The Duke's Passion

"Your Majesty!"

The voices of those people behind the line sounded distant as time seemed to slow down. The sword was coming at my head and it was already too close to stop it.

My initial thought as soon as I realize this was to sacrifice my arm. Losing a limb was better than losing my life. Hence, I raised my arm without a second hesitation to deflect it. This wouldn't be painful, and even if it was, I would be alright.

As I prepared to swing my arm, which I believed the last time I would feel it, a deafening clang resounded in my ear. Time started ticking back at its normal pace as the sword flew away, piercing the concrete with the decapitated arm still holding on to it. 

"Your Majesty, that is dangerous." I slowly shifted my eyes to the person standing beside me, wide-eyed. "Did you just think of sacrificing your arm?"

"Fabian!" Just as I yelled, I pressed Lakresha's chine on Acheron's throat so he wouldn't do anything funny. Fabian smiled politely as usual as he beckoned a neck bow. But before he could talk, he stabbed the arm that was returning to Acheron's torso with his spear as if he was catching a fish.

"Ughh!!" This time, Acheron cried in pain. When I decapitated him, he didn't even show the slightest pain. But he was writhing in pain when Fabian stabbed his severed limb. His other hand was still stuck on the concrete with the sword, but it was shaking as if attempting to return to its owner.

"What the hell?" came out a murmur, realizing Acheron wasn't like a normal vampire anymore. No normal human or vampire could still use their severed arms.

"A noble vampire slash undead," Fabian spoke while gazing at Acheron solemnly. "What a troublesome mix."

"Ughhh!" Acheron grunted louder as Fabian stabbed him deeper, twisting it carefully as if to make the former feel his flesh within being slowly torn.

"Will he die if..." I trailed off, pulling my other arm back while keeping my fingers straight with my nails as sharp as claws. I used my hand like a sword and slashed the man's throat without batting an eye, severing his neck entirely. 

"... I severed his head?"

My eyes remained on Acheron's open eyes, but he wasn't making a sound anymore. I glanced at the gap of his neck and head, seeing connecting shrouds that proved my theory. This man wouldn't die even if I minced him to many pieces. Although he seemed unconscious now, I was certain he would regain consciousness if he was connected to one piece once again. 

How troublesome, indeed.

"His brain, Your Majesty," Fabian spoke with the same tone while I didn't take my eyes off of Acheron's neck. "If you want to kill someone like him, his skull should be completely destroyed..."

Before Fabian could finish his words and crush Acheron's head, the two of us sprung away because of the dangerous presence that approached us. He was fast, so if we were both a second later, we would be in danger. 

A figure was squatting down near Acheron as thin dust ascended from his landing. While it seemed he was buying time, I glanced at Fabian, who stood next to me. He looked like someone who didn't even fight, as there was no trace of blood on his clothes. 

"Where have you been Fabian?" I asked while massaging my neck, ignoring the blood in my hand as my neck and shoulder were stiff. "Did you find something important?"

"Not really..." He cast me a side-eye, making me arch my brow while he immediately averted his eyes. "I encountered a few troublesome lads who wasted my time."

"I see... so you just finished?" I nodded while glancing at the people on our side who were staring blankly at the thin smoke from our enemies. Fear plastered across their faces in disbelief that someone like Acheron was still alive after all that. 

But before I could snap them back to the current lapse, my brows furrowed at Fabian's reply.

"No, I am not yet finished." I gazed at him in disbelief while he smiled at me, closed-lipped. "I just escaped since I was worried about Her Majesty and the young master, but now they caught up."

BOOM!

Just as Fabian uttered those words, two more figures appeared near Acheron. My jaw slightly fell open, sensing everyone's powerful aura. Did Fabian just bring more enemies in here?!

I blinked twice, gasping in dismay before casting Fabian a look. "Were you really worried? Or do you need help?" was he facing three enemies at the same time? Surely, Zero was warier of Fabian than me, which was understandable since this man was, well, troublesome to deal with.

"I am genuinely worried, Madam, since I had a terrifying theory," he answered solemnly, shifting his eyes towards the people. "It's better if I fight close to you so we can look out for each other."

This time, I couldn't argue with him as I nodded in agreement. That was correct. It was better for Fabian and me to fight side by side. Although the enemies would only grow in number, we could look out for each other's back.

"If my theory is correct, we all need to flee Minowa," Fabian added in a solemn tone, still staring at the people behind the line. "The situation is more dangerous and even if the news reaches the capital, it will take a few days for His Majesty to come."

My expression grew solemn as I glanced at Fabian once again. I've rarely seen Fabian become this serious, and I instantly knew he was concerned about the situation. 

"Do you think we can't handle Zero?" I asked, along with a deep exhale, setting my eyes back at the four figures, including Acheron, rising from the dust. I squinted my eyes as I studied the three people who also appeared.

"Quentin..." Fabian trailed off as he exhaled sharply, tapping the long handle of his spear against his shoulder. "His presence in here was already a pain in the neck, but my concern is there is a high possibility that the previous emperor is also here."

I instantly froze as soon as I heard him. At the same time, the three figures with Acheron grew clearer and familiar. Ahh... my grip around Lakresha tightened as I realized who were these three people. The members of the Order who received direct orders from Stefan in the past: Maxine, George, and Benedict.

"Ahh... damn," came out a curse as my stomach contracted with this new information. "No wonder it took you so long to come."

——

Note: Maxine, George, and Benedict appeared in Volume 4 CH 296