CH 238

She could somehow manage to remain alive, but it would be impossible for others. With that in mind, she immediately charged toward the black monster. A second later, she reacted with surprise when she glanced to her side.

“What’re you thinking of going off by yourself?”

Before she knew it, the blond man was keeping pace with her. ‘He caught up to me?’ Even the imperial guard couldn’t keep up with her speed, yet this stranger matched her pace with ease. Nonetheless, there wasn’t time to be surprised because the black monster soon came into view.

“Okay, I’m here now, but…” Tania faltered. What’s next? Cecile had been the one who dealt with this creature last time. Tania remembered the empress had whacked it with her scepter, so she clenched her fists tightly and readied herself. After all, the only weapon she had was her physical prowess. Leaping over the festivalgoers fleeing in terror, she landed in front of the black mass and hurled a punch at it.

Splob. It was a splob, instead of a smack. The oozing, mud-like body of the creature simply absorbed the impact and enveloped Tania’s fist. Her eyes widened in shock. Almost instantaneously, the upper part of the monster morphed into what resembled spears and pointed towards the handmaiden.

‘It’s going to attack!’ Tania thought in horror. She raised her arms to brace for the incoming attack, but at that moment…

“Will you please be a little careful before attacking!”

The blond man who’d followed next to her suddenly appeared out of nowhere, caught her by the waist and rolled both of them to the side. And not a moment too soon! The morphed spears from the creature’s upper body bored into the ground at that same moment in the exact spot Tania had just stood.

‘It’s troubling that a stranger is acting so friendly, but that’s something that can be discussed later!’ Tania quickly scrambled back to her feet and pounced at the monster again. Her previous attack had managed to halt the monster’s movements. ‘For now, I need to buy time while the people run away. I don’t know how far I can last by myself, but…’

Although it would be a stretch to keep the creature at bay forever, she could at least buy some time for the festivalgoers to escape. She was certain that the emperor and empress must be nearby somewhere, so all she needed to do was hold out until they arrived on the scene.

“Hey, I’ll hold it back, so you concentrate on attacking!”

The man’s shouts yet again interrupted Tania’s thoughts, and she wondered incredulously, ‘That man still hasn’t run away yet?’ She gaped at the blond man, who continued to yell at her as he skillfully dodged the monster’s attacks. To her surprise, she was relieved when she saw him in action. ‘He’s… capable!’ Although she didn’t know the extent of the man’s strength, he was capable enough that she didn’t need to concern herself with his safety.

As the monster’s attacks resumed, the pair reacted swiftly, seamlessly blocking and counter attacking. It was definitely the first time they fought together, and yet… ‘Our teamwork is perfect,’ Tania marveled. She couldn’t believe it. They were so in sync, it was as if they were long-time partners. When the blond man blocked, Tania would attack, and if she took defense, he would switch to offense. There wasn’t any need for any communications or even an exchange of glances. It was a mystery how they complemented each other so well.

A memory suddenly surfaced in Tania’s mind from when she was scolded by her mother long ago.

“Didn’t I tell you not to fight however you please?! You can’t keep charging in alone. You need to learn how to cooperate with others!”

In the end, her mother had been the only person in their province that was capable of fighting together with her.

“I can’t be battling by your side for the rest of your life, can I?” the margrave chided. “Taking into account that you’ll have to inherit the province later on and protect these lands, you need to find someone who can fight well at your side for the rest of your life.”

“If I do find someone like that, then what?”

“Drag him over and bang— I mean, hold onto him tightly. Never let go. You think it’s easy to find a man who can match the women of Kaniche?”