The Duke's Passion

Glory was almost done when I finished the three noblemen. I must admit they were stronger than that one I had faced so far, but I didn't have time to play with them. Their only consolation was that their death was quick and painless. I dragged their body to the side and when I was done, I turned around to see Glory knocking out his last opponent.

We exchanged gazes and nodded before my eyes fell on the group of ladies and children. I weakly smiled while my chest moved in and out heavily. 

"Get up. We don't have time to spare to stay here," I said in an authoritative voice, glancing up at Glory. "Glory, stay on the back."

"Yes, Madam Roux." Glory nodded without a second hesitation. I watched the ladies force their trembling knees to move. I knew everything that happened so far had traumatized them, but we had to move. Enemies would surround this place soon. Fighting was the least of my concern, but if a fire broke out or anything of the sort while we're inside here, that would be a problem. 

Once they were prepared, I nodded and turned my back against them. "Let's go."

This time, I jogged, and their footsteps also picked up to catch up to me. We couldn't just stay idle. I also had to see Adam, as this situation told me it was bigger than what it seemed. The rebels weren't just people who wanted the Malum's head. The enemies were mixed with those greedy people who wanted to take charge of the north. 

'I can't shake off this feeling that tonight wouldn't be as simple as that,' I thought, eyes glinting as I stared through the hallway. 'For this day to come with no one noticing... I can assume the person behind this was someone I shouldn't underestimate. Lakresha and Catharsis felt the same. I need to rescue Adam first.'

I closed my eyes to concentrate on my surroundings whilst running through the hallway to find Adam's presence. With my heightened senses, I focused on the little Earl's aura. It didn't take long when I found the little Earl from the other side of the estate, along with a few figures. 

I heaved a sigh of relief when I knew he was safe. Still, while I was searching for his aura, I also figured out that more rebels stepped foot on the estate. Some knights were fighting them, but the problem was, the rebels were just attacking from every direction. It wouldn't take long for them to overwhelm the knights.

A surprise attack always worked the best because the Earl didn't have enough time to prepare. They were still doing a good job of resisting them, though. Those we encountered so far probably snuck inside while the rest were distracting the knights. 

'If that is their plan, then I'm pretty sure some will manage to sneak in to abduct Adam.' I slowly opened my eyes as they darkened, gripping Lakresha's snath tightly. I raised my other hand up while I slowed down on my steps. The people behind me got the meaning of my gesture, so they also slowed down until they stopped. 

"Stand back," I said, waving my hand, and they did. "I'm sorry, Lakresha. But we need to reach Adam before them."

As soon as I apologized to my scythe, I used its end and unhesitatingly smashed the concrete wall with it. 

BOOOGSH!

I covered my partially closed eyes with my arm as dust and smoke flew up. I spun Lakresha to create wind, so I could see if the hole I created would fit a person. To my relief, it was enough for everyone, including Glory, to fit if he lowered his head. 

I turned my head to their shocked countenance, I but didn't have the leisure to dwell in it. "This way. We need to rescue the Earl first."

My voice filled with urgency, snapped them back to the current lapse as they nodded profusely. I didn't stay idle as I went through the wall, taking a gigantic step over the debris on the ground. The wall led to an open space and not far away was a walkway connecting the building we came from to another one. If we took the right way, it would take us a while. 

I looked back to see everyone coming out, one after another. I prolonged my patience, waiting until Glory exited. I stretched my neck, checking if someone was left behind. 

"Is everyone here?" I asked as I didn't have the time to do a headcount. 

"Yes, Madam Roux. I'm the last one," Glory answered, as he was the only person aside from me who was mentally sane in this situation. It was good I brought this person with me today or it would be a lot harder if I were alone.

  Now that I thought about it, I wonder where was Fabian. I should've brought him as well, but there was no point in regretting it. Knowing our reliable butler, he would be here soon. Unless... he found out something while in the fort. The last thing I was wishing for all of this was Stefan or Zero's involvement in this uprising. 

That would be hell.

I shook my head as I told everyone to follow and stay close. The possibility was small, as they should be busy attacking the east and west. But, as long as that possibility existed that the attack in the east and west was just a distraction, then... that would be a real problem. 

"Fighting while having a duty to protect lives is... a heavy task," came out a weak voice, along with my panting from all the running. "I wonder how bad it is outside the estate. This is not enough... I need more arms and feet to protect the south."

Deep down, I already knew that this group wasn't the only one I must protect. I told Sam I would protect the south, so that meant I had to protect not just Adam or this group, but everyone I could. 

To fight for these people and not just a personal interest was something I didn't recall doing in the past. Now I understood the weight of what my husband was carrying on his shoulder. If this heaviness in my heart was already this devastating, and to think this was just a portion of what the emperor was carrying. I couldn't imagine how Sam remained sane with the entire empire relying on him. 

"Sam..." I whispered as my eyes sharpened, clenching my teeth. ".... I was naive until now, huh?"