Fortunately, no one noticed that I had used my power. Oscar stood in front of me, holding his sword in a steady stance.
"Mabel. You must never leave my side. I will protect you."
While answering calmly, I did not let my guard down.
'I have to protect Oscar.'
Though I understood the boy's resolve to protect me, Oscar was still a child. Only I could protect him. I also had to protect Larima and the nanny, who had no abilities.
Perhaps due to the excessive use of divine power in the rain, just evaporating a fire arrow left me breathless. I couldn't recklessly use my power because I couldn't gauge how much divine power I had left. I didn't know who the attackers were, but I could tell they were well-prepared. The knights could block the assassins, but they were helpless against the sudden rush of fire magic.
"First, we should move to where His Majesty is. I will cover you."
The knights formed a protective circle around us as we stepped out of the carriage.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?"
Sisero, who had deflected the flying arrows, joined the formation and asked me. I nodded without speaking.
'Since Oscar told me not to play with him.'
Sisero smiled awkwardly and adjusted his grip on his sword. I wondered where he had been hiding as the assassins kept coming. Swoosh. As soon as I took a step, a javelin flew at me.
Oscar blocked the javelin aimed at Larima.
The surroundings were a chaotic mess. The procession was large, so even as we moved a little, we couldn't find the Emperor.
Worry crept in as no one came to our aid despite the dire situation.
'So, this is just what everyone worries about. It's not that I'm particularly worried about the Emperor.'
While holding Oscar's hand and slowly advancing, I saw Sisero's eyes widen as he looked behind us.
"Your Highness! It's dangerous!"
Turning at his voice, I saw a man in a black robe chanting a spell. His gaze was directed at me.
I pushed Oscar away with all my strength. Staggering, he was pushed back a few steps by the sudden shove. And then—
Boom! A massive explosion sent dirt and dust flying. But I didn't feel any pain. Someone had shielded me at the moment of the explosion. Opening my tightly shut eyes, I saw Sisero's face.
"Your Highness! Are you alright?"
Blood trickled from his back, and his clothes were badly singed.
Looking in the direction of the mage, I saw no one. The assassins had fled. I had to move quickly. As I held Oscar's hand and slowly advanced, I noticed Sisero's sword.
'This sword… I've seen it somewhere.'
Suddenly, I remembered. The sword that had pierced the carriage. It had a pattern on the blade, and Sisero's sword had the same pattern.
I shook off my shock and stood up, maintaining a calm expression.
I tried to quickly move away from him, but—
"You're not a good liar, Your Highness."
Before I could resist, Sisero grabbed the back of my neck. Oscar, seeing this, shouted in shock.
"Mabel! You, bastard…!"
"Don't come any closer, Prince."
A sharp dagger was already pressed against my throat. Sisero's voice, warning Oscar, was different from his usual lively tone.
'As if it's someone else.'
This must be his true personality. He had joined the knights a year ago and had managed to remain undetected as a spy for a whole year. His act of pretending to like me was so convincing that I had almost fallen for it. He even acted injured, blocking an attack for me. Was Oscar's wariness of Sisero just instinct?
'Well, I don't plan to be captured easily.'
I pretended to be scared, making a face and glancing down. The grass had mostly been burned away by the fire magic.
But doing something was better than doing nothing. I took a deep breath and focused my mind.
While Oscar and Sisero were facing off, I noticed that despite being surrounded by other knights, Sisero remained calm. Oscar, gritting his teeth, said,
"I don't want to. I have business with this little prince."
"What's Devlin? I've never heard of it."
Was he trying to provoke me? Sisero smiled and replied. Oscar, still holding me, tried to calm down. The nanny and Larima were pacing anxiously. Oscar continued to press him.
"What business do you have with Mabel?"
"I don't have to answer you."
"…You're surrounded. Father will be here soon, and you won't be able to escape."
Sisero laughed briefly, then burst into a maniacal laugh.
"Sorry, sorry. Your threat is just too laughable. Prince, listen well. The Emperor can't come. He can't move a step because of the paralysis magic our lord developed this time."
'The Emperor was hit by magic?'
I couldn't imagine it. In my mind, the Emperor was very strong, a Sword Master like Lysandro, and wouldn't be easily taken down.
Despite my thoughts, a sense of unease crept in, thinking Sisero might be right. If he were in good condition, he would have come to me.
Without realizing it, I had trusted the Emperor so much. I clenched my teeth. The more critical the situation, the more I had to stay calm.
'To think a traitor could infiltrate so deeply.'
It was a lie if it wasn't shocking. They had attacked in the heart of the palace before, and now they had planted a spy nearby. Whoever was behind this was truly bold. The common thread was that they always targeted me.
Sisero, who had been casual with Oscar, used formal language with me. Though his attitude was unreadable, I suppressed my emotions.
"Sisero, ……are you a bad person?"
"Yes, a bad person. I consider myself a good person, but from your perspective, I might be a bad person."
'He seems to have forgotten my age.'
He understood that I wasn't a real child, or he wouldn't have understood my question. While distracting him, my plan was in motion. Sisero seemed unaware of what was happening at his feet.
"Then, can you be a good person?"
My barrage of questions, delivered with a killer smile, was answered without any sign of annoyance. Oscar, seeing this, shouted.
"Sisero. What do you want?"
"First, to kidnap the Emperor."
Of course. His overly friendly act was to lower my guard for an easier kidnapping. Oscar's tightly clenched fists turned white.
"First, means you have other plans?"
"Hmm. It might be quite cruel. Are you okay with it?"
"Killing the Emperor in front of the Emperor was my top priority. I didn't expect to get caught like this. For a little girl, you have quite a keen eye."
His insane laughter and the sight of his sword made me shudder.
The person behind this likely had a grudge against the Emperor. The intention to make him suffer by losing me in front of his eyes was clear. Since there was no one in the Holy Kingdom who would try to kill me, the only possibility left was—
The moment I heard he wanted to kill me, I knew I couldn't waste any more time.
'You bastard. I won't let you.'
Huff. As I took a deep breath, a strange change began in the forest. Swoosh. The scene of countless insects gathering from all over the forest was terrifying.
The insects had a specific target. Ants, centipedes, spiders, and even flying insects like mosquitoes and beetles gathered. I had tried to call the beasts, but they had all fled due to the explosion. I could only rely on the insects.
They clung to Sisero without hesitation.
"What, what is this? Ugh!"
Even someone who wasn't afraid of insects couldn't help but be shocked by hundreds of them swarming at once. I felt my strength drain, a sign that my remaining divine power was depleted.
I clenched my fists and closed my eyes. At that moment, tree roots burst from the ground and wrapped around Sisero's legs.
"Damn! What is this now!"
The insects had already covered Sisero's face, but he didn't let go of me.
'But his grip is much weaker now.'
I pushed Sisero's arm with all my strength. The sharp dagger cut through my clothes.
"Damn. Where are you going!"
His hand, reaching out to grab me, was just a step away. The insects made a path for me as I ran, gasping for breath. But—
Turning, I saw Sisero's face, grinning madly. His eyes were wild. As a child, I couldn't escape the grip of an adult man, even with the insects and plants holding him back.
Oscar's voice reached me. I saw him running towards me, but everything seemed to move in slow motion.
The sharp sword, reflecting the sunlight, stabbed my eyes. I frowned but didn't close my eyes.
'This can't be my end…!'
I gathered all the remaining divine power. Trying to bind Sisero's feet with plants again, but they only grew a little.
"Heh. I was going to give you a gentle death."
Sisero, laughing maniacally, swung his sword. And— Thud. The cruel sound of the sword piercing flesh echoed. I expected pain to follow, but—
I didn't feel any pain. Instead, a warm sensation filled my body. After a moment, I understood. The sword had pierced someone else.
Though he was trying to act calm, his trembling, gentle voice betrayed his fear.
Despite his pale face, he tried to reassure me.
I saw it clearly. Sisero's sword, mercilessly piercing the Emperor's back. Sisero, looking somewhat surprised, pulled the sword out.
The Emperor's blood stained my clothes. My vision turned red.
The nanny and Larima started crying.
The Emperor, with his eyes closed, didn't respond. His chest barely rose and fell, a faint sign of life that could fade at any moment. I had felt this emotion before. In my memory of winter. I was four years old then. On a snowy winter night, I desperately clung to someone leaving.
"Just a little longer. I'll do the dishes and laundry."
I would never forget the thin, emaciated back that turned away mercilessly. The image was branded on my retina like a scar. I was left alone, and I had been alone ever since. I had built a wall around myself to avoid being abandoned again.
'He broke through that wall and came in.'
And now he was trying to leave me again.
I grabbed the Emperor's clothes with my small hands.
"Don't go. Don't leave me."
Oscar's shocked voice reached me, but I ignored it. I buried my face in the Emperor's arm, tears streaming down.
"Don't leave me alone…!"
At that moment, I felt something inside me release. Lifting my head, I saw light dust falling from the sky. My body was glowing faintly. Everyone was amazed by the spectacle of light. The Emperor woke up, completely unharmed.
That day, people witnessed a miracle. A brilliant rain of light covered the entire procession. The warm glow fell on the injured, healing their wounds. Even the wounds of those who had become corpses disappeared. The rain of light, which had been pouring for a while, suddenly stopped, leaving the ground warm. It was a dreamlike moment.