Chapter 3: Chapter 3 - Counter Attack
(Danny's Pov)
Before dawn, we started to move again. I tried to relax in the carriage, but I was pretty anxious. Yes, about the upcoming ambush, instead of going into another route, I decided not to change it. I have another plan.
"Remember what I've said to you," I said seriously. She nodded seriously, gripping the hilt of her sword. Her expression was serious, which I find quite appealing, but I still like to see her annoyed face. Maybe I'll tease her later.
I looked out the window, waiting for the anticipated ambush. I felt like I saw something moving behind those trees. I just realized that if 'Percy' wasn't continuously annoying Lea back in the novel, maybe Lea would find out about the ambush beforehand.
Hours have passed, it was already dusk, I finally calmed down. I know Lea could eliminate all of them. Maybe she'll suffer some little injuries, but it will be fine. Lea is strong; I know that. Killing is where she is quite proficient.
"Prince Percy, I hope you didn't lie to me," she said.
"Oh, Ms. Hearts... I hate lying. Besides, it's better prepared than sorry." I said. I closed my eyes. I already felt it was going to start.
"Show me the speed of the Lightning Tigress.' I opened my eyes. I saw Lea crash the door of the carriage, charging like a fierce tiger.
She was indeed as fast as lightning.
I immediately heard a shout.
"Kill them!!!"
Sitting in the stopped carriage, I only saw silhouettes behind the trees...
I saw someone come out of the trees. He was a towering man. He was like 7'2 or something; he is gigantic with bulging muscles. He was like a minotaur with those huge nostrils. Damn, how could that thing hide?
He charged at me like a raging bull with a gigantic battle-ax at his right arm. It made me quite nervous. How would you feel for the first time if a random bull charges at you? But something reassures me. The Driver was not simple.
The Driver suddenly jumped in front of the man, fast like the wind. Striking his abdomen, the minotaur stopped the charge.
The minotaur coughed out blood, half-kneeled, touching his abdomen, showing a pained expression, but it suddenly changed again with a raging expression!
He raised the battle-ax, striking again! The Driver evades the ax with a hair's breadth! Damn, that was so close. The strike was unexpectedly fast.
The ax hit the ground. It even shocked the ground. Damn, that was extremely powerful.
I still hear the clashing and shouts in the distance, Lea is probably still fighting, but she wouldn't be that at a disadvantage.
I saw another character come out from the woods. It was a little loli... She was extremely cute, which made me want to protect her, but her identity is something. Looks like she is the healer. Even though this person is lolita, you don't just judge someone by their appearance. She is a witch, a witch older than any of us right now.
"Eliminate that little witch first," I coldly said. I'm fascinated by this fight right now.
"As you wish, your highness." He respectfully replied, and the Driver suddenly moved like the wind, storming the witch! The minotaur would not let that happen, so he throws his battle-ax accurately at the Driver.
The Driver nimbly evaded again, managing to reach the witch! He used his palms, striking the little lolita without hesitation, but the palm was stopped by a yellow barrier. He attacked again for the second time using his other palm. The barrage of attacks visibly shook the barrier. It was quickly breaking. The expression of the witch is extremely grim, with her breathing heavily.
The minotaur immediately stood up and rushed towards the old man. Looks like the minotaur cares more about his teammates than the mission itself. I am vulnerable right now when the Driver attacks the witch.
"Finish this already and help Lea," I ordered the Driver. I slowly stood up from my seat and stretched my back. I got out of the carriage.
"Yes, your highness." He evaded the strikes of the minotaur while attacking, completely bashing the minotaur body. He evaded another wide right hook. He used his fingers, striking both the opponent's eyes, causing the minotaur's eyesight. The minotaur roared in agony.
"Damn it!" The lolita's voice is that of a mature woman, which is quite a contrast to her extremely young body.
She raised her hand, murmuring something. A strange green light covered her and the minotaur. The injuries of the minotaur healed very quickly, visible to the naked eye. Which is quite fascinating.
"Unfortunately, the gloves of my butler are unique. Using 'Nature's blessing' to hasten the heal is quite the wrong choice. 'Nature's Blessing' didn't just hasten one's regeneration, but it too strengthened much other nature attributed skills. You know, some plants are extremely poisonous to the human body." I grinned, looking at her expression. Seeing her face turn pale from what she has done.
When it was done, the minotaur's body turned stiff and fell.
"Kill her now." I dismissively waved my hands.
She had this pale expression for what she had done, but she immediately woke up from her daze. Her expression turned extremely distorted! It looks like she's ready to bring us down together! She started murmuring something, but she stopped. She had this shocked expression. A knife to her neck is quite lethal. The Driver is pretty powerful, but he originally died back in the novel. Because of him, Percy and Lea managed to barely escape. He is a powerful individual.
"Now go," I said, holding my temple. I had a headache. Damn, that was quite very intense. What if something didn't go to plan. Seeing the person killed in front of me... I had this weird feeling, but it was not disgusting for me. I have already seen someone killed in front of me. I didn't puke as I did the first time I saw one.
Maybe a minute or two, the two will finish this. Especially the information I give them. I am pretty sure they will eliminate them. I am quite relieved that the author described the appearance and their powers which enabled me to devise a plan to eliminate them.
I walked towards the dead lolita, and her eyes were still wide open. I half-kneeled and took her small pocket bag. I searched inside of it. Makeup tools, many other miscellaneous items, and a small pocket notebook. I took the notebook and disregarded the other items.
I went back to the carriage. I tried to calm my nerves. I didn't loot the minotaur because I am pretty sure I will not get useful items from him. His Battle Axe has a significant value, but I don't think I'll be able to lift it, so it was useless. I know my body is extremely weak, so I'll just order the Driver to destroy it and take Power Crystal inside of it.
Witches are supposed to be powerful, but I remembered that even if someone is a witch with a long lifespan, they don't necessarily have to be strong. Age is just a small factor for them. The potential is what matters. They could even change their appearance, so don't judge them by their appearance. Warlock is their male counterpart.
Let's just start reading. Opening the notebook I took from the witch. It was a diary. Diary of a disposable mob character.
***
(Butler/Driver's Pov)
Prince Percy has changed a lot. My recollection of him is different. I thought of him as a mild and sickly prince.
I was one of the Emperor's inquisitors. I was tasked with secretly searching for Prince Percy and coincidentally found Ms. Lea Hearts. One of Roy's confidants. I saw her potential, so I don't find it strange for him to put her to his side. Especially the secret battle for the throne. Blood is thinner than water. It has always been like this. Even though Roy is the Crown prince, it doesn't mean that he has already secured the throne. He still has his half-siblings, who have the right to fight for the throne. The Emperor right now is not even the crowned prince back in the days. He was even the third on the line.
I was the Emperor's dagger back in the old days. I even personally killed the crown prince and successfully framed the second prince.
And now he is the Emperor right now. Time passes quickly when you don't notice it.
I searched for prince Percy. I went to her, asking her to cooperate with finding him. She was suspicious of me, so I showed her my badge of identity, she finally agreed. Just a day after the agreement. She had already found Prince Percy in Carth's Forest. Which surprised me. But something is different from Prince Percy. His eyes hid a new, different meaning now. I felt that looking at his eyes was like that of a snake. I saw something different from his eyes now...
'Confidence and Pride' are similar to his brother Roy, but it was somehow still different, not in a good way. It was like venom hidden deep inside.
Eyes of that abyss but deep down that abyss is a very poisonous snake... Just like his father.
He talked to me before we departed. He spoke about the ambush that we would encounter, I was quite surprised suspicious about him, but after I saw his eyes looking at me, I knew he was not going to answer my questions. He told me his plans, and it bothers me how it could be so detailed.
Appearance, weakness, and strength. He told it all to me. He said that I must not divulge it. I obliged his wishes.
***
We immediately eliminated the remaining survivors. There were just 5 of them. I realized Prince Percy's prediction was true... I saw a warlock preparing a huge spell aimed at the carriage. I am sure I would be severely injured.
In total, I eliminated 5 people and 3 for Lea. She was extremely fast, faster than me, but speed is not all about the battle. Lea sustained some light injuries, but I know her physical condition is. It took a heavy toll on her.
"You did great, Lea." I praised her and patted her head. She reminds me of my fierce daughter. After patting her head, I saw her face crumpled into an annoyed face which reminded me of my daughter.
"Shut up old man!" She rolled her eyes and started to walk back towards the carriage. Even though she knows my identity as the Emperor's close aide, she is still quite cold towards me... just like my daughter.
I walked towards the dead warlock and searched for his body. I didn't find anything important except for his ring... I searched for the remaining bodies. Destroyed their weapons, took all of the 'Power Crystals' and put them all inside of a big pouch I took from the warlock.
Mission completed.
***
(Danny's Pov)
"I overestimated your strength, Lea." While looking at the haggard expression hers.
"Oh, prince Percy, how caring of you."She sarcastically said with an annoyed face. I like it when she is annoyed, unlike her usual serious and cold expression.
I relaxed my body, looking at the destroyed door of the carriage. Being open like this is quite weird.
"So, is it fun now?" I asked while I grinned. I saw her glare at me, and she didn't answer. She is quite a wild girl. Even in front of royalty, she is showing this kind of attitude.
I crossed my leg, opened the diary I took, and all I could say was it was pretty boring and normal, with no interesting back story about the witch. I threw the diary outside.
Caressing my right ring finger using my thumb. I examined the ring. It was a simple black ring with no design whatsoever, but I felt the cold power it had.
"Do you know this ring?" I showed Lea what was on my ring finger. She narrowed her eyes and looked at it for a while, but she shook her head.
"No. What is it?" She asked. She had this grumpy face before, and now it has a curious expression. The mood of a girl is quite difficult to comprehend.
I just smiled and didn't answer. She was about to ask another question when suddenly a call interrupted
"Prince Percy." Markus is our Driver and personal bodyguard for the time being.
"Prince Roy and his close confidants are coming towards our direction."
I saw Lea's expression turn into a surprised one. She cheerfully smiled.
"Oh, I miss my precious brother."
***
(Lea's POV)
I am pretty annoyed by this arrogant prince! Especially with that relaxed expression of his! He even has the gall to say he overestimated my strength! Oh, come on! Look at your pathetic appearance!
You could not even properly lift a sword! You are even more feminine than me! He even had to put on this air! I bet he is feeling quite important! I bet the reason why he ran away from home was that his daddy didn't give him what he wanted! So he is now being rebellious. I wanted to lash out at this bastard, but thankfully I calmed down. No matter what happens, he is still a prince.
"Do you know this ring?" He asked. I looked carefully at the ring, but I didn't find anything special about it. It was just a simple black ring, but I have a feeling this prince had a reason why he wore it.
"No, what is it?" I asked, but he just showed that annoying smile and didn't answer me. I was about to ask again. Markus called out.
"Prince Percy. Prince Roy and his close confidants are coming towards our direction." Markus said, I am surprised, quite amused about it, but I saw Percy's annoying smile slowly turn into a frown, but it changes back into a smile again.
But this smile is different...
"Oh, I miss my precious brother." He smiled, but I felt his aura turning different. Looking at his eyes like the abyss.
I felt like he was someone else.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
fatCat
fatCat Hey PEopLe
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(Update - 12/22/2019 - 9:14PM)
(Update - 1/1/2020 - 3:46AM)
(Updated - 12/7/2020 - 9:00PM)