TL/PR : Nesta/YoruNoTsuki

Yes, Count.

Joseph replied with a glint of excitement in his eyes.

It was a rare chance for a commoner to trample the Imperial Palace. His heart pounded at the thought that this great imperial palace collapse under his grasp.

All the Shinsu, who were hiding like a shadow in the Imperial Palace, began to ransack the place. It was a secret weapon prepared in advance by Count Otoman, who sensed danger when Adelai was called by the Emperor.

Dozens of Shinsu rushed in wildly, and began to attack humans.

Argh!

Argh! Save me-!

Raise your shields at once!

Sound of cries and screams echoed here and there. The iron armor worn by the knights fell to pieces whenever it was pierced by the huge fangs. Humans were mauled and thrown to the floor.

The Imperial Palace was enveloped with screams of pain.

Aaaaaargh!

Dont retreat! Aim for their hearts!

Standing in the midst of chaos, Adelia started to laugh.

As expected, Count Otoman didnt disappoint and met my expectations. When did he prepare this endearing plan? How can there be such a faithful and reliable person like you?

The knights hand trembled as he held her. In a flash of light, some Shinsu charged at the two knights who were holding Adelai. Knights bodies sprawled gruesomely on the floor as they died without a single groan.

Joseph approached Adelai, bowed down and then asked her.

Are you alright, Princess?

Im alright.

Thats a relief.

Adelai raised her head and looked around. The Emperors palace was now all painted in red. From now on, she would stand over this pool of blood and rise as the new owner of this Imperial place.

The number of guards surrounding the Emperor and Lart was significantly decreasing. Inside her head, Adelai laughed at them.

You shouldve chosen me.

Joseph looked relaxed even when he was taking care of Adelai. He held the reins of numerous Shinsu without difficulty. He didnt even break a single sweat while controlling them all.

How impressive. I didnt know you were this skilled.

At Adelais praise, Joseph smoothed the sword, which was the source of his power.

Shinsu are just toys in my hand now.

But, Joseph. Dont forget whats inside your stomach.

She gave him a warning by mentioning the magic stone.

Youre just a servant. Dont forget that your life is in my hands.

Josephs expression sank in an instant. Princess Adelai smiled leisurely and tapped him on the shoulder.

When were done with this, Ill give you enormous wealth and power so you can enjoy a good life. You can look forward to it.

Thank you, Princess!

Joseph replied eagerly by raising his voice.

Lets forget the magic stone and just think about a happy future! If the woman in front of me becomes the reigning empress, power will flow to me enormously!

His heart was going to burst from excitement, and his greedy eyes were shining brightly.

It was when the painful groans of humans were completely filling the Imperial Palace that.

Boooooooo-

A trumpet sound rang loudly, making the ground tremble. Adelai, who was talking to Joseph, hardened her face.

As her body bolted upright stiffly, she slowly turned around toward the source of the sound.

When the trumpet sound stopped, the sound of drums began to roll.

Adelais complexion turned white out of fear. The same was happening with Count Otomans face. Joseph, who did not know the meaning of the sound, proudly looked alternately between the two.

Whats wrong, Princess? Count?

They shut their mouths tight at Josephs question.

Even every single one of the Shinsu stopped moving at the unusual sound. A glint of hope shone in the eyes of the injured knights.

Thump. Thump. Thump. The ground shook as something drew nearer. The sound of coordinated footsteps was heard among the trumpets and drums, and it came together like teror.

As the sound drew nearer, Count Otomans fingertips trembled.

And then unknown beings made their entrance.

Gasp

Adelai swallowed her breath in tension.

Why are they here? When did they prepare all of this!

Golden armors shone blindingly under the bright yellow sunset. The darkness that enveloped the palace until now quickly cleared out as if replaced by a vast dazzling forest.

It was the Imperial Knights.

At the sudden turn of events, Count Otoman urgently ordered.

Stop attacking the Emperor and the Prince! Disperse to fight the Imperial Army first! Divide the Shinsu into two groups, half to destroy the defense corps, and another half to destroy the archer corps!

Sorry?.Ah, yes!

Joseph gave the Shinsu orders, with a puzzled expression. The robust bodies of Shinsu flew at the Imperial Army and passed by him like a strong wind.

Following the Shinsus attack, humans groans rang everywhere. Although people were still crushed easily, it was better than before, where it was a one-sided massacre by the beasts.

Several knights attacked the leopard who tried to break through the siege.

Trap this one! Corner it to one place!

We cant win by strength only! Attack their legs and knock them down!

Leopards and humans clashed.

Human screams, the screeching sound of metal weapons and claws clashing at each other, and the clanking sound of metal armor rang at the same time. The beats still moved ferociously, but humans formed battle formations and retaliated.

A push-and-pull battle ensued.

Adelai bit her nails anxiously.

How could the Imperial Army appear? But the Shinsu will win the battle. Because humans are weak.

It took a long time to prepare the knights into a battle. In other words, an order must be issued in advance for them to arrive like this.

Adelai was flustered.

Theres no way His Majesty and Lart knew about the Shinsus attack ahead of time, though, right?

The trumpet sound that shook the Imperial Palace just now was a warning from the Empire to the enemy before the war.

The strongest troops on the continent. A bloody warning that the Imperial Army would brutally shake the battlefield.

Adelai and Otomans faces turned white. The emergence of the Imperial Army was totally unexpected.

Of course, it was thanks to Larts sharp judgement, as he warned and prepared the Imperial Army in advance.

Come to think of it, I didnt see the elder, Chief.

Didnt you say you couldnt see Omalley too before?

After carefully listening to the conversation between Aymon and Shanti that a few Shinsu have disappeared the other day, Lart had always kept an eye on the situation in the Imperial Palace. Somehow he couldnt shake off his uneasiness..

After that, rumors spread that the Imperial servants were disappearing one by one because of the Shinsu. So he visited the Emperor to talk about it.

Your Majesty. I can feel something is odd with all of this.

A groundless anxiety emerged. Something disturbing seemed to lurk in the depth of the Imperial Palace.

Thus, with the Emperors permission, he prepared the Imperial Army in secret. It may be a hasty judgment, but it is better to make a vain effort than to regret it after it happened.

And whether it was fortunate or not, Larts prediction was right.

The incident took place and some Shinsu attacked the Imperial Palace. At last, a one-sided massacre began. If it werent for the troops prepared in advance, the Imperial Family couldnt avoid extinction.

Breaking through the bloody battlefield, the knights commander shouted to the top of his lungs.

Dont break the formation!

Fire arrows flew everywhere. The beautiful Imperial Palace garden was mercilessly trampled.

However, it was different from the battle that broke out 500 years ago between Shinsu and humans.

If the battle in the past was close to a one-sided massacre by the leopards side, now it was quite neck and neck. Humans were weaker than Shinsu, but they came in a large number and human technology is more advanced now.

The face to face battle between the Shinsu and humans was so ruthless that it became hard to determine the outcome.

Beasts and humans left clouds of dust behind them as they collided in battle. Loud shouts, screams, and roars filled the Imperial Palace.

Clang! Ear-splitting sounds rang whenever the knights metal armor and Shinsus hard muscle collided. The Imperial Palace turned into a bloody battlefield.

Dont fight the Shinsu alone! Youll die in vain once you scatter!

The Imperial Army wielded their swords in unison without losing their spirit.

A fierce battle ensued, aiming for the complete annihilation of the opposite side.

Larts sword hit a claw that was directed at his face. Clang! Even though toenails and metals collided with each other, it produced a screeching sound like two irons clashing.

As I thought, Adelai found Barahans descendants. Its clear that the Shinsu are being manipulated.

As soon as he faced the Shinsu, who attacked wildly, Lart was convinced that his hypothesis was correct.

The Shinsus eyes were blood red. Lart could easily tell as he had seen the Shinsu closely before. Obviously, the Shinsu gaze in front of him did not look sane at all. Its fierce attack was erratic.

I heard from His Majesty about Barahans descendants. Im sure Adelai had found one of them to control the beasts.

Wheres Aymon?

Screech! As his sword clashed against a claw, Lart bit his lips.

If Aymon was here, the situation might not have gotten this bad. The situation became this serious because he was away from the Imperial Palace to search for Belinda.

However, it was difficult to know whether Aymons absence was positive or negative.

If Aymon was also controlled by Barahans descendants

Lart twisted his sword, enduring the pain of muscle strain.

How will this situation end? If even Aymon ends up being manipulated by Barahans descendants, should we kill him? Then what about Belinda?

The clash between Shinsu and humans was still intense. Lart let go of his worries and focused on the present. All he had to do now was protect the Imperial Palace from the beasts.

On the other side, Adelai was still biting her nails anxiously. Her jagged nails revealed her innermost feelings.

Why cant they defeat the Imperial army?!

She pressured Joseph, but Joseph could not do anything about it. While Joseph controlled the Shinsu, the battle was dependent only on the Shinsus ability.

Count Otoman was also unable to hide his anxiety.

We have to reverse the situation quickly!

He, who was always calm in every circumstance, had his face flushed red.

Otoman gritted his teeth through the anxiety that overturned his stomach.

The Shinsu are strong. They wont easily lose to humans.

However, it was difficult for him to ascertain that victory was going to be on their side.

If the victory wreath ended up belonging to the Imperial Palace, he would face the worst consequences : death. Even his whole family wont be spared.

Ive abandoned everything for power!

When the Shinsu were brought out and attacked the Imperial Palace, it seemed like a happy future awaited him.

But whats this situation?

For what do you think I become the faithful dog of that arrogant Adelais for, huh!

Because he dreamed of reaping enormous wealth and power in the future. But the dream was about to collapse due to the unexpected intervention of the Imperial Army.

Otoman grabbed Josephs shoulders and ordered him with bloodshot eyes.

Direct the Shinsus attack to one place! Focus on killing the Emperor and Prince Lart!

I have to reverse the situation no matter what!

Upon hearing him, Adelai turned her head in surprise.

T/N : Let me guess, the poor daughter is not that evil and loves her family dearly so she will try to protect them and die tragically (Not spoiler)

PR/N: for a green tea b*tch, she miss some flavor and power lmao xD she is so meh for a villainess or am I too used to strong, cunning and powerful green tea b*tch ?