That was close; several hairs on my head were actually clipped off.
Infuriated, I recklessly channeled my magic to cast a massive fireball, the 'Exodus Flame'. I used my magic to intensify the fireball from red to purple; this move would probably take a layer of skin off even if Orsted himself were here.
As I continued to strengthen the magic, Izoruti shouted at me to stop. "You idiot, this is an urban area! Do you want to destroy this entire district?"
Fortunately, her reminder brought me back to my senses. I had truly just walked through the gates of hell, and the shock had made me lose my cool. I fired the fireball into the sky. This would summon reinforcements faster, and the fireball would dissipate its mana without recovering.
A massive explosion bloomed in the sky. The enemies were left staring in daze.
The assassin who could cast magic glanced at me and immediately shouted "Retreat!" He threw a smoke bomb on the ground and fled with the three other assassins from the shop.
I didn't intend to pursue them aggressively. These people weren't assassins targeting me. There was no need to risk my life chasing assassins meant for Ariel.
Shortly after, the city's patrol knights came running from behind.
I said to them, "I am Princess Ariel's Guardian Knight, Daolin Prodia Grellat. This is my badge as proof. Someone has attempted to assassinate the Princess. They fled in that direction. There were seven of them in total, plus one on the roof with a bow. They wore pure black cloaks; go pursue them immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
Since we were already here, Izoruti and I entered the shop where Ariel was.
The interior was a total mess.
Five bodies lay on the floor. Two were clearly assassins. The other three were indistinguishable—they could have been shop staff, unlucky customers trying on clothes, or Ariel's subordinates.
On the body further inside, I recognized one of the kids who had tried to pick a fight with me in the Silver Palace garden. He was definitely one of Ariel's subordinates.
Several younger children were crying as they held that body and another severely injured child!
I stepped forward and cast healing magic on the severely injured child.
Fountain of Life.
"O holy spirit of the spring waters! Please rain down your compassion upon the parched earth. Purify the wounded soul and breathe eternal life into the decaying flesh. Fountain of Life!"
I cast the advanced healing magic I currently knew. His stomach had been slashed open. Through the wound, I could see his intestines, and blood covered the floor; he looked to be at death's door. Such a critical injury likely couldn't be saved by intermediate healing magic. Seeing the wound close, the injured child gave me a grateful look. The children surrounding him also breathed a sigh of relief and stopped crying.
At that moment, a girl who had been crouching by another dead child ran over and screamed at me, "Dorin, why did you only get here now? Aren't you Lady Ariel's Guardian Knight? Alistia and Victor are dead! Why didn't you come sooner? Why didn't you chase those assassins just now? Why won't you avenge Alistia?"
I glanced at her but didn't bother replying to such a stupid question. I was afraid of being dragged down to her level of intelligence.
Then, a girl in the back whose face looked somewhat distorted barked a command to stop the girl shouting at me.
"Colinu, shut up. If Dorin hadn't come to treat Karam, he would be dead. Do you want him to die? All six assassins outside were engaged in combat; Dorin must have been fighting them. So what are you still questioning him for? If Dorin hadn't held back those six enemies outside, our casualties would surely be even worse."
I knew it was Ariel as soon as I heard her voice. She was quite calm in the face of danger, wasn't she?
I walked up and bowed to her, then said bluntly, "Lady Ariel, if I may be so bold, the three bodies on the ground today are inextricably linked to you. You are the primary cause of their deaths. Normally, no royal member goes shopping without a large contingent of guards. If you want to enjoy the freedom of shopping, a magic tool to change your appearance isn't enough. You also need to sacrifice two loyal subordinates and the life of an innocent civilian to make it work."
"Of course, their deaths are also related to their own lack of skill and failure to defend against the enemy's attacks. However, the one most responsible for their deaths today is you. If you hold the lives of those around you and your kingdom's subjects in such low regard, then please speak with the King; I wish to resign from my title as Guardian Knight."
"Insolence! Dorin, do you know your place? How dare you speak to Ariel in such a tone!" The two girls beside Ariel and Luke all shouted this in unison.
I glanced at the three of them one by one with a look of contempt. My eyes were full of provocation, conveying the message: "A bunch of trash."
Then, without looking back, I left the devastated shop. Izoruti followed me, holding her sword like a loyal guard, which made me very satisfied.
A large squad of patrol knights had already stopped outside. I didn't know if it was because they heard what I said inside or for some other reason, but they hadn't entered the shop.
I spoke to the highest-ranking knight among them. "In the name of Princess Ariel's Guardian Knight, I command you. Summon two more squads of guards and immediately escort Princess Ariel back to the palace. Report every detail of today's assassination attempt to the Emperor, including the fact that the Princess went out privately. I still have to hunt down the assassins, so I won't be escorting the Princess with you."
"Understood. We shall follow your orders!"
Of course, hunting the assassins was just an excuse to avoid escorting Ariel with them. Afterward, I sent Izoruti home and returned to the Prodia Family Villa myself.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"