‘Queen Madeline’ Edwin called in his mind and the fairy Queen appeared.

“Madeline-chan?” the goddess spoke weakly.

“Don’t worry. We are here to save you.” She replied before placing a blanket over the naked goddess and taking her back to the Highland capital where the prime minister, elite members of ghosting, and the royal knights were waiting just in case any demon followed them through the spirit realm.

When Prime Minister Clark Herman confirmed her arrival he ordered, “Raise the barriers and man all defensive positions. No enemies are allowed to enter!”

Highland’s castle town was in lock-down. No one was allowed to enter or leave. The security was so tough that a certain girl clicked her tongue at it.

“< I will be denied my revenge. Lie >” she softly spoke.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, a man asked a question. 

“Wasn’t that the Fairy Queen?”

 Bishop Martin was the one who asked that question in shock.

“I believe so.” General David replied.

He once had the lucky honor of seeing her a long time ago when a noble of the empire had arranged a meeting. There was no way he could mistake her aura even if was present for a brief moment.

“Wait… Does this mean that Highland and the Fairy Queen are working together?” General Kith uttered

‘That is likely the case but when did they start working together? Have they formed an alliance? If the answer is yes then…’

Princess Louise’s blood went cold. She collapsed onto her knees as her mind began to realize the gravity of her situation. Part of herself was screaming that this wasn’t the time to be thinking such thoughts but she couldn’t help it.

She remembered the cold glare her mother gave her. When word of Highland's rise was spreading around, some questioned her judgment in marrying the hero. 

She paid no thought to those kinds of people as they were the same ones who ushered her words of praise when news of her matrimony was spread. 

However, the situation had changed dramatically. The man she had married turned out to be working for the demons. No… He had now turned into a demon himself and worse, a demon hero.

If Edwin is victorious here, then the backlash against her would be unimaginable. She rejected the title of, ‘Queen of Highland’ only to face the possibility of being called, ‘the Queen of Fools.’

Louise knew that thinking such thoughts in this situation was foolish. The fate of humanity was at stake. It mattered not what the world would think of her as long as victory was achieved. That being said, she was only human. 

She looked on as Edwin stood still as if waiting for something.

***

“He has finally come I see…” Those words were spoken by the King of the elves.

“Father!? Did you know that Edwin would appear?” Siraye asked as she took deep breaths.

She has been in a defensive battle against her father ever since he forced the Kovaran on her.

“It was 50-50. We informed Highland of the demons' plans beforehand, however, no more was discussed beyond that. I had no idea how Highland would use the information we provided them.”

“Why!? Why would you inform Highland and not the other kingdoms?”

“Because we were already too deep in the mud. Siraye, what do you think humanity will do after finding out about our betrayal.”

“That is…”

“Humans have a thirst for three things. Fame, fortune, and vengeance. When the demons offered to spare my people in exchange for my corporation, I accepted it because I saw no path towards victory.” He uttered in a sad voice, before staring at the spot Edwin stood.

“I am a pathetic excuse for a king.”

“Don’t say that…” Siraye uttered. “What you have done is indeed something I would never agree with, but you had the best of intention for the elves.”

“For a king… Results matter more than intentions. Just look at that young boy over there. He returned to find his kingdom stolen and his last parent killed. If I was his advisor at that time, I would have advised him to flee and hide. That would have been the best course of action in the situation he was in. However, that boy not only stood his ground and fought back, but he also did it while protecting his people from the despair of a long civil war, and if that was not enough, he raised them from a mocked kingdom to an all-powerful one that can even challenge the demons. Compared to that young lad I am indeed a pathetic king.”

Hearing her father say such words hurt Siraye. When she first meet Edwin, her impression of him was unfavorable. He looked weak in her eyes. For elves, strength was everything but as a royal, she was expected to sacrifice such principles for sake of her people. 

At first, she didn’t mind, but when she meet Hans who shined brightly on the battlefield, she couldn’t help but desire to have him as a partner.

When her two best friends made their intentions to marry Hans, she also threw her hat into the ring. 

For an elf, strength is everything but…

‘There is more than one type of strength you know. Everyone has something that they are good at and you will miss it if you don’t keep an open mind.’

The words of her mother popped into her mind. They were the words she gave her before she left to study in the holy land.

‘I thought that my mother was just trying to comfort me, but it seems I was wrong. If I had paid more attention to Edwin, perhaps I could have noticed the strength that was hidden inside of him. I was a fool and I will probably have to pay the price for that.’

“Let us continue our battle.” Her father uttered.

Hearing his words, something finally clicked in Siraye’s mind. 

“Father!? Don’t tell me that you plan to take responsibility by dying here?”

“I betrayed humanity and the demons. It doesn’t matter who is victorious... as long as I am king, the elven people will suffer.”

“Father…” she said softly.

“I know it is a lot to ask but it must be done. You must take my head and present it to the victor while pledging your loyalty and corporation. This is the only way for the elves to survive.” 

“Father…” she said softly again.

“However, I have no intention of going easy on you… Come, my daughter… Show this old man how far you have grown.” He said with a smile before charging toward her.

***

As Euphemia watched Edwin standing in front of the confused monster army, she couldn’t help but remember something from her past interactions with him.

“Save me?”

“Yep… If you are ever in trouble I promise to save you.”

It happened on one rare occasion as the two bumped into one another at a party held by a merchant who traded with both Highland and the duchy of Vidfamne.

‘What is this guy saying? There is no way such a weakling could save me.’

Euphemia was discussing her displeasure with other noblewomen about the fact that her trip to the holy land was her first-ever trip outside Vidfamne. 

She longed for adventure and excitement but was forbidden from doing so because it was deemed too dangerous.

 Hearing this, Edwin joined the conversation, “I couldn’t help but overhear what you just said, lady Euphemia. If it is alright with you, why don’t we go on an adventure sometime... and should you be in danger I will save you.”

“Save me?”

“Yep… If you are ever in trouble I promise to save you.”

Edwin uttered those words with sincerity, and while this would have earned him praise from the older noblewomen who knew of the evil intents of young noblemen who pray of girls with tales of love and adventure. The young noble girls simply chuckled at him behind the fans covering their faces.

Euphemia sighed in her mind. Edwin was her finance and she couldn't be rude to him no matter how much she disliked their engagement.

“I will be counting on you then.” She said with a fake smile. 

As Euphemia remembered that. She realized that while they were not on an adventure together, Edwin had indeed saved her life.

‘He probably doesn’t remember it and saved me for my mother’s sake but still… To think he would keep his promise...’

“Euphemia!” Edwin yelled 

“Huh!?” 

“Return to your comrades at once.” He instructed

“Why are you saying tha~”

With a thunderous roar, something popped out of the blood-stained war. It glanced down to where Edwin was standing and yelled, “I'll Kill You, I'll Kill You, I'll Kill You…”