Chapter 363: The Mad Wolf And The Starling
[Music recommendation: reed wonder - A Good Man (feat. Aurora Olivas)]
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People on the ground saw how, at Azrath’s command, the battle that had ceased momentarily resumed with full force. As much as everyone was overwhelmed with relief and joy that Princess Evelyn had returned to life, the harsh reality was still etched across their faces. They were all heavily exhausted from the relentless battle they had been fighting for so long.
Adding to that was another grim truth. They were at a severe disadvantage in numbers. The enemy forces continued to pour endlessly from the rifts, while their own forces were limited.
But seeing Evelyn and Ivan standing on their side, ready to fight, gave them the reassurance they needed to steel their resolve, to give everything they had, and to believe that this devastating battle would finally come to an end.
Soon, Alex roared, "For our prince and princess!"
A synchronised war cry echoed across the battlefield as they charged forward with everything they had, and the battle erupted once more.
While fighting, Damien had drifted away from Cece, Regulus, and Edward’s group. He cut down enemies one after another with renewed vigour after seeing Evelyn alive, truly living up to his name as the mad wolf on the battlefield.
But the more he took down, the more poured in with frenzied aggression.
He soon found himself surrounded by dozens of ghouls.
A grin spread across his face as he remarked, "Well, well... look at that. Did you lot draw straws, or was I just the prettiest target on the field?"
He swung his electricity-charged twin blades and added, "Shame. You’re about to be very disappointed. Off you go... back to whatever hole spat you out."
Just as he charged to cut through the five ghouls in front of him, those surrounding him from the back lunged. Damien whirled around and slashed through them, but one ghoul successfully managed to climb onto his back in an attempt to sink its teeth into his shoulder.
Before Damien could shrug it off, a beam of soft pink light shot toward his shoulder, disintegrating the creature into ashes.
And before Damien could react, the same thing happened to the others who were about to corner him again.
Surprised, Damien turned to look for the source, only to find someone approaching from a short distance. The person was clad from head to toe in fitted black armour. He could see long, beautiful red hair tied back, while the rest of the stranger’s head was covered by a helmet.
His crimson eyes took in the newcomer’s appearance before shifting past them, where he saw the royal flags of other kingdoms advancing with their armies, bringing much-needed relief to those already engaged in the fierce battle.
Damien turned his attention back to the mysterious person who had saved him the trouble of shrugging the ghoul off his back, and who now stood directly in front of him.
"You saved me the trouble of dealing with that one," Damien remarked, his gaze sweeping over the stranger before he turned to leave, only to come to an abrupt halt at the next words.
"Is that how people in your kingdom thank someone for saving their life?"
’A woman.’
The realisation settled instantly in Damien’s mind.
He paused, then glanced back over his shoulder, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Forgive me, milady, but the last person who saved my life turned out to have... rather creative intentions." His eyes flickered with dry amusement. "I’ve learned to be a bit selective with my gratitude."
He made a move to leave again.
"Really now?" the armoured woman scoffed. "So the infamous mad wolf got played... and now comes with trust issues?"
Damien let out a quiet huff of laughter, though his eyes sharpened.
Slowly, he turned to face her fully. "If surviving makes me cautious, I’ll take the title," he replied smoothly. Then, tilting his head slightly, he added, "Though I didn’t realise my reputation came with an audience."
He took a step closer with a probing gaze, "So tell me... who exactly are you to be so invested in it?"
For a brief moment, thick and charged silence stretched between them. Then, without a word, she lifted her hands to her helmet and removed it to reveal herself.
Calm, striking purple eyes met his without hesitation. Thick red hair, tied into a high ponytail, spilled down her back, catching the wind as a deep purple robe billowed behind her, framing her like a banner of quiet authority.
"Princess Ruth Starling, from the Kingdom of Helion," she introduced herself. Her voice was soft yet firm, and Damien detected none of the flattery he had experienced far too many times from other women.
Damien knew that the Kingdom of Helion was situated not far from Versailles, consisting of a diverse mix of humans and Lumens. Even their royalty was of dual blood, half-human and half-Lumen.
He recalled hearing in the past that the prosperous kingdom had once sought an alliance with Versailles, hoping to marry one of their princesses to Ivan.
Now, here he was, staring at the fiery candidate herself.
Princess Ruth continued, "I thought vampire nobles were at least taught basic etiquette, but it seems I was wrong." She let out a sigh of disapproval and muttered under her breath, "And here my father wanted me to marry one of them."
With that, she turned to leave.
But Damien had heard everything.
And now, she had his full attention.
Before she could take another step, a ghoul lunged at her. She barely had a moment to react before Damien appeared in front of her in the blink of an eye, cutting the creature down before it could so much as graze her.
For a moment, silence lingered.
Behind him, Ruth’s eyes widened as she stared at his strong back.
Then Damien turned, a familiar, almost wicked grin spreading across his lips.
"I suppose that makes us even now, Princess Ruth?"
He did not wait for her answer. Instead, he did something he rarely did... something reserved only for a select few in his life.
He extended his hand.
"Let’s try this properly," he said, his voice smooth, laced with quiet confidence. "Damien Silver, of Ducal House Silvercrest, Versailles."
A flicker of amusement danced in his crimson eyes, "Though I imagine you already knew that... didn’t you?"
Ruth’s lips pressed into a thin line, and this time Damien caught a flicker of intrigue in her alluring purple eyes. She glanced at his outstretched hand before finally taking it, giving a small nod. "You are quite an interesting character, Lord Damien."
"I could say the same, Princess," Damien replied.
Before she could react, he suddenly pulled her closer by their joined hands, making her gasp in surprise. "What are you-" she began, only to be cut off as a crackle of electricity surged from his palm, blasting away a creature lunging from behind her.
"I suppose a thank you is in order this time from your end," Damien added, a wicked smile lacing his voice.
Before she could pull away and respond, Cece appeared behind them and remarked, "Stop flirting, Damien, in the middle of a goddamn battlefield!"
Edward’s amused chuckle followed from behind, clearly entertained by the scene. Ruth flushed deeply, colour rushing to her cheeks as she quickly pushed Damien back.
"Oh my god!" she exclaimed, mortified, while Damien only looked more amused at her reaction.
"Ah, young love," Dante commented as he joined his students, earning another soft laugh from Seira, which only made Ruth’s embarrassment worse.
She quickly steadied her weapon, avoiding Damien’s gaze as she cleared her throat. "Right... let’s get this over with."
Damien’s grin only widened. "Well, well... the fiery princess can blush."
Ruth shot him a sharp glare. "You... shameless!"
She turned and strode back into the battlefield, but Damien followed closely behind, partly to ensure she stayed out of danger... and partly to see just how many more reactions he could draw from her.
As the battle continued with renewed energy, joined by various armies from most of the twelve kingdoms, Septimus fought off the encroaching enemies. On the far side of the field, his sharp eyes caught a figure dragging itself away from the carnage.
His gaze narrowed across the battlefield and then widened as he finally recognised a familiar form. The person looked more like a worm than a human, dragging a body that no longer possessed any limbs.
Blasting away the enemies in front of him with his powerful light magic, Septimus made his way toward the pitiful figure.
With every step he took, vivid visions flashed through his mind, one after another, detailing the cruelty this person had inflicted on a young Princess Evelyn.
He paused abruptly, taken aback by the horrific images of the woman torturing Evelyn as a child and then wiping her memories so that no trace of the trauma remained.
Septimus’ body trembled as he whispered, "Oh Goddess, is it you showing me these cruel images?"
A sublime, soft tendril of an ethereal voice seeped into his mind in response. "My daughter’s blood is on her hands."
