Chapter 176: Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (40)

Chapter 176: Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (40)

Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (40)

Ciens mind was in absolute disarray.

Anyone would have been the same. A chain of explosions abruptly erupted and sent the entire area into pandemonium.

The pained cries of those sprawled on the ground tore through the previously festive atmosphere, and she was soon engulfed in an intensifying wave of negative emotions as more and more people became injured.

Gripped by a suffocating terror, her breath failed to escape her lungs.

Possessing eyes capable of seeing through all sorts of emotions, she was unaccustomed to unexpected, rapid shifts in emotions of this scale.

It wasnt just limited to human emotions. She could even faintly grasp the intentions of all living creatures.

This included both their hostility and murderous intent.

As such, she should have been able to detect their emotions and notice the ambush. However, her eyes hadnt captured even a fragment of an otherwise conspicuous emotion until the very moment the demonic cats exploded.

It was an inexplicable situation that bordered on impossibility.

No normal living being was capable of remaining so unfazed in front of death. It was as if the cats emotions were disconnected from their bodies.

Cien inadvertently trembled in the face of an unprecedented situation.

As the chain of explosions continued, her knights stepped forward one by one, offering themselves as shields against the blasts. Had she not bolstered the number of knights present, her safety would not have been guaranteed.

Picturing the grim possibility of what could have happened, her legs gave out, and she found herself on the ground.

Amidst her trembling, the figure of a mans back flashed through her mind.

It was a man with black hair and golden eyes.

He had once advised her to increase the number of knights escorting her. The emotions he exuded at that time contained nothing but genuine concern.

Could it be that he had foreseen this attack?Gét latest novel chapters on nov(e)lbj/n(.)c/om

It was mere speculation, but if she reflected on all the events till now with the assumption that he had expected this attack, all the pieces of the puzzle that had previously eluded her began to fall into place.

She didnt have any concrete evidence. It was simply an inkling of a possibility. However, that alone was convincing enough to cloud her eyes in a daze.

And that gave way to another problem.

If her speculation really was correct, then what should she do?

Cien bit down on her lips.

That couldnt be- no, it was impossible. Even the imperial family was unaware of the ambushthe possibility of some random son of a rural noble family preemptively noticing the attack was virtually nonexistent.

Moreover, tarnishing his own reputation and exposing those around him to persecution just to save her?

It was absurd.

She had a deep-rooted distrust of humans. The only things she could place her trust in were peoples desires.

Throughout her life, she had yet to witness anyone who successfully escaped the clutches of their desires. It stood to reason, then, that Ian was no exception.

Could someone truly act out of pure goodwill, devoid of any underlying desires, and willingly sacrifice themselves to save others?

Such a thing was nothing but a fantasy.

Cien refused to believe the ridiculous notion and denied any possibility of Ians altruism.

Y-Your Imperial Highness we must escape.

Irenes voice dragged her mind back to reality.

Her emotions were betrayed by her trembling voice and quivering eyelashes

The previously confident and dependable Irene was nowhere to be seen. Even then, Irene was trying her best in her own way as a knight to ensure her princess safety, and she concluded that they had to flee.

In a state of overwhelming turmoil, Cien nodded without saying a word.

Though some students were already responding to the sudden ambush, swiftly organizing an effective defensive formation on the spot required extensive training and combat experience.

Unless someone had foreseen the attack and prepared for it, the chances of falling while engaging in the scuffle were too high to simply ignore. They had to make their escape.

Irenes decision was undoubtedly correct. However, a nagging thought lingered in Ciens mind.

If she were to flee, her knights would follow suit to accompany her, leaving a significant gap in the students defenses.

Her steps faltered as she thought of the increased danger and harm the students would face. However, the knights sole priority was keeping their princess safe, and in the end, Cien found herself being pulled along as they escaped.

Irene drew strained, ragged breaths as she practically carried Cien.

Princess, theres an escape route in the basement of Verlata Pavilion. Well make our way there.

Though it was directed to Cien, it also served as a command to the other knights and maids, who nodded in understanding.

The sword stayed true to its target and dug into the skull of one of the beasts. However, even with one down, another was left, and it ferociously continued its offensive.

Maintaining my momentum, I exerted my body further and pushed the student aside right as the beast tore open its mouth, revealing its terrifyingly savage fangs.

-Kwaaajuk!!!

A sickening crunch echoed out as its fangs dug into my bone.

I had sacrificed my arm, judging that I didnt have the time to dodge.

Clenching my teeth and enduring the flaring pain, I forcefully swung the beast down.

A loud impact reverberated and shook the ground.

However, the beast stubbornly held on, and left with no other choice, I mounted the beast and pounded down on its face with my fists.

The mana-imbued punches of a swordsman were more akin to heavy hammer strikes.

-Puk! Puk! Puk!

Blood and flesh splattered with each strike.

It took less than a minute for the cats face to become completely flattened. Its eyes bulged out, unable to withstand the pressure, and it was only now that its quivering jaw released my arm.

However, it wasnt only the cat that was messed up. I was as well.

Although it wasnt to the point where I couldnt move my arm, chunks of flesh were bitten off, and it convulsed when exerting even the slightest bit of strength.

Taking out a potion, the flesh regenerated quickly, but it wasnt without any residual effectsmuscle weakness still lingered.

While murmuring complaints to myself, I retrieved my sword and hatchet from the carcasses of the demonic beasts. After placing the sword back into its scabbard, I tried strengthening the grip on the hatchet, but all it resulted in was a trembling arm and an unsteady hold.

It was already the second time I sustained injuries that impaired my mobility today, and I began to doubt whether I would be able to confront the main force of the Dark Order that was targeting the princess.

While engulfed in a gloomy mood, I remembered the students who had been fending off the other demonic beasts.

Hey, are you guys o-

Why did you save us?

Their fists were clenched, and a vague resentment filled their eyes.

I stood gobsmacked. It was such an unexpected reaction to someone who had just saved their asses.

What was more surprising was that it wasnt limited to a single person but the entire group. The others were biting their lips or avoiding my gaze. What they had in common, though, was that they all shared a particularly intense emotion.

The nature of that emotion quickly became apparent.

We We tormented you and your friends! So, why did you save us, even giving up your arm?!

It was an outburst of their shame, regret, and guilt.

Their overwhelming remorse was being vented as anger instead.

The reality of being saved by someone they had harassed was gnawing at them.

Although I initially listened in silence after being taken aback, an irritated smile soon found its way up my lips.

After sifting through my memories, I finally rememberedthese were the bastards who disappeared into the alley after stuffing Leto into a trash bin.

Fate worked in funny ways. And so, I had but one response for these bastards.

Y-You could have just left us Are you trying to make us feel miserable?! W-Weve harassed yo-!

-Pak!

The sound of a blunt object striking a neck rang out.

The male students eyes shook violently and rolled up as he collapsed limply onto the ground.

I had struck the back of his neck using the backside of my hatchet.

It was their turn to be stunned.

Looking at their puzzled looks, the corners of my lips lifted into a smirk.

Ive got you now, ya bastards.

Who would have thought theyd confess so readily? At this rate, they would be framed as model prisoners who obediently cooperate without a fuss.

Their eyes quickly became submerged in fear.

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