Chapter 202: Beware of the Shadows (1)

Thanks to Axel’s accessories enhancing their strength and vitality (stamina), their march had significantly increased in speed compared to before.

However, this accelerated pace also meant she encountered her “pursuers” sooner than expected.

After a while, Sophia finally began to see what Eve had seen earlier.

In the distance, an army of approximately three thousand could be spotted, marching in an orderly formation. They showed no signs of fatigue, despite their faster-than-normal pace.

Although they were still far away, Sophia could make out the flags raised at regular intervals across their ranks.

One flag featured the design of an eagle soaring in the sky, with three swords positioned like a nest beneath it, along with a partial globe at the bottom, stepped on by the soaring eagle. The flag displayed a deep, calming yellow mixed with a warrior-like red—the flag of the Alcott Empire.

But that wasn’t the only flag present.

Next to it, another flag flew, showcasing a white fleur-de-lis against a blue shield, flanked by two swords as if guarding it.

“That’s…” Sophia gasped, recognizing her sibling’s banner. “That’s Tiffany’s flag! That witch, how dare she…?!”

Of course, not everyone could display their own flags within the empire, especially ones that featured multiple swords—a symbol of strength. Only those recognized by the Emperor for their distinguished service were permitted to do so.

For instance, Sophia herself did not yet have her own flag, despite being the first princess. She was never one to take the front lines in battle.

Kyle, as a general, had a flag of his own as well.

Though he never got the chance to showcase it before his death…

In that context, Tiffany, who possessed her own flag—with two swords, no less—was bad news.

Not only did her men outnumber them by over ten to one, but she also commanded the Shadows, her own elite troops. They were the primary reason behind her prestige and accomplishments—a dangerous group known for their espionage and assassination skills.

Under normal circumstances, the Shadows would be treated like fugitives wherever they went. However, under Princess Tiffany’s orders, they were pardoned for any “sin.” Consequently, they were practically unstoppable within the empire.

“Be careful,” Sophia warned. “Her Shadows might reach you before you even notice. They use strange magic.”

“I see…”

Eve, however, felt no fear at all.

With her current stats being so high, her natural defense was sufficient enough to deflect bullets with her skin; she literally had nothing to fear—

Not even ambushes.

“Watch out,” Eve calmly warned as she moved.

Her hand reached into the carriage where Sophia was and caught something—a dagger emerging from Sophia’s own shadow.

“…!”

Realizing the danger that was mere inches away, Sophia quickly lunged forward, escaping the weapon’s path.

“Your Majesty!” Rico reacted, though a moment too late.

He jumped to Sophia’s side, pulling her into his embrace and waving his staff. Soon after, a thin protective barrier enveloped them, shielding the two from further attacks.

“Hup!”

Once she confirmed they were safe, Eve yanked the dagger from the shadows, dragging its wielder into the open. A figure soon emerged.

A man clad in all black, with glowing red eyes, stared vengefully at Eve, tightly gripping the dagger in his right hand.

But Eve’s focus was elsewhere.

She was fixated on his left hand, which was moving from further in, concealed from direct view. Something glinted in the man’s grasp, prompting Eve to narrow her eyes.

“Pardon me, Princess Eve!”

Before anything could unfold, another figure intervened—Arianne!

She seized the naked blade of the dagger with her hand and pulled harder than Eve had. The man in the shady assassin attire was unexpectedly yanked out of the carriage and thrown further away.

“So that’s the shadow you were talking about?” Arianne asked Sophia without looking, drawing her sword and assuming a defensive stance. “True, he looks like someone who’s killed thousands before.”

“P-Please be careful, Lady Arianne, Princess Eve!” Sophia exclaimed anxiously. “Shadow doesn’t refer to an individual, but to a group!”

As if to validate her words, the shadow beneath the man began to writhe.

One by one, similarly dressed figures began to materialize.

Each of them radiated intense killing intent, making their intentions painfully clear. They were, without a doubt, seasoned killers.

They emanated a strong stench of death, their presence overwhelming. Just by standing there, Sophia felt as if thousands of needles were prickling her skin.

Eve, Arianne, and the rest of the sniper team remained unfazed. To them, the killing intent radiating from this group felt no stronger than a gentle breeze. After all, they had faced far worse during their training—killing intent that was powerful enough to momentarily stop their heartbeats.

Eve glanced over the figures, taking in their attire and the weapons they wielded.

The first man brandished a dagger while narrow steel needles glinted in his left hand—something Eve had noticed earlier, but didn’t have enough time to throw.

Behind him stood three more, each armed with curved short swords.

A few steps back were three men clutching small wands.

It was a well-balanced team of three vanguards and three mages.

“Arianne…” Eve maintained her focus, speaking to her best knight. “Try not to kill them if you can.”

Arianne understood this wasn’t about being soft-hearted; it was about gathering information that could be advantageous later.

“Yes, princess!” she replied, a fierce grin spreading across her face.

The grip on her sword creaked under her gauntlets, betraying her excitement. Meanwhile, the enemies remained eerily calm, their silence suggesting they were ready to strike at any moment.

“Gather, everyone! Protect the princess!”

As the princess’s knights reacted to the threat, the six cloaked men launched their attack.

The three armed with bladed weapons dashed forward, breaking into three distinct directions as if they were trained for this very moment. The dagger-wielder charged straight ahead, flanked by the two curved swordsmen who split left and right.

Arianne spotted the first man flicking his left hand, sending needles flying toward them. With a swift twist, she deflected the needles onto the flat of her blade, stopping them from causing any harm. But that was merely a distraction.

The real danger came from the sides. Two curved blades descended—one aimed at Princess Sophia’s carriage, the other directed at Eve’s head.

“Rude bastards…!”

Arianne refused to let them succeed.

She stepped forward, reaching the attacker targeting Eve first.

Her left hand reached for the hooded man’s head. With a grip so tight that it cracked his skull, she threw him toward the other assailant like a bowling ball!

The two bodies collided and fell—one with limbs bent at unnatural angles, the other contorted into a “>” shape.

The third attacker, undeterred by the fate of his comrades, continued his assault.

He swung his blade at Arianne’s back, aiming for her nape—a potentially fatal strike…

CLANG!

But in an instant, a brilliant blade appeared to intercept his dagger.

Arianne blocked the attack without even looking!

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