Facing The Dark Queen

Word on the street was that his mercenary group was already aware of Vult's plan to weaken the Empire before they joined the battle. They were captured by the Seven Shields and confessed to the crimes before they were publically stoned to death. That is why Maia, Lulu, Claudia, and Alicia were now chasing him, as he was the only escapee.

'Why? It was the damn monsters that were sent by the Dark Queen!' Vult was unable to hold the anger in his heart, if he wasn't injured and exhausted from running away after that long battle he would've faced them head-on, or he would've been able to lose them.

"You fucking bastard!" There was no way he would be running away from Maia now. If possible he would like to use their previous relationship to get some breathing room, but the moment he saw her again during the war.

'What got into her?' He couldn't understand why she started to hate him all of a sudden. But right now, he couldn't care less as all that mattered was surviving.

"Did you think you would be able to run away after you killed my Father?" Claudia caught up to him, with no sleep and food over the past few days, he was on his last leg.

"Damn it Bitch! I didn't kill him!!" He shouted trying to block Claudia's attack with the dagger he had, but because of his irritation, he couldn't see the knee that drove into his face.

He was sent barrelling into a tree trunk, his vision covered with blood and dizziness as cold steel pierced his abdomen, the ragged leather armor was unable to protect him.

When his vision came back slightly, Maia pulled the steel dagger out of his body. The look of disgust on her face was as clear as the sky, like she was staring at an animal when in truth she saw him as much lesser. It was then that he felt the strength leave his body completely, and he soon understood that he had been drugged.

"He made us run so far. How were you not able to catch him for so long Maia?" Lulu complained as Alicia sighed, she agreed but it wasn't like they could just kill him now. This man was highly adept in combat, and he wasn't shy about using underhanded tactics to get away.

"At least we caught him, now those soldiers who died can rest in peace knowing that he will be brought to justice." This is why she was now relieved.

"Yes, my father can now rest in peace." Claudia was the most satisfied out of them, her husband cried a lot when they held the funeral and she promised him that Vult would pay for his crime. And now she had completed the promise.

'How good it is to live in ignorance.' Maia didn't know if she should laugh at Claudia's words or feel sorry for her, but she chose to tie up Vult and stem his bleeding for now. They needed to bring him back to the capital for questioning and deal with him accordingly.

On the day of the Audience, she came to know that only three of the Seven Shields had the prophetic dream. The others had no idea about the future events, and honestly, she did not want them to know about it either, especially Claudia who broke down so badly.

They did not need to know what happened, or what was happening. After all, this entire war…

"Oh My, it seems that I was a little late to the party." With a playful voice that was carried by the harsh wind also took Maia, she was pushed back and nearly fell.

"Maia!" Alicia ran towards her fellow knight. Meanwhile, Claudia faced forward with Lulu gripping her axe, their eyes fixed on the dark-skinned woman who was barely dressed. She stood there with a golden staff in hand watching their every move, while making her own.

'Who is it…?' Vult suddenly felt warmth run through his body, and the hot wound on his abdomen was now gone in seconds.

"The Dark Queen…" Lulu's eyes narrowed looking at the figure in front of her. Claudia had a serious look on her face, same with Alicia when she turned back after checking up on Maia.

"Well, no problem either way. I will be taking this one off your hands." Olga smiled as they all shrunk back at the chilling atmosphere.

'Do not engage the Dark Queen.' These were words from Celestine, and they had followed it all of this time. And they had felt that terror on the battlefield a few days prior where she was able to shake their entire army with intimidation alone.

But they couldn't let Vult go, at least Claudia couldn't, and even Alicia was getting ready to attack.

Olga was alone with no one else to support her, and there were four of the Seven Shields present. All of them could hold their own in battle, especially Claudia who was their strongest fighter.

'I should diffuse the situation and get them to withdraw.' But Maia's thoughts were different, the attack didn't do any damage to her but here is when things took a turn.

"Before you think about having a showdown with me, do you think there are enough warriors in the First Fortress to defend it?" These words were similar to being struck by thunder on a clear day.

"W-What?" Alicia already started to show signs of backing away.

That was her fortress, and there weren't many soldiers left there as most were used to commence this empire-wide hunt for Vult. So, if the fortress is attacked at this moment, the damage would be catastrophic to both life and property.

'Wait! That wasn't in the plan!' Even Maia was shaken by this, but when she noticed Olga's smile, she understood what was going on.

"Your people can lose a Fortress and Four Princess Knights at the same time, or they can just lose the Fortress, which one will it be?" With that declaration, the tension in the air was thick enough to be cut by a knife.

"How about this? Our people can keep it all, and the victory that comes after we defeat you along with us maintaining the peace." Lulu smirked ready to attack with Claudia already in her stance.

Alicia wanted to have a word in but the situation didn't allow her to speak, her people were the ones in danger because all of the Princess Knights capable of combat were out here, so there would be no one who could help her defenseless fortress.

Fighting Olga here may be a good move as they were at their highest firepower, but it was also a dumb move. They were in the woods and had no idea about the army that the Dark Queen had around, or could summon if needed. Thankfully, Alicia wasn't the only one who thought this way.

'The aura she excludes is suffocating.' Claudia gulped. This was her first time coming face to face with Olga as she had not been able to meet her on that battlefield a few days ago. This was when she realized that all the things her mentor spoke about this woman were true.

The yellow eyes shined in the dim light under the trees with heavy foliage, and it appeared to be getting gloomier all while she could not feel a lick of mana on this woman. Even Lulu and Alicia started to feel intimidated by her presence as well.

"You three rush back, I'll try to hold her here." That was till Maia stepped to the front noticing the tension displayed by the three.

"W-What? No way?"

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800 ps for bonus chapter.