The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 50

The fact that Yulania’s power had similar properties to Santia’s mana greatly boosted the morale of the expedition, especially the Makari Knights.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the power of the Holy Stone did not completely prevent demons from approaching. As the expedition ventured deeper into the forest, into the land of demons, battles became more frequent.

However, it was certain that aggressive demons did not approach within a certain distance of Yulania. To the point where Santia didn’t need to protect her separately during battles.

As this effect repeated throughout the day, everyone in the expedition realized that Yulania possessed a mysterious power, and they became even more cautious in their attitude towards her.

“Princess! You’ve come out too far.”

The most extreme of them was Vihan, who became anxious whenever Yulania strayed even a little from the center of the camp. Especially when she headed in the opposite direction from Santia, he couldn’t bear it and would speak up.

“Isn’t it helpful if I come out like this?”

However, Yulania, who had gained a special ability for the first time in her life, was more excited than she appeared. Holding the Holy Stone filled with her pounding emotions, she approached the knights struggling against the demons.

“Grrr!”

The demons, who had been attacking the knights indiscriminately as if they didn’t know fear, calmed down as Yulania approached. Her power not only drove away the demons but also stabilized them and made them hesitate.

And that small gap was enough time for the knights to land a fatal blow.

Clang! Clack!

Several chilling metallic sounds followed, and the pitch-black demons disappeared into black blood.

For a moment, the knights looked back at Yulania with awe. But it was only for a fleeting moment, and they soon wore apologetic expressions.

“Thank you, Princess. But we’re really alright! Please stay in a safe place.”

Yulania smiled faintly and turned back to the safe zone. The knights, who were constantly watching her, wondered and looked in that direction, and there was Santia. Slicing through the demons fiercely not far away, he looked rougher and angrier than usual.

When she reached the horses, Vihan began to nag quietly.

“I’ll die if you get hurt, Princess. Our knights are good fighters too. It’s better for us to get a little hurt than for you to take risks.”

Yulania felt that Vihan was becoming more and more different from the taciturn image she had initially imagined.

“Others will be upset if they hear that.”

“Absolutely not. I guarantee everyone feels the same way. So please stay here. Didn’t His Excellency say so too?”

“He’s always overly worried.”

“I understand. It’s not excessive at all, Princess. Even if you don’t feel it much because we’re advancing smoothly now, please don’t forget that this is the land of demons.”

“Alright. Alright.”

This battle also ended without any major casualties. Yulania hadn’t experienced it directly, but she definitely felt that things were going smoothly, perhaps because there were so many combat personnel. Santia, who had cleanly dealt with the last demon with mana, immediately looked for Yulania. And without a word, he simply embraced her.

Yulania accepted the hug without hesitation. It had been a recurring event after each battle since they crossed the wall. She thought Santia was trying to properly publicize the Makari couple’s strong bond.

Because many people, including the Royal Knights, the knights of the Hylon family, and the Makari Knights, witnessed their affectionate behavior. No one in the expedition doubted that their relationship was full of love.

“Good work.”

Yulania offered a small greeting to Santia, who buried his face in her shoulder.

“Please, don’t do anything dangerous.”

The following words were familiar. It was a phrase she had heard dozens of times since she became interested in the Holy Stone and crossed the wall with him. And Yulania’s answer to that was always the same.

“Yes, I’ll help little by little without being dangerous.”

In fact, Yulania thought Mireya would be friendly to her and Santia. They even had tea time alone. Moreover, she had been surprisingly honest at that time.

However, Mireya in the expedition was a perfect knight to the point that Yulania felt ashamed of herself. She led the battle at the forefront, commanding her knights with charisma. It was hard to believe that she was the same person who had come to Yulania with a sly smile, as she was so sharply refined.

When she wielded her sword back-to-back with the equally overwhelming Santia, admiration arose naturally. It was hard to deny that the two looked good together. And that fact pricked Yulania’s heart.

‘I also have a way to fight.’

That sharp feeling encouraged her to step forward and use the power of the Holy Stone even more.

“We have to walk from here. If you go over the hill in front, it’s the cluster area.”

After a brief conversation with Mireya, Santia organized the non-combat personnel. To be precise, it was the minimum number of people to guard the horses and luggage.

“Let’s set up camp around here. We should be able to arrive by this afternoon at the earliest.”

As soon as Santia made the decision, Hylon quickly issued orders. The horses nodded, exhaling frosty breaths. Heavy luggage was placed on the frozen ground, and the knights lightened their bodies to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Yulania approached Santia without hesitation. Santia didn’t even look at her, but casually grabbed her wrist. It was a short and cautious gesture, but it contained a silent warning not to go far.

As they began to walk towards the plains, which would be their final destination, a strong sense of tension settled among the expedition. Only the sound of footsteps on the snow was faintly heard, and the metallic sound of armor and equipment colliding broke through the silence.

Several times along the way, faint signs were detected. Small demons loitering around were noticeable, but they didn’t try to fight and quickly ran away after watching them. The knights were very nervous at the bizarre sight.

“They’re not attacking.”

“Could it be, reconnaissance?”

Amidst the ominous premonition, everyone made a silent resolution. As they approached the plains, such reconnaissance demons appeared more frequently, and the expedition attacked first, but most of them escaped.

And finally, when they reached the plains, hundreds of demons were scattered and gathered beyond the snowfield, along with the swaying darkness. They were in a messy formation as if they had gathered by chance, but their gazes were accurately directed towards them. At the sight, the Hylon Knights and the Royal Knights swallowed their breaths and cursed.

“Damn it, this is a joke.”

“Are you saying we have to fight all of those?”

Mutterings like suppressed screams spread. But Santia drew his sword without a word. Perhaps that was the signal.

Kuaaack! Kyaaaack!

The demons roared and charged all at once.

“Vihan, protect Yulania! By force if necessary!”

Santia looked at Yulania until the end and raised his sword high. But she froze even before those words were finished. It wasn’t because of tension or fear.

A huge vortex of emotions surged from the hundreds of demons.

Despair.

Rage.

Loss.

Resentment.

Incomprehensible emotions flooded her mind. Like a wave, without a moment to breathe.

“Hngh.”

As Yulania unconsciously clutched the Holy Stone, it flashed and emitted an intense light. The light gradually spread out, unfolding like a circular shield centered on her.

The demons flinched and hesitated in front of the boundary. Some tried to approach the shield, but were thrown back with a tearing scream.

Yulania collapsed inside the shield, panting. Outside, the smell of blood and metal was mixed, and a fierce battle was taking place with Santia at the forefront. The knights cut down the demons, and the demons cried out even as they died.

Santia’s sword relentlessly cut through the enemy, slicing through the snow covered in black blood. Yulania was too busy catching her breath inside the shield to even look at the situation outside. A storm of emotions that could only be described as terrible engulfed her body.

Yulania’s throat was choked and her chest was constricted. Tears flowed involuntarily and her heart pounded erratically. How long had she endured like that, with her hand on her chest? The emotions that were swirling around her gradually weakened, and soon she could see again.

In the middle of the plain, a black-haired man stood tall with his sword hanging down. But he couldn’t enjoy the joy of victory after defeating hundreds of demons. After dealing with all the demons that resembled an army, a cry erupted from the back of the plain without a moment to catch his breath.

And another huge group was advancing from afar. Hundreds? No. Thousands. Santia felt a deep anger close to despair as he watched the demons dividing their forces and attacking.

Finally, the army of demons that had advanced into their sight was backing the most conspicuous demon at the very end. It was him. Only Santia could feel it. The energy of the guy lurking far behind.

The Devil was staring intently at them from that spot, as if commanding all the demons. The demon king, who possessed pure malice, was challenging Santia by exuding his energy without hiding it, as if challenging him.

“What is that?”

The knights swallowed their breaths. Even the veteran knights of Hylon turned pale.

As a large number of demons appeared again, Yulania staggered as if she would lose consciousness. Even the vortex of emotions that had just surged in was only the tip of the iceberg.

The Holy Stone in her hand began to beat like a heart, thump, thump.

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