ã€ŠDivine Frontierã€‹


 Chapter 1: The Origin

    This world, vast and teeming with life, is home to a myriad of races, with humans being the most numerous. Millennia ago, an unprecedented catastrophe shook its balance: thousands of portals opened simultaneously from the North to the South Pole, cutting across the equator. Through these breaches¡ªdubbed by humans as the "Gates of the Gods"¡ªwaves of beings from other worlds began to arrive.

    However, these migrations were not the work of the planet¡¯s native deities. The ancestral gods watched helplessly as their world was invaded by entities that also proclaimed themselves as gods, disrupting the equilibrium they had established. The intrusion of these new divinities transformed the very nature of the planet, infusing it with an energy previously unknown¡ªmagic.

    As a response to this invasion, some humans¡ªthough a minority¡ªbegan to manifest supernatural gifts. These individuals became known as the "Gifted", blessed with unique abilities to defend themselves against the invaders. Others, even more exceptional, demonstrated the ability to manipulate magic directly, dividing themselves into "Mages" (men) and "Witches" (women).

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    After millennia of chaos, a new order began to emerge. An Industrial Revolution transformed human society. Engineers, devoid of magical abilities, developed machinery powered by steam and other innovative technologies: trains, automobiles, airplanes, and most crucially¡ªfirearms. These weapons allowed ordinary humans to defend themselves effectively against the invading races.

    In this new world, Hirica, a nation in the northern hemisphere, emerged as the pioneer of the Industrial Revolution. Its system of government combined a monarchy with a senate. The protection of the king, the royal family, and the senators fell to the kingdom¡¯s most powerful warriors¡ªGifted, Mages, and Witches¡ªwho were officially known as the Royal Guard. However, among the people, they had earned a far more fitting name: The Execution Squad. More than mere bodyguards, they were Hirica¡¯s elite warriors, the last line of defense against any threat.

 Chapter 2: Axel and Lily

    Toki, the vibrant capital of Hirica, housed a massive park¡ªan oasis of greenery with ancient trees and attractions for all ages. It was a place where adults exercised, children played, and families enjoyed the fresh air.

    On the afternoon of November 5th, in the year 5528, a man sat on a park bench, his expression one of deep despair. His name was Axel Axpe, a 25-year-old ordinary human, with no magical gift. He had just failed¡ªfor the fifth consecutive time¡ªthe entrance exam to the Royal Guard. Frustration consumed him. Though there was no rule explicitly requiring magical abilities or supernatural gifts to join the Guard, no one without such traits had ever passed the trials.

    "Damn it," Axel thought, head bowed. "I feel like an idiot. So much time wasted training my body and mind¡ªfor nothing. What am I supposed to do now?"

    A woman dressed in masculine clothing sat beside him. Absorbed in his thoughts, Axel hadn''t noticed her arrival. When he did, he wasn¡¯t surprised; his mind was elsewhere.

    ¡ª"Well, boy, why the long face? You look like you were attacked by a dragon,"¡ªthe woman said with a tone that feigned genuine concern. However, behind this facade of altruism, something mysterious lurked.

    ¡ª"Miss,"¡ªAxel replied, unenthusiastically¡ª"I appreciate your concern, but with all due respect, I don¡¯t usually share my problems with strangers. I¡¯m not in the mood to talk, so I¡¯d appreciate it if you left me alone."

    The woman smiled with a confidence that unsettled Axel.

    ¡ª"Axel Axpe,"¡ªshe began, her voice soft yet firm¡ª"A man, 1.85 meters tall, black hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin. You have been in the military for five years. Your current rank is lieutenant. Five failed attempts at the Royal Guard exam. Your younger half-sister, Lucy Axpe, a 22-year-old prodigy, is a professor at the Academy of Magic and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic Affairs. And, ah, this is interesting¡ªyour childhood best friend is none other than the crown prince, Maxwell. Additionally, your first love was Estela, the captain of the Royal Guard, renowned as the strongest warrior in the entire country. Am I wrong?"

    A mix of surprise, fury, and fear surged within Axel. Who the hell is this woman? Instinctively, he reached for his pistol, but before he could draw it, the woman grabbed his wrist with astonishing strength.

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    ¡ª"Calm down, boy,"¡ªshe said with an enigmatic smile¡ª"I know you have many questions, and I promise I will answer them in due time. You may call me Lily."

    Axel tensed, studying her carefully.

    ¡ª"Tell me, boy,"¡ªLily continued, watching him intently¡ª"Don¡¯t you find it strange? That you happen to know so many important people in this country? That your fate is so intertwined with theirs? That¡¯s no mere coincidence. Someone has been playing with your destiny. Tell me¡ªdo you believe in gods?"

    As Lily spoke, Axel wrestled with his thoughts. Who is this stalker? he wondered, irritation growing. Is she going to give me some religious sermon now? He couldn¡¯t deny that it was a remarkable coincidence that all those around him were so important¡ªeven he had struggled with feelings of inferiority because of it. But what did all this have to do with gods?

    ¡ª"No,"¡ªAxel finally answered, his tone firm¡ª"I¡¯m not saying I¡¯m an atheist. It¡¯s just... it feels like they don¡¯t believe in me. So I don¡¯t believe in them. If they did, they would have helped me fulfill my purpose. And besides, why do you say ¡®gods¡¯ in plural? This country is monotheistic."

    In this world, many nations practiced polytheism, but Hirica worshipped a single supreme deity known simply as YH. The Hiricans did not deny the existence of other powerful entities, but they classified them as "Higher Spirits", immortal beings yet subordinate to YH¡ªnot gods in the strict sense.

    ¡ª"That¡¯s true. You call them ¡®Higher Spirits,¡¯ don¡¯t you?"¡ªLily said, smiling as if she knew something Axel didn¡¯t¡ª"Well, those Higher Spirits, in the past, protected certain individuals, granting them their ¡®blessings¡¯ and even altering their fates. In all my years of existence, I have witnessed many such ¡®blessings¡¯¡ªbut never, ever, have I seen one granted by YH. In fact, I started to believe he simply did not interact with the world. But you... you are special, truly special. Rejoice, boy!"¡ªLily exclaimed, her eyes gleaming¡ª"At last, someone acknowledges how special you are."

    Axel frowned. The conversation was taking an increasingly bizarre turn.

    ¡ª"Special? Why would you say that? I have no gift, no special ability. I¡¯m just a simple lieutenant who can¡¯t get into the Royal Guard."

    Lily chuckled softly.

    ¡ª"Oh, boy, you¡¯re mistaken. You are much more than that. And soon, you will understand. The fact that YH has chosen you¡ªor rather, allowed your fate to intertwine with such influential people¡ªthat is no coincidence. It is a sign."

    ¡ª"A sign of what?"¡ªAxel asked, a creeping feeling of unease growing in him.

    Lily stood up from the bench, her expression unreadable.

    ¡ª"A sign that you have a crucial role to play in the events to come. A role that not even you can imagine."

    With a final enigmatic smile, Lily turned and walked away, leaving Axel drowning in a sea of confusion and doubt.

    ¡ª"What the hell was that?"¡ªAxel muttered to himself.

 Chapter 3: Like a Ghost

    That same night, Axel was in his barracks room. His roommate had yet to return, and his mind was overflowing with questions. Who the hell was this Lily? Should he be worried? Of course, he should¡ªshe possessed personal information about him. Who knew what she could do with it?

    "Don¡¯t worry, kid. I don¡¯t plan on doing anything with that information of yours."

    Lily¡¯s voice resonated in the room, sending a chill down Axel¡¯s spine. She had appeared behind him once again, like a ghost materializing out of nowhere. Instinctively, Axel pulled out a small knife and took a defensive stance.

    ¡ªHow did you get in here? What do you want from me? ¡ªhe snapped, his voice tense.

    ¡ªIt was getting cold outside, and I didn¡¯t want to stay in that park any longer, ¡ªLily responded with unsettling calm, as if they were having a casual conversation¡ª By the way, your bed is really comfortable. Maybe too comfortable for a mere lieutenant. Would that have anything to do with the fact that your friend, the prince, is your roommate, pretending to be an undercover soldier?

    Axel clenched his jaw.

    ¡ªYou know too much, ¡ªhe said, his tone threatening¡ª I think I¡¯ll have to kill you.

    Lily let out a soft laugh, completely unfazed.

    ¡ªPlease, you more than anyone know you wouldn¡¯t do that. Killing an innocent isn¡¯t in your nature. And everyone is innocent until proven otherwise, don¡¯t you think? ¡ªshe said with an enigmatic smile.

    ¡ªFirst of all, what do you even know about me? ¡ªAxel retorted¡ª I didn¡¯t even know you this morning.

    ¡ªI had to do a little research, ¡ªLily shrugged¡ª You know, I was quite surprised when I discovered your story. After all, you¡¯re the first human in centuries to receive a "blessing."

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    Axel frowned in confusion.

    ¡ªYou talk as if you¡¯ve lived a long time and have met many people with blessings. But you don¡¯t look much older than me. Who exactly are you?

    Lily smiled, but this time, it didn¡¯t reach her eyes.

    ¡ªThat¡¯s a long story, kid. One I¡¯ll tell you¡­ in due time. But for now, focus on this: you are special. And that blessing you received is the key to everything.

    ¡ªBut I don¡¯t feel special at all, ¡ªAxel protested¡ª I don¡¯t have any powers, any abilities.

    ¡ªBlessings don¡¯t always manifest immediately, ¡ªLily explained¡ª Sometimes, they need time to bloom. And sometimes¡­ they need a catalyst.

    Lily stepped closer, her intense gaze making Axel instinctively step back.

    ¡ªAnd I believe that catalyst¡­ has already happened. Tell me, kid, what do you think makes you special?

    Just then, the door to the room burst open.

    ¡ªAxel, Axel, Axel! ¡ªa cheerful voice called out¡ª I¡¯m so sorry I couldn¡¯t be there for you earlier. You must be devastated after failing the exam again. Come on, drinks are on me! This time for real, not like when I say I¡¯m paying but you end up covering the bill because I run out of my monthly allowance too soon.

    A tall young man with fair skin, blond hair, and green eyes entered the room. It was Prince Maxwell, Axel¡¯s childhood friend, who had used his influence to be assigned as his roommate while undergoing military training undercover.

    Maxwell stopped in his tracks when he saw Lily.

    ¡ªWhat is a lady doing here? Don¡¯t tell me she¡¯s one of those¡­ affectionate ladies. You know bringing women into the barracks is strictly forbidden.

    ¡ªThis lady¡­ well¡­ it¡¯s a long story, ¡ªAxel replied, visibly nervous¡ª Could you do me a favor? Could you leave us alone for a moment? I¡¯ll explain later.

    Maxwell squinted suspiciously before giving a sly grin.

    ¡ªSure, sure, ¡ªhe said, winking at Axel¡ª Don¡¯t worry, Axel. I¡¯ll make sure no one finds out you were alone with a woman in the army barracks. I was starting to get worried that your infatuation with Estela had blinded you to other women.

    With one last playful glance, Maxwell stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. The prince was a jovial person and cared for Axel like a brother. After all, Axel had saved his life when they were children. That was how they met, and their fates had been intertwined ever since.

    Lily watched the door close before turning back to Axel with a now more understanding smile.

    ¡ªIt seems you have some very funny friends.

 Chapter 4: The Exam

    A day before meeting Lily, at 8:00 a.m. on November 4th of the year 5528, the entrance exam for the Royal Guard began. It was Axel''s fifth attempt, and despite the accumulated frustration, this year he felt an unusual confidence. He had something few possessed: experience. Most aspirants who succeeded did so on their first or second attempt; some, with great effort, on their third. No one, as far as was known, had taken a fourth attempt, let alone a fifth. But there stood Axel Axpe, as determined as in previous years.

    The only requirement to take the exam was to be a member of Hirica¡¯s army. The test consisted of three stages. The first, a written exam, had never been a problem for Axel. It consisted of questions about military strategy, weapon usage, and battle history. He had mastered these topics perfectly.

    The second stage, the practical test, was the true challenge. It was a one-on-one combat between the applicant and an evaluator, a warrior from the Royal Guard. The objective was simple yet extremely difficult: to strike one of the mortal weak points of the evaluator¡ªneck, head, or heart. If the applicant managed to land a successful hit on any of these points within a set time, they would proceed to the next phase.

    The final stage was the evaluation by the high command. If the applicant passed the first two tests, the leaders of the Royal Guard would decide whether they were fit to join their ranks. In all his previous attempts, Axel had cleared the first two stages. However, in the final evaluation, someone had always stood in his way. At first, it had been multiple voices opposing his admission, but over time, their number dwindled. By his fourth attempt, only one person had prevented him from entering: General Commander Estela. Her word carried more weight than any other member of the council; it was an indisputable order. And this year, to further increase the pressure, she herself would be in charge of evaluating him in the practical test.

    Axel stepped into the combat arena with a mix of nervousness and determination. The image of Estela burned in his mind. She was a legendary warrior, known for her cold demeanor on the battlefield and her relentless judgment. Her white hair, tightly braided, framed a stern face with piercing gray eyes that seemed to see through a person¡¯s very soul. Her mere presence exuded an authority that intimidated even the most experienced veterans.

    When Axel entered the arena, Estela was already waiting at its center, her armor gleaming under the sunlight filtering through the roof. She did not say a word, only observing him with a gaze that seemed to analyze his every movement. Axel swallowed hard and prepared for the fight. He knew this was his last chance.

    ¡ª"My dear Axel," Estela finally spoke, her voice cold but tinged with sadness. "We¡¯ve known each other for many years, and I have told you countless times: you do not belong here. You will fall in battle, and I do not want to see you die. That is why I have decided to evaluate you personally. I have watched many of my comrades perish, and I do not want you to share their fate."

    Estela unsheathed her only weapon, a gleaming silver sword, its blade scarred from countless battles.

    ¡ª"If the result of this exam means the end of our friendship, so be it," Estela continued. "The only way you will pass is by defeating me."

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    The situation saddened Axel deeply. He had never imagined that he would have to face the only woman he had ever loved. He knew his feelings for her would never be reciprocated, so he had kept them to himself. Who in their right mind would want to fight their first love in battle? he thought. But this test was not just about proving himself to her¡ªit was about proving himself to the world, and most of all, to himself. At that moment, he pulled something unexpected from his pocket: a stick.

    The evaluators in the stands of the arena exchanged confused glances. A stick?

    The stick extended, transforming into a spear.

    ¡ª"It¡¯s a gift from my little sister," Axel said. "A spear capable of piercing your defense."

    Many say the spear is the antithesis of the sword: long and heavy, but highly effective for long-range attacks and countering sword thrusts. Axel began moving at incredible speed, striking at Estela¡¯s weak points, but she dodged every attack with an agility that seemed almost inhuman. Axel pulled a small artifact from his pocket¡ªa smoke bomb that temporarily blinded Estela. He seized the opportunity to strike at her neck, but she caught the spear with her hand and flung him away.

    During the struggle, Estela had lost her sword. Axel picked it up, observed it for a moment, noticing the stains of monster blood still visible, then threw it away. Estela, surprised by the gesture, chose not to use Axel¡¯s spear against him¡ªshe admired his ingenuity. She threw the spear far away as well.

    ¡ª"That must have flown for miles," Axel thought.

    Estela assumed a close-combat stance. Axel drew a dagger from his belt and prepared himself. Although close combat seemed to favor Axel due to having a weapon, the reality was the opposite. Estela¡¯s speed was inhuman. Axel threw kicks and thrusts aimed at the evaluation points, but she dodged them with ease. Then, he used his trump card: a special artifact, a gift from his younger sister, the "Magic Object No. 154." It was a small switch that, when activated, erased his presence, making him practically invisible.

    At first, it seemed to work; Axel saw the surprise on Estela¡¯s face. But somehow, she continued to evade his attacks.

    ¡ª"This is over," Estela declared.

    Suddenly, Axel felt his arm freeze, and Estela¡¯s fist struck his stomach. He collapsed to the ground, not understanding what had happened. Everything had been perfect; that device erased all traces of the user¡ªsound, smell, sight. It even left no footprints in the sand.

    ¡ª"How did she do that?" Axel wondered, dazed.

    ¡ª"Every time you have taken this exam, you have relied on the magical artifacts that Lucy makes for you," Estela said coldly. "That is why you have surpassed the other candidates in the Royal Guard. But what will you do when you can no longer depend on Lucy? What will you do in a real battle against the monsters that threaten us, without those artifacts? You have lost. Do not take this exam again. I will never approve you."

    Estela turned to leave for her office. Just before entering, she saw a petite girl, about 1.5 meters tall, wearing a pointed witch¡¯s hat. It was Lucy, Axel¡¯s younger sister.

    ¡ª"Don¡¯t you think you were too harsh on him?" Lucy asked, her voice filled with concern. "He only wants to prove himself and show what he¡¯s capable of."

    ¡ª"Dear," Estela replied, her gaze weary, "do you want your brother to die in battle? Why do you keep encouraging him in this foolish pursuit of joining the Royal Guard?"

    ¡ª"Because he¡¯s my brother," Lucy answered firmly. "Besides, he was the one who saved our lives when we were children. Just like you, I don¡¯t want to see him die. But it also hurts me to see him suffer because he cannot pass the exam."

    Estela gave Lucy a cold look and entered her office, shutting the door forcefully.

    The next day, Lucy confronted Maxwell, who had a guilty expression. Sensing that something was amiss, she questioned him until he finally confessed about Lily¡¯s presence in Axel¡¯s room.

    ¡ª"A woman in his room!?" Lucy exclaimed. "Does he have any idea how many diseases those women carry in the crotch? And why didn¡¯t you tell me sooner? By YH, my brother is such an idiot!"

 Chapter 5: The Five-Thousand-Year-Old Princess

    Five thousand years ago, in a city nestled in a fertile valley east of present-day Hirica, the majestic Babel stood tall. Dominated by a gigantic ziggurat that seemed to touch the sky, the city was a beacon of grandeur and splendor. Within the royal palace, near this imposing structure, a beautiful and elegant young woman sat, carefully inscribing a poem onto a clay tablet. She patiently awaited nightfall to gaze upon the stars and find inspiration in their glow.

    ¡ªPrincess, the sun is setting. It is time to prepare ¡ªsaid a servant with reverence, holding in her hands the ceremonial garments and jewels, ready for the occasion.

    The princess, finishing the last stroke on the tablet, smiled melancholically before standing.

    ¡ªThank you, dear friend. Very soon, I will be accepted as a priestess of the goddess Ishtar, and perhaps this will be the last time I climb the ziggurat merely as an observer.

    Once atop the ziggurat, the princess and her servant paused to admire the view. From that divine height, they could see the city of Babel illuminated by torches and oil lamps. The streets, bustling hours before with merchants, laughter, and music, now exuded a serene beauty filled with memories and hope.

    ¡ªIsn''t it wonderful? ¡ªthe princess asked with a radiant smile, observing the orderly commotion of the city below¡ª. Babel is my father¡¯s pride, built to be the most beautiful of all. He believes that, even as centuries pass, this city will stand strong. And I... I believe in him with all my heart.

    She paused, inhaling the cool evening air deeply.

    ¡ªI love this city so much that I could never leave it. That is why I have rejected every marriage proposal from noblemen of other lands. No other city compares to Babel. Don''t you think?

    Her smile illuminated the moment, but soon, the image shattered like a broken mirror. The idyllic vision of Babel was replaced by a devastating sight.

    The once lively streets were now reduced to ashes. The houses and the ziggurat, once symbols of pride and faith, lay in ruins. Everything had been reduced to rubble. Amidst this apocalyptic landscape, the princess stood motionless, stunned.

    In front of her, a figure emerged from the wreckage: a woman of strange, ethereal, and unsettling appearance. She was not human; the princess knew this immediately.

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    ¡ªYou are a ¡°god-invader,¡± a false deity... a being from another world ¡ªLily¡¯s voice trembled, her eyes fixed on the void as if reliving that moment¡ª. That creature destroyed everything.

    The memory faded with a heavy sigh, and Lily returned to the present.

    ¡ªThat is all I clearly remember of my past life. ¡ªHer words, tinged with sorrow, echoed like a whisper in the room¡ª. It is like a dream. I can piece together fragments, but never the whole picture.

    Lily lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

    ¡ªTo defeat that false goddess, the gods of my land granted me the gift of immortality. A ¡°blessing,¡± just like the one you possess, Axel. But that power came at a price... I lost most of my memories, even my true name.

    She shrugged slightly, offering a resigned smile.

    ¡ªLily is just one of the many names I have adopted over these endless centuries.

    Axel watched her with disbelief.

    ¡ªAre you telling me that you are five thousand years old? And that you were a princess?

    Lily nodded slowly.

    ¡ªAnd that this "God-invader" is the reason I have wandered this world for so long. The reason I sought you out.

    ¡ªYou sought me? ¡ªAxel asked, his brow furrowed.

    ¡ªYes, Axel. Your blessing is different from mine. Mine granted me immortality and the ability to witness history. Yours... is the key to stopping her once and for all. Tell me, what do you feel makes you special?

    Axel closed his eyes, reflecting on the countless battles he had fought throughout his life. For the first time, he realized that his strange ability was not normal.

    ¡ªI can... see. It only activates when I¡¯m in combat. I can see the ¡°possibilities¡± of battle. What seems like hours in my mind are merely seconds in the real world. I choose the most optimal attack and act accordingly. I have fought against five members of the Royal Guard and lost only once¡ªto Estela. With her... it was different. Something "blinded" me. I couldn¡¯t see anything. It was as if every possibility led to my defeat.

    ¡ªWhen did you first realize you had this power? ¡ªLily asked, her tone a mix of intrigue and excitement.

    ¡ªWhen I was a child. My father took my sister and me to a camp in a forest near a lake. One night, we left the cabin and found a lost boy: Prince Maxwell. A monster attacked us. We tried to defend ourselves, but we were helpless. We were just kids. Then, Estela appeared¡ªa girl not much older than us¡ªand saved us. That¡¯s the story everyone knows.

    But what no one knows is that I prolonged the fight with the monster until she arrived. I saw how we could die in different ways, and I also saw how to avoid them. It was like... like when magic apprentices inhale those strange herbs and have visions. That¡¯s how I felt. But it worked. Thanks to my instructions, we survived.

    Axel paused, looking at Lily with newfound determination in his eyes.

    ¡ªNow that I will never be part of the Royal Guard, I was wondering what to do with my life. But then you appeared. And now... my life could take a completely different path. I spent too long obsessing over becoming a Royal Guard. I recognize that it was unhealthy. Perhaps it''s time to seek a new destiny. Tell me, Lily... how can I help you?

 Chapter 6: Lucy and Her Witchcraft Workshop

    "Where is that woman?!" a furious female voice exclaimed, followed by the loud crash of a door being thrown open. Lucy, arms crossed and brows furrowed, stormed into Axel''s room.

    "Hello, Lucy, little sister," Axel greeted with a mischievous smile, glancing at Maxwell, who looked at him nervously.

    "I''m sorry, Axel," Maxwell apologized. "She pressured me. You know how she is. She treats you well, but the rest of us? She either ignores us or outright despises us."

    "I would treat you with more respect if you acted like a responsible prince instead of a child," Lucy shot back with a sharp glare. "But moving on, what were you doing with a woman in your room?"

    "Why should I explain myself to you?" Axel retorted, shrugging. "But fine, it doesn¡¯t matter. I met the ¡®kind young lady¡¯ in the park this afternoon. I was feeling down, and she, seeing my sad face, wanted to console me. After talking for a while, I liked her, so I proposed meeting again. Maybe she''ll be my girlfriend in the future! I was very careful, making sure she left without anyone seeing her. I even called a taxi for her. Don''t worry, little sister."

    "You did WHAT?!" Lucy''s eyes widened in shock. "Do you have any idea that women like that are opportunists? They only seek to marry military men for life insurance and other benefits! To them, you¡¯re nothing more than a stepping stone to security."

    Axel¡¯s face grew serious as he thought to himself: Ironically, she¡¯s right. Don¡¯t worry, Lucy. I know what I¡¯m doing.

    "I didn¡¯t know failing the exam for the fifth time would make you fall so low that you''d let yourself be seduced by just anyone," Lucy continued, her voice laced with disappointment. "I¡¯m done here. I don¡¯t want to see you anymore."

    She turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Axel let out a heavy sigh and sat on the bed.

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    "I think I messed up," he muttered, looking at Maxwell.

    "A little," Maxwell admitted with a nervous smile. "But don¡¯t worry. Lucy is very understanding. She¡¯ll get over it."

    Axel nodded, though he didn¡¯t seem entirely convinced. He knew how much Lucy cared about him, and he understood why she reacted the way she did. After all, he himself felt somewhat guilty.

    The next morning, Axel and Maxwell used their free time to visit Lucy in her workshop. They had been assigned to the barracks kitchen, and cooking for dozens of hungry soldiers was no easy task.

    "The bacon and bean stew we made was fantastic. I just hope we don¡¯t end up with too many... side effects from eating all those beans," Maxwell said, rubbing his stomach.

    "Speak for yourself. You had three servings¡ªI could never eat that much," Axel retorted. "Ah, look, we¡¯re here."

    Upon entering the workshop, they were met with a familiar sight: five male mages sprawled on the floor, showing clear signs of extreme exhaustion from an all-nighter.

    "Mr. Axel, please help us! Your sister has kept us working nonstop all night!" one of the mages pleaded from the floor.

    "Silence, you slackers!" Lucy snapped. "We are in the middle of assembling a great invention. Trial and error is the only way to make it work properly. The government didn¡¯t give us much funding, so we have to finish as soon as possible."

    "What do you mean ¡®not much funding¡¯? The government gave us nearly a million thalers," one of the mages mumbled from the floor. The thaler was Hirica¡¯s official currency.

    "That¡¯s barely anything! I want to buy more materials in bulk, and a million is just too little," Lucy huffed in frustration.

    Axel sighed and shook his head. "Once again, you''re taking your frustration out on your subordinates. You really shouldn¡¯t do that, little sister."

    "Oh, says the man who let a woman into his room, knowing full well it¡¯s forbidden," Lucy countered.

    "Come on, little sister, if you let me explain, I¡¯ll buy you ice cream¡ªwhatever flavor you want."

    "I¡¯m so mad that I won¡¯t settle for anything less than a giant ice cream sundae."

    "No problem, let¡¯s go," Axel said as he extended his hand toward Lucy. She hesitated for a moment before grabbing his arm and holding onto him tightly.

    "Alright, big brother, I forgive you," she said with a smirk. "But first, I need to see if that woman is actually good enough to be your girlfriend."

    "Fine, let¡¯s go," Axel replied. But as they started to leave, he suddenly paused, sniffing the air.

    "What¡¯s that smell?" he asked, his expression twisting in disgust.

    "You filthy pig! How dare you ¡®perfume¡¯ my workshop like this?!" Lucy exclaimed, glaring at Maxwell with rage.

 Chapter 7: The Calm Before the Storm

    In an ice cream parlor known for its gigantic sundaes and multiple flavors, three young people were enjoying their frozen treats. Axel had a cone with a scoop of chocolate ice cream, Maxwell was sipping on a vanilla and coffee milkshake, and Lucy was devouring a massive ice cream sundae of over a liter, with seven different flavors.

    ¡ªHow can you eat so much with such a small body? ¡ªMaxwell asked, astonished at Lucy''s voracious appetite¡ª. But anyway, changing the subject, if I remember correctly, Lucy, you were a professor at the Magic Academy, shouldn''t you be giving classes or something?

    Maxwell, despite knowing Lucy for a long time, never fully understood what she did for a living. She always seemed to be involved in different activities, and she held two official positions: one as a professor at the Magic Academy and another as Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Magic Affairs.

    ¡ªI''m not strictly a professor ¡ªLucy responded¡ª. My job is as a researcher and engineer for the development of magical artifacts, though I do give occasional lectures on Thursdays for beginners.

    ¡ªThen why the Deputy Minister position? ¡ªAxel asked.

    ¡ªBecause of that woman, my biological mother and the current minister ¡ªLucy explained¡ª. She wants to keep me under surveillance and assigns me extremely complex tasks, like the one I''m currently working on. We''re developing a magic barrier capable of counteracting teleportation magic. It¡¯s simple to understand: normal barriers block everyone from entering or leaving, they take a long time to break, but if the user has teleportation magic, they¡¯re useless. Creating a barrier that specifically excludes those users has been exhausting.

    Seeing an opportunity to learn more about his "blessing," Axel turned to his sister:

    ¡ªThat must be a tough job, sis. Can I ask you something related to magic?

    Lucy nodded.

    ¡ªI know that people who are born "Gifted" have a unique magic within them that only they can use, like Maxwell and his ability ¡ªAxel continued¡ª. And then there are magicians and witches like you, who are born with magic and can imbue objects with it. But¡­ is it possible for a normal human to be imbued with magic and gain something similar to a Gift?

    ¡ªIt¡¯s impossible ¡ªLucy replied firmly¡ª. I know because I¡¯ve read the records. Many experiments have been conducted, and that possibility has been ruled out. Do you think you''re the first person to consider that idea? People born without magic die if magical energy enters them. Even those born with Gifts cannot survive exposure to magic that isn¡¯t their own. If you were thinking this could help you become stronger, then I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you.

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    Axel took a moment to reflect on his sister¡¯s answer before speaking again.

    ¡ªIn ancient times, there were stories of heroes who received gifts and extraordinary powers from the gods they served. Some were even born as demigods with exceptional abilities. What do you think about that?

    ¡ªBrother, those are just legends made up by ignorant people when civilizations were still primitive ¡ªLucy answered¡ª. There¡¯s never been proof that those gods existed, or as some call them, "Superior Spirits." And those legends have never been taken as facts. When people die, they leave behind traces of the magic they possessed in life, like a small, colorful, glowing dust. The colors on their corpses indicate the type of magic they used, whether they were a magician or Gifted. If they were Gifted, very little of that dust remains in the body; if they were magicians, the amount is immense. Archaeologists have found many of these bodies in the past, but never anything related to demigods or divine treasures. That has never happened.

    ¡ªThen¡­ what is this "blessing" that Lily says I have? ¡ªAxel wondered to himself.

    A week later, at the same ice cream parlor and at the same time, Axel was once again enjoying a chocolate ice cream. However, this time he wasn¡¯t alone. Sitting across from him was a beautiful woman savoring a giant one-liter vanilla sundae.

    ¡ªThese new ice creams are fantastic ¡ªLily said¡ª. In the past, they would simply shave ice and mix it with flavored syrup. But now, milk cream ice creams have become my favorites.

    Axel was dressed elegantly, wearing a neatly ironed shirt and trousers instead of his military uniform, along with a fragrant cologne. After all, as he had told himself, "How many times can you say you''ve gone on a date with a five-thousand-year-old princess?"

    ¡ªWe agreed to meet here, and you promised to tell me how you know so much about me and my friends ¡ªAxel said¡ª. So, answer me, Princess, how?

    ¡ªIn the Elven country bordering the northeastern frontier, there exists a kind of Oracle ¡ªLily replied¡ª. She, the seer, told me to seek you out and gave me a detailed description of you. How she knew that? I have no idea. But she said that after five thousand years of searching for an opportunity, you represent the only chance to defeat her. The "Goddess" has already awakened, and I assure you, very bad things are about to happen.

    ¡ªAnd why haven¡¯t you been able to defeat her in over five thousand years? ¡ªAxel asked.

    ¡ªYou see, boy, I¡¯ve managed to imprison other so-called "False Gods" in the past ¡ªLily responded¡ª. But she is on another level. I had lost hope¡­ until you appeared. I don¡¯t know how, but with you, I finally believe I can win. You just need to come with me to the Elven country.

    Just as Lily finished speaking, a strange sensation ran down her spine¡ªsomething Axel, to his misfortune, was all too familiar with. And for Lily, it was also unmistakable: an imminent sense of danger!

    A deafening explosion rang out in the sky, and suddenly, a pillar of light appeared just a few meters from where Axel and Lily were seated. Standing before them was a humanoid figure wearing a mask, exuding a chilling bloodlust that was impossible to ignore.

 Chapter 8: The Besieged City

    The city of Toki was protected by a massive magical dome barrier. It activated whenever someone attempted to force their way in, and in theory, it was impenetrable. To break it, an immense amount of magical energy, known as mana, would be required. Yet, defying all probability, there he was¡ªa humanoid figure standing with his hands behind his back, as if hiding something. He was dressed in black and wore a white mask that resembled the face of a demon, exuding malice with a sinister smile.

    The people around him froze in fear. Their legs refused to move; they wanted to flee, but they couldn''t. They wanted to scream, but their voices wouldn''t come out. And then, the monster spoke.

    ¡ªSand Woman, my lady has awakened and has ordered me to capture you ¡ªhe declared in a deep, rasping voice¡ª. I offer you a deal: come with me peacefully, and I will not slaughter the humans of this city.

    Lily rose from her seat, and her clothing began to change. Her garments dissolved into sand and reformed into a feminine armor, plated in what appeared to be bronze. In her hands, two khopesh swords, also of bronze, materialized.

    ¡ªThat false goddess has never kept her word! ¡ªLily shouted, raising her swords high and fixing her gaze on the monster¡ª. Why should I trust yours?

    She lunged at the monster, aiming for his neck, but something stopped her. Her blades clashed against a chain floating in the air, extending from the creature''s back, its tip connected to a dagger.

    The monster¡¯s attention was solely on Lily, failing to notice the rock flying straight at him. It struck his head, forcing him to use his right hand to keep his mask from falling off. A man, undeterred by fear, stood before him.

    ¡ªYou arrived at the worst possible moment, monster! ¡ªAxel exclaimed¡ª. Just when I don¡¯t have any weapons with me... Well, this kitchen knife the food stall owner lent me will have to do.

    Axel had appeared. The moment he heard the explosion from the barrier, he rushed to find a weapon and spotted a street food stall. He handed the owner some money and grabbed the knife. "Call the Royal Guard and tell them to get here as soon as possible," he told the man before heading straight toward the monster while it was still focused on Lily.

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    The monster began signaling with his hand¡ªfirst one finger, then two, then finally four. Along with those four fingers, four chains emerged from his back, moving rapidly to attack both Axel and Lily. They slithered through the air like serpents, their trajectories and movements unpredictable. They would have been lethal to anyone, but unfortunately for the monster, his opponent was Axel.

    Axel moved swiftly, seemingly "predicting" where each chain would strike. Lily, however, was not as lucky and took several hits, leaving gaping holes in her body. This concerned Axel at first, but to his surprise, the holes closed up as if they were filling with sand, which then reshaped into flesh. "So it''s true¡ªyou really are immortal," Axel thought as he continued dodging the chains.

    Using the knife, Axel parried some of the attacks and steadily advanced toward the monster. The closer he got, the faster the chains moved, yet the monster remained stationary. "This bastard thinks he''s untouchable," Axel thought as he pressed forward.

    Then, something unexpected happened¡ªa gunshot rang out. The Toki police had been the first to arrive and had begun evacuating the civilians. That shot was crucial; it distracted the monster just long enough for Axel to stab the kitchen knife into its neck.

    ¡ªHow surprising! A mere human managed to scratch me ¡ªthe monster said as he pulled the embedded knife from his neck. Suddenly, a fifth chain sprouted from his back, and he displayed all five fingers on his hand. The chain shot forward, piercing the chest of the officer who had fired the shot, killing him instantly.

    Axel rushed to his side, but it was too late.

    Meanwhile, the monster struggled to extract the bullet lodged in his body. Lily remained still, deep in thought. "What just happened? Could it be...?" she pondered before shouting:

    ¡ªAxel, the monster has a mana core keeping it alive! It¡¯s a small sphere, about the size of a marble, and it glows when exposed to the air. Destroy it, and it will die! I haven''t seen one in over a thousand years, and I don¡¯t remember where they¡¯re usually located!

    Axel closed the officer¡¯s eyes and stood up, now armed with the fallen man¡¯s weapons: a pistol and a police baton. It would have to be enough¡ªotherwise, more people would die.

    ¡ªDid you really think you stood a chance against me? ¡ªthe monster said, his arrogance growing¡ª. Now, for your insolence, this city will pay a heavy price.

    The monster snapped his fingers, and a multitude of light-filled portals appeared all over the city. From them emerged an army of creatures¡ªgoblin-like monsters that spread throughout the streets, wreaking havoc.

 Chapter 9: The Princes Power

    "What exactly are you doing in my workshop, you overgrown child?" Lucy stood in her workshop, glaring at Maxwell, who was lounging beside her with a bag of salted nuts in hand.

    "I''m making sure you don¡¯t go and bother Axel on his date," Maxwell replied, his mouth stuffed with so many nuts that he resembled a chipmunk.

    "Don''t speak with your mouth full, it''s disgusting. How can someone like you¡ªa prince¡ªhave such terrible manners?" Lucy shot him a look of disapproval.

    "Besides, I don¡¯t need to spy on them personally," Lucy continued. "I left a little birdie to watch them at the ice cream shop, and it will show me everything."

    Lucy pulled out a mirror, which displayed an image of Axel and Lily at the ice cream parlor, chatting. The mirror only showed visuals, with no sound. She saw Axel and his companion suddenly looking startled. Then, Axel stood up, his face full of concern. Suddenly, the image cut out.

    "Lucy, we need to go. Something bad just happened." Maxwell clapped his hands, as if calling someone. Within a minute, two members of the Royal Guard appeared. They were Maxwell¡¯s bodyguards, always hidden in the crowd, watching from the shadows. Every time Maxwell was with Axel and Lucy, his guards were never far. His friends had long accepted this as the price of his "normal" life before returning to the palace.

    "I''ve never asked you for anything before, but I have a bad feeling about this," Maxwell said to his guards. "Gunter and Eustace, I need you to come with me."

    Gunter was a short man, barely one and half meters, slim but highly skilled with all types of weapons. His gift was "Vibration," allowing him to make enemies and objects vibrate at high frequencies upon touch¡ªhighly effective in combat.

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    Eustace had the gift of "Illusion." He could manipulate reality to deceive opponents. A towering man, nearly two meters tall, he and Gunter made an odd but effective duo in battle.

    "Yes, sir. We will accompany you, but remember: your safety is always our top priority," they said in unison.

    Maxwell carried Lucy on his back as he sprinted at high speed, his guards keeping pace. As they neared the ice cream parlor, a sudden portal opened before them. Out poured goblin-like creatures, each about a meter tall, looking disturbingly childlike. There were eight in total. Then, something worse emerged¡ªa towering goblin, two and a half meters tall, with massive muscles and a shaman-like goblin beside it, draped in ragged robes. This one, despite being frail and skeletal, seemed the most dangerous.

    The massive goblin wielded a colossal axe and struck first. "It¡¯s huge and bulky¡ªit must be slow," the guards assumed. They were gravely mistaken. With lightning speed, it targeted Lucy. Maxwell shoved her aside and took the blow himself. Then, an arm flew through the air.

    Maxwell was more surprised by the goblin¡¯s speed than by the fact that he had just lost an arm.

    "Guys, I¡¯ll handle the big one. You take care of the little ones." He spoke calmly as his arm rapidly regenerated, the cells multiplying at an astonishing speed. This was Maxwell¡¯s gift¡ªhis birthright as royalty. "Regeneration and control over his internal biology." He could suppress pain at will. He wasn¡¯t immortal, but his ability was undeniably useful.

    "Thanks, Max. My appreciation for you just went up by one percent," Lucy remarked as she brushed off dust.

    "You called me Max?! You must really be warming up to me!" Maxwell beamed as he drew his sword, a long and straight blade. Lucy pulled out her magic staff, preparing to fight the goblin shaman. Eustace and Gunter unsheathed their weapons¡ªGunter with his favored daggers and Eustace with a lightweight spear. The battle against the goblins had begun.

    "Can someone tell me why none of you brought a gun?" Lucy asked as she readied herself.

    "The prince is strictly forbidden from using firearms until he has mastered other weapons," the guards replied.

    "And why didn¡¯t you two idiots bring guns?" Lucy snapped.

    "We forgot, ma¡¯am," the guards admitted.

    "By YH, you two are idiots!" Lucy groaned, covering her face in embarrassment.

 Chapter 10: Bloodstained Ground

    A goblin is a disgusting creature. They seem to be beings with reason, yet they always choose foolish actions that inevitably lead to their demise. They survive by pillaging and attacking humans, slaughtering many and devouring their flesh. To them, humans are easy prey. It never crosses their minds that they might lose¡ªuntil they do. Then, suddenly, they encounter powerful humans and are wiped out.

    The few who survive harbor a deep hatred for humanity. And if a male goblin reaches a hundred years old, he can grow to over three meters tall and develop immense musculature. Those who have encountered such beings call them "Champions"¡ªa great achievement for their kind.

    Most people cannot distinguish between male and female goblins; all of them are equally horrific in human eyes. Few scholars have studied them in detail, but those who have can discern the difference. And now, someone who has studied goblins closely realized that a particularly powerful female was leading this group.

    She was a goblin shaman¡ªa rare sight¡ªand Lucy immediately recognized her.

    "How curious... It''s already strange to find a goblin who can use magic, but even more so a female," Lucy thought. "She''s tall, which suggests she''s over 100 years old, but maybe because she''s female, she hasn''t grown as large as that Champion fighting Max. I have a bad feeling about this."

    Lucy braced herself to face the goblin shaman. She knew this creature was dangerous, not just because of her magic but also because of her intelligence and cunning. Goblin shamans could strategize and use their magic effectively, making them formidable opponents.

    Meanwhile, Maxwell and his bodyguards battled the Champion and the smaller goblins. The fight was brutal, and goblin blood stained the ground red. Despite its size and strength, the Champion was agile and fast, making its attacks difficult to dodge. Maxwell, with his regenerative ability, could heal his wounds quickly, but he knew he couldn''t rely on that alone. The smaller goblins, though weaker, attacked in swarms, making them a constant threat.

    The battle raged on, leaving both sides exhausted. The smaller goblins were falling one by one, but the Champion and the goblin shaman fought with relentless fury. Lucy, summoning spheres of fire with her staff, managed to eliminate several goblins, but she knew her real target was the shaman.

    Suddenly, the goblin shaman raised her staff¡ªa twisted, dry branch that looked more like a piece of rotting wood than a mage¡¯s scepter. Unlike the elegant, straight staffs used by human mages, hers was wild and primal.

    She cast a spell.

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    A ring of fire erupted around Maxwell and his bodyguards, trapping them inside a burning prison. The Champion seized the opportunity and swung its massive axe, landing a devastating blow on Maxwell''s chest.

    ¡ª"Max!"¡ªLucy screamed, watching her friend collapse.

    Lucy¡¯s fury ignited. With a cry of rage, she unleashed a powerful lightning spell.

    ¡ª"Grand Thunder!"¡ªshe shouted.

    A blinding bolt of electricity struck the goblin shaman, sending her sprawling to the ground, unconscious. Lucy rushed to Maxwell, who lay motionless.

    ¡ª"Hold on, Max,"¡ªshe pleaded, her eyes welling with tears.

    The Champion¡¯s axe had pierced Maxwell¡¯s chest. Lucy knew his power had one major weakness¡ªhis heart. Panic gripped her, but then she noticed something that made her pause.

    The Champion¡¯s arm¡ªthe one wielding the axe¡ªhad been severed. Maxwell had somehow managed to protect his weak spot.

    ¡ª"Dear Lucy, my family has developed various techniques to shield against heart-targeting attacks. To be honest, this is my first time using one."

    Lucy immediately understood¡ªMaxwell had activated a magical barrier around his heart using an enchanted necklace.

    ¡ª"A magic barrier... That gives me an idea!"¡ªLucy exclaimed.

    Maxwell, already regaining his footing, smirked and gripped his sword. The Champion, now one-armed, picked up its axe with its remaining hand and charged.

    Its speed was astonishing.

    Just as it swung, the Champion felt something cold pierce its neck¡ªa deep stab wound. Then another strike¡ªthis time to the heart.

    Darkness overtook the beast. Its lifeblood spilled onto the ground as its towering body collapsed.

    Maxwell wiped his blade clean.

    ¡ª"That one put up a real fight. I finally understand why they call them Champions."

    ¡ª"My lord, we''ve taken down the smaller goblins. Shall we assist Lady Lucy?"¡ªasked Gunter, one of Maxwell¡¯s bodyguards, noticing that his prince had defeated the Champion.

    ¡ª"It depends,"¡ªMaxwell said, sheathing his sword. "She doesn¡¯t like interference in her battles. Only Axel can get in her way and walk away without getting hit."

    The goblin shaman launched a barrage of fire spells at Lucy, who dodged as best she could, barely avoiding getting burned. Her preferred attack was conjuring flaming spheres, each one a deadly projectile.

    Lucy focused her mana at the tip of her staff, forming a brilliant magical disc that spun at incredible speed. With a swift motion, she hurled it like a spinning blade.

    A grotesque scene followed¡ªthe goblin shaman¡¯s head was severed cleanly from her body.

    A deafening wail echoed through the city.

    Elsewhere, goblins began shrieking in agony. Their morale crumbled, and the warriors fighting them seized the opportunity to finish them off.

    The battle was won.

    ¡ª"The female wasn¡¯t just a shaman; she was a matriarch."¡ªLucy¡¯s voice was laced with realization. "Most of these goblins were likely her offspring or her mates. When she died, the mana bond between them broke... That''s my best guess."

    Blood still stained Lucy¡¯s face. Her expression was distant.

    It was the first time she had ever killed a monster.

    Maxwell, noticing her fatigue, picked her up onto his back.

    ¡ª"Let''s go find Axel. Although, to be honest, I doubt I¡¯ll be much help¡ªI spent all my mana on that last attack."

    Carrying Lucy, Maxwell dashed toward Axel¡¯s last known location, moving at incredible speed.

 Chapter 11: Cruel Goddess

    Somewhere in Hirica, underground, a city forgotten by time stood. Its stone ceiling was illuminated by fluorescent crystals, embedded in walls and pathways, mimicking the torchlight in castles. The architecture, though deteriorated, still reflected the glory of a fallen civilization. At its center, a great dark temple rose with a majestic marble structure, and cracked columns that seemed to bear the weight of the entire place.

    Inside the temple, a colossal throne sat at the top of a stone staircase, its silhouette reflected in an underground lake of crystal-clear water. A woman, covered by a black veil, rested on the throne with her back straight and chin lifted, exuding an air of imperishable royalty.

    In front of her, a dark figure bowed deeply in reverence. Its form was humanoid, and it wore a mask with hollow eyes that focused on the woman sitting on the throne with great devotion.

    ¡ªEik, raise your head. ¡ªThe woman''s voice echoed through the cathedral, cold and enveloping¡ª. You will receive your orders.

    The being known as Eik proceeded to listen to his mistress''s orders.

    ¡ªMore than fifty years ago ¡ªthe woman continued¡ª, that city dared insult me and took away my beloved pets. The wrath I felt that day has never faded. I had planned to exact my revenge at another time, but... everything has changed, the Princess of Babel has awakened.

    The echo of her voice spread through the underground temple like a dark omen.

    ¡ªEik, you are well-acquainted with this woman. They call her the "Woman of Sand," am I correct?

    Eik clenched his claws tightly.

    ¡ªYes, my lady.

    ¡ªMy spies in Toki have confirmed her presence ¡ªthe woman continued¡ª. She is immortal, so don''t waste your time trying to kill her. Capture her and bring her to me.

    The atmosphere grew heavier with the next revelation.

    ¡ªThat woman has sealed many of my brothers, caging them as if they were beasts without will, trapping them in magical prisons. An unforgivable insult.

    The crystals in the cathedral flickered, as if the woman''s rage affected the energy flow in the place.

    ¡ªTo ensure the humans do not interfere this time ¡ªshe continued with a malicious smile¡ª, I will lend you one of my favorite pets.

    With a wave of her hand, a shadow emerged from the ground and materialized into an imposing dark-skinned goblin Its body was covered in tribal tattoos and it carried a staff made of dry wood. Its gaze was cruel and merciless, filled with hatred for humanity.

    ¡ªThe shaman goblin and its hundreds of offspring will be under your command ¡ªdeclared the woman¡ª. Exterminate the humans of Toki.

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    Eik bowed his head again.

    ¡ªAnd the Royal Guard?

    ¡ªI will handle them. I will make sure they are too occupied to protect their people. When they return, they will find nothing but ashes and death.

    A dense silence settled in the cathedral. Eik knew that his mission was a test, an ultimatum.

    ¡ªEik. ¡ªThe woman''s tone turned colder¡ª. If you fail... you will simply cease to exist.

    Eik did not respond immediately. He knew that his predecessors had made mistakes... and had vanished. His very existence was tied to the will of his mistress.

    ¡ªI will not fail.

    With a final bow, he withdrew, leaving a trail of black smoke behind him.

    As Eik began to move several steps down the temple hall, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman dressed entirely in black, except for her pale face. Her dark gaze was fixed on where Eik had been and she spoke to him.

    ¡ªMy lord Eik, I wish you good luck on your mission. Remember that your existence depends on your success, and I wouldn''t want to see you disappear like so many before.

    ¡ªA mere servant comes to wish me luck? Do I appear so weak to receive your good wishes, servant of the goddess? If the goddess didn''t hold you in such high regard, I would have torn out your tongue for even daring to doubt me.

    ¡ªLord Eik, it¡¯s not that I doubt you, but while the Royal Guard may not be there, there are still humans with special gifts and mages who could cause you trouble. What will you do if they intervene and the Princess of Babel escapes? Then there would be no need for the goddess to erase me from existence, because failing would be the same as dying to me.

    ¡ªIn that case, I have no doubts about your loyalty to my goddess. Will you accept my apology if I have insulted you? ¡ªthe servant said, bowing her head.

    ¡ªServant of the goddess, rest assured that I will triumph.

    The dark elf Eik withdrew, walking with a prose that denoted arrogance, and silence returned to the temple.

    The woman in black turned toward the throne and sighed dramatically.

    ¡ªMy, it¡¯s quite exhausting to act like this. Don¡¯t you think, Priscila? ¡ªHer casual tone contrasted sharply with the respectful one she had used moments before.

    The woman on the throne laughed softly. Then, with an elegant motion, she removed her veil. Her face was that of an elven woman. Her skin was as pale as snow, her golden eyes glowed, and her golden hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders.

    ¡ªHow did I do, my lady? ¡ªshe asked with an enchanting smile.

    The woman in black smiled in approval.

    ¡ªYour performance as a cruel leader was excellent, Priscila. It is a pleasure to have an elf like you as my ally.

    Priscila, the elf sitting on the throne, smiled wryly.

    ¡ªWhen you disguise yourself as a subordinate and observe from the inside, you can see what they really are and what they think ¡ªshe said, looking at the spot where Eik had knelt¡ª. You can choose the most capable... and discard the weak.

    ¡ªI agree. ¡ªPriscila said this while crossing her legs elegantly¡ª. In my case, playing the role of the cruel goddess everyone fears has also become... fun.

    The crystals in the cathedral shimmered with a somewhat jovial gleam.

    ¡ªThough deep down, I¡¯m not so cruel after all ¡ªthe woman in black said¡ª. Fifty years of patience. I lost interest in punishing Toki... until the Princess of Babel appeared there.

    Priscila tilted her head thoughtfully.

    ¡ªIt¡¯s a shame. No one in that city should have died if she hadn¡¯t shown up, said Priscila.

    ¡ªExactly, Priscila. It¡¯s all her fault ¡ªshe said with a smile that turned sinister.

    The servant was the goddess, and the goddess was the servant, manipulating even her subordinates from the shadows.

    ¡ªMy lady, what if Eik fails? ¡ªasked Priscila as she began to rise from the throne.

    ¡ªNothing happens. There are others stronger and more capable who can replace him. All servants are replaceable, even you, Priscila.

    ¡ªWell, I¡¯ll be happy to serve you until you think I¡¯m no longer useful. After all, the reward for serving you is worth it.

 Chapter 12: The powerful and Incomplete dark elf

    A dark elf sat in a prison. His cell was a massive iron box, completely sealed, with no access to light or the outside world. As he sat in the darkness, awaiting his execution, a voice echoed in his mind.

    ¡ªTomorrow, you will be executed. You should not have exceeded your authority as Divine General, but don''t worry... I can save you. After you die, you will awaken in another body. Your soul will continue to exist. You just have to swear loyalty to me, Galatea, the Outer Goddess. Be my warrior, and I promise you will have your revenge.

    The memories of the first time he had heard the goddess¡¯s voice were still fresh in Eik''s mind, and a bad feeling overtook him.

    "The goddess''s orders are absolute, and I have never failed her... but why do I feel this strange sensation in my chest?" he wondered, feeling a sharp pang within.

    He shook his head, pushing the thought away.

    "It must be fear of failure. I will not fail my lady."

    The sky above Toki turned gray, and storm clouds began to cover the city. The wind blew forcefully, carrying the dust and ash from the battle.

    Before Axel, Eik stopped for a moment and looked at him attentively before speaking.

    ¡ªHuman, you have stood in my way and fought decently. Tell me your name.

    Axel held his pistol firmly and responded without hesitation:

    ¡ªAxel Axpe, lieutenant of the Hirica army.

    Eik nodded slightly.

    ¡ªGood, Lieutenant Axel. I am Eik Rotidtre, former Divine General of the Celestial Tree nation. Many fae still fear my name.

    The voice of the dark elf was deep, laden with arrogance.

    ¡ªI must thank you... because of you, the Sand Woman has not yet escaped. She believes she has hope with you, which has only prolonged her misery. Now, thanks to her stubbornness, my goblins have reduced this city to ashes, and the slaughter will only worsen.

    His smile widened as he spread his arms.

    ¡ªCome with all your strength, try to kill me if you can. But I warn you... you will never find my core. You will exhaust yourself before you can touch it, and when you fall, I will make sure you die in pain.

    Axel exhaled slowly and spoke without taking his eyes off his opponent.

    ¡ªLily, keep those damned chains away from me as long as possible. I have a plan.

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    Axel analyzed the situation.

    "Finding the mana core is impossible without trial and error. There are too many places it could be: head, chest, limbs... What is the exact spot?"

    He had no time for a meticulous analysis. But then, an idea crossed his mind.

    "Wait... yes, I do have time!"

    Axel began to move, dodging Eik''s chains while pretending to look for a shooting angle. He aimed for the head but lowered the weapon. Then, he aimed for the chest, but pulled back. Finally, he aimed at the left shoulder, at the center of the scapula.

    ¡ªEureka! ¡ªhe whispered, shooting without hesitation.

    The sound of the shot echoed through the devastated city.

    Eik fell to his knees, gasping for breath. Slowly, he removed his mask, revealing his face.

    ¡ªHow¡­? ¡ªhe whispered in disbelief¡ª. How did you know where it was? This isn¡¯t just luck...

    Axel saw the face of the dark elf, just as he had seen it in ancient books about the races of the world.

    ¡ªI don¡¯t see a disfigured face. You don¡¯t seem like someone who wants to hide. Why wear a mask?

    Eik gave a bitter smile.

    ¡ªBecause this body... isn¡¯t mine. I hate this face. I can¡¯t stand looking at myself in the mirror.

    Without further words, he launched himself at Axel again.

    The ten fingers of his hands rose, each controlling a chain. In an instant, a flurry of attacks descended upon Axel and Lily.

    Axel saw a single opportunity, fired three times, and three chains broke. He fired three more times, and another three chains fell consecutively.

    Eik was stunned.

    ¡ªImpossible... ¡ªhe whispered, looking at his right hand. All his fingers had been blown off by the shots. He then looked at his other hand and saw that his thumb was also gone.

    Before he realized it, Lily was already at his side. Her sand sword descended with a clean cut.

    Eik¡¯s left hand fell to the ground.

    The dark elf staggered back, breathing heavily, his face pale.

    Axel loaded his weapon.

    ¡ªI¡¯m lucky this is a semi-automatic pistol and not a revolver ¡ªhe murmured¡ª. The officer shot once. I shot seven.

    He had two bullets left. Enough to finish off a monster.

    He aimed and fired at the right leg.

    ¡ªSo that¡¯s where it was, looks like that thing moves¡ª

    Eik¡¯s body trembled. His skin withered within seconds, turning into dry mummified flesh. Then, with a crack, his body disintegrated into dust and vanished with the wind.

    They had won.

    Axel exhaled deeply, feeling an indescribable exhaustion.

    ¡ªI saw all the options... It was trial and error. It felt like an eternity. That bastard just wouldn¡¯t die.

    He paused, looking at his own hands.

    ¡ªThe first shot confused me. I think I just grazed the mana core, and I settled for that. A big mistake. I had to make sure he died, but I didn¡¯t. Then, when I felt the weight of the gun, I noticed I had more bullets, thought it would be easy to destroy his fingers... but still, I had to see hundreds of times where to shoot.

    He looked up at the cloudy sky, feeling the weight of his own power.

    ¡ªI¡¯m exhausted... but I¡¯m glad to have this blessing. I don¡¯t know why God YH gave me this gift... but I¡¯m grateful.

    He turned.

    ¡ªLily? Where are you? Seems like I¡¯ve been talking to myself all this time.

    Silence was his only answer.

    A few meters away, Maxwell appeared, carrying Lucy on his back, accompanied by his two bodyguards.

    They looked at him in amazement.

    "Has Axel always been this strong?" ¡ªGunter and Eustace wondered.

    Lucy smiled proudly.

    ¡ªYes! He always has been.

    Maxwell burst into joyous laughter.

    ¡ªHa, ha! I knew you could do it, my friend!

    Soon after, Axel heard applause. The people who had remained hidden began to emerge from the rubble, thanking him and celebrating his victory. Suddenly, he felt some sand in his ear and a sharp sound, like a whisper. It was Lily¡¯s voice, but higher-pitched.

    ¡ªDon¡¯t worry... They¡¯ve forgotten about me. I¡¯ve erased my presence.

    ¡ªEnjoy all the glory, boy.

 Chapter 13: The Boundary Between Heaven and Earth

    Estela, the captain of the Royal Guard, stood at the foothills of Mount Kirk, a colossal mountain nearly 5,000 meters above sea level. The expedition was many kilometers away from Toki, but the journey had been worth it. With her were some of Hirica''s finest warriors, veterans of countless battles, men and women who had sworn to protect the nation at any cost.

    A soldier hurried over, his face hardened by the seriousness of his report.

    ¡ªCaptain, we¡¯ve found the cave we were looking for. Our scouts have already marked it on the map.

    Inside her tent, Estela listened to the news as she sipped hot coffee from a thermos. She allowed herself a moment of silence, her gaze fixed on the steam rising from the drink. Despite her iron will, she was fully aware of the danger of this mission.

    ¡ªCharles, are you sure you want to do this? ¡ªshe asked without looking up from her cup. Her voice was firm, but there was a note of concern in it¡ª. Unlike most here, you have young children. If you fall on this mission, they could be left without a father. We¡¯re about to face the most powerful witch in history. The legends about her magic are terrifying.

    Charles, a burly warrior with short hair and a determined gaze, gave a confident smile.

    ¡ªCaptain Estela, as long as you¡¯re with us, I know everything will be fine. After all, you¡¯re the strongest in all of Toki.

    Estela didn¡¯t respond immediately. Her reputation preceded her; she was considered the most powerful warrior in the Royal Guard, a living legend. However, this time her instincts screamed that something was off.

    A few days ago, a message had arrived directly from the leader of the elven nation. The news set off alarms across Hirica: Priscila, the most dangerous magic user in history, had been located.

    Priscila, an elf exiled from her homeland for using forbidden magic and committing unspeakable crimes, had disappeared for five decades. It was believed she had died¡­ until now.

    Fifty years ago, she and a horde of fanatics devoted to a dark goddess attacked Toki. At that time, the city didn¡¯t have the magical barrier that protects it today, and the devastation was absolute. It was the Royal Guard who eradicated the dark goddess¡¯s cult, annihilating every last one of her followers. This act, brutal but necessary, earned them the title of "Execution Squad" and the admiration of the entire world.

    Many nations had tried to exterminate those fanatics, but they always managed to escape. In Toki, they met their end.

    All of them¡­ except Priscila.

    She was responsible for the death of a quarter of the city¡¯s population. And now, fifty years later, Hirica had the chance to bring her to justice.

    Estela sighed and poured herself another cup of coffee. However, before she could bring it to her lips, a loud rumble shook the ground.

    The enemy had arrived.

    Suddenly, a large number of ogres emerged from holes in the ground. Massive creatures, with thick skin and muscles like rocks, armed with logs they used as makeshift clubs. Their yellow eyes glowed with primal ferocity as they roared in unison, ready to tear apart the humans before them.

    But if they expected to find frightened soldiers, they were mistaken.

    Estela drew her sword with lethal precision. In a single motion, her body slid between the monsters with the elegance of a dancer and the brutality of an executioner. The ogres¡¯ heads rolled before their bodies hit the ground.

    The dark blood stained the blade of her sword, and she wiped it off with a handkerchief in annoyance.

    ¡ªDamn it, ogre blood stains the metal too much¡­

    She looked at her men, who were already in combat positions, waiting for her order.

    ¡ªLet¡¯s go, boys! It¡¯s time to hunt the witch.

    As they ventured into the cave, the members of the Royal Guard heard a woman¡¯s voice humming a song. It sounded cheerful and lively, like the kind sung at parties. Suddenly, the soldiers¡¯ lanterns began to go out, plunging everyone into darkness. Then, a large number of rocks began to glow, illuminating the area with a faint light. In the midst of that glow, a beautiful elven woman greeted them.

    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡ªDid you kill the ogres? ¡ªthe elf asked with a mocking smile¡ª. Didn¡¯t you feel any pity for taking the lives of such fragile beings?

    ¡ªDamn witch! ¡ªshouted Estela, her voice resonating with strength and confidence as she pointed her sword at the elf¡ª. You¡¯ll pay for what you did to Toki fifty years ago.

    ¡ªOh! I almost didn¡¯t recognize you ¡ªsaid the witch in a playful tone¡ª. You¡¯ve grown strong and healthy all these years. Let¡¯s talk somewhere else.

    With a snap of her fingers, Priscila teleported Estela and herself to a beautiful garden, leaving the Royal Guard warriors behind.

    ¡ªWhere¡¯s the captain? ¡ªthe soldiers wondered, but it didn¡¯t take long before they began to forget about her. Terrifying lizard men emerged from inside the cave, armed with bronze swords. Their numbers tripled those of the Royal Guard warriors.

    In the garden, Priscila sat elegantly on a stone bench, surrounded by exotic flowers.

    ¡ªSit down, dear ¡ªshe said with a welcoming smile¡ª. Have a cup of tea. Or would you prefer a chamomile infusion?

    Estela paid no attention to the witch¡¯s words. With a quick movement, she drew her sword and pointed it at Priscila¡¯s neck, determined to end her once and for all. However, before she could move forward, her body became petrified.

    ¡ªWhat is this? ¡ªthought Estela, alarmed. The magic of wizards and witches had never affected her before. Her superhuman strength, which had always protected her, was now useless. For the first time in her life, she felt a pang of fear. But her willpower prevailed, and with a superhuman effort, she broke the spell, swinging her sword furiously. However, what she cut was only an illusion. Priscila¡¯s image faded into the air.

    The witch appeared behind Estela and injected her with a substance that completely paralyzed her. Estela couldn¡¯t move, only listen.

    ¡ªDon¡¯t worry, the effect will wear off soon ¡ªPriscila said calmly¡ª. Anyway, even if I wanted to, I couldn¡¯t kill you. These are orders from my lady, Galatea. She wants you to join us, and she tasked me with revealing the truth about your origin.

    Estela tried to speak, but no words came out. Priscila continued, her smile now more sinister than welcoming.

    ¡ªDo you remember your parents, right? I¡¯m not talking about the couple who raised you, the retired general of Toki, Albert, and his wife. I¡¯m talking about your birth parents. You were frozen for so long that perhaps you¡¯ve forgotten, or maybe you were too young. You, my dear, are what they call a demigod. You are the daughter of the goddess of the hearth, Vesta, and a human whom history has already forgotten. Your divine power makes you seem invincible, but you¡¯re not. The proof is that you succumbed to my lady¡¯s power. All these spells aren¡¯t mine; they¡¯re hers, the great Galatea.

    Priscila paused, watching Estela with a mix of curiosity and pity.

    ¡ªFifty years ago, I was tasked with rescuing you from the hands of the people of Toki. Back then, you were a statue of a little girl. It was a great surprise that the humans of Toki managed to break the ancient spell that kept you frozen. But well, that doesn¡¯t matter now. We¡¯ll just have to erase your memory and make you swear loyalty to the goddess.

    At that moment, a mirror materialized behind Priscila. A man dressed in civilian clothes, wearing a flat, expressionless white mask, appeared in the reflection.

    ¡ªServant of the goddess, we have bad news ¡ªthe man said with a tense voice¡ª. Eik has been defeated. And worst of all, a simple human killed him. The people are hailing him. We¡¯ve learned his name: it¡¯s Axel Axpe. He alone defeated Eik, the dark elf.

    Priscila frowned, clearly annoyed.

    ¡ªDamn it. He seemed like the most capable one. Well, he wasn¡¯t that great either. How hard could it be to kill that human? Whether he¡¯s a mage or a gifted one, all it would take is a scratch from the daggers on his chains. They were poisoned. Well, at least the goblins killed a lot of people before falling to the human warriors, right?

    The man in the mirror looked down, uncomfortable.

    ¡ªActually, the female goblin leader died much sooner than expected, and that weakened the others. They fell quickly to the other warriors of Toki. We¡¯re sorry to bring bad news.

    Priscila snapped her fingers, and suddenly, the man in the mirror clutched his chest and dropped dead from a heart attack.

    ¡ªDamn it, I killed the messenger again ¡ªPriscila said, frustrated¡ª. I need to learn to control myself. There¡¯s an unknown factor here. I must inform the goddess as soon as possible. Oh, I¡¯m so sorry, I left you alone while I took a call, dear Estela. How rude of me.

    Estela, still paralyzed, was in a state of shock. Too much information had been revealed in such a short time. Had Axel saved the city from a dark elf? And had there also been a goblin attack? It was all hard to process. Her mind was in chaos.

    ¡ªA demigod¡­ me? ¡ªthought Estela, confused¡ª. How? My parents have always been my parents, the ones who raised me¡­

    Priscila glanced at a giant pendulum clock in the corner of her garden.

    ¡ªIt¡¯s almost time. We¡¯ll have to continue this meeting another day ¡ªsaid the witch¡ª. What happened in Toki is abnormal. We¡¯ll leave your case for another day, dear. By the way, until now, you¡¯ve only seen the power of my goddess, the power she¡¯s lent me. But I¡¯ve never shown you my own.

    Priscila turned her gaze to the mirror, and in it appeared the image of the Royal Guard warriors, exhausted but victorious. They had triumphed in their battle against the lizard men, even though they were outnumbered.

    ¡ªLook at that satisfied expression ¡ªPriscila said with a malicious smile¡ª. It would be tragic if something bad happened to them now that they¡¯re so pleased with their victory.

    With another snap of her fingers, a massive stalagmite grew from the ground and pierced the stomach of Charles, the Royal Guard warrior, killing him slowly and in great pain.

    ¡ªSee you soon, dear ¡ªPriscila said, vanishing into thin air.

    Estela passed out, and when she regained consciousness, she found herself near Charles¡¯s body, covered with a cloth.

    ¡ªWe failed ¡ªEstela murmured, tears streaming down her face¡ª. This was a trap.

 Chapter 14: Treasured Memories

    When I was a child, people always seemed to be afraid of me. I still remember the day in elementary school when a classmate got hurt after I defended myself from her bullying. She broke a bone.

    I don¡¯t like to remember that, but for some reason, that moment came to my mind.

    I was always a phenomenon to others. No one approached me. Everyone feared my strength.

    But when I was twelve, everything changed.

    A boy two years younger than me entered my life, and for the first time, I didn¡¯t know what to say or do.

    ¡ªHi! Are you Estela? ¡ªhe said with a bright smile¡ª. I¡¯m Axel, and this little one is Lucy. My dad and your dad are friends, they¡¯re talking right now, and he asked me to come say hi and play with you.

    My father had taken me to a sports event, a soccer match. The teams from Toki were the most competitive in the country.

    "All the other cities want to beat us, but no one can," he said proudly.

    As we left the stadium, a man accompanied by two children¡ªAxel and Lucy¡ªcame over to greet him. He seemed very happy to see my father, and soon they started chatting animatedly.

    I, on the other hand, didn¡¯t know what to do.

    ¡ªThis is the girl everyone talks about ¡ªLucy said while savoring her candy¡ª. Big brother, she¡¯s the girl with extreme strength.

    ¡ªEstela, sorry about my sister ¡ªAxel intervened, somewhat embarrassed¡ª. But is it true that you have super strength?

    ¡ªNo¡­ it¡¯s not like that¡­ Well, that would be a lie¡­ I¡¯m not a monster! ¡ªI said with a lump in my throat¡ª. But yes, my strength is very great¡­ though that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m a monster.

    Axel smiled with excitement.

    ¡ªThat¡¯s awesome! You¡¯re awesome! You help people by lifting heavy things and also fight the bad guys, right?

    ¡ªIt¡¯s true that sometimes I help people carry things they can¡¯t lift, but fighting bad guys¡­ well¡­ one time I hit a thief who stole from an old woman. I didn¡¯t kill him, I just broke his arm. And another time, I incapacitated a man who was hurting pets. Well¡­ he did deserve it. ¡ªI paused, feeling insecure¡ª. Please, don¡¯t think anything strange about me¡­ I just try to be appreciated a little.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    In reality, I had done many more things to help others. I helped my classmates, but even then, they still seemed afraid of me.

    But Axel wasn¡¯t like them.

    Even knowing how strange I was, he had no intention of staying away from me.

    ¡ªBig brother, let¡¯s go buy some ice cream ¡ªLucy said, pointing at a nearby shop¡ª. I already finished my candy.

    ¡ªCome on, Estela! ¡ªAxel extended his hand to me.

    For a moment, I hesitated, but in the end, I took it.

    We went to the ice cream shop together, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn¡¯t alone.

    Axel wouldn¡¯t stop talking.

    At that time, he was obsessed with comics and hero books. He told us stories about a barbarian warrior who was a thief but had an unbreakable moral code. About adventurers who explored dungeons and faced dragons. About a wizard who fought against a dark lord.

    ¡ªYou¡¯re like the heroes in the stories! ¡ªhe suddenly exclaimed¡ª. You help others, and that¡¯s what matters, Estela. I wish I could be like you.

    I looked at him, not knowing what to say. No one had ever told me something like that before.

    ¡ªMy dad will be here all month ¡ªAxel continued¡ª. We¡¯re on vacation, so we can play until school starts. We¡¯re not from Toki; we¡¯re from the city of Bamba.

    I showed them my strength¡­ but their faces didn¡¯t show fear. They looked at me with admiration.

    For the first time in my life, someone accepted me for who I was.

    For the first time, I didn¡¯t feel like a monster.

    I returned to the present with a lump in my throat.

    I looked up at the starry sky, feeling a pang of pain in my chest.

    ¡ªI don¡¯t want you to die, Axel¡­ ¡ªI whispered¡ª. My heart would break into a thousand pieces.

    ¡ªCaptain, it¡¯s time to take the train to Toki. The others are already at the station ¡ªsaid a Royal Guard soldier, pulling me out of my thoughts.

    I still felt the weight of Charles¡¯ death.

    ¡ªHow am I supposed to tell his family that he died¡­? ¡ªI murmured to myself, my soul heavy with guilt.

    Meanwhile, in Toki¡­

    Axel was meeting with a family still devastated by the loss of a loved one.

    ¡ªI¡¯m so sorry¡­ ¡ªhe said tensely¡ª. I couldn¡¯t prevent Officer Rogers¡¯ death¡­ If he hadn¡¯t appeared, I never would have been able to defeat that monster. I owe him my life.

    A little girl and a woman, their eyes red from grief, silently thanked him before leaving. Axel kept the officer¡¯s gun as a reminder of his own limits.

    Axel remained in place, his brow furrowed.

    ¡ªYou did what you could, big brother. You can¡¯t save everyone ¡ªLucy said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

    But his eyes still reflected sadness. Although he had defeated the monster, he couldn¡¯t prevent the officer¡¯s death.

    ¡ªYou also got reckless ¡ªhe continued¡ª. If it weren¡¯t for Max, you¡¯d already be dead. I know you¡¯re powerful, but be more careful.

    Lucy lowered her head in shame, unable to find an excuse.

    Axel looked at her with concern.

    ¡ªIt was your first time killing a monster, wasn¡¯t it? Before, when we went on adventures, it was always Max, Estela, or me who killed them. You were just support. Are you okay?

    Lucy sighed.

    ¡ªYeah¡­ I¡¯m fine, big brother. You should worry more about Max. He¡¯s in an audience with his father, the king, and he¡¯s probably going to be punished for letting a monster attack the city, and his heart¡­ his weak spot.

    At the Royal Palace¡­A middle-aged man, wearing a golden crown, stood in the grand throne room with a stern expression.

    He was waiting for his son.

    ¡ªFoolish boy¡­ ¡ªhe whispered impatiently.

 Chapter 15: The City on the Border

    King Victor Manchester stood in front of his son, Maxwell Manchester, his gaze filled with irritation. His rigid posture and severe expression made it clear that he was not satisfied with Maxwell''s performance during the battle of Toki.

    ¡ªFoolish boy ¡ªhe snapped brusquely¡ª. You neglected your weak spot and almost died. It seems I''ll have to train you personally again so you finally learn to protect your heart.

    Without warning, the king unsheathed a sword and attacked his son.

    Maxwell barely had time to react. He raised his weapon just in time to block the blow, and the clash of steel echoed in the throne room. At that moment, he felt something strange: an overwhelming pressure emanated from his father¡¯s sword, as if the steel was crushing him from all angles. Within seconds, he was overpowered and fell to the ground without any apparent effort from the king.

    ¡ªThat¡¯s not fair, old man! ¡ªMaxwell growled, struggling to his feet and shaking off the dust¡ª. You used that weird magic again!

    The king lowered his sword calmly and observed him with a mix of disappointment and restrained patience.

    ¡ªIt¡¯s called Maximus Aura ¡ªhe responded¡ª. It¡¯s a gift of our royal bloodline that defeats enemies with sheer willpower. But it only awakens through training. If you stopped flirting with women and focused on combat, perhaps you would have mastered it by now.

    Maxwell clicked his tongue in frustration.

    ¡ªHere we go again¡­

    ¡ªI¡¯m not just your father, I¡¯m your king ¡ªVictor replied firmly¡ª. Besides, you have a fianc¨¦e who has loved you for years. You shouldn¡¯t disrespect her with your womanizing escapades.

    Maxwell sighed and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

    ¡ªDid you call me here just to lecture me, old man?

    The king stared at him in silence for a moment, assessing him. Then he shook his head.

    ¡ªNo. The recent attack on Toki is linked to what happened fifty years ago. You did what you could, and I don¡¯t blame you for what happened, but you need more training.

    He slowly approached his son, keeping his gaze firm.

    ¡ªBesides, your friend Axel stole the spotlight this time. I¡¯ve always wondered why he never passed the Royal Guard exam. He has more discipline and talent than many of my soldiers.

    Maxwell frowned.

    ¡ªThen why didn¡¯t you accept him yourself?

    The king scoffed seriously.

    ¡ªI don¡¯t interfere in those decisions. It would be an abuse of power to impose who gets into the Royal Guard. Every warrior must prove their worth on their own.

    He paused before continuing.

    ¡ªHowever, I have a mission for you. Take Axel with you; he will be of great help. Your bodyguards, of course, will accompany you as well.

    Maxwell raised an eyebrow, now intrigued.

    ¡ªWhat kind of mission?

    The king gave a faint smile and turned toward a large window, gazing at Toki from above.

    ¡ªIn Laika, the border city with the land of the elves, there¡¯s something I need you to find and use. It¡¯s an object I left there in my youth. It will aid you in your training.

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    Maxwell crossed his arms.

    ¡ªAnd what exactly is it?

    ¡ªYou will receive the details in a letter a few hours before boarding the train ¡ªVictor replied without turning¡ª. Now go. I wish you a safe journey.

    With those words, the king turned and left for his office.

    Once alone, he sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, letting nostalgia wash over him.

    "Axel, son of Amadeus, my dear friend¡­ You have more discipline and talent than my own son. I hope you continue helping him grow."

    With that thought, Victor returned to his duties, while Maxwell left the castle with a new destination in mind.

    <hr>

    Two days after the attack on Toki, Lucy was in her workshop with her assistants, exhausted as usual.

    ¡ªAlright, guys, looks like it¡¯s lunchtime ¡ªLucy announced in a light tone¡ª. See you in an hour.

    ¡ªThat¡¯s odd ¡ªone of the mages murmured as she walked away¡ª. Miss Lucy has been treating us well today. I think what happened in the city awakened some compassion in her.

    ¡ªMaybe now she¡¯ll let us leave earlier and won¡¯t make us work all night ¡ªadded another, hopeful¡ª. I don¡¯t understand why she¡¯s so tough. She¡¯s young; she should want to go out and have fun with friends.

    ¡ªI can hear you, you know? ¡ªLucy interrupted from the doorway, turning with a sarcastic smile¡ª. Because of that, we¡¯ll be working until dawn tonight. I hope you brought your pajamas.

    Lucy stepped out into the fresh air and had only walked a few steps when a hand grabbed her right arm and dragged her into a shadowy alley. A woman wearing a scarf and sunglasses held her tightly, placing a finger over her lips to signal for silence.

    The workshop had a room full of beds, a cozy space but also a revealing sign of Lucy¡¯s bossy nature. It was designed so that her assistants could sleep there after long nights of work, a reflection of her relentless demands that prevented them from returning home.

    ¡ªDear Lucy, it¡¯s me, Estela ¡ªshe whispered, lowering her sunglasses just enough to reveal her gray eyes¡ª. I¡¯m hiding so no one recognizes me. I want you to tell me yourself what happened with Axel and the dark elf.

    They went to a nearby caf¨¦ and sat at a secluded table. Lucy began recounting the events with her usual mix of enthusiasm and judgment.

    ¡ªIt all started when my dear brother went on a date with that floozy he met a few days ago. And then¡­ he defeated the dark elf all by himself. We were all left speechless.

    I see¡­ he exceeded my expectations. Estela realized this as her cup trembled slightly in her hand.

    ¡ªWait, what did you just say? He was with a woman?

    Her voice came out sharper than she intended, and an inexplicable heat rose to her face. She tried to remain calm, but her eyes narrowed as Lucy continued speaking.

    ¡ªOh, yes ¡ªLucy responded, frowning¡ª. Some floozy he just met. They were on a date. I think she was trying to seduce him. I only saw her once, but she had the face of someone with hidden intentions toward Axel. I don¡¯t like women like that. I¡¯d rather it be you with him, as his girlfriend. After all, you¡¯re my only female friend. The other girls think I¡¯m weird and avoid me.

    Estela blinked, her heart skipping a beat.

    ¡ªMe? ¡ªshe murmured, and for a moment, an image of Axel laughing with that faceless woman flashed in her mind, filling her with a deep sense of discomfort. She didn¡¯t know why she felt that way. Then, that image was replaced by one of Axel extending his hand to her, just like he had fifteen years ago.

    ¡ªIs that what I wanted all along? ¡ªEstela whispered as Lucy continued drinking her coffee.

    Estela clenched her fists under the table.

    Why did it hurt to imagine him with someone else? He had always been her friend, her¡­ something more. But she had never seen him that way until now. Had she?

    ¡ªSeems like Axel catches women''s attention. I can¡¯t blame them; he is quite handsome ¡ªshe finally said, forcing a calmness she didn¡¯t feel¡ª. I¡¯m glad everything turned out well. But that¡¯s something between Axel and me. I suppose he thought I hated him for not approving him, and that¡¯s why he sought the company of that woman. I would never hate him.

    She took a breath and looked at Lucy with a new sense of realization.

    ¡ªYou know, dear? I¡¯ve been thinking¡­ maybe I was wrong to reject him. Perhaps his presence alone can make a difference. He killed that invading elf without your help, without magical tools. And right now, I need him by my side. Something terrible happened on Mount Kirk, and it hasn¡¯t stopped haunting me.

    Her eyes clouded for a moment at the memory, but she quickly shook her head.

    ¡ªOops¡­ forget that, dear, it¡¯s classified information.

    Lucy looked at her curiously, but Estela was already lost in her thoughts. The warmth in her chest grew¡ªa mixture of guilt over Charles and something else¡­ something that Lily¡¯s arrival had awakened.

    ¡ªI¡¯m going to gather the evaluators and see if they¡¯re still willing to accept Axel ¡ªshe said, standing abruptly¡ª. And I¡¯m going to find him before he leaves with her. I won¡¯t let that woman¡­

    She stopped, surprised by her own words, but a spark of determination shone in her gray eyes.

    For the first time in her life, she didn¡¯t understand what she was feeling in her chest. She was an adult woman and had come to believe that romantic love wasn¡¯t for her.

    But Axel, of all people¡ªafter all these years of trying to get her attention¡ªhad reached her heart.

    And the idea of losing him now tormented her.

 Chapter 16: Attack on the Train

    The railway system of Hirica was invented over 100 years ago when an engineer harnessed the power of coal and steam to move massive machinery and connect multiple cities across the country. Its impact was so significant that many nations paid Hirica to develop their own train systems.

    The first to do so was the Empire of the Northern Blue Dragon, the largest country in the world. This empire is renowned for its powerful economy, advanced healthcare system, and famous tourist attractions, but also for something far more concerning: it is the birthplace of the world''s greatest number of assassins and mercenaries.

    Now, a group of killers from that empire is aboard the train traveling from Toki to Laika, with a clear and deadly mission:

    To assassinate the crown prince!

    <hr>

    City of Toki ¨C A Few Hours Earlier

    At midday, in a city bar, Axel, Maxwell, and their bodyguards, Eustace and Gunter, were sharing beers while discussing their mission.

    ¡ªOne of my father¡¯s servants gave me this letter. He told me to read it once we¡¯re on the train. By the way, this beer is delicious. Wheat beer will always be my favorite ¡ªcommented Maxwell, taking a long sip and leaving foam on his lips.

    ¡ªWhat exactly are we supposed to find in Laika? ¡ªasked Gunter, holding his mug.

    ¡ªI¡¯ve heard rumors about an extremely powerful magical weapon, but only members of the royal family can wield it. For some unknown reason, every time someone takes hold of it, it always returns to Laika. My father never gave me more details ¡ªreplied Axel, taking a small sip.

    ¡ªSir Maxwell, shouldn¡¯t we be discussing this in a more private place? There are too many people nearby. We might leak information ¡ªinterjected Eustace, who had yet to touch his beer.

    Axel smiled confidently.

    ¡ªAre you new to this? This table is enchanted. Everything we say is distorted, so everyone else just hears us talking about sports or some other harmless nonsense. Lucy set it up. She always does things right.

    He paused before adding:

    ¡ªBy the way, I like you two better than Maxwell¡¯s previous bodyguards. You¡¯re not excessively overprotective, but you¡¯re still quite skilled.

    ¡ªThat¡¯s true ¡ªinterrupted Maxwell¡ª. Lucy is very useful... though I wish she¡¯d stop scaring off every girl I date. She always frightens them away until they run off! But hey, in Laika, I¡¯ll be able to meet plenty of beautiful women, and Lucy won¡¯t be there to bother me.

    ¡ªThat comment was unnecessary, Max ¡ªgrumbled Axel¡ª. Lucy does that because she sees you as an older brother¡­ I think? ¡ªhe added, raising an eyebrow in doubt.

    Then, changing the subject, he continued:

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    ¡ªI imagine we¡¯ll be temporarily assigned as soldiers at the border post and placed under the command of whoever is in charge there. What time does the train leave?

    <hr>

    9:00 PM ¨C Toki Station

    The train was set to depart in thirty minutes. The four of them were in a military-designated carriage. Axel got up from his seat and headed to the restroom.

    Just as he opened the door to step out, he encountered someone unexpected.

    Lily.

    The beautiful and immortal woman smiled at him mischievously.

    ¡ªHey, handsome! Did you miss me?

    Axel frowned.

    ¡ªI knew it... Right after you mentioned your intention to take me to the land of the elves, a mission suddenly comes up to a city bordering that country. You had something to do with this, didn¡¯t you? ¡ªhe asked seriously.

    Lily covered her mouth in fake surprise.

    ¡ªOops! You caught me, kid. But I only influenced the king''s decision a little bit. Don''t you want to know how I did it?

    Axel sighed, unable to hide his annoyance.

    ¡ªI don¡¯t care. We¡¯ll talk about this later. Right now, it¡¯s time to board the train. You stay in the civilian passenger section, and we¡¯ll meet in Laika.

    Lily tilted her head, her expression playful.

    ¡ªAre you still mad because I disappeared after the fight with the dark elf?

    ¡ªNo! I¡¯m mad because I know there will be trouble if you¡¯re here. That dark elf was looking for you. Just stay away while we¡¯re on the train.

    Lily smirked wickedly, saying nothing.

    And at that moment, the train departed, with Axel completely unaware that his journey was about to turn into a bloodbath.

    <hr>

    The Attack

    A few kilometers ahead, a piercing scream echoed through the train, followed by more. Suddenly, the door to their carriage burst open, revealing a group of men dressed in elegant attire. They wore fine shirts and trousers, but in their hands, they held daggers and sharp knives.

    ¡ªWhich one of these guys are we supposed to stab in the heart? ¡ªone of the mercenaries asked.

    ¡ªWho cares? Let¡¯s stab them all ¡ªanother replied with a sadistic grin.

    Axel sighed and realized he had left his pistol in his luggage. Eustace and Gunter had their abilities, and Maxwell was the strongest among them. They all had their combat weapons, but none carried a gun.

    Axel quickly scanned the area and saw, a few meters ahead, the emergency axe mounted on the wall of the carriage.

    ¡ªWell, I guess this counts as an emergency ¡ªhe muttered, grabbing the axe and taking a combat stance.

    The battle had begun.

    Axel dodged the mercenaries¡¯ thrusts with agility, striking them with the axe and knocking them unconscious. They were strong, but not at the level of the Royal Guard. However, soon, a true challenge appeared.

    A dwarven warrior, with a long beard and a massive battle axe, stepped into the carriage. His weapon made Axel¡¯s look like a mere toy.

    ¡ªWell, well! A little soldier who knows how to play with a tiny axe? ¡ªthe dwarf bellowed, slamming his weapon into the floor¡ª. Prepare to suffer!

    Meanwhile, Maxwell had incapacitated several mercenaries, but then he encountered a different kind of enemy.

    A seductive human woman, dressed in a black gown with a plunging neckline, stood before him, wielding two curved violet daggers in her hands.

    ¡ªHandsome man, are you the one I¡¯m supposed to stab in the heart?

    Maxwell smirked confidently.

    ¡ªI wouldn¡¯t answer that, not even to a beauty like you.

    He struck with his sword, but something strange happened.

    The woman vanished into a shadow and reappeared elsewhere in the carriage.

    That was her gift.

    She could hide and move through the shadows.

    Maxwell narrowed his eyes.

    ¡ªThis is going to be interesting¡­

    The battle had only just begun.

 Chapter 17: Duo

    When Eustace and Gunter were rookies, they were assigned to a mission to exterminate giant lizards that were devouring livestock and, even more alarmingly, the people of a rural village. In fact, more people had died than animals. On that mission, they were accompanied by a rookie woman, whom they underestimated and left behind. Confident in their abilities, they devised a simple plan: Eustace would use his illusion powers to project a false prey to lure the lizard, while Gunter would attack it with a spear. It seemed like a foolproof plan, but things didn¡¯t go as expected.

    The gigantic reptile appeared: a bipedal monster with a massive tail, sharp fangs, and pointed claws. It observed the illusion but then turned its head toward where the two young royal guards were and charged at them. Their scent had given them away. Gunter tried to use his vibration ability to destabilize the lizard, but the beast was too fast. With a swipe of its tail, it struck Gunter and sent him flying. Eustace, seeing that his illusions were useless, could do nothing but help his companion up and run. However, the lizard was faster, and its jaws were about to reach them when, suddenly, Estela appeared.

    Back then, Estela was a young rookie, but her superhuman speed and strength allowed her to cut off the lizard¡¯s head with a single strike. The two young guards couldn¡¯t believe it. The girl they had underestimated had saved them. The worst part was that there were more lizards, and their only option to survive was to rely on her. That day, Eustace and Gunter felt a deep humiliation in their hearts and vowed never to depend on someone to save them again. They resolved to become better and complete their missions successfully. Over time, their efforts were recognized by the king himself, who assigned them one of the most important tasks: to be the bodyguards of the crown prince, Maxwell.

    <hr>

    The Attack on the Train

    Now, in the present, Eustace and Gunter were on the train traveling from Toki to Laika, protecting the prince. However, the numerous mercenaries separated them from Maxwell, dragging them into other cars. Although the mercenaries were no match for the royal guards in hand-to-hand combat, the situation became complicated when a new enemy appeared: a puppeteer mage.

    This mage, dressed in a black hat and dark glasses, pulled out two child-sized dolls from a large backpack, each holding a dagger in their hands. Strings extended from the mage¡¯s fingers, controlling the dolls with precision. It was clear that this man was no ordinary mercenary; he was a sorcerer.

    ¡ªWell, a very strange guy snuck onto this train ¡ªsaid Gunter, getting into a combat stance with his sword¡ª. How is it possible that so many mercenaries got on without anyone noticing?

    ¡ªThe real question is: what kind of powers does this guy have? ¡ªasked Eustace, unsheathing his sword¡ª. He¡¯s a mage; he¡¯s enchanted those dolls. Does he have more surprises up his sleeve?

    The puppeteer mage smiled maliciously and spoke in a calm voice:

    ¡ªSoldiers, let¡¯s make this simpler. Our contractor told us to pierce the heart of a man traveling in the military car, but he didn¡¯t say which one. He must be someone important to hire so many of us. The one who kills him will receive 500,000 thalers. So, if you don¡¯t want to die, tell me: who is the person I need to kill?

    Eustace didn¡¯t waste time and attacked the mage, but one of the dolls intercepted him. Eustace¡¯s sword clashed against the doll¡¯s dagger, and the latter demonstrated surprising skill, launching precise attacks at Eustace¡¯s heart, liver, and neck. Although the royal guard managed to dodge and counterattack, the doll was more skilled than expected.

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    Meanwhile, Gunter had an easier fight. His vibration ability allowed him to destabilize the doll every time it clashed with his sword, causing it to stagger until the mage withdrew it from the fight.

    Suddenly, Gunter saw something that would tip the scales in their favor: Axel had arrived with his axe and charged at the mage. However, the mage didn¡¯t react. Axel struck him, but he disappeared. He had never been there; it was an illusion created by Eustace.

    ¡ªThis guy uses the dolls as a source of information ¡ªexplained Eustace, breathless from the fight¡ª. With them, he maps the area and receives information through the strings in his hands. This guy is blind; my power doesn¡¯t affect him. Be careful, Gunter.

    Gunter seized the moment. With the doll he was facing out of the fight, he rushed toward the one attacking Eustace and, with a clean strike, severed its arm. But what he saw froze him in place: it wasn¡¯t wood or fabric he had cut, but flesh and bone. Dark blood gushed from the stump, revealing that these weren¡¯t mere puppets but the animated corpses of children.

    ¡ªI see you¡¯ve discovered the origin of my little ones! ¡ªsaid the puppeteer, his laughter echoing as he noticed the change in the guards¡¯ breathing¡ª. By your heartbeats, I¡¯d say you¡¯re horrified.

    ¡ªYou despicable murderer! ¡ªshouted Eustace, but words failed him. The horror of what they had seen left him breathless.

    ¡ªFriend, do you trust Maxwell and Axel? ¡ªasked Gunter with a smile on his face. He had a plan.

    ¡ªYes, I trust them. I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll die. I know what you¡¯re thinking. We need to execute the Artificial Maximus Aura! We have to take this guy down.

    The Maximus Aura is a unique power of the royal family of Hirica, which allows the user to push their innate ability to its limit, but at the cost of consuming a massive amount of energy. This power was artificially replicated by a great witch in the past ¡ªLucy¡¯s biological mother¡ª so that other warriors could use it. However, the effect was temporary and left the users exhausted, unable to move for hours and requiring days to fully recover.

    The royal guards pulled out a small box from their pockets and took a special pill. In the center of their foreheads, a tattoo in the shape of a four-pointed star, the symbol of Hirica, appeared.

    Gunter placed his hands on the ground, and the train car began to shake. The vibration concentrated on the spot where the mage was, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the floor. Even so, he continued manipulating the dolls, but then something else happened. The mage smelled something repugnant, worse than a sewer or a decomposing corpse.

    ¡ªWhat the hell is this? ¡ªhe whispered, confused.

    Suddenly, a high-pitched ringing sound echoed in his ears, at a frequency so high that his eardrums burst, leaving him deaf. Now blind, deaf, and with his sense of smell impaired, the mage had no time to react when Gunter cut off his hands, freeing the dolls from his control, and Eustace stabbed him through the heart.

    ¡ªAn illusion is nothing more than deceiving the mind ¡ªsaid Eustace, collapsing to the floor exhausted¡ª. This guy thought his senses were impaired, but it was all in his mind. He never actually suffered that damage; only his brain was affected. This power is amazing, but it¡¯s a shame it doesn¡¯t last long.

    ¡ªI hope Maxwell and Axel are okay ¡ªmurmured Gunter, also falling to the floor¡ª. We won¡¯t be able to help them now. At least, there are no more mercenaries on this side of the train.

    Shortly after, both guards lost consciousness, their bodies vulnerable to any attack. However, a figure appeared in the car: it was Lily.

    ¡ªThese are Axel¡¯s friends, right? ¡ªshe said with a smile¡ª. He¡¯d be really upset if something happened to them. I¡¯d better take them somewhere safer.

    As she carried the royal guards, Lily murmured:

    ¡ªI think Axel¡¯s battle is already over.

    And with that, she headed to where Axel and Maxwell were, leaving behind the car filled with chaos and destruction.

 Chapter 18: Battle Instinct

    A dwarf of robust build held a gigantic battle axe, pointing it at a human soldier who only had a standard emergency axe. His expression was one of disbelief and disdain. For him, a master of hand-to-hand combat, facing a simple soldier with such a basic weapon was almost insulting. However, the reward of 500,000 Thalers made it worth his while.

    ¡ªKid, I hope you''re the one I need to stab in the heart. Otherwise, I''ll have to work harder than I planned ¡ªhe said with a mocking smile as he prepared his first strike.

    The clash of their axes resonated with force. The difference in power was clear: the dwarf''s brute strength surpassed Axel''s, forcing him to retreat. However, in an instant, Axel used the energy from the impact to redirect the force into his own weapon and deliver a counterattack with similar power. The dwarf, surprised, had to block the counterattack instead of continuing his assault.

    ¡ªWell, well¡­ so you can absorb the energy of a strike and redirect it! Instead of being pushed back by the impact, you turned it into your own attack ¡ªsaid the dwarf, this time with a genuine smile¡ª. I see you''re no ordinary rookie. Thanks, kid! Now I¡¯ll enjoy this battle even more.

    Axel looked at his hand and saw it trembling. The dwarf''s strength was monstrous. He hadn¡¯t been able to block it completely; his only option was to use a combat technique to dissipate the impact. He had redirected the force of the opponent''s strike into his own axe and then returned the energy with a devastating counterattack.

    But this wasn¡¯t magic. It was a martial combat technique Axel had learned in Hirica:

    Absolute Reaction Fencing.

    Its philosophy was simple: every attack becomes a lethal counterattack, using the enemy''s force against them. Axel had learned this discipline in a surprisingly short time thanks to his eyes, which had a special ability. Even before manifesting his ability to foresee possibilities in combat, he already had an innate talent for learning just by observing. However, understanding a technique didn¡¯t mean mastering it, and to perfect it, he needed constant training.

    Another ability of his eyes was the capacity to see people¡¯s auras.

    ¡ªThis dwarf is incredibly strong. His physical strength is superior to that of an average human¡­ though it still doesn¡¯t compare to Estela¡¯s ¡ªthought Axel, recalling his battles with the captain of the Royal Guard¡ª. Well, I always thought she held back when fighting me.

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    Axel analyzed the dwarf¡¯s aura. It wasn¡¯t that of a villain.

    Throughout his life, he had learned to distinguish the nature of his opponents. Psychopaths and remorseless killers radiated a dark and oppressive aura. Warriors, on the other hand, had a red aura, full of passion and fighting spirit.

    This dwarf was a warrior, not a killer.

    But that didn¡¯t change the fact that he had Axel in a tough spot.

    Axel decided to attack first. However, the height difference complicated his angle of attack, reducing the power of his strikes. He noticed this immediately and made a risky decision.

    With one hand, he spun the axe in the air, using centrifugal force to power up his next attack. The dwarf, surprised, retreated for the first time. But in the same instant, he counterattacked with a low strike.

    Axel, anticipating it, rotated the axe in the direction of the rival¡¯s attack and, at the last moment, held it with both hands, absorbing the impact. Then, he executed a counterattack aimed at the dwarf¡¯s back, which the dwarf managed to dodge at the last moment, though not completely. The impact was cushioned by his armor, but it still forced him to retreat.

    The dwarf took a breath and launched a flurry of attacks at Axel¡¯s legs, trying to destabilize him. Axel dodged each one, but he noticed his stamina was reaching its limit.

    ¡ªThis guy is too resilient¡­ and he still doesn¡¯t seem tired ¡ªthought Axel, feeling his own fatigue building up¡ª. If I keep this up, I¡¯ll lose from exhaustion.

    It was time to use his blessing.

    The last time he activated it, the mental effort left him exhausted and with an unbearable headache.

    ¡ªMaybe this time will be different¡­ ¡ªhe told himself.

    And then he got into a combat stance once more and attacked.

    The dwarf noticed the change instantly.

    As soon as their axes clashed, Axel adopted an unusual posture: his body leaned forward, low and aggressive. Suddenly, his axe disappeared from the dwarf¡¯s sight for a second¡­ and a foot violently struck his head.

    Kick!

    Another kick!

    And another!

    The dwarf was stunned, and in that instant, his battle axe slipped from his hands.

    Axel didn¡¯t waste the opportunity.

    With a precise movement, he used the flat side of his axe and struck the dwarf¡¯s bare head with force. The impact knocked him unconscious instantly.

    Axel, breathing heavily, kept his axe pointed at the unconscious dwarf.

    But then, a heart-wrenching scream snapped him out of his focus.

    ¡ªDon¡¯t kill my father!

    Axel turned his head and saw a human woman tied up next to Maxwell. Her eyes were filled with tears and desperation.

    ¡ªWait¡­ "father"? ¡ªmurmured Axel, stunned¡ª.

    His gaze shifted from the unconscious dwarf to the woman.

    ¡ªHow on earth can a human be the daughter of a dwarf¡­?

    Axel¡¯s curiosity soared.

 Chapter 19: Danger in the Shadows

    A few moments earlier, Maxwell and the mercenary woman were locked in combat. Maxwell¡¯s longsword gave him the advantage, and his precise strikes forced the woman to retreat. However, she had a gift: the ability to appear and disappear within the shadows. Using this skill, she managed to land quick thrusts at Maxwell¡¯s sides. Though he regenerated instantly, he instinctively protected his heart.

    ¡ªSo, you¡¯re the one I have to kill ¡ªsaid the woman with a mocking smile¡ª. How lucky! Now the 500,000 thalers will be mine and my father¡¯s. Though it¡¯s a shame to kill a man as handsome as you.

    ¡ªThanks for the compliments ¡ªreplied Maxwell, pointing his sword at her face¡ª, but I¡¯m not going to die so easily.

    The woman wasn¡¯t particularly strong, but she was extremely skilled. She had noticed that Maxwell was holding back, not yet unleashing his full potential in the fight. His stamina remained intact, and she was starting to grow desperate. Her target was within reach, but she couldn¡¯t do anything. Every time she tried to attack, Maxwell blocked her movements with precision. Though she appeared and disappeared within the shadows, Maxwell was already anticipating her attacks.

    ¡ªHey, sweetheart ¡ªsaid Maxwell in a teasing tone¡ª, be a good girl and surrender. Haven¡¯t you noticed it¡¯s nighttime, and it¡¯s easy to see where the shadows are? Besides, to attack me, you need to be close, right? It¡¯s easy to predict your moves. But enough of this. Let¡¯s end this fight once and for all.

    Maxwell began breaking every light in the train car, leaving only one intact. The woman had no choice but to flee, but her gift worked against her. She appeared in the only spot where there was still light.

    ¡ªFrom what I could see ¡ªcontinued Maxwell¡ª, you move along the boundaries between light and darkness. You appear and disappear in places with light and shadow, but you¡¯d never use your gift in total darkness, would you? You¡¯d be trapped in limbo until light returns. You¡¯re not the only one who¡¯s had this kind of power. One of your ancestors also possessed it, and it¡¯s recorded in history books. That¡¯s how I figured it out.

    After saying this, Maxwell attacked swiftly, disarming the woman and knocking her to the ground. He grabbed her arms, tossed her dagaside, and pulled out a common tool among Hirica¡¯s warriors: a magical device resembling a stamping machine. This artifact placed a seal that temporarily disabled the powers of the Gifted. Maxwell applied it to the woman¡¯s neck, where her skin was exposed.

    ¡ªNow you can¡¯t escape ¡ªsaid Maxwell¡ª. It was either this or kill you, and I don¡¯t want to kill someone as beautiful as you.

    He tied her up and took her with him to prevent her from escaping. When he met up with Axel, who had already finished his fight, he noticed the woman screaming in desperation, pleading for the life of the dwarf warrior.

    A few minutes later, the dwarf and the woman were tied up near a window on the moving train.

    ¡ªAlright, now talk, dwarf ¡ªsaid Maxwell, placing his sword at the woman¡¯s throat¡ª. If you don¡¯t want me to slit your daughter¡¯s throat, tell us: who hired you?

    ¡ªDwarf warrior, what happened to your honor? ¡ªasked Axel, still holding the emergency axe¡ª. I thought your kind only served your country and your king.

    ¡ªMy name is Durok ¡ªreplied the dwarf in a grave voice¡ª. You can¡¯t live on honor alone; you have to eat somehow. In the past, I was falsely accused of something I didn¡¯t do and was exiled from my country. I wandered aimlessly, surviving as best I could, until I found them: two orphaned girls from the Blue Dragon Empire, Peach and Cherry. I raised them and taught them how to fight and defend themselves. I¡¯ve already lost Cherry; now all I have left is Peach, the younger of the two. Fine, warrior of Hirica, you¡¯ve won.

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    Durok revealed that the mastermind behind everything was Dmitriy Popovich, the Empire¡¯s Minister of Public Security. His plan was simple: provoke an armed conflict with Hirica to seize their advanced technology. However, the dwarf wasn¡¯t sure of the details. All he knew was that a hooded man, resembling the minister¡¯s secretary, had appeared at their base of operations with a large sum of money and tasked them with killing one of Hirica¡¯s military personnel.

    ¡ªTo be honest ¡ªcontinued Durok¡ª, we didn¡¯t know which of you we were supposed to kill. The contractor told us, ¡°You can kill them all, but only one is worth 500,000 thalers. The one with regeneration powers is the target.¡±

    ¡ªI have one more question ¡ªsaid Axel¡ª. How did you suddenly appear on the train?

    ¡ªWe were brought here by a flying machine, similar to a dirigible ¡ªanswered Peach, the mercenary woman¡ª. We jumped and landed through the train windows. Nothing out of this world.

    In fact, many of those machines were used to transport the mercenaries. The train¡¯s security agents captured and chained the remaining mercenaries who were still on the floor, waiting for the train to reach a station before Laika. All of them were handed over to the authorities, including the body of the puppeteer mage. However, the dwarf and his daughter were never turned in.

    ¡ªAre you sure about this, Axel? ¡ªasked Maxwell¡ª. The dwarf might come back to attack us. We shouldn¡¯t have let them go.

    ¡ªI don¡¯t think anything will happen ¡ªreplied Axel¡ª. After all, they owe us their lives. Losing a life-or-death battle and then being spared is a total disgrace for them. Dwarves have a basic code of honor, but they stick to it. They promised not to bother us again, and they owe us a favor we can cash in later. I assume Peach, having been raised by Durok, follows the same rules.

    Axel paused and added:

    ¡ªBy the way, there¡¯s a mole within Hirica¡¯s government leaking information. We need to find out who it is, but we¡¯ll leave that for another time.

    Shortly after the interrogation, Axel and Maxwell went to check on Eustace and Gunter, who still couldn¡¯t move after their fight. They found them in a train car full of children, who were painting their faces. The scene was so absurd that Axel and Maxwell couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

    ¡ªLooks like they had more fun than we did ¡ªsaid Maxwell, chuckling.

    Meanwhile, in a military office within the Empire, Dmitriy Popovich, a bald, middle-aged man with thick glasses, was reading a book. Behind him stood an elven woman with a fake smile. Beside her was another woman, pale and with deep dark circles under her eyes.

    ¡ªWell, baldy ¡ªsaid the elven woman¡ª, it seems your men failed their mission. What are you going to do about it?

    ¡ªLady Priscila, I beg your forgiveness ¡ªreplied Popovich, nervously¡ª. I¡¯ll hire more mercenaries if necessary.

    ¡ªNo! ¡ªinterrupted the pale woman¡ª. That won¡¯t be necessary.

    Popovich looked at her curiously.

    ¡ªAnd who is she? ¡ªhe asked.

    ¡ªShe¡¯s my companion ¡ªanswered Priscila¡ª. She¡¯s very competent and even more terrifying than I am, but she¡¯s loyal to the goddess Galatea. She wants to speak with you.

    ¡ªAs Priscila said ¡ªcontinued the pale woman¡ª, I am a servant of Galatea, just like her. I¡¯ve come here in person to judge you and see if it¡¯s worth helping you become emperor. And, you know what? You passed the test. I¡¯ll tell the goddess to help you achieve your dream.

    ¡ªLet¡¯s go, Priscila ¡ªsaid the pale woman¡ª. We have much to discuss.

    Both women disappeared in a curtain of smoke.

    In Galatea¡¯s underground temple, Priscila knelt before her goddess.

    ¡ªMy lady, I know your orders are absolute, but I¡¯m curious: why did you approve of the baldy?

    ¡ªIsn¡¯t it obvious? ¡ªreplied Galatea with a malicious smile¡ª. His mind is simple and easily manipulated. With him, we could control the Empire¡¯s resources. By the way, Priscila, what did you see with our insect and spider spies? What happened to our puppeteer mage?

    The puppeteer mage, Oscar Palmer, was a sadistic being from the Empire whose sole purpose was to entertain himself in combat and kill civilians. Sometimes he took ¡°trophies,¡± such as the corpses of children after winning a battle, and turned them into battle puppets. He was a loyal servant of Galatea who had infiltrated the train as a mercenary.

    Galatea frowned with intrigue after hearing Priscila¡¯s report.

    ¡ªThat Axel fellow seems like an ordinary guy ¡ªshe murmured¡ª. Why is the Princess of Babel so interested in him?

 Chapter 20: Thoughts on the Train

    The train sped across the plains, drawing closer to Laika with each passing moment. Axel gazed out the window, lost in thought, when a memory suddenly surfaced.

    It was seven years ago. A young, 18-year-old Axel walked beside Estela. She was radiant with happiness, having just been accepted into the Royal Guard on her first attempt.

    ¡ªCongratulations, Estela! Very soon, I''ll join the Royal Guard too. Wait for me ¡ªAxel said with a smile, to which she responded with one just as bright.

    The memory faded abruptly when a hand landed on his shoulder unexpectedly.

    ¡ªWhat are you thinking about, kid? ¡ªLily asked, appearing out of nowhere in the military carriage.

    ¡ªBy YH, Lily, you nearly scared me to death! ¡ªAxel exclaimed, placing a hand on his chest¡ª. You shouldn''t be here. This carriage is for military personnel only. What if the others come in?

    He paused, then suddenly remembered.

    ¡ªAh, right. Max is off flirting with all the pretty girls on the train, and Eustace and Gunter are with him since they¡¯re his bodyguards.

    Lily narrowed her eyes with a sly smile.

    ¡ªYou still haven''t answered my question.

    Axel sighed.

    ¡ªHow strange¡­ ¡ªhe said, observing her carefully¡ª. I don¡¯t feel any malice in you.

    Axel could see Lily¡¯s aura; it was golden, calm, like the light of the setting sun. It genuinely seemed like she cared about him.

    ¡ªAlright, I''ll trust you and answer. I was remembering when I wasn¡¯t a soldier yet, back when I supported Estela during her entrance exam for the Royal Guard. Believe it or not, she didn¡¯t have much confidence in herself. It made me so happy to see her gain it over time until she became captain.

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Axel smiled nostalgically.

    ¡ªYou know, I was in love with her since I was a child. I simply couldn¡¯t help it. She was beautiful, strong, and always helped others. She seemed like a hero from the storybooks. I, on the other hand, only care about those who matter to me¡ªmy family and my friends. Other people¡­ they don¡¯t concern me.

    His gaze darkened slightly before he continued.

    ¡ªI wanted to join the Royal Guard because my father was one of them. Not just any guard, but the king¡¯s personal bodyguard. He and Estela¡¯s father protected the monarch when they were young. I wanted to follow in his footsteps¡­ but in the end, I couldn¡¯t.

    Lily listened carefully before speaking in her characteristic enigmatic tone.

    ¡ªWell, kid, if it makes you feel any better, you¡¯re like a hero too. Not the ones from modern stories, but the ones from myths. Those with great gifts and hearts full of doubt¡­ yet they still moved forward. Not everyone can do that. Carrying the weight of a blessing is hard, but pushing ahead despite it is even harder. And yet, here you are.

    Axel barely had time to process her words before Lily suddenly dissolved into sand, scattering in the air as if carried by the wind.

    Shortly after, the others arrived at the carriage. Max had red cheeks, as if he had been slapped multiple times.

    ¡ªAxel¡­ the girls got mad because I told them our relationship would be short-lived¡­ ¡ªMax lamented, rubbing his cheeks.

    ¡ªThe girls slapped him when he said his relationships lasted "at least a week" before he moved on to another ¡ªGunter explained, barely holding back a grin.

    ¡ªHow is it possible that I missed the part about "a week"?! ¡ªMax shouted, furious.

    Axel held back a smirk. He knew exactly what had happened. The cologne Max was wearing contained a magical substance that forced him to tell the truth¡­ a little prank courtesy of Lucy, who managed to torment Max even from afar.

    Finally, the train arrived at Laika station. As soon as they disembarked, Axel walked ahead of his companions¡ªhe needed to make a quick stop at the restroom.

    After finishing his business, he came across something unexpected.

    A little girl stood alone, crying. Strangely, no one seemed to notice her.

    Axel approached and spoke gently.

    ¡ªAre you alright, little one?

    The girl sobbed before answering.

    ¡ªNo! I lost my favorite pet. I''ve been looking for it for so long¡­ and when I finally found it, it ran away and left me alone again.

    Axel sighed, moved by her tears.

    ¡ªThat¡¯s a shame. I¡¯ll help however I can. If I see it, I¡¯ll return it to you.

    He knelt down to look at her properly and smiled kindly.

    ¡ªMy name is Axel. What¡¯s yours?

    The girl lifted her face, her eyes filled with tears¡­ and then, with an innocent expression, she answered:

    ¡ªI am Galatea.