's just not possible!...The m-mages that held the safe zone were highly skilled!" Kaylee argued. Her words aren't wrong, as they were the same mages who had been assigned in creating the safe zone for previous hunting competitions.
"Unless-" We said at the same time. Kaylee and I seemed to have the same thoughts as we both uttered...
"there was an insider!"
"We should head back for the castle. Can you hold on for a while longer?" I questioned.
"...Yes, I'm sure" Kaylee replied, although her complexion said otherwise.
With that said, we headed straight for the castle, an ominous feeling crept up to me. The outside of the castle was left unprotected. There were no guards present, neither was there any sign of a revolt.
"Ugh!..." Kaylee dropped to the ground. Her body has turned pale, it seems like she won't be able to last any longer.
"I'm sorry Christine, but I...can't go on any longer" Kaylee looked at me, her eyes drooping probably because of the fatigue.
What should I do? If the situation in the palace isn't safe, Kaylee might die the moment we enter. But if I were to delay getting in the palace any longer, Princess Lana could be in danger.
I was reminded by my teacher's words, perhaps this is what he had meant when he said something big may happen soon.
Who would be the one to initiate the revolt? Prince Melvius's position is well secured within the palace. The supporters behind him aren't to be taken lightly of. There's no way he would have cause one.
Prince Caster? The possibilities are endless. Observing the surrounding area and the fact that no large group of people pass through.
This is definitely a battle for succession.
"Kaylee. Kaylee! Stay with me now" I wriggled her, causing her to wake up
"...I'm still good"
"Listen here, we're going to head back and I'm going to send you to the church. They should be able to patch you up"
"Yes.."
I quickly made haste towards the church and left Kaylee there with an old acquaintance. Seeing as she would be in safe hands, I immediately made my way back towards the palace.
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Goodness.
Prince Caster's palace is completely engulfed in flames. The cries and echoes of fighting could be heard from a distance. Can I really do this?
"Princess Lana's knight is here!" Huh?!
"Get her!"
This would probably the time where I start running right?
As I tried outrunning those soldiers, my horse was hit by an arrow that was shot towards me. The sudden action caused me to be thrown off the horse and crashing into a brick wall.
My shoulder is injured. I should avoid face to face confrontation as much as I can. Which is why for now, I'm going to run away.
"Where did she run off to!? Search every corner of this place!"
I hid behind a barrel as I waited for them to move on. It was really nerve wrecking, I felt like someone could just come up and kill me from behind.
The princess's manor is not far from where I am. A few more steps and I can reach the manor in one piece. There's a soldier up ahead, should I take a hit?
One. I stealthily made my way behind him
Two. I grabbed my dagger and positioned myself in a much suitable position
Three.
*THWACK*
His dead.
"Zorul" I tried calling out for the flaming cat hoping it would respond and it did.
"Meow" The cat purred as it rubbed it's head against my palm.
"Find out what's happening in the Princess's manor"
With that, Zorus disappeared into thin air leaving back to being alone. Although, I'm nearly at the manor, the soldiers surrounding the place is just too much for me to handle. Since they are all just standing there it must mean that the instigator of the revolt is not there.
Damn it! Is there no one I can go to? I should have gathered more intel on the people around. I wonder how the wannabe and his knights are doing.