Chapter 248: Efforts
Orimo's vision collapsed into complete darkness.
Consciousness slipped away.
His body lay still.
No movement.
No breath visible.
Zero seconds remaining.
Ashryn moved forward, his long black dusty coat fluttering behind him like a flag of death.
Meanwhile—
The people continued marching toward the royal palace.
Distance remaining — 5 minutes.
Boots slammed against the sand.
Anger burned in their eyes.
Belief in their "hero" pushed them forward without hesitation.
Today, they would dethrone the king.
Princess Amelia suddenly appeared before the crowd.
Tears streamed down her face as she screamed with everything she had.
"Why don't you see it already?! You're being controlled!"
Her voice cracked as she shouted again, louder—
"Why are you burning down your own country?!"
Her legs gave out.
She collapsed to her knees, tears falling endlessly as the crowd stared.
"My father always wanted everyone to live good lives…" she muttered, choking on her words.
"He tried so hard… just to prove he was a good king. Worthy of the throne."
Her hands trembled against the sand.
"Stop already! It's not even true!" she screamed. "Dad is trying his best!"
Silence spread through the crowd.
For a moment—no one moved.
Then—
A man stepped forward.
His eyes burned with fury.
His teeth clenched.
He kicked the sand aside as he raised his leg
THUD!
His foot slammed into the princess's chin.
Amelia crashed to the ground.
Pain shot through her body as she lay there, trembling—still trying to protect her kingdom.
Tears spilled freely from her eyes.
Some people shut their eyes.
Others looked away.
But the march continued.
"Your father is not who you think he is," one of them muttered coldly as the crowd moved forward.
Leaving the princess behind.
Broken.