The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 130

Stella turned pale as the fight unfolded before her eyes. Realizing she could be of no help amid the blood-splattered chaos, she quickly stepped back to safety.

Father Gabriel dismounted in haste and stood before her, weapon in hand. He meant to protect her if danger came too close, but Stella watched the old priest’s back with worry.

Despite the surprise assault, the knights from the Largo Monastery fought bravely against the attackers. Just as Gabriel had said, had they not accompanied the group, the outcome would have been disastrous.

Though they outnumbered Stella’s party, the ambushers were unable to subdue them. Their intent of looting had failed, and now they were on the verge of being wiped out. One among them had charged at Stella, perhaps hoping to take her hostage. His terrifying face, dripping blood, came at her—and it was during that moment that Gabriel sustained his injury.

“Still, lucky it was a wounded one who rushed in. The fool underestimated this old man, and look how quickly he was taken down.”

As Stella bit her lip, eyes glistening, the old priest feigned cheer. But to her ears, it only sounded like Gabriel would have surely died had he faced a healthy opponent.

It had been an extremely dangerous moment. If she had stayed quietly in the palace as everyone wished, Gabriel wouldn’t have been hurt at all…

Stella knelt before him and began bandaging the long wound on his forearm. Surprised by the sight of the princess lowering herself so readily, Gabriel said nothing and offered his arm in silence, hoping to ease her guilt.

“One of them got away. That’s what bothers me. The man who rode off the moment they began to lose.”

“Yes, there was someone like that.”

Among the attackers, one had pulled back early to observe the situation. When they began to lose, he mounted his horse and fled. The way he had stared at Stella with a gleam in his eye was unsettling—especially since her hood had been knocked off during the commotion, revealing her face.

“That aside, we must hurry, Your Highness. By now, the palace must have realized your absence and sent word to His Majesty.”

Stella swallowed nervously. If news of her departure reached Alexio, it was only a matter of time before Islay found out too.

“I agree, but…”

She trailed off and pulled out a map. Estimating the distance to Metlica, she glanced at Gabriel’s bandaged arm and shook her head.

“The crossing is just ahead, and beyond that is our destination, but we still have a long way to go. It might be better to rest briefly here.”

Realizing he wasn’t in condition to continue, Gabriel nodded. Pushing on now might only make things worse.

Stella instructed the knights to make camp in the forest. They quickly built a fire, took out sleeping bags, and even assigned night watch shifts with practiced ease.

Though danger lurked at every moment, Stella, who had ridden tirelessly day and night for days, was finally able to breathe.

The sound of a night bird calling was calm and soothing. Stella slipped into her sleeping bag and gazed up at the night sky. It was just as breathtaking as the one she had admired from the balcony with Islay before he departed for war.

After staring up for a while, her eyelids slowly closed. For the first time during the arduous journey, she rested her head and fell into a deep sleep.

***

The Calis-Largo alliance burned with morale, having not suffered a single defeat.

While the untiring Northerners led the vanguard, clearing the path, the Largo forces followed up, securing the rear. Together, they advanced all the way to the Pantege Imperial Palace.

On the battlefield, they fought side by side, back to back. Though their armies shared little in common, a strange camaraderie began to grow.

With this fearsome momentum, the coalition finally surrounded the massive royal capital under the cover of night.

“The gates are open!”

A fierce roar echoed from the allied troops as they surged through the wide-open gates.

There was no need for a siege. The Northern units had broken through the sewer grates and infiltrated the palace, cutting down the knights in the inner courtyard. Mikel himself had opened the main gate. There was no one who could stop the Calis soldiers moving like shadows in the dark.

It was a sweeping victory. Except for women, children, and those who surrendered, hardly any Pantegeans survived unscathed.

At last, the inner citadel where Emperor Lorenzo resided. Islay strode forward through the Northern ranks, silent and swift like a shadow.

“This way. He’s in the audience chamber.”

Mikel, who had quickly located the emperor, approached and reported. He added that the rest of the royal family had holed up in the tower like one frightened mass.

They must have known they would be found—so in a way, it was a wise choice. No time would be wasted.

As Alexio ordered the capture of the entire imperial family, Islay threw him a glance and headed for the audience chamber with long strides.

The doors, lavishly inlaid with gold and embossed decorations, were flung open by the waiting soldiers. A faint crease appeared between Islay’s brows, which had until now shown no expression.

There sat Emperor Lorenzo on a throne even more ornate than the chamber doors—smiling.

To smile when his life was hanging by a thread… was he mad?

But Islay sensed something else behind that smirk.

“It’s been a long time, Grand Duke Peruno.”

Lorenzo opened his arms wide.

“When was the last time we met? Ah yes, when you were plundering jewels like a brigand. I even handed you a piece of Pantege land, but it wasn’t enough. I remember how you hoarded gems like a scoundrel…”

No matter what nonsense he spouted, Islay cut down the royal knights standing in his way. Like dominoes, they fell before his blade. No one needed to intervene. Even his allies looked on in stunned silence at his overwhelming power.

Trampling over the blood-soaked marble, Islay stepped aside.

The Northern army’s goal had been to help Largo crush Pantege. From here, it was Alexio’s turn.

“To Lorenzo Regan de Pantege, I speak.”

Alexio stepped forward.

“The mighty walls of Pantege have fallen. If you do not surrender immediately, there will be no mercy. I will reclaim the sovereign authority of Largo and restore the lost territory of Pag…”

“So even the wench’s brother stands here. Foolish to the end, aren’t you?”

Lorenzo chuckled. Alexio faltered slightly, and Islay froze.

“Did you think I sat here with nothing up my sleeve?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re all finished!”

Lorenzo’s crazed laughter turned fierce.

“You filthy barbarian bastard, how arrogant of you to barge in all the way here! And now you’re trying to take my head? Over my dead body. And you damned Largo scum! No matter how many times you die and come back, you’ll never surpass Pantege. After all the progress you’ve made thanks to us, after all the benefits you’ve received, you still don’t know how to be grateful! Such ungrateful wretches…”

Every Largo soldier present burned with fury. Just then, Roderick burst in and handed something to Alexio—a crumpled message with a broken seal. The panic of whoever read it earlier was plain to see.

Alexio unfolded it and read swiftly. His face, unshaken even on the battlefield, turned deathly pale.

“Stella…”

“My loyal knights are already headed to Metlica. There, we’ll lavish your dear princess with affection. Then we’ll slit her throat and restore Pantege’s glory! ‘The wish of the one who desires most shall be granted through the forgotten gem and beautiful starlight.’”

Lorenzo shrieked, eyes gleaming. Confusion rippled through the Largo ranks.

“Kneel now and swear fealty! Perhaps I’ll spare your precious princess…”

Lorenzo’s rant ended abruptly. Islay had stormed the dais and grabbed him by the collar, hurling him away.

“Ghhk!”

The emperor had been reveling in his supposed victory, convinced the outcome was his. Before he could recover, Islay raised his sword—and executed him.

Lorenzo’s head rolled from the platform. As stunned silence fell over the hall, Islay’s cold voice broke it.

“What are you standing around for?”