Reborn as the only princess of Cene Kingdom

Chapter 16: Unleash Power

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a fiery glow over the western lands, a sudden attack shattered the calm. This was not the Lyria Kingdom, but a remote region far from the comforts of the royal court. The western territories were harsh, untamed lands filled with danger. Duke Luther had been sent on a diplomatic mission to solidify alliances with the frontier nobles. The rugged mountains and dense forests that surrounded the small, fortified town seemed like a natural defense against any threat—until now.

The demons came swiftly, with a ferocity that none of the townsfolk or soldiers had anticipated. Their monstrous forms emerged from the shadows, twisted and grotesque, with glowing red eyes that pierced the growing darkness. The town's defenses, though strong, were not prepared for such an onslaught. They breached the outer walls within moments, pouring into the streets, and terror spread like wildfire.

Duke Luther had been discussing terms with the local lord when the alarm bells rang out. He barely had time to grab his sword before the demons were upon them. His years of battle experience kicked in as he cut through the lesser demons, but the sheer numbers and his lack of reinforcements were quickly wearing him down. The demons moved with unnatural speed, their claws slicing through armor as if it were paper.

As Luther fought, he felt a cold dread creep into his heart. Among the horde, a demon captain, larger and more terrifying than the rest, emerged. Its blade glinted in the fading light, and with a speed that belied its massive frame, it lunged at Luther. He saw the attack coming too late, and his body, already fatigued, couldn't react in time.

Meanwhile, Stella Luna had been in the black palace staying in a guest chamber overlooking the chaos below. She had sensed the dark energy long before the alarm bells rang, a shiver running down her spine. This land, far from the safety of her home, felt different. The power she had been nurturing secretly, honing in quiet moments away from prying eyes, now called to her, demanding to be unleashed.

When she saw the demons breaching the walls, Stella knew she had to act. She raced through the narrow corridors and down the stone steps, her heart pounding in her chest. The town's soldiers fought valiantly, but they were being overwhelmed. And then, through the chaos, she saw him—Duke Luther, the man who had always been a pillar of strength, now facing a foe that could very well end his life.

Without a second thought, she pushed forward. The demon captain's sword was already descending, aiming for Luther's heart. Stella threw herself between them, barely registering the sharp pain that lanced through her shoulder as the demon's blade grazed her flesh. The impact sent her stumbling, and the sight of her own blood triggered a deep, buried memory.

Her past life flashed before her eyes—a life where she had known only suffering. Her father's cruel hands cutting into her wrists, the blood that had once stained her skin and the floor, and the deep-seated hatred for the sight of her own blood. It was a sight she had avoided for so long, a reminder of her vulnerability, of pain that still haunted her. But here, now, in this moment of desperation, that blood ignited something within her.

As her blood dripped onto the cobblestones, the air around her crackled with energy. Her mana, the power she had suppressed for so long, flared to life with an intensity she had never experienced. She felt it surge through her veins, a raw, uncontrollable force that screamed to be unleashed.

The demon captain, sensing the shift in power, snarled and raised its blade again. But Stella Luna was no longer the frightened girl who had fled from her past. She met the demon's attack head-on, her sword clashing against his with a force that shook the ground. Each strike sent shockwaves through the air, sparks flying as steel met steel and magic collided with dark energy.

Around them, the battle raged on, but it was as if the rest of the world had faded away. Duke Luther, wounded and disoriented, was pulled back by Captain Jonas, who had fought his way through the horde to reach him. Together, they watched in awe as the young princess held her own against the formidable demon captain, her power radiating like a beacon in the darkening evening.

Stella's strikes became more precise, more powerful, as she tapped deeper into her mana. The demon captain roared, furious at being pushed back, but Stella was relentless. Each swing of her sword was fueled by the pain of her past life, the determination to protect those she loved, and the sheer force of the power that had been lying dormant within her.

Then, in a moment of pure clarity, she channeled all her mana into her blade. The sword began to glow, a bright, ethereal light that bathed the battlefield in a warm, golden hue. With a final, powerful swing, she transformed her weapon into a great sword, the light enveloping the blade as it cleaved through the demon captain. The beast's roar was cut short as the light consumed it, leaving only a fading echo as its twisted form disintegrated.

But as the demon fell, something unexpected happened. The necklace around Stella Luna's neck—a delicate, enchanted chain given to her by the old High Priest Zenia—began to crack. It had always been a comfort to her, a symbol of protection and guidance. But now, it was breaking under the strain of her unleashed power.

The necklace shattered with a deafening sound, and a burst of energy erupted from within Stella. It was as if a dam had broken, and her mana, once contained, now flowed freely, uncontrollably. The light from her power illuminated the entire courtyard, brighter than the setting sun, casting long shadows across the town.

For a moment, everything seemed to stop. The demons, the soldiers, even the wind itself paused as if the very world was holding its breath. The power emanating from Stella Luna was overwhelming, a force of nature that defied comprehension. Captain Jonas and Duke Luther, both seasoned warriors, could only watch in stunned silence as the girl they had known revealed a strength beyond anything they had ever witnessed.

But the power was too much for her to handle. As quickly as it had come, the light began to fade. Stella's body, still young and untrained to that power and couldn't sustain such immense energy. She collapsed to the ground, unconscious, her breath shallow and her skin pale.

Captain Jonas was the first to move, rushing to her side and cradling her limp form. Duke Luther, still clutching his wound, staggered over, his face etched with concern and disbelief. Around them, the battle continued, but for a moment, it was as if they were in a world of their own, separated from the chaos by the sheer magnitude of what had just transpired.

No one spoke of what they had seen. The soldiers who had witnessed the event were sworn to secrecy, and the town's lord, grateful for their survival, agreed to keep the details hidden. The story of the princess's true power, of the battle that had turned the tide against the demons, remained a closely guarded secret. It was a tale that would be whispered in the shadows, a legend that would grow with time, but for now, it was a burden carried by those who had witnessed it firsthand.

As the Black Palace's bells tolled the end of the battle and the survivors began to regroup, Duke Luther and Captain Jonas exchanged a silent glance. They knew that this was just the beginning. The demons had been driven back, but the threat they posed was far from over. And Stella Luna, the girl who had saved them all, was now at the center of a storm that neither of them fully understood.

For now, they would return to the black palace camp, but this time would never be the same. And neither would Stella Luna.