Chapter 367 Damsel in Distress
"Issue a State of National Emergency! Gather all residents within the south castle town within the walls and protect them!"
After a while of thinking, she finally made up her mind.
It would be too late to recreate a defensive line, so they should just minimize the number of casualties and evacuate everyone as fast as possible. However, Queen Thalia knew that it was nothing but a stopgap measure.
With their tamers scattered all over the place, fighting, they don't have enough hands to defend the castle.
"Just when the engagement is approaching, we get this?!"
Queen Thalia slammed her fist against the armrest of the throne, causing it to release creaking sounds.
Of course, the solution to survive this is simple; they just need to call for urgent backup from neighboring kingdoms. However, at the moment, they couldn't trust anyone. With how weak the Cleaver Kingdom became, calling for help would endanger their hegemony and might even lead to the one they called for help overthrowing the current Queen.
"Right... The Heaven's Republic!"
'Will!'
A single name crossed Queen Thalia's mind, causing her to feel both bitter and hopeful. Steeling her resolve, she stood from her throne and called in a loud voice.
"Bring Princess Hazel before me, now!"
---
"Owww! Leader, it hurts! It's too tight!"
Fang cried in pain, closing her teary eyes as she endured.
"Really? I'm sure it should fit perfectly though..."
Rather, it would be weird if it didn't fit. I tried to adjust the angle, but Fang cried in pain once more.
"Wait, let me expand it a bit first."
I pulled it out and started to pinch at both sides, trying to expand the hole. Seeing what I was doing, Ember seemed panicked.
"Master, if you do that, it will—!"
*CRACK!*
... Break.
"Uh... sorry, Ember, Fang. It looks like I still need to adjust the size more. And here I thought these rings were already a perfect fit..."
Hmm? Yes, I was just trying to test the engagement rings on Ember, Fang, and Igni. What else could it be?
"But Igni's ring is already a perfect fit. I guess I need to redo the measurements, huh?"
Igni was quiet, as she was staring at the engagement ring that was on her left hand's ring finger. Her face looked so ecstatic that it made me feel bad to ask for the ring back.
"Master... I really think I should make the rings instead."
Ember commented with a worried look on her face. However, I quickly shook my head, denying her offer.
"No. These rings will become an important object in your life. Making them myself would be the best choice... No, that's just an excuse. Rather, I want to make them for you all. Can't I?"
"Master...!"
Ember felt touched, covering her mouth with her hands as her eyes turned teary. Fang, unable to hold back like Ember, jumped into my embrace, her tail wagging wildly.
"Leader, Leader, Leader, Leader!"
W-Wait, Fang... I can't... Breathe!
Just as we were having fun spending time like this, all four of us turned to the side simultaneously. Igni turned to her battle mode, while Fang and Ember moved to protect me from both sides. However, I quickly waved my hand, stopping the girls.
"Relax; it's not an enemy."
Soon enough, the spot we're looking at suddenly cracks like the surface of an icy lake, revealing the black space beyond it. From there, a familiar figure popped out.
"Zeshion?"
However, unlike usual, his face wasn't covered with his carefree smile. Rather, a deep frown was on his lips.
"Will, it's an emergency. Come with me quickly."
"..."
For Zeshion to say the word "emergency," the problem might really be severe. Without wasting time, I quickly entered the portal as Zeshion instructed, with Ember and the others following right after.
The location where we reappeared was the gate of the old castle. Of course, the gate was no longer there, not even the walls that were supposed to protect the castle. Instead, only the few teleportation arrays were left there, with absolutely nobody watching over them.
On one of them, a single figure was present.
A woman was sitting down on the grass as if the world were over, with her expression washed over with despair. Seeing her face, I couldn't help but feel she was familiar.
"Right! The Cleaver Kingdom's princess!"
Just as I muttered to myself, as if surprised by my voice, the woman, Princess Hazel, lifted her head. Her unfocused eyes turned in our direction as her lips parted slightly.
"King... Will?"
"It's president. Either way, yes, I'm Will."
Before I could even finish, the woman rushed to my side, crawling on all fours with a tear-stricken expression.
"P-Please, Will! Please save Mother!"
"What...?"
I was a bit lost and lacking in information. I tried to ask her to elaborate, but she just repeatedly begged to save her mother, tears falling down her face like a waterfall.
"Cleaver Kingdom is currently under siege by Demons. Their southern defenses fell, and now their castle is under attack."
As if waiting for the perfect timing, Zeshion quickly explained the situation.
"...!"
The Cleaver Kingdom is under attack?!
"Is it the demon tamers again?!"
That was the first thing I thought of, but Zeshion shook his head.
"No. It's because of their lack of defense personnel. Their Southern District fell under the incessant demon attacks. Now, they've come here to ask for our help."
"Then go help them! I'll follow right after!"
Our potential subordinate was getting bullied by demons. There's no way I would shut up and watch it all happen. After all, the healthier the Cleaver Kingdom stays, the more benefits we could get from them!
"I can't."
Zeshion, however, shook his head.
"I'm currently defending the North, where a bunch of demigod-
level demons appeared out of nowhere. Without me there, I'm afraid our tamers would suffer severe casualties."
"But you're here right now?"
"No. This is just a clone I made. You can do something similar, right?"
"..."
It looks like he really is too busy to lend a hand. I sighed, weighing my options, but upon seeing Princess Hazel's face covered in tears and snot, I couldn't help but feel a pang in my heart.
"Ember, call for backup from the Seimei and Luo families. Go to the Cleaver Kingdom as soon as you gather them."
Upon hearing my orders, Ember quickly opened up a portal and left the scene. Seeing her following my command, I turned to the other two.
"Fang, Igni, you two, come with me. We'll go on a little excursion!"
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