Getting the gist of Aymonâs mind, the Emperor lifted his sword and shouted.
âStop all the other Shinsu from chasing the chief! Form a barrier and protect him from any attacks!â
âYes sir!â
As he moved across the battlefield, the Imperial Army just behind Aymon firmly blocked the way. They held their sword with unwavering resolve and attacked all the other Shinsu. Theyâve become a solid barrier to protect Aymonâs back.
Count Otoman tried to persuade the Imperial Army to pledge loyalty to him, but the Emperor remained as their sole object of loyalty.
In the meantime, Aymon became closer and closer to the two humans. The flustered Otoman desperately yelled.
âD-Donât come near! Or else the Princess will die!â
It didnât cross his mind that Aymon would ignore his warning and attack him head-on. He gradually lost his composure.
âIf you come closer, Iâll really kill her!!â
Otoman pressed the dagger on Belindaâs neck. But he couldnât hurt her because she was the only shield that could protect him from the black leopard.
Even the Shinsu, one that was supposed to protect them, was trampled under the paws of that black leopard. The Princess was his last card to control the beast. If he killed her, he would also die, right after.
Unsure of what to do, this situation drove him to extreme hesitation. Sweat dripped from the palm that held the dagger. Otoman adjusted the dagger that almost slipped from his hand and exhaled nervously.
Belinda didnât miss the opportunity as soon as he got confused.
Â
I have no intention of dying quietly in your hands.
She pushed Count Otoman with all her might. Otoman, who only focused on the black leopard, was caught off guard by Belindaâs sudden rebellion.
âYou crazy b*tch!â
When Otoman lost his balance, he clenched his teeth and swung the dagger. Blood suddenly burst out of Belindaâs deeply cut collarbone.
Belinda pressed the wound tightly with her palm and stared down at him.
âYou will never be the emperor!â
The moment Belinda said the last word of that sentence, the black beast attacked him.
A huge shadow covered his body at once, and red blood spurted out without giving him time to discern the situation.
Just once.
It ended with just one attack.
âArgh!â
Otoman struggled with pain as the sharp fangs and dagger-like claws pierced his body.
But soon his scream stopped as death came over him. His breathing was cut off along with a growling sound.
Aymon growled with murderous intent as he trampled on Count Otomanâs corpse. His eyes lit up a violent spark as if to mirror his burning rage.
Joseph also collapsed as soon as Count Otoman died. This is because their lives were connected through the magic stone in his stomach.
Â
Thud.
Josephâs lifeless body rolled on the ground. At the same time, the Shinsu stopped running wild. Reason began to return to their frenzied eyes.
The place that once reeked of violence was now enshrouded with bone-chilling silence.
Shanti muttered blankly.
ăWhat the hell âŠâŠ.ă
An incomprehensible situation unfolded in front of him.
Humans he didnât kill were dead, and the bloody smell covered his whole body. His wounded body was throbbing with pain.
All the Shinsu who were released from control began to retract their claws with confused faces. Aware of this change, the Imperial Army also lowered their swords.
Through the silence, the Emperor and Lard approached. They came straight to Belinda and expressed their worries at the same time.
âAre you alright, Princess?â
âBelinda, are you okay?â
Lart took off his clothes and pressed Belindaâs wound with it. He grimaced as if he was holding off his tears.
He was very tough and determined when the war broke out, but he felt guilty over the fact that he failed to protect his sister which resulted in her being taken hostage.
The Emperor also watched his daughter and son anxiously. Both the prince and the emperor wanted to save Belinda before, but they couldnât break through the Shinsu that had protected the two humans and only stamped their feet in frustration.
The Imperial Army who wanted to clear up the devastated area, approached Josephâs collapsed body. They put their hand on Josephâs neck, but they couldnât feel the pulse.
However, to ensure Josephâs passing, one of the knights picked up Lapyanâs sword next to Josephâs body and used it to stab him deeply. But the army left without seeing the light leaking from Josephâs wound gradually.
As soon as Aymon confirmed Count Otomanâs death, he ran toward Belinda while transforming back into human. He then embraced her tiny body tightly, ran his trembling fingers through her hair, and rubbed her cheeks.
âBreedee.â
Just to embrace her warmth. As if making sure she was breathing was the only source of relief to him right now.
âIâm sorry. I shouldnât have let you get hurt.â
The pained voice rang over in Belindaâs ears.
Belinda hugged Aymon in tears. She wrapped her arms around his strong back and felt the warmth. She let her entire body sink in the embrace of his blood-soaked body.
âAymon.â
She was dizzy from the overflowing emotions.
Who cares about who when youâre hurt like this? Why are you worried about me when your body is full of scars? You have no idea how precious your body is!
The beast in front of her was miserable. Obviously, his arms were as wide as a mountain, and even though he was the one who held her in his arms, she was the one that wanted to hold him and comfort him.
She felt sad and resentful at the same time.
If he hadnât persisted to protect humans and the Shinsu, he wouldnât have been hurt this much. It was selfish, but she couldnât help it as the fact ripped her heart to pieces.
âYou, worry about yourself. YouâŠ..â
She knew that she shouldnât let out her resentment like this, but her resentment broke out uncontrollably. She faced the wounded man for a moment and buried her face on his chest. He reeked of blood, but she hugged him without any hesitation.
Aymon lowered his gaze in silence as he was exhausted. He kissed her ear ardently, and only then the tightening tension of his body slowly subsided.
Belinda calmly pulled away.
âBut Aymon. The bloodâŠâ
She originally thought the dizzying blood smell from him belonged to others. However, the blood that soaked his body was so hot that her fingertips were shaking.
It was your blood.
Belinda frowned as she caressed his cheeks. She even had to watch where she touched him.
How many wounds do you have?
A smile rose on Aymonâs bloodied face. He read the worries in her eyes.
âIâm okay. Iâll get well in no time. Iâm the Great Shinsu, after all.â
He whispered playfully, but Belinda couldnât even bear to face his smile.
âOh, my god. What to doâŠ.â
He paid a huge price for trying to protect everyone. A wound that did not heal easily even with the Shinsuâs regenerative ability was deeply engraved on his body.
âWhat should I do with thisâŠ.â
Belinda fumbled around Aymonâs hem clumsily.
Just the small scratch that I got from Count Otoman hurts so much, but look at you.
Her trembling eyelashes were wet. Hot tears welled up her eyes and fell down.
âIâm really okay, Breedee.â
Aymon pulled her into his embrace again, but Belinda carefully pushed him away. She was terrified to touch Aymonâs open wound and hurt him now that she became aware of his woundsâ state.
However, despite her rejection, Aymon spread his arms again to embrace her.
âHug me again please, hmm?â
There was even a weak plea in his playful voice.
Belinda couldnât push him away twice and relaxed her body. She also spread her arms carefully and hugged him back.
âAymon, Aymon.â
She called his name with all her might.
However, her mournful voice didnât last until the end.
âAhâŠ.!â
Belindaâs body stumbled before collapsing.
It happened in a blink of an eye. She collapsed slowly without a single groan at the pain that pierced her body.
She looked down to her chest and saw her dress starting to turn red and the tip of the spear sticking out of her chest.
âI remember everything! You punks! All of you who deceived me and killed me!â
A vicious voice rang behind her back. It came from Joseph, the man who stabbed Belinda with a spear.
Joseph, the man who was supposed to be dead. Lapyanâs sword was stuck in his chest. He was stabbed by a knight to confirm his death not too long ago.
However, that very act brought his life back. The divine power flowing from the sword healed his wound and replenished his blood.
Josephâs memory returned along with his new life. A very long time ago. About Lapyanâs betrayal and Barahanâs death. His death.
Joseph looked at Belindaâs back and adjusted his blurry vision. When he saw her collapsing in Aymonâs arms, he let out an exhilarated cry.
A wicked triumph took over him.
This time, I will finish them for good!
Lapyan, who became a weak human being, and black leopard, who was covered with wounds. An evil smile spread over the fact that he could send these two to the afterlife this time.
Neither the magic stone in his stomach or any wounds inflicted to his human form could hold him back now that he had achieved his true power.
âYou must have thought you won, right?â
Barahan laughed hysterically. The seeds of hatred that he sowed after being trapped in the cycle of life and death, finally bore fruit.
At last, it was time for a definite victory.
Aymon couldnât even speak. He just stared vacantly at Belinda, who collapsed in his arms.
âBreedeeâŠ.?â
Why is Belindaâs face so pale? I donât know why you stumbled weakly like this. No, I donât even want to know!
His vision was blurred.
âBelinda..!â
âGrab that man!â
Lart, who belatedly grasped the situation, roared.
Aymon couldnât hear anything. It felt like someone hit his head strongly.
âBreedee.â
Aymon barely whispered her name. But there was no answer again.
He stroked her cheeks with trembling fingers. It was still warm. But she didnât open her eyes to look at him, nor opened her dry lips to answer him until the end.
His heart beat went very slowly like a dead man. His body trembled at the sudden chill. His head was throbbing as if someone was grabbing him by the collar and shaking him up.