Chapter 39

Due to their extreme brutality, the assassin brothers, García and Nash, are almost left unchecked in the Delcott Kingdom.

Johan, Alfred, and the other royal guards fell one after another, and I am the only one left who can properly move and protect His Majesty.

"Just a mere wind, you don't think it can stop us, do you?"

"Hahahaha, first, I'll rip out your intestines! Then, I'll gouge out your eyes and—eat them!"

"......"

Since becoming Eric's guard, I have captured many assassins.

However, even assassins are human, so I have been using low-lethality magic to capture them alive.

These two don't seem to need such restraint.

Even if I rough them up a bit, it won't be fatal.

"Great Spear of Holy Light—!"

"What—!? A spear this time!?"

"Damn! Don't underestimate us!"

I summoned a giant spear of light from a magic array above my head.

Aiming for the moment they were about to pounce on me again, they were taken aback and hurriedly dodged the great spear.

"Your Majesty, now! Let's get away from here quickly!"

"Aye. Y-Yes..."

While García and Nash were cowering, I urged His Majesty to escape to a safe place.

I must prioritize protecting His Majesty's life... For Eric's last wish, I will stake my life to protect His Majesty.

"Hahahaha! Don't think you can escape with that old man!"

"Damn, Short Blade of Holy Light!"

"Shit, you can cast them in rapid succession...! Ugh..."

The agile García quickly closed the distance between me and His Majesty.

Sensing his approach, I released a blade of light. Two, three, four blades shot out from the magic array, and García deflected them with his dagger, but the fifth and sixth blades caught him off guard, injuring his shoulder and leg, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Truly, Lord Reia... to handle the Micktinger brothers in this situation..."

"That woman is infuriating, but our job is to eliminate the king. García, good work on the diversion."

"Damn! Short Blade of Holy Light!"

However, while I was distracted by García, Nash's blade approached His Majesty's neck.

My specialty is casting spells without motion—this time, I aimed the blade of light at Nash.

"Hmm, you can attack me accurately even without looking. However, you're starting to run out of options, aren't you?"

Nash easily deflected the blade of light with his sword and took a step back to widen the distance.

It's tough. As he said, I have no room for error.

Each of them is strong, and while protecting His Majesty, I inevitably fall behind and lack the decisive move.

"Lord Reia, I know I'm holding you back. Ignore me and take out those guys...! And trace the evidence to find the mastermind! That's why I volunteered to be the decoy!"

His Majesty ordered me to prioritize capturing the Micktinger brothers over protecting him.

I understand His Majesty's resolve. But, but, I—

"As a Holy Maiden and Eric's guard, I cannot follow His Majesty's orders. I have my own sense of justice!"

"Lord Reia...!"

While concentrating my magic power in both hands, I told His Majesty that I couldn't comply with his wishes.

A large-scale magic spell, rarely used even for slaying large creatures like dragons—though I've never used it before, I'll try to incapacitate both of them with a powerful spell.

"Let's finish this."

"Damn, to struggle this much even in a neighboring country. Hahahaha!"

Nash and García jumped into the air and attacked simultaneously.

I must take them both out at once, or His Majesty will be in danger.

I carefully aimed—

"Breath of the Divine!"

"Wh-What!?"

The Breath of the Divine, a spell that can only be wielded by a Holy Maiden, who is said to have slain a black dragon that once brought despair to all the people on this continent.

Though I'm still not strong enough to slay a dragon, blowing away two assassins—

"We were almost done for if your aim hadn't been off—"

"What a woman..."

I failed in this situation, my first time using a powerful spell, and my arms wavered at the moment of casting.

Regardless, I must intercept the two coming at me.

However, they were already right in front of me, and even if I hurried to cast a spell—

"Short Blade of Holy Light!"

"I'm used to that now! Hahahaha!"

"García, good job! This time, we'll finish them!"

The blades of light I released were all deflected by García, and Nash's sword aimed at His Majesty from behind.

Disobeying His Majesty's orders and failing to protect him—

Eric, I'm sorry. Your dream—

"Orubran style, Kuchinagashi...!"

"Rinsha, I'm going to punch you for real!"

"Wh-Where did she go...? Ugh..."

"Ugh!!"

At the moment I was apologizing to Eric in my heart, Nash's sword cut through the air, and he fell to his knees, bleeding from his back.

García was then punched away by the suddenly appearing Rinsha.

"Reia, thank you for protecting Father. I'm grateful."

"Lord Eric... We're saved."

Holding His Majesty with one arm and carrying a sword, Eric called out to me.

I was so focused on Nash and García that I didn't notice they had come to help.

The moment I saw Eric's face, the tension overflowed, and I almost cried.

Though I shouldn't let my guard down, I felt a sense of relief. It's going to be okay now—.