Lyn stood in the gardens of the manor deep in thought; a sigh escaped her lips. Allen is becoming even more foolish as the days go by, his insistence of her staying by his side has grown more frequent. Well, it cannot be helped since she's the one who offered but…

Her thoughts broke off when she noticed something strange. The place was slowly covered in a fog; Pupillam stood in front of her. "My Queen, stay back--"

Lyn shook her head, "It's general Teo."

As Lyn said those words, the fog lifted, and she spotted the general. Noticing the scars on his face and his blade covered in blood, Lyn frowned.

"You met with resistance along the way?" Lyn asked.

Teo nodded.

"I see, so that's what they plan to do. I ought to have noticed sooner. The lightning kingdom has formed a treaty with the snow Kingdom during this time. In other words.."

"It's as you think my Queen," Teo said.

"...Pupillam, prepare my horse."

"Queen Lyn?" Pupillam said puzzled.

"Let's catch up," Lyn said. She has a bad feeling about this.

------------—-

Lyn's gaze fell on General Teo who was speeding away ahead of her. He's in a rush, but there's no need. Miley will be fine. Lan is there; she did not place him by the girl's side if his skills are insufficient. Besides, she was the one who told Lan to take Miley away. It was all part of her plan to lure the enemy out. However, she realized her grave mistake after confirming her theory with the general. They are after her knights. To weaken her, huh?

_________________________

Mist Kingdom, East of town Iga

Lan put her down. He wore his usual composed smile on his face, but Miley understood immediately.

"Now Madam Miley, stay put okay?"

Stay put? She isn't a child.

"Yes, yes you're not a child, and you're going to complain about the fiance comment. But for now, stay here and don't move. Or are you telling me you have a way to beat him?"

Miley disliked how condescending he sounded. But she had no way to refute the second half.

"I'm not your fiance.." was all Miley could say.

Lan smiled, "Stay here."

...

Master warned her; this is the only reason she is obeying that stupid Lan. But even so, Miley watched the battle with great interest; he's only the fourth knight. No matter how strong stupid Lan thinks he is. He shouldn't be able to fight with the head knight of the enemy kingdom in terms of strength for the Mist Kingdom.

Queen Lyn

King Kazuya

Head Knight Arkwright

Princess

General Teo

Mage Kristy

Pupillam

2nd Knight

3rd Knight

Lan (?)

He won't even be able to compare with the head advisor, so what on earth is he doing? Would it not be better to combine their strength and fight together — Miley paused and sighed. Master told her unless it's with the Queen or King, she shouldn't use her powers. Even during the tournament, he heavily restricted her magic usage. He told her it would be for her own good. The only reason Miley thought she stood a chance with magic is because she can't measure her own magic abilities. That must mean she has some secret and cool power right? Master said not to use it, but if this stupid Lan loses, she may need to. The Queen also warned her.

Miley paused and looked around, maybe she could try something? Master and the Queen aren't around. Normally before she fights, they would cast restriction magic on her.

But her gaze landed back on the battle, isn't stupid Lan going to lose?

___________________________________________________________________________

As Lukes blade clashed with the knight from the mist Kingdom, he noticed something. "If you wish to face against me, you would do a good job not holding yourself back."

Lan smiled, "Are you not doing the same?"

"Indeed.."

Lan tone was provocative. However Luke looked up at the sky; it is almost sunset. He does not wish to delay this any longer than he ought to. He must head back as quickly as possible.

He's avoiding using magic.

That may be deliberate; however, Luke would not waste any more time against a person like this.

"You hide your true nature under a mask and give empty flattery and encouragement to fellow n.o.bles. Sir Lan from the mist Kingdom. You are living a life of lies, corruption, and bribery. Yet you take a n.o.ble stance to fight against m---" Luke's sentence fell short when Lan charged towards him. Luke noticed immediately, and his attack seemed more aggressive than before.

"Now Sir Luke, could you refrain from spreading such things. When we have a maiden with excellent hearing skills?"

Luke does not reply to that comment, so he wishes to keep it a secret from the child? While Luke was blocking and sending attacks back at the fourth knight. His gaze had not yet left the young girl. She's the dangerous a.s.sa.s.sin from the mist Kingdom, with the power they need to open the gate? When he saw her fight earlier, he was unsure thought of her as a mere civilian. They described the dangerous a.s.sa.s.sin as a beautiful woman, but this is only a child. However, he is not particular in matters regarding beauty. It's a real shame, "She's your fiance? Were you speaking the truth?"

"Of course," Lan said.

"Then, she will die after I finish with you." Everybody knows that once betrothed; you share your power with your partner. "That power is wasted on you."

"Oh? Now, this won't do. You know about it."

Before Luke knew it, Lan threw him across the field.

He looked over at his opponent and saw a white light wrapped around him.

This man is no ordinary guy, while Luke knew he was hiding his real powers; this is beyond his imagination. His lips curve to a smile. It seems like the Mist Kingdom has harbored more monsters than knights. The aura surrounding Lan felt more like a beast than a human.

"Interesting."

__________________________________________________________________________

Hearing the crash sound, she paused. Miley turned and discovered that the head knight from the Snow Kingdom was thrown across the field and crashed into some buildings.

??! Her eyes go wide as she registered what just happened. Wait does stupid Lan have this under control? Maybe she underestimated him a little.

Still, there's no way she will owe him one.

Miley closed her eyes, and light surrounded her. Let's start with simple magic attacks and then gradually use the higher tier spells. As an a.s.sa.s.sin, her focus has always been on stealth skills.

On those areas, she would rank much higher. But in terms of overall strength. Miley understood she lacked in many areas; she knew she was behind the others. That's part of the reason she desperately wanted to go on the battlefield. If she were to gain battle experience, to get recognition.

Miley paused.

Recognized? Why does she want that so badly? The Queen, Master Teo, Head advisor Pupillam do not care about that stuff. Then why is she fighting so desperately against their concerns? Why bother, when she knows full well that they care and mean well? It's stupid.

________________________________________________________________________

Lans attention broke when he saw the bright light. d.a.m.n. He should have used the restriction spell. The Queen taught him, but he was careless. Lan didn't think they would end up fighting someone worthy enough for them to use their magic.

Luke noticed his attention was elsewhere and followed his gaze. "I see, you lied. "

"..."

"That girl has yet to be claimed. So this is the great power I've heard about."

"Stop--" Lan sentence fell short when Luke's fist hit his stomach; it was not a regular punch. Lan felt an intense burst of dark energy hit him.

"While you have been able to catch me off guard a few times. You are still holding back. Unfortunately for you, now I have seen that power I will not back down easily."

d.a.m.n…

__________________________________________________________________________

Oh, this feeling.

It's felt familiar, so familiar to her.

A long time ago, she would often use this power. A long time ago, she used this power to protect herself. After what happened, she relied on this power to survive. This power was all she had, and she met new people and yet once again failed them.

Her body is engulfed in flames. It felt heavy, the weight of the fire. The anger, the rage, and her inner frustrations seemed to spill out. Then she could sense it; someone weakened it. The chains that bound this power. Ah yes, it must have happened then. It's because of those people from the lightning kingdom. Because of them, she will once again have no choice but to destroy. Whatever they did to her, she will make them pay. She will make them pay for loosening this power. Her chest tightened, her mind was in a complete haze. But the more pain she felt, the more the force around her grew. It grew and grew as though it was trying to tear her body apart.

Miley felt the power violently swirling around her. The power consuming and taking over her senses. A long time ago, this happened before didn't it? She let this violent power consume her.

She's tired. So very tired.

For a long time now she has suppressed this power, suppressed all these painful feelings. But now it is all poured out.

The flames wrapped around her like a blanket, but a blanket of danger rather than safety. Just take over, she no longer wants to fight anymore. If she can end things with this power than she will. The world is filled with corruption and darkness. From a young age, Miley does not recall precisely when but she was exposed to the truth of the world so early. Before Miley knew it, her emotions slowly disappeared. She gradually became indifferent to everything. The world and the kindness of others.

Miley raised her hand. Flames, as hot as lava that wrapped around her are released into the surroundings.

A sea of flames.

Yes, like back then she will destroy everything.