Chapter 3
soldiers dragged John forward, his hands bound. Dirt stained his clothes. He looked more annoyed than afraid.
The Princess's gaze landed on him
Princess:
"Are you a fool?"
John didn't answer.
She turned to Marco.
Princess:
"Start the journey."
A pause.
Princess:
"And put him in my carriage."
Marco raised a brow, then grinned.
Marco:
"As you wish."
Inside the Carriage
The carriage rolled forward.
Inside sat the Princess, Esabell, and John. The air was tense—broken only by the sound of wheels against stone.
John shifted, then forced an awkward laugh.
John:
"Well… I wasn't trying to run away. Just needed some peace—haha…"
His laugh died quickly.
Idiot, he thought.
Esabell leaned closer and whispered sharply.
Esabell:
"Are you stupid? You could've been killed."
John:
"Really?"
He shrugged slightly.
John:
"I don't think much. That's kind of my problem."
Esabell let out a short laugh despite herself.
Esabell:
"You're strange. But I'm curious—how did you catch the Princess's attention?"
John blinked.
John:
"Me? Catch her attention? No way."
Esabell smirked.
Esabell:"Then you'd be dead already."
John tilted his head.
John:
"Oh? Then maybe the same way you did."
Esabell glanced at the Princess.
She was staring out the window, unreadable, uninterested in the conversation.
Esabell turned back to John.
Esabell:
"I'm a Finder. I read the Books of Heaven. I help the Princess locate Monesa."
She studied him carefully.
Esabell:
"So tell me—are you one of them too?"
John:
"No. But what exactly do you do? I don't understand."
Esabell:
"I can read the Books of Heaven."
John:
"Seriously? Only you?"
Esabell:
"No. I'm from the Messenger Bloodline of Heaven. Everyone in our line can."
John:
"Why your bloodline?"
Esabell:
"Because God chose us."
John:
"…owh Incredible. Then how will we find Monesa?"
Esabell:
"We've found another—one of the Chosen Angels. They can locate Monesa's body."
John:
"Chosen Angel?"
Esabell:
"You don't know?"
She sighed, then continued.
Esabell:
"The cursed gods were pure—that's why they were gods. A Chosen Angel is a devoted worshipper selected by a specific god. They can see them. Speak to them."
Her eyes softened.
John frowned.
John:
"But… aren't the gods just stone now?"
Esabell:
"Are you a fool?"
Esabell:
"The cursed gods may be stone, but they are still gods. They're immortal they are literall gods.
Beings hurt by humanity wouldn't help us easily… but if the Princess can find Monesa—just once—if she can speak to her…
Princesse's innocence might soften their hearts. After all, they were kind souls before they were gods."
John stared at her for a moment, then sighed.
John:
"…You think a lot."
Esabell:
"Why not? Our Princess is of the Blood of Peace."
John:
"Blood of Peace…?"
Esabell shot him a sharp look.
Esabell:
"You really are a fool."
She spoke with quiet certainty.
Esabell:
"Her family is known for choosing peace over power—for trying to save humanity when others chose war. I believe in her. One day, humanity will rise again. And to me… our Princess is special."
Before John could respond—
BOOM.
The carriage lurched violently. Wood splintered. The wheels screamed against stone.
In a single, fluid motion, the Princess grabbed Esabell's hand.
The carriage door burst open as she leapt out—her cloak catching the air like wings. She landed lightly, pulling Esabell beside her, untouched.
A heartbeat later, John sprang after them, rolling across the ground before coming to a stop.
The carriage crashed behind them—shattered.
The Princess straightened, calm amid the chaos.
Her gaze lifted.
A sudden chill swept the road.
From the shadows, a shape rose—
a twisted, ghostlike monster, its body dark as ash, red flames leaking from its form like wounds that never closed.
The Princess drew her sword.
The monster opened its mouth—
Flames exploded outward.
Soldiers were thrown back as fire tore through the ranks. Steel clashed, arrows flew, but the creature moved unnaturally fast—slipping through attacks, striking with terrifying force.
The Princess narrowed her eyes.
Princess:
"…A higher-grade monster."
She stepped forward.
Her blade flashed.
She met the monster head-on—fire against steel. Each strike shook the ground. Marco and John joined the fight, cutting down lesser creatures as more monsters clawed their way up from the earth itself.
The battlefield became chaos.
Steel rang. Flames roared. Cries echoed.
Then—
Silence.
The final monster collapsed.
The Princess stood still, her sword lowered, stained with blood. Her breath came heavy, shoulders rising and falling—but her grip never loosened.
John stared at her.
Not fear.
Interest.
Slowly, the Princess turned back. Her gaze swept over her soldiers—some fallen, others wounded but alive.
Her voice softened.
Princess:
"It's almost nightfall. We stop here for today."
Marco nodded without question.
The battlefield rested under a darkening sky.
And the journey continued.
Night settled over the camp.
On one side, the soldiers rested—fires low, armor set aside, wounded tended in hushed voices.
On the other—
The Princess moved alone.
Her sword cut through the air again and again.
Steel whispered.
Sweat slid down her temple, soaking into her hair—but she didn't stop.
Slash. Step. Turn.
A voice broke the silence.
John:
"You're pushing yourself… aren't you?"
The Princess froze mid-strike.
She turned slightly, eyes sharp.
Princess:
"Hm? Why are you here at this hour? Aren't you afraid of losing your head?"
John scratched the back of his neck and smiled awkwardly.
John:
"Well… I know our Princess isn't cruel." Haha.
She studied him for a moment.
Princess:
"Then tell me. Why are you here?"
John's smile faded.
He looked serious for the first time.
John:
"…Because I think I know where Monesa is."
.....CHAPTER 3 ENDS....