Wicked people are said to live longer than those who follow rules and orders...
This is probably the day I soon discover that fact...

A large man was in front of me.
He was the mercenary known as the Iron bull.

『Sto-stop!』

He tore the clothes of my lower half consumed in his drunken stupor.

『What more are you going to take from me!』

I wept and begged yet his hands touch my skin tainted by both the earth and blood of my brother.

『It's been a long time since I had a taste of royalty.
Cardigan said it's fine as long as you live and carry a child.』

My face paled as he said those words but he laughed as he leaned his large body to me with his drunken scent on my face.

My glare did nothing but only amuse him.

『Ha-ha-ha,
Tell me at this moment.
How does it feel to have a child from a murderer such as myself!』

I was breathless,
This situation had grown already worse than it already is...

[Mother!] I cried out in my heart.

He took off his helmet revealing a man whose face carried scars of many battles that one of his eyes are no longer there.

[Father!] As I imagined his gentle face smiling at me.

He removed his armor piece by piece.

[Brother!] As I recalled the day's where we pestered one another.
I began to weep, aware that he is no longer here.

Despair began to consume me.

[Estel! Lana!] Both of their names came in the depth of my despair,
The feelings of "Courage" began to bloom in the depth of my suffering.

A small spark came from my hand, but I was soon shocked by my own magic.
As it connected to the metal chain on my wrists.

『Ha-ha-ha!
It's hopeless lassie, those chains are made especially for you.』

He said with a wide grin.

It was swiftly snuffed out and despair had come to claim my heart.

[Anyone, Somebody.]

Tears fell from my eyes as the last of my mind was on the verge of breaking.
He then began to pull down his lower clothes,
But before he could fully remove them.

A voice came from behind him.

『We have a message.』

His large stature blocked my vision, unable to see them.
[Are there even heroes in this world?]
I solemnly prayed while closing my eyes, in frustration.

『Can't you see, wha-』

Two voices united as one then said.

『The Rat Sends His Regards.』

When I heard those words I swiftly rose my head and saw it.

His head turned to see their faces, he was then greeted by two blades striking his thick neck.
Then Pushed towards the bars of the cell.

He tried to raise his hand to resist, but the blade moved from each side severing his artery.
Forming a beautiful fountain of blood as it spilled on my face and on the sides of the bar.

『You've gotta be kidding me!』
Two figures arrived who slew the leader of the mercenary and claimed his head.

『Seriously?
Everyone in camp should have been poison including him.
To think he was still conscious enough to try and fuck the princess.』

A voice of a young man said with complaints.

『Don't complain,
You should be glad we didn't need to fight such a formidable man head-on.』

The one who said those words was a woman,
one of their eyes turned to me, walking towards me that person then placed one hand on my face.

『Looks like we made it.』she said with a relieved voice.

『Drink this.』Pulling a small water pouch from her side.

I didn't know what it was but I drank it anyway.
Simply because I knew.

There is only one person who carried the title Rat.

With my body shaking from both anxiety and exhaustion.
I glared at the corpse of the man who nearly had his way with me.

Then said to my rescuers
『Since when? were you two.』

Both of them gave me a smile as she then said.

『Your Majesty,
From the very beginning,
We were hidden among them tracking their movement.

Lord Levere, feared they would aim for their lives and sent us to keep a close eye over them.
An extremely large bounty is also placed in that man's head.』

I soon saw her companion severe his head and placed it in a sack.
She then moved to my chains and shackle around my wrists.

*Click*  *Click*

I was freed from my bondage which gave me relief as I clutched my chest.

『Crimes of assaulting a noble family of a distant land.
His men ambushed the carriage of a powerful family and murdered them.

After investigation:

Their daughter was found in their camp raped then murdered.
The king of that land was furious and they fled from country to country until they reached this land.

Amount of his head reaches around 5,000 gold bounty and rising as he continued to make a name for himself.』

I paled as she explained the situation to me.

So they were already after this man and I was simply caught in his interests.
They already made preparations to hunt him like this.

As she covered my body with her cloak, the warm embrace soothed me.

I tried to stand, but my legs refused to budge.

Realizing this she kneeled and showed her back to me.
There was no need for words, this was a terrible day for me.

As we left the cage the camp was now in full view.

I watched the corpses of the lifeless mercenaries that once outnumbered us.
I can tell from that sight alone.

How dangerous and wickedly ruthless the person regarded as the rat actually was...

He was already one step ahead of them.
And this was how he claimed his victims.

Without them even realizing it,
Without understanding what had happened.
Only for them to suddenly drop dead in their table and celebration.

These people wore masks covering half of their faces.
Only their mouth was completely visible.

In the depth of that night,
We left that forsaken place before the other camps nearby would notice it.

Never have I imagined this kind of cruel yet devious act of his people will save my life.

________________________________________________________________________________

// The Blind Owl and the Rat.//

『Kidnapping attempt on the royal family, Enacting a rebellion, and now assassination of the royal family.

To think I would see the day the King Arts to be slain by his own people especially with the amount of contribution he had given. The people will likely be in great turmoil after this.』

Were Levere's words to her, she was now in his camp.
Rescue came but it left a mark on Leanne, even now she was unable to sleep.

This caused worry for Levere and his men.

He had given her fresh new clothes along with tea and a comfortable hammock in their camp. Leanne remains shaken unable to rest.

『Leanne, you should sleep.』he say trying to calm her.

『As if I could simply sleep like this!』

Her eyes were bloodshot, her hair was a mess and dripping tear's made her look like a madwoman. Levere could only grimace at the scene.

『My father, his men, Then my brother were just snuffed out in a single night!
Why? why would the vassals of my own country betray him like this!

He was a hero!
A champion of the people!
And yet...』

Her hope for her own people was shattered.
The people she wished to rule sought for their lives.
Creating a crack in her wish to become a ruler.

 

『Levere!
Tell me, what should I do!』

Levere was shaken.
He believed that the crown princess was a strong, yet now he saw her other half.

The side of a maiden whose heart is now in turmoil.]

『All my life, I lived like a princess.
Believing that I should remain strong for the people for their sake.
To carry the burden as the next ruler to become a queen and engaged to another.

My heart was fully prepared for it.
Yet, why did such a thing like this had to happen?』

She gritted her teeth and her hands as her nails carved her skin causing it to bleed.
Levere then kneeled grabbed her hands and at eye's length,  told her.

『Because from the very beginning,
Your kingdom was already on the verge of civil war!

The nobles are colluding against the crown,
have you ever questioned why you were never once been engaged all these years.』

『No!, Of course not!
BECAUSE NOBODY TOLD ME!』

She cried out.
Levere was shocked as his eyes widen, he then understood the situation.

Leanne was protected by her family, leaving her in the dark of what was truly happening in the kingdom. The looming darkness that they slowly cut down in their territory a pest that they couldn't erase without any evidence.

『I was like caged away, unable to join parties.
Ignorant of what was happening around me.

What is the worth of these eyes who can see things so clearly?
Yet blind to the machinations of the bigger picture of the cogs turning all around me?』

She held her arms tightly as she wept.

『I'm scared!』she shook.

『I don't know anything anymore!』

The owl that once could see everything was now blind.
The terror and moment she understood it was like sudden darkness that caused her to panic.

Levere then said. 『This isn't your fault!』

『Ofcourse it is!』she angrily shouted as the tea she carried dropped to the ground making a light thud.

『If only I had watched her carefully, If only... I.』

Estel's disappearance, a powerful deterrent had disappeared.
Things would have undoubtedly gone smoothly if she still remained at her side.
The Shadow knights would undoubtedly be keeping watch over her while threatening those who are willing to bring out their fangs.

[She blamed herself.]

[She relied on Estel's power as a political presence that kept their knives at bay.
Now that she was gone, they took an opportunity and claimed her father along with her brother.]

(Was all her will power and strength thus far, just a facade?) he thought.

Anger welled up inside his heart as he thought of these words.
As she began to wept more, Levere then slapped her.
It echoed in their camp.

『Wake up!
They aren't coming back!

There are no such things as What If!
There is only do it now or don't!

Are you seriously going to just let them get away with this!

Let your father's sacrifice go to waste!

Leanne, you are the only survivor of your family.
The number of atrocities done to your country will continue...
If you dawdle like this!』

He threw every thought he had, the situation had grown dire.
She was the key to breaking this constant attack on their kingdom by the order's will.

Idling even a single second in this crucial moment was something Levere wasn't going to allow.

As for Leanne herself, she froze and her mind went idle while looking downward.
When Levere saw that, he turned around and to the exit of his cabin.
Then said.

『Please, just sleep.
Your tired and unable to think properly as it is...

If you really want to avenge your family.
Then listen.

You are the last hope that your family has and your voice needs to be heard if you want to save them.』

As he said those words he left the room.
I then recalled my mother and my little brother who still remain alive.

 

________________________________________________________________________________

// Verge of Collapse //

*Crash*

The door of the queen broke to pieces like a man wearing black clothing was thrown into the walls of the palace halls. Inside her room, the queen was surrounded by masked figures carrying weapons and blades in their hands.

They threw knives at her but a field of electric barrier stop's it in mid-air as it fell to the ground.

『To attack the royal crown like this,
What have my family done to provoke your eminence I wonder.』

She carried a staff and clothing of the tiara of her kingdom.
Brilliantly her staff shined with yellow brilliance as she glared at those around her.
They were backed against the corner of the room with her son behind her.

Like sharp daggers, awaiting their next move.

[I was worried about Leanne, so I allowed her to join with her father away from this place.
I'm sure his soldiers with him are formidable enough to protect her but to think they would move this quickly.

This soon!]

One of them lunges at her with a long sword.

*Clang* the staff connects while another charge from the side.
She repositions her legs and made a noise as an electric discharged came from her staff blowing the person in front of her away as she sways it to the side like a long mace.

The opponent who tried to pierce through her defense ducked and avoided the electrified swing.

Sensing danger from her attack.

The attacker retreated from his position, as the swing followed a vicious electrical wave.
With blood lust in her eyes, the Queen was not pleased that one escaped her attack.

『Does forging a connection with the demon-kingdom caused that much alarm.
That caused your order to aggressively attacked us like this?

We have supported your cause for years.
AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY US!』

She spun her staff in the air as she struck the ground with it creating a wave of pressuring electric force causing those in front of her to kneel. But it wasn't enough, they wore clothing which seemed to absorb and resisted her abilities.

『Tch! what pests you are...』

Normally her attacks can make an opponent faint or paralyze them just by being close by...
But those assassin's that attack her were fully aware of her abilities.

Thus far all she had done was deter their advance.
She was beginning to sweat, was only now buying time for their lives.

[As if I would let my son fall here.]

『Ronald, close your ear's and eyes this is going to be loud and bright.』she whispered to him.

Nodding and closing his ears and eyes.

She gathered most of her strength preparing for another blast to repel them once more.
As soon as two of them move to perform the same attack.

Two more went to each side moving to the corner of the room a pincer attack from two sides of the wall and both sides.

『Thunder Clap!』

Striking the head on the ground a loud and deafening sound erupted with a bright light in front of her. The force emitted a disorienting wave as those who tried to get close were knocked away while being blinded with it.

It also caused the floor and walls to crack.

But those who were at the distance were unaffected by it.

It took a large amount of her strength as she began to cough in exhaustion.

*Cough* *Cough*
『Mom, are you okay?』her son asked with teary eyes while tugging her clothes.

She gave him a brave front while glaring at them.

『don't worry, I still have one more card left.』

She smiled but then felt a drip from her nose.
As she wiped it, she understood it was blood.
Nearing her limits, out-numbered, yet her will remains unbroken.

But then a cry is her from behind her opponents.

『Guyaaah!』

『Seriously, the gate is unavailable and now were under attack by these nightly assassins.』

『Hey, Sister are you still alive in there?』

She made a wide smile upon hearing her voice.

『Rue, you witch.
Come, save me already!』She said with a brave front.

From a distance, the sound of men cried out from the back.

『GUUAAAGH』like they were being choked to death.

『Wow, you sure have a lot of fans.
Can I have some?』

『Take everything you see.』She replies.

『How fun!』

As the assassins turned to another enemy from behind.
A woman with a dark dress but besides her were the same assassins yet they were attacking their own men at her side with a flick of her fingers they moved with inhuman strength.

Terror filled their eyes as they watched their own allies cut the others down.
As they soon realized that no matter how they were cut or wounded they simply ignored it as though it was nothing more than a scratch.

『It's been a long time since we fought together.
Hasn't it? Lyra.』

『I thought you would never show that ability of yours to anybody again.
What happened to keep it hidden?』

『Time has changed.

That was the past me.
And besides, my friend was in danger.

It's not like, I'll allow those who have seen my ability are left alive after this...
Aside from my allies, of course.』

While the two spoke nonchalantly the desperate assassins charged at both of them.
As Lyra repelled them while Rue used her enslaved assassins to cut them down.

While those who survived saw what happened they paled as they soon saw the corpses that were cut down soon stood and their enemies increased.

Lyra whispered in her son's ears.

『Watch closely my son.
That person carries the most sinister ability of them all.

They are what you call necromancers.』

A bloody scene is now visible in their eyes, a single woman with beautiful dark-blue hair carrying a wide smile on her face as her undead forces slaughter's her opponents. The assassin tried to enter the gap of her defenses only to be slaughtered by an unnatural force controlled by her will.

『This wasn't what I was told!』one cried out.
Their number dwindled and there were only few left.
Morale has fallen on their side and panic consumes them.

As some fled to the windows only to be cut down and blocked by a shadow knight under her command.

It's threatening presence was enough to make them drop their weapon.

『Sorry, we were late.
They also sent soldiers to attack a few of the resident here,

Though, they weren't much of a thre-』

Before Rue can speak more, she was embraced by Lyra.

Her staff dropped on the floor as it made a sound of *Clang*.

『It's really been a long time hasn't it.』

Her hands trembled while clinging to her shoulders.

『Yes, it has...』

The shadow knights who gazed at her could only turn to the side as she gave them hand signs to keep watch.

『What do you think?』

『Will this kingdom survive this?』

『I don't know... 』

『 We need something to push them to fight for us.
At this rate, more of them will come.』

The influence of the order of light rooted the city heavily.
The Shadow knight's presence was the only thing deterring them.

But each day they are planning, plotting and aiming for the royal family.

Rue had made plans to keep a strong watch on the servants but...

『Even with a strong guard, they managed to slip through...
Those cunning bastards are being quite persistent.』

『I've requested for an audience to the people.』

『Yes, I already know.
In two days the people will gather and finally hear the truth.

Are you sure about this though?

There might be a rebellion if you failed to persuade them.
Are we permitted to cut down your own people, should the need arise?』

Lyra flinched and gazed at her eyes, she was serious and felt empty.
Crimson eyes that carried no emotion, she soon realized.

That she was ready to butcher her own people for her sake.
She closed her eyes and bitterly imagined such a scene can happen.

『Hopefully it wouldn't lead to that point.
 But yes as it pains me to harm my own people,

I won't hesitate to use your help nor will I blame you for its outcome.』

She nods and gently smiled back at her
Lyra stood on her own feet recollecting her strength.

『You've been through a lot yourself.
Haven' t you?』Lyra asked Rue.

『Yes.』

Rue showed a cold expression as she said.

『After discovering their betrayal, I lost all hesitation and chose to slaughter the people of my own kingdom.
I was branded a witch and hunted down by soldiers as I fled to the country of demons.』

『As for my parents...』

『Well I discovered that they were poisoned before they could even defend themselves.』

『Seriously, what a twisted life I lived in during that time.』

『If I wasn't saved by that person, If I hadn't been loved by that man.
I don't know what would have happened to me after that...』

Lyra gave her a bitter expression as she said those words.

『After sweet children were born,
They became the light of my world.

Though I feel like I failed as a mother though...』

As Lyra gazed at her eyes there was a sorrow in them.
But then she cheerfully said.

『If I had to say something about my own kingdom,
I'm thankful that they showed their true colors before I became their queen.』 As she gently smiled.

________________________________________________________________________________
Author note:

Things that were never explained:
The Poison used.

Levere people utilized a specific slow-acting poison that kills after a few hour and moments has passed. A type of poison that carried no scent nor can be detected easily.

Those who celebrated after their victory and capture of Leanne never saw it coming.

He had already planted his men inside his hired men waiting for an opportunity.
When success was surely in their grasp only then, they made a move.

Ready to claim his head.

This was a private task done by a few of his men from his enterprise.