Flight from Amaranth (Side Chapter)

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It was in the middle of the long sleep, when the soldiers the crown prince had sent to check on the status of the royal army at the field of mediation returned. Not only were they carrying a few of their comrades' corpses, but they also brought some dire news.

"Your Highness...the army was annihilated, along with a few of your ministers." they reported, "And a huge force of rebels is marching towards the city. They could arrive here at breakfast.

And with that, our preparations were increased in pace. Maddie never left the secured room for fear that she might get assassinated. Her powers had yet to return, and we're hoping that once we got some distance away from the city, she could gain back her magic...

And in the relative safety of her room, I left Princess Jessica and Eris.

"You sure made a lot of promise, Kuro." Maddie had a sly expression on her face, "I wonder how would you be able to make those into reality..."

"I had to do it, Maddie. Or their families won't have peace of mind."

"Well...true."

I turned to her and gave her a head pat, "Hey, don't blame yourself for what happened here. We only tried to help, and it just didn't work at all."

"Kuro...you said before that I'd rather go down standing for my beliefs, right?"

"Yep."

"With these people and families being broken up because of conflict, is it still worth it?"

I was taken aback by Maddie's question. I guess she's questioning the morality of her ideals, given that these things happened. People were dying, families would have to separate, chaos ensuing everywhere. But then again...

"What do you think? If you didn't interfere, the worse could have happened.

"Aren't the results the same?"

"Well, yes." I chuckled, "If you did nothing, there's nothing to expect later, once this is over. However, now that you began something, the people would have hope that their saint is doing her best to care for them. I think that's a big difference."

"..."

"Think of it this way: the road to the top isn't a path full of roses. Of course, there would be a lot of naysayers to whatever you do, even try to keep you from succeeding. But the only difference of a successful person from a complete failure is that they keep on trying, no matter how loud the critics are."

Maddie's eyes were welling up, "Kuro, what do you think I should do from here?"

"Well, first, take a rest. You must be exhausted from all that's been happening to you, that's why you're getting depressed once again. Look at those two, Jessica and Eris. At least, they're sleeping now." I suggested, "And second, take a breather. Lily was right to suggest that we retreat to the Holy Palatial Gardens and think of our next steps. Once you're fully rested..."

"W-What?"

"Let's get back at that emperor and his saint."

----------

I stayed with Maddie long enough to watch her fall asleep. She had a really long 'day', and the events happening around her must've been getting into her head. The moment she finally drifted to dreamland, however, was my chance to continue working.

I won't rest for now, not until we're completely safe.

Together with Lily, we went to the Marquise of Monfort who assembled our small contingent of paladin escorts at the castle courtyard: 60 young noble ladies from different countries and states in north Chersea.

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