"Those were not just rumors then," Marquis Percy concluded.
Seeing the devil's son standing in front of him with two bloody swords had made the old general lose the courage to fight. All he could think of was to flee.
However, Drayce was quick to block his way.
The loyal guards of the Marquis put themselves between the enemy and their lord, but fear could be seen from their expressions. They knew that as soon as the man moved, they would die. At best, they could only buy time for the marquis to escape.
"Not so soon, Marquis Percy."
The defeat was evident in Marquis Percy's eyes. He could only curse over how they ended up defeated even after having an excellent plan. However, all schemes could only fail before absolute strength.
In no time, Drayce slayed the loyal guards of the marquis. The marquis's face got splashed with the blood from his own soldiers.
As Drayce had captured the army leader, the cunning Marquis Percy, the battle was officially over. The enemy soldiers had let go of their weapons and accepted the defeat by kneeling on the ground. The elite force from Abetha, Griven, and Megaris had also started rounding up the soldiers.
Drayce looked at his knights, who ran towards him. The knights from Megaris knew even without being told what their king wanted. They bound the marquis with a rope and let him kneel on the ground.
Being glared at by those spiteful red eyes scared the old man. "W-Why are you not killing me? See, I have lost."
"You are not fortunate enough to get an easy death," Drayce replied as he turned to walk away.
Marquis Percy tried to stand, but he was pushed down by the knights beside him. He shouted, "Did you forget what happened when my troop entered Megaris's border?"
Drayce halted in his tracks, and the marquis continued, "Those kids, I killed them with my own hands. It was fun to kill them while they cried, calling for their mothers. Those young girls, my tired soldiers, enjoyed a lot thanks to them. Such tiny and delicate girls, it was fun for them."
Drayce tightened his grip on the two swords in his hands and turned around to look at the marquis straight in the eyes.
"Cut his tongue!"
The knights from Megaris were quick to execute his order.
"Don't let him die," Drayce ordered again and stepped towards Slayer. The knights had tied up his wounds to stop the most severe of the bleedings; however, there was nothing they could do to his broken legs.
Drayce kneeled to check on Slayer and held his hand. "You will be fine," he assured Slayer.
Slayer pulled out a light smile. His eyes struggled to keep themselves open. "As long as you are fine, I'm fine—" But he was unable to continue as he coughed out blood.
Drayce let go of his hand and closed his eyes as if he was up to something.
"Dray!" Slayer called out to him again, and Drayce opened his eyes. "Let me go. It's time for me."
Slayer could see that the calmness on the face of his king was a mask. The redness in his king's eyes seemed visibly lighter. Although his own vision was blurry due to intense blood loss, he thought he could see tears pooling in his king's eyes. Perhaps it was his imagination, but the sight made his heartache.
"You are not allowed to leave. This is an order!" Drayce roared.
Upon seeing his king close his eyes again, Slayer realized that Drayce was about to do something he should never do. He pulled what little energy was left in him to make his voice stop shaking. "Then don't use your powers, Dray. You know you can't."
"I can when I have to save someone."
"You already saved me from the enemies," Slayer countered. "Don't go back on your words for my sake, please."
"Your Majesty, we can still save him!" Sir Berolt announced as soon as he reached them. Beside him were General Cavrois Loiso and another man dressed as a servant.
General Cavrois Loiso looked at the spy spies. "You said that there is someone here who can treat someone on the verge of death?"
"Yes, General. There is such a renowned miraculous physician inside the fortress. We can take Sir Slayer to him. Although I am not sure about his legs, at least, his life will not be in peril."
The air around Drayce changed. He looked at the two older men. "I again have to leave him to you. I'll be there shortly after getting Arlan."
"I will accompany you," said the military general.
"No need," Drayce rejected.
The knights took Slayer away on a makeshift stretcher, and General Cavrois and Sir Berolt would accompany them with the spy. Although Marquis Percy's soldiers had surrendered, there were still some soldiers who had not given up fighting.
Drayce looked around and realized that a certain person was missing. "Prince Cian?"
"He went back inside to get Prince Arlan," Sir Berolt replied.
Earlier, when Cian realized the situation was in their control, he left to find one reckless prince who didn't care for his life.
Drayce brought with him two knights as he reentered the castle. As someone who knew Arlan like the back of his hand, he was sure where his friend must have gone.
Not just Arlan, now Drayce had to get the Prince of Abetha too.
Drayce felt like he was dealing with two naughty and stubborn kids who loved to do what they wanted and didn't like to follow plans, causing more trouble for those around them.
If only Arlan had taken Prince Cian out of the fortress after rescuing him and handed him over to Abetha's military general outside,? Drayce wouldn't have to worry about them and he could focus on Slayer who was on the verge of death.
As he rushed towards where he knew Arlan was headed, he could not help but contemplate how Godfrey Percy managed to trap Slayer. As his most trusted knight, he knew how strong and smart Slayer was.
Could there be something else he's not aware of?