CHAPTER 94: THE ASSIGNMENT

The next day that followed was nothing short of chaos in the land of Austerra.

It wasn’t just the Dukes, but the other noble families as well. Their children had been included in the King’s sudden execution order, and now outrage simmered across the noble districts.

And as if expecting this retaliation, the King, along with the Soulfang household, moved swiftly. It was the perfect excuse to cull their greatest rivals before any real resistance could spark.

"Your Majesty! The Katana household and its allied families are on the move, openly preparing to defy your will," declared Jeron, Grand Duke of the Soulfang household, and uncle to Prince Auborn.

Behind him stood an assembly of powerful families, the Duke of Eyesong, the Baron of the Fotlon family, and a host of ten others. These families were famous for their mastery over magic, long regarded as the natural counterbalance to the military-driven knight houses to which Princess Austaire belonged.

"I say we strike them down today, Your Majesty! If they cannot even give up one child for the sake of the realm, how can they be trusted to die for Austerra?"

"Let’s put an end to their rebellion before it grows fangs!"

"I agree! Just give us the word, Your Majesty, and you won’t need to lift a finger."

King Aurelus sat lazily upon his golden throne, one hand cupping his chin, the other clutching the royal scepter.

His eyes were sunken, expression unreadable, and his mood darker than the drapes that veiled the courtroom walls. His advisers murmured behind him, but he silenced them with a slow raise of his hand.

His voice rang deep and final.

"Very well. If the knight families cannot perform even this trivial sacrifice, then I have no need for their loyalty. I hereby grant you full permission to use our defensive artillery and mana weapons against them. Take them all out."

...

KABOOM!

The city trembled.

All across Austerra, hidden bombs and runic traps detonated in coordinated strikes. Shadow units emerged in alleyways, and high-altitude mages cast fire from above.

Their target?

The noble families who dared oppose the King’s decree.

What started as protest quickly turned into bloodshed. A silent civil war had begun, not on open battlefields but through assassinations, sabotage, and street ambushes.

Before Princess Austaire and her entourage could even reach the western border, the Soulfang household had already unleashed elite units before them. These soldiers, blessed with enchanted weapons and full backing from the King, attacked with zero hesitation.

The one who stood to gain from this sudden purge?

None other than Prince Auborn, the King’s firstborn, whose mother was none other than the sister of Grand Duke Jeron. It was a coup disguised as justice.

"It’s an ambush! Everyone retreat! Paladins, protect the Princess!"

BOOM!

Mana bursts lit up the night sky. Rebels were overwhelmed in minutes. Estates were razed. Entire lineages vanished.

After several narrow escapes and losses, Princess Austaire was left with no choice but to go into hiding. The years that followed were cruel and cold. But the promise of aid from her relatives from the Kodian Kingdom kept her hope burning.

And after three long years of waiting, help finally arrived.

"Don’t worry, Princess," said Johny, her ever-loyal butler and guardian. His hands were calloused from battle, but his voice still held calm.

"As long as you’re with us, you’ll be safe. We must stay low. The journey to Kodian will be harsh, but we will guard you with our lives."

"Thank you, Johny. And all of you..." Austaire looked at her knights, her voice steady, though her eyes were storming with rage and pain.

"I swear, I’ll return. I’ll take back the throne. And I’ll rip those tyrants out of their seats."

But fate was not finished testing her.

As they neared the northwestern edge of Austerra under the dim lights of the moon, right before the border where the forest of Runewood began, the Soulfang forces struck again.

KABOOM!KRABOOM!

"It’s Jeron and the Soulfang forces! They found us!"

"They’ve already blocked all exit routes! They must’ve been tracking us!"

"There’s a spy! Someone’s leaking our movement!"

"That can’t be true!"

"Commander! Orders?!"

The commander narrowed his eyes, taking in the terrain, the smoke, and the direction of the coming flames.

Then he made the call.

"We can’t go back, and heading to the Thugian border is certain death. Our only option now is Runewood."

"Runewood? You can’t be serious!"

"I’m well aware of the risks. But we’re at the southern tail-end. If we move fast, we can cross it in thirty minutes, maybe less. As long as we don’t linger, the elves might ignore us. We’re not invading, just passing through."

His voice cracked as he said it, but his feet were already moving.

"Regroup! Into Runewood! Now!"

The envoy veered sharply toward the ancient woods, praying the trees would spare them.

But of course, the King’s forces noticed.

"They’re running into Runewood? Pathetic!"

"Keep firing! Don’t let them rest! Archers, mages, keep bombarding them! They’re cornered!"

KABOOM!BOOM!

The carriage carrying Princess Austaire rocked under the barrage of magical explosions. Runes etched into its frame glowed red, struggling to hold against the pressure.

Tukutuk~Tukutuk~Tukutuk~

Its enchanted Galehorse sprinted desperately, sweat and smoke rising from its flanks.

Knights and mages surrounded the carriage, shielding it from every direction.

But the enemy’s numbers were overwhelming. It was only a matter of time.

[EARTHSPIKE]

EEEKKKKH!

The ground suddenly split beneath the carriage. Sharp earthen spikes shot upward, impaling the path and carriage itself. The Galehorse tripped, the carriage flipped violently, and wood splintered in every direction.

Princess Austaire crawled out, her leg bloodied and limping, her breath ragged.

"I’m... sorry," she whispered, eyes brimming. But she pressed on.

"I swear, I’ll return. I’ll fix this."

With that, she vanished into the misty green veil of Runewood.

Behind her, Johny fought to his last breath, shielding her escape.

"Please... run... You must survive, Princess Austaire..." he said, before finally falling still.

Minutes later, the King’s knights and Soulfang soldiers reached the wreckage.

And fortunately, none dared to follow her into the trees.

After all, they all knew what would come next.

"Should we pursue?" asked one of the men, gasping from the long chase.

"Are you insane?" said another. "Do you even know what that place is?"

"Of course I do. It’s Runewood! No human enters and lives."

"Good! Now you know the answer."

Their commander grinned.

"Exactly. We don’t need to chase her. Just wait. I am sure by tomorrow, her skinned body will be hanging from a tree. Like always."

Far inside the Runewood, The Grand Velzar tree stirred at the presence of the human intruder.

Shiing~

The trees had detected a trespasser.

Queen Elarya, her spirit resting deep within her war form, opened her eyes.

She watched the image projected through the roots, following the girl’s frantic footsteps.

"Well well... what do we have here," she murmured.

"Those golden hair and eyes... if I’m not mistaken, this is the second-born of that ruthless Aurelus."

She tapped her finger slowly.

"She stepped into our land. Then it’s only proper that we greet her."

Elsewhere, nestled deep in a quiet nook of Runewood...

Auren tightened the last bolt on his latest invention- a long, cannon-like tube etched with glowing runes from tip to base.

At first glance, it looked like nothing more than scrap metal. But only a handful of elves understood its true destructive potential.

Though his mana reserves were laughable by elven standards, Auren had earned a reputation as someone not to be crossed. Thanks to his strange machines, volatile potions, and unpredictable fighting style, even the stronger clans gave him a wide berth.

"Just a little tighter... and done," he muttered with a grin.

Then he heard a flutter.

A soft sound, barely there, pulled his gaze to the window.

A bird hovered outside- no ordinary creature, but a luminous blue shimmer of wings and sparks. It zipped through the air with impossible grace before landing on his table, radiating magic.

Auren froze. Then, he bowed deeply.

"I greet the Queen Mother."

"You may rise," came Queen Elarya’s voice through the bird.

He stood. "May I know the reason for this visit?"

"I have a task for you."

"I’ll accept, no matter what it is."

"Reassuring, as always," she replied. "There’s a human intruder- southern tail-end of Runewood. I’ve already notified the others. I want you and your team to handle it."

"Consider it done," Auren said without hesitation. Though his eyes narrowed.

’Why me? That’s usually a job for Gondar or Micha’el...’

"You are to capture her personally. Make an example of her. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Queen Mother."

With that, the bird vanished into the trees- leaving behind only silence.

Auren stood there for a beat, then exhaled.

"I smell trouble..."

He gathered his gear, strapping on his leather armor, his mask, and a pouch of freshly brewed potions. His weapon slid into place across his back.

"Southern tail-end... that’s far."

He grabbed his upgraded MJ shoes- sleek, rune-lined, and faintly pulsing with energy.

Sliding them on, he sighed.

"I guess I have no choice, huh..."

As he stepped out of his den, he didn’t look back.

It was the last time he’d see it.

The silence he left behind would soon be shattered- by the explosions set to rip through the path ahead... and through his life.