Chapter 90.1 - Interlude - Princess Knight (1)
The Targe Forest lay far to the west of Serene, about 10 days' journey by carriage.
It was an expansive forest stretched from the Sanok Mountains, known for its rich flora and fauna as well as the prevalence of monsters.
This had earned it a reputation for frightening the neighboring residents and attracting numerous adventurers.
At the entrance to this forest, a crowd had gathered.
Most were soldiers clad in uniform leather armor and weapons, while others were adventurers with a variety of equipment.
Their total number was close to fifty.
Leading them was a young girl on horseback, possibly around 15 years old.
She wore a well-worn white leather armor, and her sharp gaze peered out from beneath neatly trimmed bangs, focused on the forest.
Behind the girl, a middle-aged woman on horseback accompanied her.
She wore chainmail and a deep blue cape, with a small sword hanging from her waist.
Without a word, time passed in silence.
Soon, the middle-aged woman shifted her gaze.
The sound of rustling bushes prompted over fifty soldiers and adventurers to ready their weapons.
A single adventurer emerged, gasping for breath, and knelt before the girl's horse.
"I got it!"
As the girl nodded, the forest creaked and let out a scream.
The restless soldiers and adventurers were calmed by the girl as she unsheathed her sword.
"Prepare for battle, everyone!"
At her command, the soldiers sprang into action.
What emerged next was a massive tree. Countless branches writhed, and hanging vines sought prey. It had no head or face, but there was a gaping hole near the top of its canopy.
The abnormality and size of it swallowed the soldiers.
However, the girl held her ground, her sword aimed forward.
Everyone else hesitated and tightened their grip on their weapons.
"It's bigger than expected."
The middle-aged woman's horse advanced, positioning herself alongside the girl protectively.
"It's Pandu, isn't it?"
"Of course.
The girl swung her sword and gave the order.
"Spear unit, forward!"
The soldiers rushed forward in unison, forming a spear formation.
Pandu moved its branches as if probing, letting out a roar like a tempest.
Several soldiers were blown away by the swinging branches.
But the remaining ones bravely fought back with their spears, slowly retreating.
Waiting for Pandu to come out of the forest, the girl swung her sword again.
Rear units flanked left and right, throwing oil jars behind Pandu.
"Release the fire!"
Without further ado, a barrage of [Fireball], [Firebolt], and countless flaming arrows soared from the rear.
The giant body twisted and trembled.
The falling embers ignited the oil, creating a wall of flames between the forest and the giant.
Whether there were soldiers there or not, Pandu didn't care.
It thrashed wildly, trying desperately to escape the raging flames.
"That's it! Everyone, charge!"
With one command, the girl kicked her horse's belly, launching a sudden assault. The middle-aged woman panicked.
"Princess Sheela!?"
Amidst the screams, over 50 people leaped into action in response to the girl's charge.
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On the gentle spring breeze, the scent of charred remnants lingered in the air.
People were busy attending to the wounded, checking for any remaining sparks, and tidying up after the battle.
Pandu had come to a halt, its massive form exposed on the grassy plain. One of the soldiers chuckled and gave it a playful pat.
Everyone had bright expressions, but the reality of casualties couldn't be ignored.
Five soldiers and two adventurers had fallen.
Around the fallen comrades, friends and fellow fighters had gathered.
Sheela praised their courage, and those who remained, on the verge of tears, listened to her words while forcing smiles.
No one blamed her.
Everyone present had chosen to be here willingly.
Blaming her would be like mocking those who had lost their lives.
Behind Sheela, the middle-aged woman, Dariya, wore a discontented expression.
She had instinctively dodged and avoided the attack, but Sheela herself was on the verge of joining their ranks.
Observing the crowd thinning around her, Dariya spoke up.
"Princess Sheela."
"I know. I was reckless."
Sheela replied in a hushed tone.
However, Dariya's expression remained unyielding.
Sheela, this young girl, repeated the same actions.
She believed it was her role, and was trying to convince herself of it.
Dariya, her protector and wet nurse, was a former adventurer.
She knew well that such an attitude meant throwing away one's life.
Staring at Sheela's slender back, Dariya reaffirmed her determination.
If there was no stopping her, then she would have to die first.
The Sheela Annihilation Squad returned to Vokur town a few moments later.
The Vokur Barony was one of the lords in the southwestern region of the Arsis Empire.
It was a small regional lordship with only one town, Vokur, and a village that served as a rest stop.
Their return was met with cheers.
The entire town's population had gathered.
As they responded to the cheers, the Annihilation Squad proceeded down the main street.
"Princess!"
A young girl perched on her father's shoulders waved to Sheela.
Her voice was echoed from all around, "Princess," "Lady Swordswoman.".
Even Sheela, who usually wore a stern expression, had a smile on her lips.
Dariya, who accompanied her, also smiled, but her feelings were complex.
Not long ago, these words had been laced with mockery.
This tendency was particularly strong among the soldiers, those who risked their lives in battle.
It was due to Sheela's behavior, which didn't fit her role as the daughter of a baron, and couldn't compete with the presence of those alongside her.
The change had come when Sheela started going to the battlefield.
She didn't hesitate to face death to protect her subjects.
Witnessing such a fighting style, the perspective of soldiers, adventurers, and townsfolk began to change.
Before they knew it, Sheela's popularity had surpassed not only her eldest brother, Pykes but even Lord Tortus, the ruler of the barony.
The Annihilation Squad arrived at the square.
In front, the deceased were covered in cloths, and Sheela recited their names.
She then praised the fallen and those who survived and raised a large emerald magical stone high into the air.
"Thanks to everyone's efforts, Pandu has been defeated!"
The crowd shook Vokur with their cheers.
Several soldiers held up thick branches, and the applause grew even louder.
"Now, I hereby disband the Annihilation Squad! Everyone, you fought well! We have set up a celebration, so feel free to drink as much as you want!"
Soldiers and adventurers raised triumphant shouts that matched the crowd's enthusiasm.
The Annihilation Squad disbanded, and each member headed toward the celebration, rejoicing in each other's safety.
Watching over this scene, Sheela returned a bitter smile.
In her line of sight was a civil servant.
"Princess, His Excellency requests your presence."
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