Book 13: Chapter 31
I was ready to face a downpour of blood, but I never thought the downpour would come so soon. The villagers didn’t even often send food, so I couldn’t explain why they cared if Xia was still there or not every day.
Nier nudged me awake before dawn. She held her long sword in her hand and vigilantly looked at the door: “Something is going on at the entrance of the shrine. It appears the villagers have come. They’re currently gathered at the door. They’re making a ruckus, but they don’t dare to approach.”
I nodded. I couldn’t get any deep sleep, anyway. Nier added, “If possible, please allow me to use force should they barge in, Your Majesty. If they barge in, they will become a threat for you and Ying; therefore, please allow me to kill all those who barge in. I guarantee not a single person will get in for as long as I’m guarding the door.”
“Let’s go take a look first. Don’t hurt the villagers, as Ying will definitely dislike it.”
I then heard Ying’s voice. It was the first time I heard Ying cry: “Xia?!”
Then, I heard the friction of cloth and the floor. I didn’t know what happened over where Ying and Xia were, but Lucia was there, so there shouldn’t have been an issue. I needed to go to the door to stop the villagers, which was perfect timing, since I happened to have something to say to them, too. I stood up. I hadn’t drawn my revolver in a long time. I hoped it still functioned after being waterlogged. Nier and I went to the door.
The main door of the shrine was a timber door. The truth was you could easily knock it down with a single charge. There were flames as bright as daylight outside. There were so many of them you’d suspect a forest was on fire. The people outside loudly shouted Xia’s name and demanded we hand her over.
I glanced at Nier, and she looked back at me: “Sorry, Your Majesty. I may not be able to follow your order to not harm the villagers, because I must ensure your safety. If they threaten you, I shall not hesitate to act.”
“Even if Ying will retaliate?”