The Kingmaker System Chapter 711 - 710. The Fourth Calamity (3)

"The Queen has been overcome by a monster... It’s going to kill the King."

These were the words that spurred Alys into immediate action. Outside, thunder crashed with immense power as she ascended the stairs, her path winding through dimly lit corridors, higher and higher, until she reached the level where the royal balcony was situated.

Her legs ached from the unaccustomed exertion, and her lungs burned in protest, a testament to how long it had been since she had run so fiercely. She paused, hands on her knees, breath coming in ragged gasps, sweat streaking down her face. She understood that Ernie must have already escorted the lady to Silas, and Silas would undoubtedly have received the message by now. He would be here momentarily. Until then, it was her duty to protect the King.

The royal balcony resided on this floor, ensuring a high level of security. Guards and mages were positioned along the walls, their expressions startled as she emerged from the stairs.

"M-Miss, you are not permitted in this area," one of the guards stammered, but Alys paid him no heed.

"Did someone- did the Queen come here?" she demanded instead.

The guard seemed uncertain as to the reason for her question, but he recognized she was no novice mage; her purple robes clearly indicated her status as a Scholar from the Mages Tower. Those mages who did know her also approached.

"Scholar Alys, what brings you here?" one inquired.

"Just tell me if the Queen came here or not, damn it!" Her shout caused the mages to flinch, while the guards scowled.

"Miss, you should depart. Her Majesty is not present."

One of the mages, who had remained silent at the rear, suddenly noticed something behind Alys.

"Scholar Alys, Her Majesty is directly behind you."

Alys’s eyes widened at this revelation, and she spun around, confronting the figure of the Queen, who was slowly staggering towards them.

"Wh-Why is she walking like that? Where is the Princess?" a guard exclaimed, and another began to approach Katherine.

"Your Majesty, are you feeling alright?" he asked, his voice softening.

"Get back here!" Alys hissed at him, but the guard disregarded her, drawing closer to Katherine, whose form remained obscured by shadow.

Alys observed the Queen intently, backing away with caution.

"Everyone, step back," she commanded. "That is not your Queen."

The surrounding guards frowned in confusion. "What? But she is-"

Alys grimaced at their irritating obtuseness. "Listen for once, you fools! That is not your Queen! It is a-"

Before Alys could complete her sentence, a sharp sound, like that of fabric being torn, echoed. Just as Alys turned, she felt the warm spray of a wet substance landing on her face, and a dull thud reverberated through the corridor as something soft impacted the ground.

The guard who had approached the Queen now lay at her feet, his head positioned near Alys’s, his blood splattering across half her face.

The mages witnessed the horrific event, gasping in shock and turning instantly pale. The guards, however, swiftly drew their swords, aiming them at the Queen. She had severed the guard’s throat with such speed and brutality that it had detached from his body, flying towards them.

A chill coursed down Alys’s spine as she saw the creature’s glowing red pupils fixated on the living individuals.

The mages, regaining some composure, slowly retreated along with Alys, while the guards remained in their positions, swords pointed at the creature. It crouched near the headless corpse, then effortlessly tore off an arm, as if it were separated from a mere doll.

The guards and mages watched in abject horror as the Queen’s once beautiful face seemed to split open, revealing rows of demonic, sharp teeth. The creature raised the severed arm to its mouth and began to consume it.

The remaining guards, lacking combat experience, were overwhelmed by a sight far beyond their comprehension. The mages, accustomed only to research and arcane theory, found the gruesome spectacle nauseating.

Some, unable to bear it any longer, retched against the walls, while one fainted.

Alys heard the sickening crunch of bone and the wet sounds of flesh being torn as the creature moved. It had finished feeding and was now likely observing the feast of potential prey standing before it.

Blood dripped from its chin, its maw stretching from ear to ear in a grotesque, demonic grin.

"Everyone, listen-"

Just as Alys was about to instruct the guards and mages to retreat from the creature, the guards made a rash decision.

"D-Don’t let it get near His Majesty!" One guard yelled, charging forward with his sword drawn.

The other guards, previously shell-shocked, seemed to snap out of their stupor. The initial stimulus galvanized them into action, alas, directly into the jaws of death.

The mages could barely contain themselves, their cries and prayers filling the air.

"S-Scholar Alys! Please save us!"

"Do something, you must have one of your explosives, right?!"

"Throw it! Destroy that thing or it’ll eat us!"

Alys was so scared that her limbs were trembling, leaving her only able to pray for Silas's arrival to help them.

The Mages urged her to act while she stood frozen until the sound of thunder cracked again.

She hadn't realized it was raining until that moment, but it wasn't the thunder that broke through her thoughts; it was Reina’s words echoing in her mind.

"."

Reina’s words resonated clearly, causing Alys’s heart to pound.

""

Alys’s trembling gradually ceased as her gaze flickered around. The royal balcony was quite a distance away, and with the throngs of people outside, the King likely hadn't noticed the commotion unfolding here.

Keeping her eyes locked on the horrific creature, Alys addressed the closest Mage.

"Hurry, go and warn His Majesty, and ensure his safety. Now." she commanded.

The Mage nearest to her, who had been staring at the creature with a quivering body, slowly snapped back to reality and looked at Alys.

"Huh?"

"Go warn His Majesty and get him out of here!" Alys hissed urgently.

The Mage quickly nodded, and Alys heard the sound of all the Mages' footsteps retreating. Since security wasn't their primary concern, numerous high-level mages hadn't been stationed as guards. This meant Alys's presence now placed the frontline responsibility squarely on her shoulders.

Alys clenched her fists, hearing the sickening crunching and wet slurping sounds. She wondered who on earth had unleashed this monstrosity here. More importantly, she questioned if that woman was still alive and possessed further information. Regardless, it seemed Alys would have to face this threat alone until Silas arrived. The novice Mages would only hinder her efforts.

The moment the creature finished its grim feast, Alys finalized the mental strategy she had devised to confront it.

From the satchel she carried, she retrieved a black ball. She watched as the creature, satiated from its meal, turned its glowing red eyes towards her.

"Had a good meal? Now let’s see how you taste this." she declared, assuming a fighting stance.

The creature’s maw gaped open, emitting a shrill screech that made Alys’s ears ring.

Wincing, she watched the creature lunge at her. Alys swiftly dodged, narrowly evading its attack, and then hurled the black ball towards the beast.

The creature halted abruptly, its sharp black claws gouging the stone floor as its eyes remained fixed on Alys.

Alys smirked, observing the black ball near the creature's feet. She then covered her ears and head. The creature moved, as if triggering the ball, and a blinding light erupted from it.

The creature shrieked loudly. Alys squeezed her eyes shut as the ground beneath her feet trembled. She then saw a massive hole blasted near the wall overlooking the arena.

Alys searched for the creature, but it was nowhere to be seen.

"Did I get it?" she wondered aloud.

"Alys?!" Her eyes widened at the sound of a familiar voice. She turned to see the King—her uncle—running towards her, his face etched with worry, followed by the young Mages.

"Alys, what's-" he began to ask, but his eyes widened in shock.

"Scholar Alys, behind you!" one of the Mages yelled. Suddenly, Alys felt an immense force seize her from behind, slamming her against the wall. The impact was so brutal it knocked the air from her lungs, and warm blood trickled from her temple.

Her vision blurred momentarily before she glimpsed the figure standing a few feet away. Its head was tilted at an unnatural angle, its face upturned, eyes fixed on some distant point. Its body was rigid, and sharp inhales emanated from it. The tattered, torn dress it wore did little to conceal its bloodied skin, marred by black smudges.

Alys staggered to her feet, a sharp, stabbing pain in her side. She recalled a cracking sound when she impacted the stone wall.

Katherine, or rather, the monstrous entity, stood before her once more, looking furious as it snarled.

Just as it prepared to lunge, Alys saw a massive fireball streak through the air and strike the creature.

The creature staggered and fell back. Seizing the opportunity, Alys positioned herself between the monster and the safety of the people behind her.

"Stay behind me!" Alys commanded, despite the pervasive pain.

"Alys, get back. I’ll handle it!" Roger’s voice rang out.

"What in the world is it anyway?!"

"Her Majesty has transformed into a monster!"

Alys ignored the panicked shouts, her eyes intensely focused on the creature as it slowly rose to its feet again. Half of its face was scorched away, yet it gave no indication of feeling any pain.

The creature's eyes swiveled in their sockets for a moment before they focused, pupils locking onto something behind Alys.

"Alys!" Roger's hand landed on her shoulder.

"Whatever is happening, step back. I'll handle this," Roger declared, his fist already wreathed in flames.

"No," Alys responded, and before Roger could protest, he felt her shove him aside.

It all unfolded rapidly; Alys pushed Roger away just as the beast lunged. She ducked beneath its claws, circling her arms around its midsection. Simultaneously, Alys hurled a fireball behind it, creating an explosion that sent them hurtling out of the pit and into the air.

Another piercing shriek ripped from the creature as the rain cascaded upon them. Alys watched its claws slash towards her, wincing. In that instant, a familiar hum of mana resonated around her, and she felt her descent halt. The creature thrashed and screeched wildly, so Alys punched it with her now flaming fist. It plummeted downward, crashing violently onto the ground.

The onlookers, who had only just been hearing the booms of explosions, were stunned to witness this. Something, or rather someone, was ejected from a great height, and now Alys hovered several meters above the earth. She breathed deeply, feeling her body mending as she absorbed the rain. Her gaze shifted to Silas, standing near another balcony. It was his mana supporting her; he had arrived at the perfect moment, or she would have likely sustained severe injuries from the fall, not to mention being mauled by the creature.

She offered him a nod. The crowd watched in astonishment as the creature that had fallen from such a height twitched on the ground, then struggled to its feet with an ear-splitting screech.

Caelthir, seated atop one of the spires and observing the unfolding events, regarded the creature with a flicker of detached amusement.

"Hm... there it is... I was wondering why the pieces weren't fitting," he mused, as if performing a mental calculation.

"The undead, shifters, ash rain, and now this chimera... Four calamities have been unleashed... It's about time for them to initiate the spell."

His attention then drifted to the young Dragon, engaged in combat with the Domina on Oasis Street. He propped an elbow on his knee, sitting at ease, his chin resting in his palm. He watched Ocean with an almost sympathetic expression.

"This is where it ends," he murmured. "The hope of the heavens is destined to be crushed today. The final candidate is bound to fail this trial."