Royal Princess of Blood

Once the remaining demons had assembled, the giants and the imps incapable of flying, Ongrus dispelled the pillar of flame.

“Follow closely.”

A massive amount of magical power gathered into Ongrus’s feet. When he took a step, a magical wave scattered beneath the ground and spread out in a circular pattern. Then, around a ten-meter radius from him, a magical shockwave was induced, pushing and scattering the water away. Along with the shockwave, an intense and tall wall of infernal flames rose, instantly evaporating the water it touched, releasing thick steam into the air. The fiery wall was maintained, keeping the water at bay that was ahead of them.

Ongrus took another step, causing another shockwave, and a wall of infernal flames rose to block the water. He continued on, casually walking forward as the demons that remained with him followed. Every step released a wall of flames that pushed away and evaporated the water it touched. Eventually, they were surrounded by the water, but the infernal flames kept them at bay. Even as the water got taller and taller the farther and deeper they went.

One imp stepped beside him. “Will you need assistance, Lord Ongrus?”

Ongrus directed a scowl at him. “Who do you think I am? I can squash you while I keep the flames. Do not think of me as weak.”

The imp frantically stepped back and lowered his head. “M-My sincerest apologies.”

“Hmph, we should hurry. Don’t fall behind.” Ongrus quickened his steps and gradually gained speed as he grew more comfortable. And as he ran, his steps unleashed walls of infernal flames that held back the water.

Infernal flames differed from normal flames — they were more intense, hotter, more powerful. With enough power, it could easily evaporate a vast amount of water instantly with less effort compared to casting normal flames. Ongrus was the strongest among his kin of Ravagers. Therefore, he could achieve this feat. That being said, this was draining his mana quickly. But it was a small price to pay.

***

“Demons?!”

“Here?!”

“Why?”

“How did this happen?”

Voices of surprise and confusion spread among the village guards. Fleta watched as a couple more fogs landed on the ground and became human.

What are they?

Fleta wondered as she stared at the newcomers.

“There’s no time,” Taneva said with a hint of impatience. “We’re going even if you let us in or not.”

The captain of the watch clicked his tongue and looked over to his men. “Let’s go back to the village, we need to defend it.”

They started running back to the village, while the outsiders followed. And just before they reached it, Fleta looked up and saw winged humanoids flying high in the sky.

Those are demons?

She had heard of demons before; she had been told stories about how terrible beings they were. Cruel and horrifying. Although, never had their village ever encountered such creatures. And from the looks of it from the ground, they looked quite terrifying, their forms were inhuman. But that was not what ‌mattered most. Demons were here. That meant there was going to be a battle, here in their village. The thought terrified Fleta.

“To arms!” The watch captain shouted. “We are under attack! Demons! Demons!”

The villagers looked around in confusion. But the men looked around for a moment, trying to understand what was going on, but quickly went on to grab their weapons. Fleta quickly grabbed Pip and took him into her arms.

My family… I need to get there and make sure that—

The flying demons suddenly landed on the ground. The villagers quickly pointed their weapons at them, but the demons didn’t attack. One demon in particular stood up front, facing Taneva.

“Hand over the young goddess, and we can settle this peacefully.”

So she is the goddess...?

Fleta glanced at the shining young woman.

Taneva chuckled. “Don’t you see? Even if you take her now, she’ll only perish. You pushed her to the brink, and now, the only way for her to survive is to ascend.”

The demon let out a sigh. “Even if she ascends, we can’t ask her to do what we need her to do. She would never do it. So, we’ll take our chances. Now hand her over!”

“No.”

“Get the girl! I don’t care about these humans!” The demon charged towards Taneva, but three fogs went against him.

At the same time, the villagers charged at the demons. “Stop them! Don’t let them get to her!” The watch captain shouted. They were determined not to let the demons have their way. Not because the villagers completely understood and believed the situation, but because their opponents were demons — and demons were not to be trusted. They should not let them succeed.

Those with weapons used Armament Magic, and some without used magic spells. The village was in chaos. Flames burst out everywhere, hurting the guards and the villagers who fought. But Fleta realized there was a more important matter.

“The fountain’s that way!” Fleta shouted while pointing her finger.

Taneva briefly glanced at her before quickly sprinting. Hartwin and Velar followed after him but didn’t get to follow all the way as they stopped the demons that came close. There was no time to wait for them, so Taneva went ahead and let Hartwin and Velar reduce the number of demons that would get in his way.

Meanwhile, as Fleta was not a fighter, she went into the village to help the others get to safety and check on her family.

***

Trigel saw Taneva run off with Estelia, and thus he felt an even worse urgency. He cast flames towards the Cursed Children that kept trying to prevent him from moving and following after his target. He gathered a large amount of mana into his claws and leaped backward.

When the three went to move towards him, he abruptly held out his hand, firing a large blast of infernal flames that scorched the wide area it engulfed. There were even collaterals, hitting the human villagers that were fending off the other demons, setting them on fire. However, surprisingly, these humans were quite resilient, ‌being able to magically shield themselves, reducing the damage they suffered. But that was only enough to save their lives, and they still ended up being severely injured by the flames.

But Trigel disregarded the humans. Immediately after the wave of flames, Trigel cast a wide net made of infernal flames, which restrained the Cursed Children. With them temporarily neutralized, Trigel quickly rushed over to the man carrying the goddess, who was moving with tremendous speed through the path.

Trigel, as a dread lord, quickly caught up to Taneva and abruptly bashed him on the back. It vigorously shoved Taneva away, causing him to let go of Estelia as she rolled on the ground. Taneva, as he regained his footing, quickly pulled his spear from his inventory and cast Holy Magic on it. His spear glowed golden.

At the same time, Trigel cast a spell and sent several fiery projectiles toward him. Taneva dodged the projectiles as he quickly advanced towards the enemy. Once the demon was within reach, he thrust his spear.

Flames engulfed Trigel’s claws, and he blocked the weapon shining with holiness. His flames countered the holy magic, keeping it from making direct contact with him. “Don’t think I’m easy to kill like the others.”

Taneva drew back his spear and started swinging continuously with swiftness. “I have no time to deal with you!”

“Surrender the goddess!”

“Fuck off!”

Taneva glanced at the princess. He needed to bring her to the fountain without bringing her harm. But with this dread lord getting in his way, it would prove difficult. Then he noticed the princess slowly standing. He parried the enemy.

“I’ll cover you, Estelia! Go!”

Trigel attempted to go straight for the princess, to try to grab her. But Taneva bludgeoned him with his spear, blowing him away from her. Taneva kept him at bay as Estelia slowly made progress toward the fountain. Trigel kept trying and trying, but to no avail.

And then, a some time later, a red giant intervened and suddenly slammed his fist against Taneva. The latter was blown away bloodied but immediately regained his footing.

The red giant, Ongrus, turned a glance at Trigel. “I’ll take care of this.” He noticed the Cursed Children coming, and he slammed his foot on the ground, sending a giant wave of infernal flames at the group, engulfing them completely.

Trigel nodded and quickly sprinted towards the princess.

“No!” Taneva tried to stop him, but the giant got in his way.

“I’m your opponent.” And he swung his fist.

Trigel, unobstructed, quickly caught up to the princess.

***

Everything was a blur, hazy. I couldn’t make sense nor see what was happening. My mind was clouded, filled with pain and weakness. I wasn’t fully aware of the things happening around me. All I knew was that I was being carried, and there were voices that I didn’t recognize.

People, there were people that I didn’t recognize. Believers of the goddess. Yes, the goddess. Me. No, not me. It was someone else. But it was still me, it would be me. For I am.

I heard something calling me, whispers, voices, beckoning me. Yes, I heard the call, it was close. My salvation. My righteous inheritance. However, the whispers and the voices, I couldn’t understand them. They were gibberish — but perhaps they were not voices at all. Perhaps it was just a way for me to comprehend my salvation’s beckon. It was nearby, I needed to have it.

I could feel my life slipping away.

I refuse to die. I still have something to do here. My family… I have to return… I cannot die.

I heard sounds of chaos. Conflict. Blood being shed. Battle. My adversaries have come. I was inching closer to the call. The voices were getting louder and louder. Just a little more.

Before I could make sense of it all, I realized I was on the ground. My body was already torn apart, little of my human flesh remained. It was so close. I gathered all the strength I could muster and forced myself to stand. My body felt heavy, and my vision couldn’t see properly. But I took a step forward.

Every step felt like a year of journey, my back felt like I carried a boulder. I must not stop. I will not let anyone stop me.

I lifted my foot and stepped forward, again and again. More and more of my flesh chipped away. But I ignored it. I felt a crushing force spread throughout my body, as if something was trying to destroy me from the inside out. In a word, I felt I was about to explode. But I kept going. The beckoning was becoming louder.

Then I finally saw it. A fountain of blood. However, another one stood between me and it. A demon, an imp.

“Young goddess. Stop and surrender yourself. Give up, and we’ll spare your friends and this village.”

I frowned.

“Goddess, we only need one simple thing from you. You've just made things more difficult for everyone. We just need you to free our God. That is all.”

That had nothing to do with me.

“I cannot easily touch you now, so it would be best to keep things simple. Enough with the fighting and deaths. I promise you, if you give yourself up, your allies and this village will live another day.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but form a small smile. It was hard to speak, but still I did. “... You seem to be under the wrong impression, imp.”

“What…?”

“I do not care about them… Not at all.”

That’s right, at this point, I didn’t give a single damn about everyone here. If they all had to die, Velar, Hartwin, and whoever these villagers were, so be it. If they must die for me to live, so be it.

“You’re bluffing,” said the demon.

“... I have no heart to give them.”

Nothing mattered more but myself. This demon had no leverage whatsoever. Out here, it was me, and only me.

I took a step forward.

“If I have to drag you myself, I will!”

The demon tried to reach out for me, but his flesh was burning in the presence of my divinity. Even so, he kept trying to reach for me. It was then that a spear struck the imp and blew him away. I looked and saw it was Taneva.

“Agh! Stop getting in my way!” the imp shouted in anger.

Taneva attacked him, and at the same time, he was fighting a giant demon. The Cursed Children moved in to help him.

I took a step forward, and my leg faltered.

So close.

It was then that I saw a familiar face come up to me.

Nira…

“Goddess!” She quickly went to help me upright, all the while her body was getting torn by my divine power. She ignored the intense pain and helped me forward. “We’re almost there, Goddess!”

One step, then another, then another, then another... Before I knew it, Nira was no longer by my side. Glancing back, her body was so destroyed that she couldn’t move anymore, she was basically bones and torn internal organs now. She was regenerating, but I was destroying her faster.

But that was fine. For I took a single step forward, and I had finally had my hand on the edge of the fountain. The sensation of the stone was cold, but in an instant, I could feel power coursing through my veins.

I climbed over the fountain’s short stone wall and fell into the pool of blood.