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Miley couldn't contain the power spilling out of her body, flames. A bright red, bright orange and yellow spiraling around in circles, gradually spread out.

Don't get close to her.

n.o.body get close.

A violent sea of flames. So this is the power that hidden inside of her. Miley thought back to the memories and smiled bitterly, ah. So it makes sense. The one who burned that place down was herself. That sad and lonely little girl was her. The flames were consuming her body despite the burning sensation and marks forming on her arms tearing away her flesh. Miley was calm. What she could see was the different colors, a pure red magma.

If someone were to touch and get close now, they'd melt away — yes just like that day. Everything, everything melted away.

Her thoughts broke off when she spotted a figure approaching her. For a split second, her mind wavered, but she shook her head. n.o.body would be stupid enough to enter this flame; n.o.body would get close. It was the same on that day too. Just when she thought she finally found a place to call home, they all left her.

"Madam Miley!"

A frantic voice called out to her, snapping her thoughts. This annoying voice can only belong to one person.

"Stupid Lan?" Miley exclaimed. She could hardly believe her eyes. Miley blinked to make sure she didn't see things, but sure enough, it was him.

Lan said nothing to her and closed his eyes. Miley saw the light around him and reached out to grab his arm, "You can't use magic when I'm like this." Only fragments of memories were returning to her.

"I'll use it; the only way to counter magic is with magic," Lan replied. But Miley noticed that his tone seemed uncertain. For once he is unsure.

After snapping out of it, Miley felt the pain in her body. One by one her insides are tearing itself due to the intensity of the flame. She winced and screeched in pain. To her surprise, however stupid Lan grabbed hold of her, when she saw his skin getting burnt too, she tried to push him away. But he didn't let go, what a moron. What is he trying to do?

In a flash, the flames stopped, and Miley is met face to face with her master. Ah- he was holding a stone, something she saw stupid Lan carry. Is that to negate her powers? But more importantly, her eyes widened at her master's appearance. Someone cut his clothes in several areas, and she could tell he was wounded severely. His body covered in scales. Miley cast a sideways glance at the head knight from the Snow Kingdom and noticed something different. Unlike earlier the look in his eyes contained insanity.

In the few minutes, they spent inside that flame, exactly what happened? Miley had no chance to ask when a flash of black hair appeared, the woman's blade clashed with Luke's.

"Q—queen Lyn?" Miley said startled.

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The Queen was in a bad mood, to think a mere mist storm would separate the General and her. But what upset her was the General's actions. Halfway of the journey, she could tell something was wrong and sure enough, the situation is bad.

"Queen Lyn," Teo said.

"Your majesty," Lan said.

Lyn sighed when she heard the greeting from the general and Lan. What are they doing talking for when they both got hurt?

She turned to the general and frowned. Teo looked awful, that mini mist storm separated them on the journey. But she didn't think the damage would end up like this even if they ended up separated — cuts and lashes on his shoulder. Clothes are torn exposing his shoulders if one could even call them shoulders at this stage.

She walked over to the general and punched him in the stomach, knocking him out, "Sleep for a while." But that single punch was enough to knock out the general. Lyn looked down and took a deep breath, so careless. She only briefly looked at the surroundings and saw the expression on the village people's faces. The crowd backed down seeing her; but, this is bad.

"Ah, and you must be Queen Lyn. We have not met in such a long time."

They had to meet with a somewhat troubling opponent. Luke did not seem phased at all seeing her.

"The Queen herself came out in person... Are these peasants worth you risking your life?" Luke remarked.

Lyn said nothing at first and examined the knight from head to toe. Something is possesing him. A minor demon? It's certainly nothing too dangerous, and she could tell that Luke retained his natural powers. However, he is possessed, previously when she saw him at a tournament three years ago. His powers did not contain darkness. Lyn doubts he would spend three years learning forbidden spells either.

While dark magic is indeed strong, many people chose to avoid it. Since it consumes one's life force. The more somebody uses it, the more life force gets drained. With high power comes with significant consequences.

"Do you wish to die early?"

"Not at all. I have a Queen I must serve.."

"Then why are you using forbidden arts?" Lyn questioned.

"I could ask you the same or have you found a way to avoid it?"

Lyn did not respond and raised her blade again, "Leave." Just a single word but her strong aura was enough for Luke to unshed his magic.

"I'm no fool, even if I were to take care of the rest of your people. I cannot match you. For today, I shall retreat." Luke turned to walk away and paused, "Any words?" For a split second Luke looked normal, he didn't have the same maniac look on his face like he did earlier.

"Tell this to J, no to that monster. I will hunt him down. He will no get away with this." No matter what happens, she will ensure that J returns to normal, "I will save her."

Luke bowed, and turned away - he did not say anything else. Soon he was out of sight. There must be something wrong with him.

.....

When Lyn saw Allen she wanted to facepalm, what on earth is he doing here? She wanted to ask. But her gaze fell on Pupillam who arrived moments ago and blocked the dark energy Luke reflected as a final greeting. Allen followed Pupillam here. Allen looked at her and scanned her up and down, Lyn tried to hide her injured hand, but Allen saw, "You're injured."

Lyn shook her head, "This is nothing." Allen looked as though he wanted to protest but said nothing. Instead, he turned to Pupillam and instructed her to bring the carriage over. Her injury was nothing, just minor damage when she summoned her blade. Speaking of injuries, she turned to her fourth Knight. Though his injury was not as severe as the one General Teo sustained, the wound was quite large.

"I'm not hurt."

Lyn smiled, "Why do all the men around me insist on remaining strong? Your hurt. Let's get back." Though she was calm, Lyn was already preparing her scolding speech when they got back.

Lan understood and nodded, "Yes."

"No complaints, Miley?" she addressed the silent girl who kept looking back at the general.

"N--none."

Lyn replied, "Good." and after waiting for a few minutes. Pupillam emerged with the carriage. When Lyn saw the large carriage, she sighed. Why does Allen insist on the image even when rus.h.i.+ng to the battlefield? Indeed, the carriage was precisely in the style Allen liked. Well, she supposes she can talk to him about this later. Before Lyn could step inside, she paused feeling someone staring at her.

Huh? Is there another enemy? Lyn focused on the presence but did not detect hostility; it was more like she had a hard time detecting them. Lyn looked back; it felt like somebody watched her. But when she looked, she saw n.o.body. Was someone there?

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Inside the carriage

Miley's gaze landed on the separate carriage that carried away Master Teo. Earlier did she see things? His eyes and that arm that resembled that of a dragon. No matter how much Miley thought about it, she couldn't comprehend what she saw.