Chapter 72: Worth of Lives
**The Demon’s Love**
*Chapter 72: Worth of Lives*
Evangeline’s
That was what I said until someone secretly arrowed me from behind and I coughed up blood. Everyone was caught up into defeating the Dark Magic while Louis was fighting with the knights the other officials carried with them. While I, the weakest among them all became the target decline the force of the Duke’s team. I closed my eyes as I painfully vomited the blood out of my mouth.
The barrier was eventually broken by the knights who heartlessly surrounded me and launched a powerful attack that I couldn’t beat. Well, I am just a weak hieroglyph person, so my powers aren’t that needed. I pursed my lips, staggering and then used my strength the best I could.
Before I could exact my power, someone tied me to a Golden String then had me floating in the air. Amari, no, Yula held my arm and nodded my head. She closed my eyes, healing me using her powers and I was shocked. She really is powerful compared to me.
After feeling better, she created a barrier which kept us from the outside.
She said, “Please use our last resort. This is the best time.”
I weakly smiled at her, “Indeed. I don’t think I can hold out for long.”
I glanced, seeing that the Duke was slashing the souls and the knights who had been corrupted with Dark Magic with all his might. On the other hand, Terry, was fighting with Darkness personally and from the looks of it he also wouldn’t last long. Something from him was dissipating along the air, what was it?
With a frown, I gulped my blood down my throat and I hissed at the pain.
Amari gave me a partial of her power. After chanting the spell, I hurriedly directed it to Darkness who was occupied with Terry who was doing everything to buy time for us. At the same time, Darkness swallowed down what I had gifted to him and I smirked. I coughed, waiting for Darkness to react strongly.
And it didn’t disappoint me as the voice said in a crackling voice.
“H-how dare you? You weakling human!”
Amari placed me behind then gestured, groaning in pain and yelling. My eyes shook when I realized what she was doing and gulped.
I tried holding her arm but there was already another barrier which kept me from touching or stopping her. I called out to her, desperate.
“Duchess! Don’t do that! I-If you do that – No!!”
I heard Zaren shouted belatedly and then knocked down five knights at once. He was also helpless when Amari surrounded herself with Darkness completely, leaving Terry out of the situation. Terry held his stomach and panted as Amari sent me to land gently. Louis caught me from behind and was the first one to hold Uncle Inlan captive.
We watched powerlessly. Zaren flew in the air, breaking and attacking the barrier but it was futile.
Amari was giving up all of her powers to kill Darkness – the plan she was talking about when we were clearing the steps we will take to put Darkness down. I felt frustrated since I couldn’t do anything but to make a spell that could protect her soul. At least for a moment.
Zaren was in a worse situation and before anyone could even react, Amari had already given up all of her powers. She used them to attack Darkness at once with a painful yell and defenseless laugh as though he she had thought about giving up her powers for a long time.
I was stunned when I saw her Light and Power dissipating and burning Darkness at the same time. All of us were both astonished and dumbfounded.
“Master!” Terry sounded, flying in the air, and catching the falling Amari. I staggered, seeing her burnt face.
If someone drained all of her powers, there’s a high possibility that she’d die or be bedridden for the rest of her life. My eyes wavered and then I covered my mouth as I silently sobbed in pain and frustration. I wanted to cry because I feel guilty that I didn’t notice her smile was odd as if cheering me up. I wasn’t observant enough to see her hands already doing unusual moves of giving up her powers. It was also the reason why she was relentlessly giving me her powers without much thought.
What I foolishly assumed was giving all her best to defeat Darkness. I… the Duchess wasted her powers for all of us.
*
I glanced at Louis who ruffled his hair. I was blaming myself that I couldn’t help the Duchess the most when she needed and merely watched as she fell and gave up. I closed my eyes, feeling my head throb.
“Mount on the horse.” I heard Louis told me. Ever since earlier, he had been dealing the knights who either died or injured badly and was yet to take a rest.
I stood up. I was still nervous and unsettled.
“Your… Your Highness,” Louis turned to face me with a gloomy expression then I resumed, “Will… I mean, why don’t you take a rest first? I can lend my helping hand to bandage the injured knights.”
I forced a smile on my face but he shook his head firmly.
“Please rest, Miss Evangeline. I will arrange everything here so you could go home without hassle.”
I bit my lower lip, “Your Highness. I came here knowing the consequences and now that we’re short on hands, I will absolutely help.”
“No, please-“
“Your Highness. I am doing this willingly and because of guilt. Please let me be.”
I looked at his eyes which seemed to be concerned about me. He had been preventing me from helping earlier and I had adequate rest.
I resumed to persuade him. “I can bandage, put on ointment and make some spells to help them heal faster.”
He grabbed my wrist, demanding seriously. “If you use your powers, I will punish you.”
I sighed in relief, “I will then help with bandaging and putting ointment,” I bowed at him, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
I intended to walk past him, but I heard his words.
“After this, let’s talk seriously.” I gazed up at him who averted his eyes from me.
I swallowed my saliva, looking at Terry who was waiting outside the tent of his Master. The officials, on the other hand was held captive and tied around the trees. As what Zaren had said earlier, if werewolves had to come, they’ll be the first one to be eaten thus we have little time to escape.
I looked at the mountain in front of me wistfully, mumbling.
“Defeating you had worth a lot of lives…”