Rebirth Online World

Chapter 8 Boiling Point
Princess Lucia POV

A full day has passed since my encounter with the creature called Drakus. Even now, I can’t get him out of my mind. Whenever my mind wandered, I thought of him. Why?

Was it because he saved me? His kind nature to help a stranger? Or perhaps the mystery about him that intrigued me the most. And I continue to wonder.

‘Perhaps I was smitten by him?…… No…that can’t be.’ I tried to shake the absurdity of the thought. I am a princess and he is a demi-human. It is impossible that a relationship could form between two different species. Yet, I didn’t find myself all that bothered or disgusted by the thought of such a relationship.

My sisters often make fun of me for my ‘Innocent’ and fantasizing mind.

“Princess, are you alright?” Hearing Cain, I snapped back to the reality.

“…Y-yes… I’m fine. What’s the matter?”

“It was just that you look out of it, and you seem to be reddening. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine! …I was just thinking that’s all.”

Cain has always been a worrywart. Even going so far as to panic if I were to sneeze incorrectly. Reassuring him we continued on our way. To pass the time, I fiddled around with strange but beautiful scepter I found.

There was something ‘odd’ about it. The item most likely belonged to Drakus as it wasn’t there before him and only showed up after he left. But what exactly was it? It was certainly beautiful and if sold could fetch a pretty hefty price. Was it merely for aesthetic reasons, or perhaps there was something else I didn’t know about it.

For the rest of the trip, I tinkered with the object. Hopping to gain some insight on what it was. Scratching my head in resignation, I gave up on the thought and looked elsewhere to occupy myself.

******

Our designation was the fortress city, Lion’s Den. One of the few towns that lied between the borders of the Holy Empire and our Regios Kingdom. It served as a middle ground between the two nations. Allowing passage between our nations and a hub town for merchants. It was around noontime when we reached the city.

At the front of the city, there were many merchants and others who were waiting in line in front of the city gates. Most likely, they were traveling to the Holy Empire. As royalty, we were able to bypass most of the traffic and make our way through the gate with ease.

During the negotiation of our passing, I may have been mistaken, but the guards of the town seemed rather joyous that I was here. Yet their smiles were… unnatural in a sense. Their gazes would often linger on us, as if watching our every move. As we entered the city, a group of knights rendezvoused with us; it was led by a royal knight, Mordrid.

Mordrid is a knight in his mid-thirties with pale skin and long red hair that reached his shoulders and freckles that cover his face. He was among the youngest to be eligible for the position of a royal guard. With the youngest in history for the position being Cain, who joined at the age of eighteen.

He was our tour guide for the city as he once lived here. Making our way through the city, I felt a disturbing presence. Looking around, I noticed that some of the city guards were staring or taking quick glances at us.

Normally it was understandable, as we were royalty and they were simply looking. Yet, I felt the same presence from them as I did when I first came into the city. Eyes watching our every move. Cautiously looking around, I tried to scope the area while trying not to draw any attention.

But it didn’t stop there. There was a whole new presence, someone was watching us, intently. I didn’t know where, but I knew someone was tracking us. On guard, Cain walked closer to me.

“Princess. I believe someone is watching us.” Whispered Cain.

Hearing his confirmation, Cain reinforced my suspicion, but there wasn’t nothing we could really do. The perpetrator was nowhere to be seen and we might give ourselves away by doing something reckless.

“Right now ignore it. Whoever this person is, he hasn’t acted yet, so we’ll wait for him.”

Cain was clearly displeased with my course of action. The longer we waited for the more danger I would be put in, but there was nothing we could really do. Eventually, the presence was gone, I assumed he left.

Reaching the inn that we would be staying, everyone unpacked and finally received their well-deserved rest. I, on the other hand, had other matter to attend to. Calling my royal guards, we discussed what to do next.

A total of five royal guards accompanied me on the mission. My personal knight, Cain, Mordred, and three other guards. Gawain, Pursiple, and Tristan.

Gawain is a knight who was in his late fifties, with an almost full head of black hair, except for his sideburns and black eyes. Although he has aged through the years, he’s no less formidable than when he was in his prime.

Tristan is a young knight who was his late thirties, with black hair, tanned skin, and beautiful green eyes. He was a perfectly honorable knight, except for his habit of seducing and bedding young women. Yet he remained steadfast, should a situation call for it.

Percible is a middle-aged knight who wore a mask due to receiving scars as a child from his house burning down. The mask he wore along with the fact that he doesn’t talk about himself both gives him an air of mystery.

Waiting for my royal guards in my room, we finally discussed the presence I felt. “First order of business, I’m sure you’ve all felt it, someone has been watching us.”

“Aye. I’ve felt it too. Who do you think it is?” the first to speak was Gawain, whom confirmed our suspicion.

“Perhaps it’s the lovely ladies of this town that has been watching us. Well, I wouldn’t be surprised as I was with all of you.” Jokingly remarked Tristian.

“…….” As always, Percible remained silent.

“Enough joking around Tristian! They may do harm to the princess; we must do everything in our power to prevent this, may it happen.” Shouting at Tristian, Cain was not amused.

“What is your opinion Mordrid?” I asked, wishing to hear his opinion.

“Hmmm, hard to say really. If there are those that would seek harm to you, princess, then I must agree with Cain. If they are to do the princess any harm, we must eliminate them immediately!”

“I’m in agreement. Now how should we go about doing this?”

The room grew quiet as everyone was deep into their thoughts. The first one to suggest something was Mordrid. “Perhaps we can lure them out while we go shopping. If I’m not mistaken princess, you have very little clothes left.”

“Ahh yes, if I remember correctly, the princess burned most of her clothes didn’t she?” Jokingly adding in was Tristan.

The issue that Mordrid and Tristan was referring to was my lack of wardrobe. The diplomatic mission deal with the Empire lasted much longer than expected, so my clothing’s are limited. During my stay at the Empire, the prince decided to get touchy with me. The harassment got the point where I burned most of my clothes when we left the castle, as it bothered me so badly.

“Mordrid, you cannot be serious. We’ll be putting the princess in more danger if we used her as bait!” The first to admittedly object was Cain.

“I know, but we won’t be able to draw them out if she’s constantly surrounded by guards. It’s your decision princess.”

They looked at me to decide everything. I had no idea what to truly do. On one hand the plan didn’t sound bad, but what compounded it was the mysterious threat. There was the lingering possibility that it might be too much for us to handle.

“If we go through with this…will all of you be alright?” Although I was grateful of their loyalty, should the threat be real. I couldn’t live with myself if they all die trying to protect me.

“Princess, we are your royal knights. We equal ten knights, we will not be defeated so easily!”

Puffing out his chest Mordrid saluted, placing his fist over his heart. His brimming confidence managed to sweep the others in. Each one showed their resolve. All except Cain.

“Cain?”

Looking upon his fellow royal guards, his eyes finally settled on mine before giving his answer. “…If this is your decision then I shall see it through to the end.”

Saluting, everyone was in agreement with the plan. We would go through the plan tomorrow as we needed to rest today. As night fell, I found myself restless. Tossing and turning in my bed, unable to close my eyes. Even with my guards posted at the doors, I still felt danger.

******

The next day came faster than I had expected, making me all the more nervous. Slowly, I started to reconsider the plan but now wasn’t the time to have second doubts!

Accompany me were my royal knights. The rest of my escorts would remain at the inn, waiting should a situation arise.  The objective was to go out and buy some new clothes. Leaving the inn around early morning, we traverse through the town.

Despite my endeavor to keep calm, I was completely paranoid. Frantically glancing around at every little movement. It was then that I started to notice something, or rather what I didn’t notice. People. Yesterday it was a bustling town but now…now it was silent. Hardly anyone is in sight, with only the sounds coming from our footsteps.

The others noticed it too and were on guard. Their vigilant eyes constantly keeping watch. Traveling for some time, it came to be more apparent that something seriously wrong. Our paced quickened as we raced through the empty town.

“Mordrid. Something is wrong…We need a shortcut, now!” As much as I wanted to hide it, there was fear in my voice. Something was truly wrong.

Nodding he took the lead and we followed him through many corners. Eventually, we reached an alleyway. Our pace slowed down as we walked through.

“I don’t like the looks of this shortcut Mordrid.” Said Gawain, on guard

“Have you perhaps gone a bit senile? We can handle anything that comes.” Again Tristan let out another one of his quips, only to be met with silence.

As if on cue, footsteps could be heard all around us. Appearing on both side of the alleyway, came the city guards. However, they weren’t there for a warm welcoming as they brandish their swords. Malicious intent could be seen all over their faces.

“So they finally decided to show up, huh?” Unsheathing their weapons, my guards took a perimeter around me.

“There is certainly a lot of them. I wonder if we can take them all.” Even when surrounded, Tristan was taking the situation lightly.

“It doesn’t matter how many of them are there, we have the advantage due to the tight space here. They’ll need to funnel in, in order to reach the princess.” Taking charge Gawain, formulated a plan amongst us.

While they were calculating their odds, out the corner of my eye, I noticed something. Droplets of a red liquid. Looking up, I looked in horror at the sight. A dagger was sticking out of Percible neck. Blood was slowly dripping onto the ground before his body fell limp.

Screaming, the other turned in surprise to see Perciple dead. Looking around, my eyes laid on individuals standing on top of the buildings, they were cloaked in black garbs. The first thing that came to my mind was assassins.

“So it was a trap after all? Hehe.” Despite the situation, Tristan let out an awkward laugh.

“It doesn’t matter what the danger is; our priority is to protect the princess and ensure her escape. Tristian you guard the front, I’ll guard the back. Mordrid…yo…gaaaah!”

Before Cain could finish, he let out a terrifying scream of pain. I could see a sword sticking through the side of Cain’s body. But what shocked me the most was the holder of the weapon, he was none other than Mordrid.

“Mordrid…What do you think you are doing!” I cried in terror as blood flowed from Cain’s wound.

“Forgive me princess but there’s someone who would very much like to meet you. “ Mordird replied in a casual tone, pushing Cain to the side.

“M-mmordird. Y-you…how could you. Yo…u s-swore an oath!”

“Unlike you Cain, I merely accepted the role as Royal Guard to advance my position in society. Now, someone very powerful has made me a very compelling offer to help him kidnap the princess. Please make this easy and turn yourself in. Ohh, that reminds me, don’t expect any reinforcements. I gave them a dose of a powerful sleeping drug in their breakfast.”

Casually walking forward, Mordrid reached out to me but was knocked back by Cain who was grasping the sword and wound.

“P-pprincess. Pl…ease…..escape. Cain whimpered, trying to stand back up.

“What?! H-How can I…”

“Princess! This is our duty as your royal guards to give our lives for you.”

“No matter the cost, we shall hold them at bay.”

I looked to Gawain and Tristan, whom helped Cain up. Their answer was clear, they were ready to lay down their life for me. Watching them I felt insignificant, as they were risking their lives for me. And I was the one who got them into this.

Tears formed in my eyes, but I had to make their sacrifice worth it. Nodding, I followed behind Gawain, who powered through the guards, all the while shielding me from the assassin’s throwing weapons. Rushing through, I ran without looking back as the sound of swords clashing rang through the air.

Running. That was all I could do.

‘Help! I needed to find help!’ But no matter how hard I looked, there were no one to help me. The town was deserted of any form of life, so I could do nothing but run. Running through the town, I quickly found myself lost and ended up in the town square.

Stopping to catch my breath, I racked my brain for a plan. However, my mind drew a blank. My thoughts were sporadic, making all the more harder to focus.

“Going somewhere princess?” Hearing a mysterious voice, I turned to see several assassins on the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. Jumping down, they surrounded me while slowly closing in.

“Please be a good girl and come with us.” Holding out his hand, it as if a parent was asking his child to come over.

“Never!” screaming back at them, I wasn’t going down without a fight. Looking for something to be used as a weapon, I rummaged around and brought out the small scepter. Holding in my arms, even with a weapon my hands wouldn’t stop trembling.

“Ohhh, nice toy. Here’s mine.” Brandishing his weapon, he revealed a sharp dagger. Taking a stance, the assassin’s edge ever so closer to me.

‘Calm down! They want to capture you, not kill you…Use that to your advantage.’ I held value, so it would be foolhardy to kill me. That was the only answer I came to. All that was left was to test it.

“AAAHHHHH!”

Screaming I charged at them, waving the scepter around like a mace. I believed that I would be able to, at least, fight back…I was wrong.

He simply dodged to the side as I tripped and fell. Landing on the rough ground, I felt a burning sensation from the fall. I had scraped my legs. Frantically looking for the scepter, I came upon it to witness something strange. It was now glowing, pulsating an odd light. Before I could think of anything else, I was forced down by the assassins.

“There. Now be a good princess and stay down.”

*******

Drakus POV

A day has passed since my encounter with the princess and learning more of this new world. Most of Nu’s and my time was spent shifting through the map and learning as much as we could with the world. Familiarizing ourselves with the countries and continents.

Thinking back, I should have asked for more information than a map. Perhaps some books or documents. Anything besides some fancy ring and gold to go into our massive reserve. That was in the past, there is nothing I could do about it anymore.

The map was detailed when it came to the human continent but vague towards most to the others.  Little will that help us when we actually decide to explore the other continents. With the map in hand, we were finally confident enough to send out more scouts.

Currently the other members were away, scouting. Being cooped up in the Sanctuary would drive anyone mad. So it was best that everyone gets some fresh air. And as a punishment, I wasn’t able to take part in the exploration. Working together with Nu-Ru, we planned our next course of action only to be interrupted.

RRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!

While working, a sudden alarm blasted through the council scaring the both of us. At first, I thought that something was attacking, but we slowly calmed down when we realized that it wasn’t because we were under attack.

Rather it was a warning signal of some kind. Checking the issue, a window opened above the table; displaying an image. It took some time before it would fully render.

“Where exactly is that coming from Nu-Ru?”

“I don’t know. According to this…it’s one of our [Transfer Beacon]. Drakus, where’s the one I gave you.” Asking, I looked through my inventory to find that it wasn’t there.

It was only then that I remembered what had happen. When Nu-Ru first handed the beacon to me, I was in a hurry so I didn’t even bother storing in in my inventory. Instead I must have stored somewhere on my body. If it wasn’t in my possession, then that meant that it was triggered by someone.

Coming to the same conclusion, Nu-Ru managed to render the display. “T-That’s…the princess that I saved!” It took a moment before I realized that it was the same girl from before. This time, something was going on. There was no audio, but she was kicking and screaming against people with black cloaks.

It was clear as daylight that something was wrong. ‘She was in danger!’ Coming to that conclusion, I made sure everything was in order before running towards the exit.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Stopping me was Nu-Ru.

“Where does it look like? To help her of course! We need to hurry!” I answered back, trying to squeeze through but Nu-Ru wouldn’t brudge.

“I’m sorry…Drakus, but I can’t allow that.”

“You can’t be serious! We need to help her!”

“I am serious! Please take some time and think about this clearly. Whoever they are, they’re confident enough to try and kidnap a princess. The perpetrator must be in a position of power. If we charge in, then we’ll be putting ourselves in the middle of all of it. And I can’t allow you to do that.”

Pointing angrily at the screen I took a second to think about. I realized that he was right, but that wasn’t going to stop me.

“Are you saying that I should leave her alone to god know who?”

Staring silently straight at me, he answered back. “If you’re asking me if I’m willing to abandon some random princess in order to protect the lives of my friends…then yes.” What infuriated me even further was his calm voice. It was as if it truly didn’t concern him.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was willingly to abandon a human life over his own! Stomping up to him, I grabbed him by his collar and angrily pulled him in close.

“I can’t believe you would say such a thing. Have you forgotten what we were? We may be something else now, but we were once human! This isn’t some game Nu-Ru!!”

“I can say the same thing for you! This isn’t a game, where we could run out without a plan. Back in Eternia, the most we would lose was some EXP and gold. Now we don’t know what repercussion will come if we charge in recklessly. How about you actually take a second to think about that!”

“Well, I don’t really care what happens! I will not abandon someone when I have the power to prevent it. This is my decision to make and that’s final!”

“Like how it was your decision that got us into this mess in the first place!”

……

Letting go of him, I instantly took a couple steps backward. Upon hearing his words, they hit me like a truck. Even Nu-Ru was surprised by what he just said to me and turned his face away. A deafening silence came to pass as neither of us didn’t know what to say.

‘I see…so that’s his feelings…’

Despite being the best of friends, we also had many aspects that contrasted one another. For Nu-Ru, he always kept to himself; even when he was with us, he never really opened up or at least now fully anyway. Even with us, I always felt that he was hiding something.

Suddenly, my entire body felt heavy, weighed down by my own guilt. Ever since coming to this world he’s been working nonstop in finding out just what the hell was going on. It shouldn’t come to as a surprise that he kept some resentment from my action.

‘What did I take from him?’ I wondered. Was he worried about his parents, perhaps siblings? Or maybe he misses his real life, his friends or perhaps his university? Did he already decide what he wanted to do in life? But most of all, did he have a lover? A significant other?

If so, then I took it all away from him for my own selfishness. A pain swelled in my chest, growing by the second. I could feel the crushing guilt, pushing me downwards. I had no idea he truly felt this way. Then, there were the others to consider. What did I take away from them that they secretly resent? It was only at that moment did I truly recognize the true ramification of my action.

“I-I’m….sorry…I-I… didn’t mean…” Stuttering, I could see that Nu-Ru trying to apologize.

“No…I’m sorry as well.”

I wanted to apologize as well. Apologize for bringing him in this mess with me. Apologize for pushing all the work onto him. There was some many things I needed to apologize for, not just to Nu-Ru but the others as well.

However, all of that could wake. There were more important business to take care of first. Composing myself I walked towards the exit while evading Nu-Ru’s gaze.

“You intend to continue?” speaking up, Nu-Ru halted me one last time.

“Yes. And by myself if necessary. I’m sorry but this is my decision.”

“…I’m sorry as well.”

Before I could ask him what he meant, I was suddenly knocked backward. Fumbling backwards, I immediately looked to see what had happened. Looking up, Nu-Ru showed a grave expression. Holding out his hand, something was taking form in his hand. Checking my wound, it was only then that I came to the realization–

“|Mana Burst|”

— He attacked me.