After defeating the Yovannian army, Wyatt and the rest of the knights marched to follow Alexander who pursued the enemy leader.
Luckily, the moon shone brightly tonight, so they didn't have any problem with their eyesight and ultimately, they managed to spot the one they were looking for.
However, their steps all came to a halt the moment they witnessed the scenery before them. Corpses were strewn on the ground with their body parts butchered. A woody scent mixed with a fishy smell filled the space as their blood soaked the soil beneath.
Wyatt returned his gaze to Alexander who was standing whilst drinking a Tonic and eventually nodded his head several times in satisfaction. As expected of the future Sun of the Empire, he only needed a bottle of Tonic after slaying this many troops alone. Wyatt rolled his feet and stood in front of the soldiers.
"Listen, Knights! Engrave this magnificent view before you. This is His Highness the first Prince's heroism! He fearlessly slaughtered this many enemies only by himself to protect the people!"
"Whoa!!"
"He is the Young Lion of Our Empire!"
"Whoa!!
With that, they resumed their steps and approached him.
"Your Highness!"
Alexander turned to the voice, Wyatt and the soldiers were seen moving toward him. However, he couldn't help but frown once they arrived before him.
'What the hell are they doing here?'
"We greet the future Sun of the Empire!"
They gave Alexander a sword salute and Wyatt took a step closer, then bent his back lightly.
"Your Highness, it is such an honor to be able to fight under your wings! Upon seeing Your Highness' great chivalrousness, we feel at ease because the Empire's future is without a doubt, certainly bright!"
At this point, he was perplexed and ended up dropping his bottle in his hand. His stomach churned and wanted to puke for some reason.
"Your Highness, we have returned and are waiting for your next order!"
'Just what in the world got into him?'
Alexander immediately massaged his nose bridge to alleviate his rage while beckoning them to stop their action.
'This is not the time to be angry. They must be just worried. That's all.'
After collecting himself, he opened his mouth.
"Sir Wyatt, we need to talk."
"As you wish."
After they moved a bit far away from the soldiers, Alexander spoke in a low tone.
"Did Sir Ulrich contact you somehow?"
He shook his head.
"I'm afraid not."
Alexander sighed a long deep breath.
"Sir Wyatt, the plan has failed."
He was stunned, and surprise decorated his face. Alexander's plan was completely shattered, thanks to that damn cunning woman. She was one of many strategists in that shitty society. Even in his previous life, that woman was such a pain in the ass, then he continued.
"The enemy forces exceeded more than a thousand and we must return to the Camp as soon as possible. But please, don't make them panic because our morale is quite high."
He nodded firmly and they strode back to the Knights. As soon as they arrived, Wyatt stood before them and gave a light speech.
"We have successfully eliminated the enemy in this forest and now we have to go back to our comrades in the camp in case they need our help. Do you understand?!"
"Whoaa!!"
The knights roared whilst raising their swords.
"Now, CHARGE!!"
"Whoaa!!"
They turned around and started to run toward the Refugee Camp. Alexander approached the old man.
"Sir Wyatt, thank you so much."
"It's my pleasure."
He bowed and Alexander nodded in response. He straightened his back and looked at the boy with sparkling eyes.
"Your Highness, you are indeed a man with caliber! Your Highness even seems fine after slaying so many enemies!"
Alexander deafened his ears as he didn't want to hear his babbling anymore and clucked his tongue inwardly.
'Can't he stop this? It's started getting on my nerves.'
Ignoring his words, he hurriedly changed the subject.
"Sir Wyatt, could you piggyback me?"
"Pardon?"
He looked perplexed.
"You know, I nearly died a few minutes ago. Can I ride your back?"
Although his internal injuries began to heal little by little, and half of his stamina was refilled, his mana core was still empty. However, the man before him suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!! I didn't expect that Your Highness is capable of making such a funny joke."
Alexander shut his mouth tightly and facepalmed himself.
'Did he really think that was a joke? Yea, whatever.'
He needed to replenish his Mana Core because this battle wasn't over yet and with Wyatt carrying him, he could refill mana while moving, albeit it was just a little.
"Give me your back."
Wyatt turned and crouched before him.
"It is such an honor--"
"Yes, yes."
Alexander rode his back and soon after Wyatt started running.
<strong>...</strong>
The smell of burning began to fill their nostrils, they looked up and a hue of orange illuminated the night sky.
"Your Highness... That's..."
"Put me down."
Wyatt lowered himself. Alexander gritted his teeth and jumped down.
"Sir Wyatt, I'll go ahead."
He put Wind Elemental at his feet and leaped onto a nearby branch.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
Alexander hopped from one to another at an incredible speed. Luckily, ? of his mana had recovered and since he had no time to waste, he moved as fast as he could.
The closer he got to the Refugee Camp, the hotter the atmosphere he could feel and he eventually halted his step. Alexander was stoned by the sight that he was seeing right now.
The Refugee Camp was engulfed in flames. The rasping colliding swords and the soldiers' clamoring could be heard vividly from outside.
–Bam!
Alexander punched the tree trunk next to him and leaves fell around him. Blood slid down from his mouth as he bit his lip tightly.
'After everything that I have done, is changing fate something impossible to do?'
His chest heaved up and down and his eyes burned with rage. He jumped down and ran towards the burning camp. It seemed the Knights had entered because he didn't see them anywhere.
However, right after he arrived at the entrance of the camp, he was stunned as if the lightning had struck down on him. His fury dissipated into thin air and even the conflagration that happened before his eyes suddenly meant nothing to him.
There, his golden eyes interlocked with a pair of blue eyes that glared at him furiously. A white-haired boy stood amidst the battlefield.
'Fuck.'
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om