The Kingmaker System Chapter 720 - 719. Vanguard: Prince (5)

Miri and Eric found themselves facing minimal resistance from the undead, swiftly concluding their sweep of towns under Ocean's command within three hours.

The horses and knights, thoroughly spent, were instructed by Miri to take turns in a final sweep for any survivors.

"Your Majesty, we've scoured every corner. All survivors have been located and dispatched to Oasis," a knight reported.

Miri offered a nod before turning her attention to Eric, who was gazing intently towards the direction of a signal flare fired about thirty minutes prior. His expression remained inscrutable. Miri approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"We've cleared this area. We can go assist them now, if you wish," she said, her voice softening.

Eric's brow furrowed, and he lowered his gaze as he responded, "I truly don't know what to make of it... My Master informed me that Carlos was possessed. Yet, we spoke just earlier, and he... he even confessed to falling in love. I offered my congratulations. He... seemed genuinely changed, free from that woman's shadow, Miri..."

Miri tightened her grip on his shoulder momentarily before leaning closer, "I understand. Let's discuss this with him once everything else is settled."

Eric's expression grew even darker. "What if, after finally striving to better himself... Carlos loses control to that spirit?"

Miri fell silent at his words. Eric seemed to be sinking into a spiral, and Miri could grasp the reason why.

Not long ago, Carlos had conversed with them. Although Miri had never personally known the Second Prince, she could discern that the individual speaking was not the spoiled Prince of Sestia, but someone who had witnessed battlefields and taken lives. Therefore, Eric's anxieties were understandable; however, Miri couldn't allow him to be lost in his thoughts any longer, especially at a time when his clarity was crucial.

She cupped Eric's face in her hands, her gaze locking with his.

"Listen to me," she commanded firmly, eliciting Eric's focus.

"I acknowledge your concern, and everything unfolding is indeed overwhelming, but... we require you here. You are destined to rule this land, so please, be present with us, alright?"

Eric pressed his lips together, and Miri gently bumped her forehead against his as he held her hands, his eyes closing.

The knights had been too occupied to truly notice before, with the Queen of Mordino commanding troops and the First Prince engaged in combat. However, during this brief respite, the romantic atmosphere surrounding the couple became evident. The knights averted their gazes, offering the couple privacy, yet exchanged glances, pondering the unfolding situation. Considering the Queen of Mordino and their Prince, soon to be King, were involved, a romantic entanglement could very well ensure the unification of their two kingdoms, placing Eric at the helm of an even vaster realm than their former monarchs had ruled.

The knights of the Fairisles family had previously served under Prince Eric's command, witnessing his graceful display of skill and valor. Now, seeing him accompanied by someone who could stand as his equal, showcasing comparable courage, they recognized their future Queen.

While the knights were aware of the existing tensions between their faction and Queen Katherine's, observing Eric and Miri filled them with certainty that the current Sestian monarchy's days were numbered.

As the knights began to whisper amongst themselves, a sudden, palpable murderous intent caused them to instinctively draw their swords and scan their surroundings.

Eric and Miri also felt the chilling presence, carefully surveying their vicinity. Eric then spotted an object hurtling towards them and instinctively swung his arm, his blade effortlessly cleaving the incoming arrow.

"What is happening?"

Just as Eric was trying to pinpoint the arrow's origin, Miri's light touch landed on his shoulder. Eric turned, his gaze falling upon two figures approaching, both entirely clad in black. One carried a scythe nearly as tall as himself, its curved, dark blade spanning half his height. His companion, though unarmed, radiated an undeniable aura of power.

Another arrow whistled through the air, and Miri instantly conjured a protective wall to intercept it. Eric assessed the presence of these newcomers, arriving at a single, stark conclusion.

"Dark mages."

Miri's brow furrowed as she kept her eyes fixed on the approaching figures, while the knights stood with drawn swords, aimed at the intruders. They had heard Eric's pronouncement but found it difficult to accept.

Dark mages in this era?

Eric and Miri recognized that the specters might not be the sole peril they would encounter. However, when the mages finally made their appearance, a single thought solidified in their minds: this was likely the inaugural clash of a protracted war on the horizon.

Much further to the west, Ruel found himself overwhelmed. He was valiantly felling the undead, drawing upon Carlos’s physical vessel for strength, yet his power was notably constrained. A sense of gratitude washed over him for the presence of Drac, Eric’s steadfast guard, fighting alongside him; this assurance meant Carlos, at the very least, would survive the ordeal. Conversely, a pang of regret surfaced, questioning his decision to join the fray. He could have remained behind, allowing the Dragon's forces to conclude their mission. But Carlos had taken the initiative, adamantly pressing to fight together, only to descend into panic now.

"Ruel! Why do these abominations relentlessly target us?!" Carlos’s voice echoed within Ruel's consciousness.

"Perhaps because we are present here," Ruel responded internally.

"What does that imply?!" Carlos demanded.

Ruel mused, "I did mention that your mother obtained my spirit from some source, didn't I?" He continued his thoughts, "Well, she acquired it from these very individuals."

Ruel’s crimson blade effortlessly severed another undead creature as he elaborated, "And given that they were the ones who initially summoned me, my allegiance ought to be with them. However..."

With a swift kick, Ruel sent an undead child, who had latched onto his leg, reeling before plunging his sword through its chest, eliciting a shriek from the reanimated corpse.

"I've opted for our survival and aligned myself with their adversaries. They must have perceived this betrayal, hence their attempt to eliminate the traitor."

Pausing momentarily to draw breath, Ruel observed the young Dragon, now in human form, effortlessly dismantling the undead. A sigh escaped him as he nodded in affirmation of his own strategic choice.

"And I am certain I made the correct decision. In a conflict between a Dragon and a Demon, always stand with the Dragons."

"Dragon? Demon?" Carlos inquired, bewildered.

"Ah, yes, you are unaware," Ruel muttered, leaning back just in time to witness a chained sickle whistle past his face, impaling another undead. He watched the wielder, who seemed utterly unconcerned that she had nearly slain the second prince of the kingdom.

A startled shout escaped Ruel, "Hey! I am on your side! Can’t you watch where you are throwing that weapon?!"

The olive-haired woman remained unfazed, twirling the chain which caused Carlos to let out a pained grunt.

"All of Marquis Ocean’s people are lethally dangerous," Carlos muttered, and Ruel couldn't help but sigh.

"Their unwavering loyalty is solely to him; that is why they conduct themselves in such a manner, my son," Ruel conveyed.

"They belong to Sestia; shouldn't their allegiance be to the crown?" Carlos grimaced, and Ruel nearly chuckled at his naivety.

"I am uncertain if it is appropriate for me to interject, my son, but neither you, nor your father, nor any being on this earth for that matter, can alter the devotion of those who have already pledged their lives to their singular Master," Ruel stated. "Furthermore, as you humans are concerned, you are no match for the inherent authority of a Dragon."

Carlos fell silent for several seconds. Ruel steered his horse back a few paces, allowing Drac and Sir Hopkins to engage the undead for a brief respite while he regained his composure.

"Wait... Dragon? Who?" Carlos finally asked.

Abruptly, Drac whipped his head around. Ruel instinctively ducked, nearly burying his face in the horse's mane, just as a fireball erupted from Drac, soaring overhead. He heard a grunt, then turned to see a figure clad in black clothes land a short distance away, clutching a burned hand.

Ruel scowled as another dark-attired individual materialized beside the first. A grunt escaped him, "Damn these dark mages."

Carlos felt as though the battlefield had suddenly expanded into an incomprehensible expanse. Ruel exhaled a short breath, then glanced at Drac, who unleashed even more potent flames, transforming every surrounding undead into smoldering cinders. He then wheeled his horse around and approached Carlos.

"There is not just one Dragon present here, boy," Ruel thought. "There is the one beside you, and then there is the one who governs this kingdom."