LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 231
“Ha!”
Lishe swung the Holy Sword, cleaving through the Undead. Now, her swordsmanship was nearly at one with the essence of combat.
“I will take care of the leftovers. The Hero Party should return.”
The brigade commander of the allied forces spoke. After hours of battle, we headed back to the fortress.
“The once numerous Undead army is finally coming to an end. Without the lich, they’re nothing but a rabble.”
Ambrosia said, taking a moment to breathe. I dusted off the grime stuck to her hair.
“How kind of you. It feels just like being with Gothberg.”
“Didn’t he learn it all from me?”
“Well, I can’t express how reassuring it is to have Teacher Faust joining us.”
As we entered the fortress, soldiers stationed everywhere welcomed us with warm gazes. Their looks of trust eased my mind.
I was reminded once again how much a fully operational Hero Party invigorates the battlefield.
“What of Acella?”
“She has been told to rest a bit longer. The backlash from the magic is significant.”
“I see. Not a mere suggestion, but an order. What a fresh experience this is. When else would I dare speak like this to the Imperial Princess?”
“That may be true. Since I’m in charge of the party’s healer, you must follow my words diligently. Of course, that includes the Saint as well.”
“What are you planning to have the girl do?!”
“I’ll think about it slowly.”
“Umm… please be gentle.”
When it comes time to treat Ambrosia, I of course will be gentle. She is the idol of the Inner Palace, after all.
“Anyway, we will need the Princess for us to move in earnest. Since the fighting has continued, and victory is in sight, we can afford to rest a little.”
“Yes. The party cannot move if even one member is missing.”
Lishe agreed.
As we went to take a rest, someone was waiting for us.
“It’s been a while, Hero Party.”
None other than Heike. She was accompanied by several leaders of the allied forces.
“Your Highness, it’s an honor to see you.”
Everyone greeted her, with Ambrosia leading the way. Only Valen, who did not understand etiquette, was an exception.
“I’ve received word that the siege warfare was successful and the lich has been defeated. Well done.”
“We merely fulfilled our duty.”
Heike proudly patted Lishe on the shoulder. She turned her gaze towards me.
“You are the new doctor who has joined us. The one sent from the former country.”
“Faust.”
We shook hands. Her grip was much stronger than before.
The fact that Acella was here meant that she was practically ruling the empire by herself. She clearly had solidified her resolve.
“How is it, Ambrosia? Does he exhibit the skills worthy of Gothberg?”
“Unquestionably. Doctor Faust is an excellent physician.”
“Gothberg would have chosen well, no doubt. Now, to the main subject.”
Heike handed over a document.
“This is a deployment order.”
Lishe received it and began examining the contents.
“A Mage unit has arrived in the Demon Realm. The infiltrating units are… five in total.”
“Correct. The first unit’s teleport gate is planned to be completed in two days.”
Heike’s gaze sharpened.
“They can infiltrate. Right up to the Demon King’s doorstep.”
Among those gathered, excitement began to bubble. A strategic advantage that could turn the tides was at hand.
“The enemy must also be aware of our army’s movements. The Hero Party has fought the lich and the Undead armies on the front lines. That’s already a confirmed fact. They must think we’re on the defensive.”
“Now is the time to strike unexpectedly.”
“They wouldn’t dream we could cross the middle realm in a flash and emerge in the Demon Realm.”
That was Tanya’s opinion, and I agreed.
“Faust, what are your thoughts?”
Heike asked me.
“According to Lars Gothberg’s strategy…”
I replied, lifting the mask slightly.
“The sooner we depart, the more advantages we will have.”
Heike nodded.
“I think the same. Are you ready to dive into the Demon Realm, Hero Party?”
“Anytime.”
Lishe handed the order back to Heike, tightening her sword sheath’s strap, displaying her determination.
“Good. Call us once everything is prepared.”
With that, Heike bowed her head slightly towards us.
“I leave the continent in your hands, heroes.”
*
“We’re off to the Demon Realm.”
Acella, having heard the news from Faust, made her preparations.
In the battlefield, everything needed to be done directly. This was completely different from the imperial household where maids took care of everything from bathing to changing clothes.
She didn’t plan to indulge in childish whims. She could endure discomfort just fine.
Yet, she felt a tad lonely.
Without the head maid or the commander of the Knights, she felt abandoned in a foreign land with no one she knew.
Tanya was present, but there was no time to enjoy tea and chat like before.
No, that wasn’t it.
She knew.
The reason she curled up tighter under the blankets every night was because he wasn’t there.
It had already been over three years, yet not a single night passed without feeling out of place.
Seeing Dr. Faust recently made her miss Lars even more.
Did he even imagine that this was how she felt?
She forced herself to suppress the urge to inform him through the ring.
“Faust.”
Acella resolved to ask him more about Lars. Perhaps he could reveal aspects of him she didn’t know.
No gestures, no walk, no voice resembled Lars, nor did he have the irritating mannerisms. Yet his medical skills were somewhat reminiscent, bringing her a bit of comfort.
“For now, let’s handle the matter at hand.”
Surely, Lars would act just like this.
Calming herself with the breathing techniques he taught, Acella gathered her wand.
“The party’s movement depends on me.”
She opened and closed her hand. Thanks to Faust’s excellent healing, her mana circuit injuries had nearly healed.
At this point, she was sufficiently capable on her own. Acella stepped out of the room.
“Acella.”
Someone called out to her.
It was none other than the 1st Royal Princess of the Empire, Heike.
She approached without a guard, perhaps wanting to have a chat.
“Heike.”
“Are you departing for the Demon Realm?”
“Indeed.”
“Are you not considering having another Mage take over and returning to the Empire?”
Acella replied with a scoff, and Heike didn’t press further.
“Acella, you and I share no common mother and have pointed swords at each other’s throats until now. I have no intention of acting like a sibling now, but…”
Heike took out a piece of paper and what appeared to be an artifact, reading it aloud.
“Georg and Lau have joined their opinions. The Empire hopes for the third princess of the Moonlight Palace to complete her mission and return to the imperial family in good condition. Thus, I entrust you with the Empire’s treasure.”
Heike flatly conveyed the message and placed the artifact around Acella’s neck.
The ‘Sun Guardian Amulet’ was a world-class artifact once worn by the Emperor of the Empire. It was said to grant ordinary people the strength of heroes and had an incredibly robust protective effect.
Among the artifacts regularly worn by the Emperor, it was one of the most valuable items. A treasure passed down since the founding emperor— truly the treasure among treasures.
Acella scoffed, turned her back on her, and replied.
“Who do you think I am?”
With her hair tied high swaying, Acella walked away from Heike.
As she tucked the necklace into her attire, Acella couldn’t help but smile.
Oh come on. Now you want to act like a sibling?
The imperial family truly was an unpleasant place.
With a lighter step, Acella headed toward her party members.
At the temporary teleport gate established in the kingdom’s territory, her party members were already prepared.
The allied forces gathered for their transmission stood at the ready.
The Mage Nation’s mages had set the groundwork. Unlike the Empire’s large gates, this small gate could barely accommodate one person, and mana surged abundantly.
“Teleport.”
Acella drew a circle and cast the spell. The prepared magic stones synchronized with the matching portal. Of course, the other side led to the gate set up by the Demon Realm’s dispatch unit.
Acella specified the coordinates.
The undulating mana took shape and whoosh!
A hole opened in the gate, completing the activation.
“I’m going.”
Lishe was the first to step through the gate. One by one, each member disappeared into the mana tunnel.
Acella didn’t look back. As she stepped into the tunnel she made, gravity pulled in all directions, shaking her head.
Whaaah!
When she regained her senses, she found herself in a dark jungle.
“Hero Party, all members have successfully moved. I will close the gate now.”
The mages waiting on the other side completed their spellcasting.
“So this is the Demon Realm.”
“Is it a forest? It’s pitch black.”
“It doesn’t look much different at first glance.”
Acella surveyed her surroundings, noting it was indeed a rather unpleasant sight that could easily be mistaken for any human realm.
However, the trees and plants were unlike anything she had ever seen, some quite grotesque, sparking a sense of repulsion.
“We will guard the gate. Hero Party, please proceed with your mission.”
After a brief reunion with the commander of the allied forces, the Hero Party prepared for action without delay. One by one, they vanished into the shadows of the Demon Realm.