Chapter 119: Queen (1)

"Here we go again… shall I skip that city?" Luke wondered 

"This time, it will be fine, I can feel the presence of some of my friends, and it seems they are close to a crystal," Rina said.

"The fact that people like you are there only makes me think even more that things won't be fine…" Shalia said.

Luke didn't say that out loud, but he was quite concerned as well. Rina was way, way too idealistic, and finding a bunch of people would be a bit uncomfortable. In any case, he was doing a favor to the military in exchange for Intel of the crystals, so he had to at least check.

As he was approaching the city, Luke confirmed that the monsters weren't in the sky so that he could return to his usual fighting style. That was good… However, he changed his mind when he saw some horse-like creatures dashing toward a group of cornered survivors.

Cursed Staur - LV 45

HP: 450/ 450

MP:239/ 239

SP: 338/ 338

STR: 88

SPE: 96

INT: 55

END: 44

RES: 44 

FOC: 90

Active Skills: Dash Lv 06

Spells: Gravity Sphere Lv 03

Passive: Fire Resistance Lv 04, Wind Resistance Lv 03, Pain Resistance 04

The Cursed Staurs were basically purple horses a bit bigger than the ones from Earth. Their eyes were head, and their mane was dark. The whole creature gave Luke an ominous feeling… but the most important thing was the spell they could use.

"Gravity… that type of attack might be troublesome," Luke said.

"... Maybe you can leave them alone. I am sure in one way or the other they survive that," Rina said.

Luke and Shalia frowned when they heard that. Usually, she would hurry to help people in trouble, but now she was telling him that. Something was off.

"I was thinking that I should intervene because I don't like hero-like entrances, but…" Luke said. "That is unusual coming from you. What is wrong?"

"Those guys are probably some of her friends, and they might tell us some embarrassing stories of her past," Shalia said.

"No! That is…" Rina protested without knowing what to say.

"I am not sure Rina would do something like that for such a pathetic reason… in any case, if there is a crystal nearby, then I have to check it," Luke said. "Let's just ignore those friends of yours if you feel uncomfortable around them."

"Ignoring them would be even worse…" Rina said with her head down.

In any case, Luke decided to approach, and while he was watching the battle, he confirmed how dangerous the Gravity Spheres were. When one of the survivors was hit by it, he fell on his knees, and the pressure almost crushed his legs. The monsters weren't focused on the use of magic, and the spell was only at level three, but if they were… they probably could have made those hit by it be crushed thanks to their own height. When they were hit by it, they became easy targets for the charge of the Cursed Staurs, but before they could attack the man, Luke appeared and bombarded the beasts with Spark Balls and then jumped from Artiuno's back and sliced in half one of those when he landed. Several others tried to surround Luke, but he cut their necks with Sonic Blade. A weird liquid splash from their wounds... it was purple just like them and also emitted an oddly smell that make everyone feel nauseous.

You obtained 40 experience points.

You obtained 40 gold coins.

You obtained 40 experience points.

You obtained 40 gold coins.

...

"I feel so creeped out…" Luke said.

"I get it… making such a dramatic entrance. I would feel goosebumps in your place," 

Shalia and Luke nodded at each other. They were on the same wavelength. Nevertheless, Luke soon recovered and dashed toward another monster before using Stinger. However, the target was also pretty fast and stopped Luke's attack with its teeth.

"Not bad… but this wasn't the best of ideas," Luke said and then used Sonic Blade.

You obtained 40 experience points.

You obtained 40 gold coins.

The attack cut half of the monster's head and made it fall on the ground, dead. In any case, thanks to his sudden arrival, the other monsters focused their eyes on Luke, and that gave the survivors the chance to counterattack. They were a group specialized in long-ranged attacks, so it was no wonder they got cornered when the enemies got that close. In any case, thanks to their support and the fact that Artiuno was covering him from above, Luke didn't get in trouble.

"Hey… is that…"

"Yeah… no doubt about it…"

"I can't believe it…"

Luke thought that the elves were muttering something about him, but when he found their line of sight, he noticed that they were looking at Rina, and she looked extremely uncomfortable.

"Hello everyone, it has been a while," Rina said while forcing a smile. "Let's work together and forget the past, all right?"

"Your Majesty!"

"I am so glad you are safe, Your Majesty!"

"Please, Your Majesty! Let me touch your hands for a single moment!"

One of the elves said something weird, but they basically treated Rina with a lot of respect… Moreover… referring to her as if she was royalty… Luke and Shalia looked at her with dubious eyes. While they never talked about their past that much, hiding such a thing had been a low blow.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Luke said and then bent his knee. "Forgive my rudeness of not bending my knees sooner."

"I knew you would make fun of me…" Rina said. "I am not royalty anymore, and we are just friends, so you don't have to act like that, even less so as a joke."

"Only if you explain what is going on here, Your Grace," Luke said.

It seemed that Luke was going to learn more about Rina, but she didn't pleased in talking about it...