Chapter 236

Niña's face contorted when she found that Belle didn't react to any of her provocations. The hardest person to fight is those who don't show their true emotions, just like Kyle.

Niña hoped that Belle would show at least one weakness. Instead, the woman kept smiling at her and made her infuriated. Niña wanted to erase the smile on her face, literally. However, she must not, things would get problematic if she caused another danger. She killed a princess once and it would be stupid to kill another one.

It was actually miraculous how she got away with this, killing noble was a downright crime, especially if it was royal blood.

A lot of people tried to kill her, she experienced being in the dark for many years. It would be foolish if she threw away the freedom that she barely got.

"Perhaps my words are not enough to scare you but my blades are. They will cut your throat. I tell you this, don't ever try to hurt Mikael…"

She said with seriousness, it was one of the reasons why she was here. It was about Mikael. She started investigating the person who sniped Mikael when he fought the Manticore. 

Niña's eyes directly stared at Belle. She didn't have proof but something was telling her that the person who sniped Mikael is an Elf. She didn't sense any Skill Activation. As a stealth-type, she knew what it means to become hidden. She understood that the bullet that pierced Mikael was a silent and invisible bullet. Even her, a master of stealth, could not detect it. It was already late when she saw it, Mikael was already punctured in the stomach.

Niña narrowed her eyes, she deduced that the bullet was an elemental wind that was used by Elves. At first, she thought Rena was the culprit but she found out that Rena was away from the battle. Ai Biyu and Furrneka were there to testify.

The list of suspects diminished. The Skill was a high-rank spell and only a few could pull it off, especially if even Mikael couldn't evade it. Niña highly believed that the culprit is an Elf, a strong one. She still didn't say this to anyone, and even Mikael was oblivious about it, although he was furious. He wanted to take revenge too, he was almost killed. As of now, only she and Mikael knew about the sniping incident. They kept this to themselves to minimize problems.

It would be bad if Klein and the others learned it. Right now, the family was starting to build the bond that they had once. Lane started to open herself to them. If they knew that someone tried to kill Mikael, perhaps the founding members would start to topple the world again, aside from Kyle, of course. Niña still hated that fucker, Kyle was the reason why most of them were suffering.

'He's heartless, all he thinks about is how to save the Earth. He didn't care about the people close to him, he's a hero but not for us. In the first place, Mikael will never be comatose if not because of his decision to slaughter the Hydra. Kyle was hungry for fame… we should have waited for the other Hunters to help us get rid of the Hydra… I regret that I didn't stop him…… And I regret that I'm the reason why Mikael did that.'

"Mikael didn't know this but I know that one of your lackeys tried to kill him."

Belle didn't show any changes in her expression, but deep inside, her heart was clutching. She knew what Niña was telling. She was saying "don't try to touch Mikael again."

As the leader who represents the Elves, Niña was asking Belle to not make any mistakes again and hold her people tightly.

"You people are disgusting. The virtuous species? Hah! More like the backstabbing species!"

She scoffed.

Belle wanted to retort her words but she couldn't. After all, she was the one who commanded it. She had to hurt Mikael so that she could force Raijin to help Mikael use his Fourth Skill. It was a hard task but she had to accomplish it. Or else the future would change and perhaps turn to the worst.

"…… "

She gulped down the saliva that was stuck in her throat. Hurting the person that she loves the most was painful. The nightmares about Mikael coughing blood because of the bullet made her wake up in the middle of the night. And yes, it was not a nightmare, it was the future she created. She was being strangled by the guilt, it was eating her. Still, she remained emotionless in front of Niña.

"If you don't have something to say, you can leave now. The security will be tighter the longer you stay here. You will lose your head if you…"

Belle didn't continue her sentence. The security became tighter since the assassination of her sister, yet, here they are again. Niña infiltrated the castle without anyone noticing. She didn't want to say it, her pride would shatter.

Niña smirked.

"I will, don't worry. But before that, I have something to say. It seems like a lot of people are eyeing you."

"Oh, are you caring about me?"

"Nope, not at all. This is my payment for your help. Thank you for saving him."

"……… ( I didn't do it for you)"

Niña said those words from the bottom of her heart and Belle didn't like it. Seeing Niña being honest about her feelings to Mikael, Princess Belle didn't like it, it was unfair.

"Is that so? Then I guess you have to repay me?"

Bele started to show her face, the face of a leader.

"Oi, I said that I already repay you."

"It's not. Even my intel know that."

"Tch, what do you want?"

Niña asked. She didn't want to have any debt, especially if its Princess Belle.

"I want you to save the new Rank 1, but be careful about her, Don't let her get near to Mikael."

"What do you mean?"

Niña's blue eyes glowed.

"You don't have to know, just make sure that they won't meet."

Niña probed but Belle was tight-lipped and didn't speak anymore. In the end, Niña agreed and promised to protect the upcoming Rank 1. She just treated it as a job, the same as always. 

………
……
…

Princess Belle sighed in relief after confirming that Niña completely left her room.

"I don't want another rival. It's a slim chance but it's still a possibility. After all, the Saintess has feelings for him from the start."