The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 111

Felixius gritted his teeth and hurled another burst of Quantum energy at Frederick. This time, it was a sphere-shaped force that exploded upon contact.

 

But the moment it hit Frederick’s blade, it shattered into nothingness.

 

“W-what the hell is that guy? Is he even human?”

 

Felixius had drained the blood of a thousand children, absorbing their life force to attain a body akin to a divine beast. No one should have been able to defy the power he now wielded—a power that had made him practically a god.

 

“This… can’t be happening.”

 

What he thought was an advantage due to his immense power now showed signs of collapsing.

 

While Frederick charged forward, easily deflecting his attacks, the Imperial Knights had reengaged Vladimir’s forces, and the mages in the distance were preparing to launch a concentrated assault on him.

 

If this keeps up, I’m going to lose.

 

He couldn’t allow himself to be taken down by mere humans just because of this monstrous Swordmaster.

 

“Charge him—now!”

 

Felixius halted his own offensive and gave a signal to his soldiers. A nearby unit rushed forward, shielding their lord as they charged toward Frederick.

 

Taking advantage of the distraction, Felixius began to retreat from Duke Winstaine. He intended to bombard him from a distance—somewhere out of reach of his sword.

 

“Damn it, why is he so fast?!”

 

But as he tried to prepare his attack, he cursed under his breath. The soldiers standing between him and Frederic were cut down like autumn leaves, effortlessly falling to Frederick’s blade.

 

“That guy’s insane…”

 

Seeing Frederick dash toward him again, Felixius felt a chill run down his spine. If he tried to face him head-on, he’d be left defenseless against the mages’ attacks.

 

He began to retreat through the air, shielding himself from the incoming storm of mana.

 

Yet, the distance between them was closing again.

 

“Get over here and stop this man already!”

 

Desperation marked his gestures as he called for more troops to block Frederick.

 

But even using soldiers as shields had its limits. Just as he pondered his next move, a thought suddenly flashed through Felixius’s mind.

 

Grace Winstaine… she must be in the Imperial Palace.

 

Her husband was fighting on the frontlines, and with the power of a divine beast within her, it was likely she’d been kept in the palace. Perhaps even preparing for battle herself.

 

If I kill her and steal her power, then maybe I can defeat that monster.

 

Right now, Frederick’s power overwhelmed him. Every strike nullified Felixius’s attacks. But if he could absorb Grace’s power…

 

I have to get her, now. There’s no other choice.

 

He couldn’t just stand around while his power was rendered useless.

 

He had promised Vladimir he’d claim his reward, conquer this continent piece by piece, and rise as its ruler. This was only the beginning.

 

Now with a new target, Felixius abandoned his attack stance and turned toward the Imperial Palace, flying off at full speed.

 

“Where’s he going?”

 

Frederick muttered in confusion as the man who had just been attacking him suddenly retreated.

 

Felixius didn’t seem the type to flee. He hadn’t even taken serious damage, only failed to land a blow.

 

Suspicious, Frederic watched his direction.

 

That bastard—he’s heading for the palace!

 

Anger surged through Frederick, and he clenched his teeth. Unable to best him here, Felixius now aimed to breach the Imperial Palace.

 

I won’t let that happen!

 

Grace was there. And Felixius had long coveted her divine power. Letting him reach her would mean throwing her into danger.

 

Frederick tried to give chase—but as if on cue, Bahorne’s soldiers blocked his path.

 

“Damn it!”

 

He cut them down with fury, cursing through clenched teeth.

 

Watching Felixius soar away, calm and unchallenged, was infuriating.

 

“Goddamn it…”

 

He had never felt so powerless.

 

He could fight back against enemies that attacked, but couldn’t chase one who fled.

 

“Don’t let him reach the palace!”

 

At the Archmage’s cry, the mages launched condensed bursts of mana at Felixius.

 

But he was too fast. The attacks missed him entirely.

 

Before long, Felixius was but a speck in the distance.

 

“I have to end things here and get moving. Fast.”

 

There was no other option. Not until he cleared the army blocking his path.

 

Frederick gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword.

 

 

Meanwhile…

 

Where should I go?

 

Felixius, still flying at high speed, started to consider his route.

 

Duke Winstaine would take some time to clear out the enemy forces, but not too long—he couldn’t afford to delay.

 

He needed to find and kill Grace quickly, and absorb her power.

 

Vladimir had told him there were five entrances to the Imperial Palace.

 

Guess I’ll have to play the odds.

 

His mind raced.

 

Which entrance was Grace most likely to be at?

 

“The largest gate… that’s the northern one.”

 

Given the range of her divine power, it made sense that the Empire would position her where she could make the most use of it—someplace wide and open.

 

“I’ll head to the north gate.”

 

A faint smile played on Felixius’s lips as he sped up.

 

 

Back at the battlefield…

 

“Your Highness, urgent news!”

 

A messenger dropped to the ground and spoke in a panicked voice.

 

“What is it?”

 

Vladimir recognized him—he was one of the scouts sent to monitor the palace.

 

Vladimir was puzzled.

 

Felixius hadn’t even reached the palace yet—what “urgent news” could there possibly be?

 

“Has the Imperial Family received unexpected reinforcements? It should be nearly impossible to enter the capital, considering we control the plains leading to it.”

 

The main reason they had chosen this plain for battle was to prevent the nobles close to the royal family from reinforcing the palace.

 

To reach the capital, one had to pass through here.

 

The palace was currently defended only by the Imperial Knights, mages, and the Armento family.

 

Frederick might be a monster, but Vladimir still had reserve forces waiting behind his frontline.

 

He was human—eventually, he’d tire. Then they could finish him and seize the capital.

 

“The Emperor… has awakened.”

 

“…What?”

 

Vladimir’s eyes widened.

 

“H-how?!”

 

He had poisoned the Emperor with a toxin that had no cure.

 

No physician could save him. No magic could heal him.

 

Damn it!

 

If the Emperor was awake, he might immediately strip Vladimir of his title.

 

He had seen his face—there would be no forgiveness.

 

“We must act before His Majesty—”

 

“There’s already a royal decree posted in the palace, Your Highness.”

 

“…What?”

 

The messenger handed him a scroll.

 

Vladimir opened it with trembling hands and read its contents.

 

It declared that Prince Vladimir, who had attempted to poison the Emperor, had no rightful claim to the throne and would be stripped of his title.

 

“…Goddamn it…”

 

Vladimir groaned in agony.

 

“How did this happen?! How?!”

 

Even if he now killed the Emperor and seized the palace, he could never claim the throne.

 

Who would support a disgraced prince with no succession rights—one excommunicated for treason?

 

“Who woke the Emperor?!”

 

“I… I don’t know.”

 

“No… I think I do.”

 

Vladimir ground his teeth.

 

“It wouldn’t have been a normal doctor. It must’ve been someone with special powers.”

 

Only one person came to mind.

 

Grace Winstaine.

 

That cursed bastard girl—always getting in my way.

 

“It’s her fault.”

 

Blood vessels bulged in Vladimir’s eyes.

 

“If not for her, my entire plan wouldn’t have failed. She ruined everything!”