Chapter 46: Chapter 46

“Hurry! Move!” We were scrambling on our feet in a panic that Nate, Ace, and I decided that it was fun to exit through the same door at the same time.

“Admit it. Who gained weight!?” I demanded as I attempted to squeeze myself through the thin space.

“YOU!” Both princes yelled at me while Ren was busy pulling at my hands.

I let out a gasp at their words and suddenly I was three as Ren successfully freed me from the tight space. I crashed into his chest before I turned around to look at Nate and Ace, who were now fixing themselves. “You guys think I gained weight?”

They ignored my question and started to move. I looked at Ren, who was the only prince who was still by my side. “I gained weight?”

Ren looked taken aback by my question. “Rose, whether you gain weight or not, in the eyes of the right person you are still-”

“Yes or no, Ren?” I cut him off because he was clearly stalling since he doesn’t want to answer.

“Rose, it doesn’t-”

I narrowed my eyes at him dangerously. “Yes.Or.No?” I demanded.

“Yes.” Straight to the point and straight through my heart.

I clutched my chest as I took offense at his word and let out a loud gasp. “I hate you.” I whispered and looked away from his gapping face as I followed the two princes to the open area where they were supposed to execute Ingka. Unfortunately, there were too many people around that it was hard for us to pass through all of them.

“Damn these people!” Ace cursed and by the looks of it, he was desperately trying hard not to hit people in the head for pushing him. He even growled at a girl when she tried to move past him.

Nate, who was actually the first one to dive into the crowd, got pushed back until he was in front of me. “Tough crowd.” He mumbled.

“We have to get the amulet to the chief.” I reminded them.

Ace looked at me then. “Well? Can’t you do something about this?” He said and pointed at the people in front of us.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “What do you want me to do? Bulldoze them with my weight!? Geez! I get it already. I’ll start training when we head back to Thalia!”

“No one cares about your weight, you brainless buffoon!” Ace yelled at me. “Do we always have to point out the obvious to you? Go and do your goddess bullsh*t!”

Ohh...right.

“You could have said it nicely.” I muttered and called for Custard so I can ride on his back. I patted my familiar’s head and commanded him with my mind. Custard suddenly let out a deafening howl that caught everyone’s attention. Suddenly, all eyes were on me. “Step away from the old man!”

“Which old man?” Someone from the crowd inquired.

“Both old men!” I said and glared at the person who said it as I ignored the offended look from both the chief and Ingka. “Get that village idiot out of here.” I ordered to one in particular. A soldier suddenly appeared and dragged the poor man out of the crowd.

Good riddance.

I nudged Custard gently as the people parted to make some room for us to walk through. The princes followed right behind me. I saw that Ingka was crouched on the ground with his hands tied right behind his back. The Chief was there, sitting on a wooden chair. His eyes were red, probably from crying. A large man that I assume to be an executioner stood there with a large axe. I kept my hands steady when I saw that Fical was there. His hands were behind his back. There was a grin on his lips when he saw me and I felt a small rumble at the back of Custard’s throat when he noticed my discomfort through our bond.

‘Easy, boy.’

‘Master, I’m sorry I did not notice it before. There’s a weird birdlike shadow behind him.’

I looked back towards PRINCE Ace, who now has the pendant. There was no expression on his face, but he was looking at Fical. I can actually tell that they saw something like what Custard described. I wanted to see what they were seeing through Custard’s eyes, but I might fall down if I do.

I hoped down from Custard’s back and I could still feel that Fical’s eyes were following me. I wanted to wipe that ridiculous smile on his face once we revealed the truth to them. “What is the meaning of this? Executing someone in the presence of a goddess!?” I pointed at myself. “Do you want me to execute you all?”

Of course it was all an acting. We all know that I don’t have that capability.

“Goddess, this man tried to kill my father.” Fical said while pointing at his uncle. “And it was all thanks to you and your servants for pointing that out.”

Oh boy.

It took all my will power in me not to back away as Fical got closer. Luckily, my loyal familiar immediately sat in between us so that Fical could no longer approach. A low growl erupted from Custard’s throat as he regarded the chief’s son.

“It was a mistake on my part. I did not have any divine magic at that moment that my judgement has been clouded.” I lied, but it was a good lie. “But now I have seen it all and know who’s the real culprit. How about it, Fical? Do you want me to tell the chief or should I leave that to you?”

“Son, what is the goddess talking about?” The chief looked at his son with a knotted expression.

“Father, I don’t know what she’s talking about.” Fical said as he feigned innocence. On that cue, it was PRINCE Ace so came to the chief’s side and tapped the pendant on his shoulder. A horrified expression immediately crossed the chief’s face as he looked at his son.

“What in heaven’s name is that!?”

I swear I am actually curious at this point that I really wanna see what they are seeing.

A cynical echoing laugh made us turn our attention back at Fical as he threw his head back in amusement. “I should have known that with you here, there’s a high chance that my plans would fail.”

I was immediately pulled back by Nate as Custard fully shielded us from Fical. And then it happened. Black smoke surrounded the young man as his eyes turned black while his pupils turned red. People started screaming and running away from the area, leaving us and a few warriors in the area.

Custard was dipping into the ground as if he was ready to pounce. Ingka turned to me in that moment with pleading eyes. “Goddess, please do not kill him. Fical is still in there. Don’t hurt him.”

“Great idea. But tell that to him first.” Ren says as he pointed at the chief’s son, who was now growing claws.

Yikes.

Custard jumped at him, but Fical managed to dodge as he headed right for us. Nate lowered my head to the ground as he covered me with his body. Fortunately, Ren was there as he grabbed Fical’s hands and stopped his movements.

“Didn’t I tell you last night that if you dare touch her again that I would break your hand?” Ren says and twists Fical’s left hand. There was a snap as Ren dislocated his wrist from his arm. Fical let out a growl and stepped away from the wolf prince while clutching his hand.

“Thanks for that. Now I am reminded of how much I want to snap your neck.” Fical grinned as he popped his wrist back to it’s rightful spot. Before attacking again. This time, he aimed for Ren. As he did, a vine suddenly wrapped itself to Fical’s left leg making him lose his momentum and fall on the ground.

“Don’t even think about taking that guy down alone. We know nothing about evil spirits and how they work!” PRINCE Ace snapped at him and, with a wave of his hand, pushed the warriors away. “All of you powerless peasants, get lost! You are powerless and worthless in this fight! F*cking nuisances!” He said as he kept using the vines to scamper people away from the area.

Even though he meant well, his words are kind of…

Nate and I ran towards Ingka and undid the ropes that were tying his hands and feet together. The executioner was long gone and didn’t even stop to help Ingka. When I find thatguy I will execute him myself. “Thank you.” Ingka whispered and ran towards the chief, who was gapping as he saw the demonic figure of his son. “Brother, we have to get out of here.” Ingka told him urgently.

“But that is my son! I have to help him.” He breathed out, but he was still frozen on the spot. “And how…? How are these people using magic? Are they Gods as well?”

“Chief.” I said, making the man look at me for a moment as I called him by his title. “You have to leave. At this point we are trying to save your son, but with you here, you are just a sitting duck.”

“But he-”

“I swear I will slap.” I said in a deadpanned voice.

“Then I will leave Fical to you, goddess.” The chief said and now, he and Ingka left.

“Rose, you come with them.” Nate says as he looked at the Princes and Custard fighting Fical, who now sprouted a dark shadow over his head. A bird-like shadow that was swiping at them ferociously. It was a biased fight because even though Ren, now in wolf form, attacked the shadow, they would merely pass through it. But if the shadow tries to attack them, the hit would make contact, making them fly and crash on a nearby hut. Ren hit the wall first so Ace was cushion from the harsh impact. I saw them getting back on their feet and shaking the dizziness away. Fical wasted no time as he lunged for them.

It would seem that only my familiar can deal some damage to the shadow as Custard stood behind Fical and grabbed the ghostly figure, stopping him from his attack. Fical turned and kicked my familiar’s face with enough strength that made him whimper in pain.

Oh hell no!

“That guy just hurt Custard!” I yelled and rolled my imaginary sleeves up as I grabbed the axe, that would have been used for execution, and hurled it at Fical. The man managed to dodge it with a questioning look of where it came from.

“Wow. Remind me never to get on your bad side.” Nate whistled.

“Don’t you hurt my baby!” I screamed as the fight continued. “Oh yeah. And the princes as well...I guess.”

At that, Nate glowered at me. “Gee thanks. I feel the love.” He says, and in a more serious note, he added. “Help the people evacuate.”

At his orders, I nodded. I know that there is nothing much that I can do at this point. Custard was already fighting and I doubt any of the combat training that I learned would be helpful. “You guys be careful. I am serious this time.” Our eyes locked for a brief moment before he nodded reassuringly at me.

I ran in the opposite direction as I ushered the people to get out of their house and move to a safer place. “Move quickly, but do not panic!” I ordered in a loud and calm voice. “Don’t you dare push each other.” As I was ushering the people to move, a small movement in between the pots caught my attention. It was the young boy that helped me earlier to sneak away from the princes. He was hiding there while hugging his knees close to his chest.

I ran towards him and moved the clay pots away and kneeled. “Boy, come here. We have to get you out.” I reached out a hand towards him and was thankful that he took it.

‘Master. Look out!’ My familiar’s strained warning shocked me into action and I immediately jumped to the side even though I did not see what was about to hit me. Luckily, I followed my instincts as Fical just attacked the spot where I once was.

“Go go!” I whispered to the young boy and urged him to run. He did not need any more convincing when he saw Fical and bolted away.

Where are the princes? As much as I wanted to look, I must not leave my sight from Fical as he stalked me carefully.

I grabbed a broken spear on the ground as it was the only usable weapon in the area. Now I know why PRINCE Ace was so keen and insistent on bringing your weapon anywhere you go.

Fical brought hand down along with its elongated claws towards me. I moved to the side and hit his hand down with the bo and elbowed his gut. Fical stumbled back and I moved behind him and hit his head before running away.

Nope. That is enough bravery for me. I am no badass to face that kind of opponent! Nope. Nuh uh.

“G-goddess?” I stopped in my tracks as I turned and saw that the boy did not leave!

“What the hell!? I thought I told you to run!”

“But Fical is not himself and he looked like he wanted to hurt you. I just wanted to make sure that you are safe.” He mumbled.

And this is why I don’t like kids.

I ran back to him and grabbed his shaking hands. “Well? Come on then before-” I didn’t get to finish what I was about to say pain from my stomach registered.

“ROSE!”

‘MASTER!’

I could hear distant voices in the background but I did not look up because I already know that they were the princes. Instead, I now focused on the hand that Fical used to stab my stomach, the white dress was not stained with my blood. I looked back at him. Dark smoke lifted up from him and slowly descended on me.

His face and his maniac laughter and my ragged breathing were the last thing that I saw and heard before my vision got blurry.