Chapter 400: A Certain Bloodline

The news that the princesss escape had been moved forward had to be delivered to Al as soon as possible.

However, by moving the escape to within three days time instead of a week, they did not have enough manpower.

Thats why the Prime Ministers Shadows immediately set out to deliver the news as soon as the minimum preparation was finished.

This entire defection plan is depending on Al.

The princess can successfully defect to the Empire only when Al, who is in charge of the north, is ready to receive her. After all, if his preparation is delayed then the enemy pursuers might catch up with them.

This is why the Shadows run through the Dominion with all their might.

However, as they approached the border, their number kept decreasing.

They are being hunted.

The Shadows noticed that and split up to head to Al using different routes.

However, all signs of other Shadows were lost and there is only a single one of them remaining.

In order to deliver the news that Dominion has such a skilled combatant on their side, the Shadow travels on the route meant for the princess to escape. This is to guarantee the safety of the information.

The northern border was full of openings.

This is due to the fact that the northern defense force currently can only hold a single fort.

Some routes became blind spots due to the lack of surveillance.

These openings still havent been filled and one of them was used to act as a place to house the princess.

The reason why these openings still havent been filled was also for not wanting the Dominion to put up their guard.

Using that route, the Shadow continues to run.

Just ahead, the unit meant to escort the princess should be waiting for him.

However.

Its troubling you know, running around so much.

That voice came from the front.

The Shadow holds a dagger in his hand and takes a stance.

In terms of fighting ability, he is on the level of a professional assassin.

However, the opponent he has to face was just too bad.

Captain Raphael Balent!?

[Former] Captain. Well, your duty ends here.

Saying so, Raphael swings his sword and cuts through the Shadow.

With the sword cut deep into his internal organs, the Shadow spits out blood and collapses on the spot.

However, his eyes are still fixed on Raphael.

You guys are certainly annoying but..Its also my Highnesss fault for ordering me to handle you all alone.

High, ness..?

Right. My Highness. That person is someone that will eventually become an emperor.

Saying so, Raphael gouged out the Shadows eye.

One of his eyes was artificial.

It was a special magic tool that could record both video and audio.

Each Shadow has one such eye.

So serious about your work until the end huh. I will praise you for that. And thanks for guiding me all the way to the escort unit. I thought I could count on you if I let run, you know.

Saying so, Raphael stabbed the Shadow again.

Now then..next is the escort unit huh.

It was unexpected for Raphael that the princess chose to move earlier than planned.

The one who informed the Dominions King that the princess might try to escape was Raphael.

The reason is that he would be troubled if they let the princess escape.

The Empire war against the Dominion must be one without a just cause.

No matter which country, princesses are all tomboys huh.

Raphael said so and used wind magic to blow away the corpse of the Shadow. He then heads to the location where the escort unit would be.

The Princesss escort unit was selected from the elites of the northern border defense force.

They were supposed to slowly cross into the Dominion territory to avoid detection and escort the princess from right outside their capital.

However, the schedule has changed.

The escort unit was aware that the plan has changed due to the lack of the scheduled contact.

It was the Shadows job to oversee the escape. With the lack of contact, the escort unit already speculated that something was happening.

Thats why the captain of the escort unit was thinking about advancing the unit forward.

However, before he could do that, something happened.

The base of the escort unit was in the woods.

100 elite soldiers were standing by in a well-camouflaged base.

However, when the captain felt that something was wrong and left the tent.

Half of those elites heads already went flying.

! ? Enemy Attack!!

The captain shouts when sees the heads of his subordinates flew off their necks one by one.

Not only the ones standing guard, those who were resting in the other tents were also killed.

Because of how brilliant the work of the intruder is, he didnt notice the extent of the damage.

The captain put his hand on the sword on his waist.

The enemy is skilled! Be careful!

Around 10 soldiers immediately gathered around the captain.

They formed a circle and watched out for attack from all directions.

However, a sharp cutting sound repeatedly echoes outside the circle.

It is the sound of their comrades heads being cut.

A single attacker that is capable of wiping a part of their unit by himself is too outrageous.

To think that there would be such a person inside the Dominion.

The captain groaned. However, his misunderstanding was immediately corrected.

If you want to form a circle then you should pay more attention you know? Captain.

The captain felt a wind blew past him.

That was all he felt.

However, the heads of the three soldiers who were standing in the path of that wind went flying.

That voice came from his side.

Turning toward the voice, he saw a white cloak stained with blood.

It is not just any cloak. It is a white cloak with a special design.

The meaning that cloak carries.

The captain knows it well.

It is to signify that the person wearing it is one of the best knights the Empire has to offer.

The knights answering directly to the Emperor.

TRAITOR!

The captain swung his sword in anger.

However, the sword never reaches Raphael.

Dancing like the wind, Raphael landed himself on the captains sword.

I dont think that I have betrayed anyone you know, personally.

Dont spout nonsense! You are a traitor that stabbed your own comrade in the back and plunged the Empire into chaos! You refused to die with Prince Gordon and side with the Dominion this time huh!? That cloak is the pride of the Empire! I will not forgive you for sullying it!!

No, no, I might no longer be an Imperial Knight Captain anymore butI still doing something of the sort you know?

Saying so, Raphael kicks off the captains sword and dances in the sky.

At the same time, a gust of wind blew the soldiers surrounding the captain away.

The captain uses his remaining magic to conjure a fire bullet while preparing for death.

That fire bullet did not hit Raphael.

However, it flew into a tent.

There was a large number of magic tools stored in there.

The original plan for the princess escape was to use explosion magic tools to stall the enemy.

And those explosives can be ignited using fire magic.

No matter how skilled Raphael is, he wont be able to escape such an unexpected attack unscathed.

Whoah?

The explosion swallows the entire base.

.

.

.

His body severely burned, the captain crawls to the tree.

He then puts his back on the tree and looks at the base that is engulfed in a fiery explosion.

He doesnt expect an Imperial-Knight-Captain-level opponent to die from that.

However, if he can at least injure him.

That was the captains only hope.

However, that fragile hope immediately crumbled.

A suicide attack huh. Not bad. But the firepower was not enough.

Amidst the fiery explosion, Raphael emerged unharmed.

Seeing that, the captain frowned.

However, Raphael smiled when he saw that expression on the captain.

That was a fine soldiers spirit. It was great.

..kill me.

I will. But, as thanks for putting up such a good fight, I will let you in on my little secret.

Saying so, Raphael puts his hand on his left eye.

Then, a small lens detached itself from his eyeball.

Its a brown lens.

Behind that lens was a jade-colored eye.

This is my original eye color.

So what..?

You still dont get it huh? You are a slow one arent you.

Saying so, Raphael took a water bottle out of his pocket.

He then cut a handful of strands of his hair and sprinkled it with the water from the bottle.

Since I was a child, I have been disguising my eyes with these lenses. My hair color was also painted over by a dye that can only be washed off using only a special kind of water.

Impossible.

Raphaels brown hair changed into a cherry color.

The cherry-colored hair and jade eyes.

This can only mean one thing.

You bastard..even though you inherited the blood from that esteemed family you still betrayed us!!??

Thats right.

Seeing the captains anger, Raphael nods to himself and smiles in satisfaction.

He then carefully put the lens back to his eyes and burned away his cut strands of hair.

He still cant reveal his true identity yet.

This much is fine I guess? The Dominion should be able to handle the rest after all.

With that said, Raphael disappeared into the wind.

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