Chapter 23: The Lion Began The Hunting
Sol-Marma was the capital of Marma, a land that had existed for a thousand years, filled with many enormous ancient trees. The same was true for the three forests surrounding the imperial palace zone. Lush trees with thick trunks were so dense they obscured the night sky. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Razie was running through the heart of the forest. His long legs moved like those of a beast, his upper body leaning forward as he balanced himself on his arms. He dashed through the dizzying forest as if traversing flat ground. His eyes narrowed as he scanned his surroundings, sensing the presence of people in the distance. Fortunately, his body was cloaked in black clothing, making him virtually invisible in the darkened woods.
[‘The princess is in danger.’]
Razie trusted his adjutant’s words, always respecting the opinions of his subordinates. It was no different this time. There were not just one or two assassins; he was truly amazed at how quickly they learned of her move to another palace. Even though only a day had passed, these assassins were already stealthily moving through the forest.
Adeline.
Even as Razie ran, he remembered the woman’s cloud-like hair. In the middle of the night, when everything was completely pitch black, it felt as though white clouds were slowly drifting through his mind.
[“Are you coming to propose again?”]
Razie silently chuckled behind the black cloth covering his mouth. That woman had said those words out of the blue during their third meeting. Her cold, sunken bluish-purple eyes widened and soon elongated like almonds. She would never know how much her fleeting smile stirred anxiety in others. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
As Razie approached Adeline’s palace, he sensed that the area was becoming more crowded. After racing through the forest, he halted and concealed himself in the shadow of a tree.
He had promised her that as long as she was by his side, Marma’s paper-doll men wouldn’t dare to harm her. However, she still didn’t trust him. Therefore, he had to work hard to prove himself.
Razie drew a long sword from behind his back. In an instant, the assassins advancing toward Adeline’s palace were unable to stop the Black Lion emerging from the shadows.
“Someone’s here…”
“ACK!”
No one had time to scream. His blade plunged into a vital point, striking silently. The moment one person lost their life, the neck of the next was severed. The remaining assassins, belatedly realizing the fate of their colleague, began to grow wary—but it was already too late.
The Lion is everywhere.
Every time Razie swung his sword, one person died.
People thought the rumors about the Lion King’s strength were somewhat exaggerated. After all, how could a human be that strong? That was the belief of many; they thought his strength was only slightly greater than their own. The stories of the Lion King from Odium must have been inflated by his followers.
However, the real Razie El Baltica was more than just a rumor. Even after killing six nearby assassins in mere seconds, he began running again, red blood dripping from his long sword. The once refreshing forest was now permeated by the metallic smell of blood. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
The closer he got to Adeline’s palace, the more crowded it became. It was far too many for just one fragile princess.
He stopped running and glanced behind him. “If you don’t want to die, go back.”
Several shadows that had been following him halted, surrounding him. They stared thoughtfully, giving him a long, searching look.
“I’ve warned you.” Razie pulled the black cloth up to his nose and ran again.
Many assassins had already reached the building. They were thoroughly trained, each approaching Adeline from different directions. Some hid among the trees, while others lurked in the shadows of the buildings. A few even waited along the forest paths. They truly intended to kill the princess, no matter where she tried to escape.
Razie first climbed a tree and struck an assassin aiming a crossbow, landing a blow to his neck. A low groan escaped the man’s lips as Razie quickly hung him from a thick branch. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
The next targets were the two assassins positioned along the forest paths. Wearing gloves and brandishing poisoned daggers, they were clearly ready for a fight.
Razie moved behind one of them, breaking his arm and stabbing him in the chest with the dagger he had just taken. As he dealt with the second assassin, he spotted others hiding in the shadows of the building, climbing up the railing to the second floor. Even though it was late at night, the room was illuminated by candlelight.
Adeline was up there.
Razie threw down the daggers he was holding before landing on the balcony of her room. He heard short groans, and blood spurted from the body, flowing down the white stone pillar. Razie had single-handedly taken out all the assassins outside the building and then moved nimbly. As he passed through the empty entrance and entered the building, he couldn’t help but laugh at the realization that only two people were guarding the princess in this vast space, and both were gathered in her bedroom. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Who is it?”
Her voice rang out before he even knocked.
Razie grabbed the door handle and opened it halfway. “It’s me.”
“How am I supposed to know who you are with just those words?”
Adeline was grumbling.
Razie smiled, ready to say his name. However, he couldn’t help but notice one person’s heartbeat, which was particularly loud and racing at an alarming speed. He wondered whether a coward was with her, guarding her out of fear.
Suddenly, Razie flung the door open and rushed inside, sensing the man’s heartbeat quickening even more.
“Back off–!”
Next to Adeline stood two knights—one beside her and the other a little distance away near the balcony, staring at the door. However, the knight beside Adeline abruptly changed his stance and swung his sword at her. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Adeline–!”
Razie shouted loudly. He quickly removed the long buckler from his forearm and hurled it while running toward her.
The crude iron buckler flew through the air and struck the knight on the side of the head. Yet, despite the bleeding wound, the man didn’t halt his attack. Just as his sharp sword was about to stab her in the stomach, a white hand drew a diagonal line across his neck. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Adeline was holding a sharp dagger, her long gown quickly staining with hot blood. Her dark bluish-purple eyes shone coldly as she swiftly calmed the quivering corners of her eyes with a subdued voice. “I won’t die.”
***
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