Captured Love

Chapter 36

I could sense the hit coming before it landed, turning to block I braced for the impact loosening my legs just enough so Lune wouldn't go down with me. 

"Grit your teeth." I listened as instructed feeling even a bit relieved that Amias was with me. 

I wasn't mentally prepared enough for this like I thought I would be.

'Crunch'

That sounded really bad ouch.

'Boom!'

As we collided my bones snapped inward from the sheer force of the charge, both of us falling into the ground imprinting a crater. I coughed up some blood and made a move to kick him off me, but he tried to pin me down. Luckily, I was used to some combat experience from all the previous fights I'd already had with my bastard of a husband.

"Not going to work this time chump!"

I used the back of my elbow to knock him back off his se posture and then reeled back and thrust forward with all my might hoping my fist would connect dead center.

'Bam!'

He flew off me; his body flung into the air settling in a heap now phasing in and out between different forms. 

"I think I really stunned him." I was speaking more to myself out of happy surprise before Lune hurried over towards me neighing in outrage. 

"Sorry girl I couldn't risk you getting involved since I wasn't sure you would survive that hit."  Lune snorted stomping her foot. 

"Can you also communicate with animals is that another attribute to your power?"

The black mass morphed into solid body again looking like some semblance of a human man, missing any defining features giving him an unfinished appearance.  I tilted my head at his gleeful gaze not liking how nonchalant he was taking this battle. I knew my priority wasn't to win this conflict but objectively speaking making him disappear was still an endgame goal. He started to approach us and in turn we slowly backed away. 

"No need to be so cautious I only wished to see in person who exactly was this false goddess those fools claimed to worship. I can see now for myself just how much I've overestimated your existence." 

Before he could get any closer, I gave the signal, blasting him with magic from the alchemy arrays stationed far out. We made it so that I wouldn't need to use any of my own power so that when came time for the actual war our enemies would underestimate our true strength. Amias put up a barrier block him off as he tried to recover from being under attack as I hopped up on Lune using a bit of mana to increase her speed and erase our presence entirely riding away just as we'd planned.

 Once we reached the entrance to the mountains, I made sure to reinforce our defenses once again including some runes placed along outside perimeters to make the area disappear from unwanted attention giving us some peace for now. I was met at the gates by the awaiting commander and the temple authority. Sandra brought along my inner court maids and clothing for me to change after removing my armor. I didn't have the heart to correct them that I could just change clothing using my magic at will. The servants were constantly wanting to be of use to me, so I let them do as they wanted since it wasn't much for me to let them.

"How many refugees were able to be evacuated in total?"

"Twenty children and twelve adults including two which had complications due to ailments."

"What kind of ailments, anything requiring quarantine?" I asked as Beatrice removed my shoulder pieces.

"No, your majesty simply due to starvation and an amputation from previous treatment." I hummed in response thinking of how to proceed next.

"Bring the two you mentioned to my courtyard tomorrow by midday, I might be able to heal them. Also get me any information about possible family members of the children encase we might still be able to reach them elsewhere." I made sure to keep noted of any future plans we might have to complete before "he can descend". There was no doubt in my mind he would force me back home immediately by threatening the lives of this community. The reminder again sent a pang to my conscious. 

"Dismiss them already and rest you need it right now with your body already strained from use." 

I rolled my eyes at him internally at him not wanting to offend those around me. 

"If that is everything that was urgent then let us all go back to our respective homes to rest. Thank you for the report, Commander Xu." He bowed his head in respect then departed with the all the units together.

"Let's make our way back now too ladies and High Priestess Sandra we must speak privately once morning comes." I was planning to fill her in on the actual situation regarding the threat of the new enemy and of my soon to be visiting villain of a husband.