Adela gently turned her attention away from the sky. Her heart was pounding for an unknown reason. She lowered her head and took a slow, firm hold of the crystal in her palm. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She couldn't understand why the crystal hadn't been heated. Why did the prince not summon her? Was he alright?
Adela had been waiting for so long, and her heart was driving her insane. He should not have done something like that, and yes, he should not have kissed her. That drove her baffling and left her with a lot of questions. Adela took a deep breath and summoned her fire eagle bird again.
"Show yourself with your strategy and strength."
An eagle engulfed in flames flew towards Adela in the sky. It fell right on Adela's shoulder.
"Kaaa."
Adela placed her palm on its head and muttered, "Help him on the battlefield; help him return to me again; and send him the message that I am waiting for him."
The moment the firebird heard Adela, it spread its wings and flew off. Adela continued to stare at the bird, filled with both hope and grief.
[The scene was changed to an office chamber]
With a worried expression, Veronica entered the room. As soon as she got inside, she ran over to Alfred and started speaking.
"What's the issue? Why did you summon me so hurriedly, dear? How are you actually feeling?"
"Ah, Veronica."
Alfred stated this while holding his wife's hands. Veronica could tell by his expression that he was anxious. He spoke with seriousness.
"Veronica, we need your help."
Veronica parted her lips and gave Ian a bewildered expression. "Like, how can I help you guys?" she asked.
Alfred and Ian looked at each other. Alfred forced her to look at him and said, "You have to help Richard."
"Richard! Is he okay? I heard he headed to Targoviste." Veronica murmured, her eyes narrowing. Alfred gave a nod of agreement. "Yeah, but now we believe it may be a trap for him. Someone does not want him to return before the event."
Veronica arched her brows slightly. Every word her husband was attempting to express, she understood fully.
"I realize, Alfred. Just let me know what to do." Veronica asked with serious eyes.
"You must immediately go there in disguise to assist him. I don't want anyone to know about it," stated Alfred.
"Don't worry," Veronica said with a casual nod of her head. "I'll get over there right away."
"Aunt, I believe you know goblins attack Targoviste," Ian said. Therefore, be cautious."
"Yes, I am aware of this, but don't worry; I'll defeat them since I am a fire mage. They won't be able to defeat me that simply." Veronica responded with assurance.
"But so far, aunt, we are unsure about the existence of any other creatures. If there is, then it must be difficult for you," said Ian.
As soon as she heard Ian, Veronica slapped his head, and her eyes grew tighter. Ian whimpered when his aunt slapped him. "What was that for?" he said, holding his head.
"I am a high-ranking fire mage commander. How could you look down on me like that?"
Veronica stated this in an irate voice. Ian took a step back, rubbing his backside and murmuring, "I was just scared. But I have not witnessed your fighting."
When Alfred saw his wife's outraged expression, he smiled slightly. "Dear, I have full faith in your skills," he said as he took her hand and made her look at him. "Can you make it?"
Veronica gave her husband a gentle smile and added, "Don't worry, I'll make it up. I'll be all right."
Alfred nodded as he smiled, and Veronica smiled back and said, after a second, "Then I need to move now or else it will be late. I believe Richard has already arrived there."
They exchanged nods and headed out with Veronica. As Veronica had already gone there, they didn't want to wait there any longer.
[The Targoviste is now the scenario]
Ravens were swooping over the knights. The ravens appeared to have found their new food. When the knights cast a quick glance around, they noticed how damaged the region was!
'Kraa."
They rode through the wreckage—dead animals, broken trees, ruined homes, and charred cottages... It covered the frozen ground in bloodstains. Richard slowed the horse's gait while observing his surroundings.
Kraaa, Kraaa.
The ravens began making sounds. The noise was rather obnoxious, and in this quiet setting, it appeared much sharper and shriller.
[Swoosh]
The wind blew so fast that Richard and his warriors used a mid-sized wheelbarrow to carry their weapons and armor. They left their carriage at the village's gate and rode their horses inside.
The moment they set foot in the village, they saw dead bodies and a dreadful atmosphere all around them. They couldn't see any traces of life around them. Some ravens were seen gliding and twirling in the air above them. Richard strained his eyes when he noticed the first village. How could goblins damage anything? He pondered.
Aaron walked up to Richard as they were moving and said, "My prince, shall we stop here?"
"Stop here? I don't think it's a good idea, Aaron. It doesn't feel secure enough to stay here. It's a dreadful and hazardous place. We also need to return before the tournament," Richard said.
Suddenly, they heard wolves howling. Richard looked around with wide eyes, but nothing caught his attention. Richard carefully pulled his blade from his sheath while keeping a close watch on his surroundings.
Richard commanded them, "Everyone, look up and pay attention."
Aaron covered up and motioned for the knights to be cautious with their weapons. It did not prepare them for this kind of unexpected onslaught. Levy jumped down from the horse and pulled out the sword.
Richard seized a shield in one hand and his Rondrakamm in the other. Everyone was prepared with their swords, but they did not know what was going on around them. If it was something else, they would be in grave danger. They got the news that it was a goblin attack, but now the situation seemed different.
They suddenly sensed someone standing right in front of them. Furthermore, it moved so quickly that they could not catch sight of it.
"My prince, it's," Levy spoke out abruptly.
However, Richard raised his hand to urge no one to speak at that time. They heard wolves howling around them, so he stepped in cautiously to check. In the snow, a footprint was spotted. He knelt down cautiously and frowned as he felt the footprint. The footprint was larger than a regular werewolf's footprint. But before he could say anything, a werewolf attacked him.
Aaron cried out, "Prince, watch out!"
Aaron yelled when he noticed the unexpected onslaught. But it wasn't so simple to hurt Richard. He was aware of everything around him. As he saw two red eyes with sharp fangs ready to jump at him, he pulled out his sword, 'Rondrakamm,' and sliced his head from his neck.
That werewolf's head had just dropped from his neck.
All the knights were murmuring in alarm. Horses started neighing out of the blue. In order to calm everyone down, Richard took a step back and tapped his magic stones.
At the top of his lungs, Richard said, "Everyone, be alert."
As he finished speaking, they immediately heard wolves howling which were coming from their surroundings.
Levy said, "My prince, what do you think? Is that a lot?"
Richard's face tensed as he realized what the footprint was—it was a Lycan's footprint. He said in a stern voice, "Levy, tell everyone to awaken their magic. Otherwise, we won't be able to defeat them."
[Wolf howls].
Gradually, a considerable number of werewolves appeared.
Richard narrowed his eyes as he witnessed it. Did that imply that they received false news? It was a genuine trap for them.
[Groan]
The larger, younger werewolves cautiously walked up to them. They exposed their razor-sharp claws and revealed their massive, razor-sharp fangs. They started snarling back at them.
[Growl]
Richard and his knights took a brief step back when wolves approached them. Aaron made a little approach to Richard and questioned him.
"What should we do at this point, my prince? That seems like a trap set for us. They're a lot."
Richard held his breath, looking at those wolves. It was true; they were stuck in that place. But he couldn't go back now. Richard decided what to do now after considering all the circumstances. He ordered, "Take your position. We cannot turn around."
The werewolves were drooling saliva from their mouths. They had surrounded the soldiers. Out of nowhere, they leaped on them.
[Slice].
Richard rose with his sword and sliced one.
[The howling of werewolves]
They used their silver swords and magical abilities to fight werewolves. Richard shouted while fighting.
"Use the silver weapon."
To be continued.