Chapter 4: Loyalty! Sincerity!

Someone is trying to assassinate the Princess!

Rita immediately understood what was happening.

But the speeding arrow had already whistled past Rita’s head, cutting through the air straight toward the Princess.

At the moment everyone’s attention was drawn to the arrow, several people in the crowd pressed their hidden weapons against their bodies and lowered their heads, charging toward the elevated platform.

In this critical moment, the Lord of Sorus charged forward like a bull and positioned himself in front of the Princess.

The Gem-Studded Metal Staff in his hand stabbed out toward the Princess like a sword.

The harsh clash of metal rang out so sharply that many onlookers covered their ears.

Then came a faint puff as the arrow that was meant to pierce the Princess landed on the red carpeted ground.

The Lord of Sorus suddenly threw the staff to the side, it pierced through the shoulder of a Flower Seller clutching a bouquet in the crowd, pinning her to the ground.

Clink.

The miniature crossbow hidden in the Flower Seller’s bouquet, along with several bolts, fell to the ground.

So fast.

Even Rita, whose physique as a Soru was stronger than most ordinary people’s, couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

“Protect the Princess!” the Lord of Sorus shouted loudly, drawing his sword from his waist.

This series of sudden events caused the Princess at the eye of the storm to shrink her pupils sharply, her body trembling slightly.

But even after narrowly escaping death, the Princess only stepped back two paces and took cover behind the Lord of Sorus and the guards on the platform wielding long spears.

The Soldiers were beginning to react; the leading assassin brandished a shining weapon and launched a reckless charge.

“Attack! Attack!”

The Assassins raised their blades, spectators scattered in all directions, and the Soldiers fought back fiercely.

As for the future Holy Knights, some stood frozen, some drew their swords to assist, and others fled with the crowd.

Rita’s heart was in complete turmoil.

Anyone who saw the earlier scene would think it was her who had drawn the Soldiers’ attention and thus triggered the assassination attempt on the Princess.

But the chaotic environment was just right for her to slip away.

No, if she ran now, she might be stopped by the Soldiers, and afterward, even if she jumped into the Yellow River, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name!

With that thought, Rita drew the sword from her waist, imitating the Lord of Sorus and shouted, “Protect the Princess!”

The instant her hand touched the hilt, a chill crept up her spine.

Rita quickly glanced behind her with her peripheral vision and locked eyes briefly with the Lord of Sorus directing the battle from the platform.

Rita shuddered with relief—if she had made any unnecessary moves, she might have ended up like the Flower Seller.

Rita wasn’t afraid of a direct confrontation; what terrified her was revealing her identity as a Soru and then being hunted to the ends of the earth.

Tch, she had just enjoyed a couple of peaceful days—why did trouble have to come knocking again?

“Don’t block the way!”

A burly man clutching a wooden stick shouted loudly, seizing the gap in the Soldiers’ encirclement to charge straight toward the Princess, trying to shove Rita aside as she stood facing the Lord of Sorus.

Just as the man was about to touch her, Rita suddenly spun around and jabbed her bare fist directly into his stomach.

The man kneeled, clutching his belly in pain.

Rita raised her boot and kicked the man’s back.

“Trying to assassinate, huh!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Trying to block the way, huh!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Trying to drag me into this, huh!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Rita lost count of how many kicks she delivered, but it was the first time she realized how satisfying kicking someone could feel.

The frustration from the crossing over, the fleeing, and almost being used as a pawn all poured out in one cathartic release.

If the Soldier beside her hadn’t pulled her away saying, “The fight is over,” she might have kept kicking all day.

By the time Rita was pulled away, the situation was under control.

The Assassins had been subdued by Soldiers led by the Lord of Sorus and some of the future Holy Knight candidates.

Only a chaotic mess remained.

“Citizens of Sorus City,” a soft but firm voice rang out above the square, “the assassins have been subdued, and I, the Fourth Princess, remain unharmed.”

Rita exhaled with relief.

If the Princess had been stabbed, although the witness and victim of Rita’s mishap last night would be gone, she definitely wouldn’t have escaped blame.

Besides, Rita didn’t want to see the Princess suffer from a shattered mind or broken spirit.

“The assailants were not subdued by my power, but by the Lord of Sorus and the brave warriors he commands—the future Holy Knights.”

Selisia continued speaking, but there was no burst of cheers from the crowd below.

Instead, a subtle tension began to simmer.

The Lord of Sorus immediately turned and knelt on one knee facing Selisia.

“Your Highness, please forgive me…”

“No need for self-blame,” the Princess raised her hand to interrupt him. “Apart from the Royal City and my Accompanying Attendants, no one knew of my arrival in Sorus City, so this attack on me was clearly premeditated. It just happened that this stop was Sorus City.”

“You are absolutely right,” the Lord of Sorus’s bearded jaw twitched. Though his words were meant to excuse himself, he felt no relief. “If I had increased vigilance and strictly searched passersby, such incidents could have been prevented.”

“Today is the Examination for the Holy Knights, and naturally many come to witness glory. With such a large crowd, it’s impossible to check everyone individually. The future Holy Knights would never lay down their blades either.”

Selisia said this as she made a gesture to help the Lord of Sorus stand, though she didn’t actually touch him.

“You and your troops reacted promptly to quell this disturbance. Such a well-trained force should not bear excessive blame.”

Every word Selisia spoke was true, but coming from the Lord of Sorus it sounded like an excuse, while from the Princess it was a deliberate concession.

Naturally, the Lord of Sorus wouldn’t allow the Princess Selisia—whose rank was the highest among the princesses—to actually help him up.

At this perfect moment, an ill-timed voice interrupted, causing the Lord of Sorus to freeze mid-action.

“Your Highness Selisia.”

A robed woman who had been seated throughout the entire disturbance slowly rose from her chair.

“My magic is too powerful. To prevent Sorus City from turning into a blazing inferno, I could only stand by and watch.”

What a hindsight remark.

Rita felt vaguely that it was awkward for this person to speak up now.

The woman had watched from the sidelines earlier and spoke to the Princess by her personal name, as if not respecting her at all.

But the Princess showed no sign of detecting the arrogance behind the words.

“Lady Dorothy, your judgment and magic are equally admirable. It is precisely for this reason that you and I serve as examiners for this Examination.”

The magician called Dorothy snorted lightly and said no more.

The Lord of Sorus immediately seized the opportunity to order the Soldiers to restore order and escort the captured Assassins forward.

Is it over now?

Time to leave quickly?

Rita sheathed her sword without hurry and calmly moved with the dispersing crowd toward the exit of the square.

“Please wait.”

A spear suddenly appeared before her, blocking her path.

The officer blocking Rita’s way was clearly ready to draw weapons; his attitude was unmistakable.

Rita raised her sword and looked up at the man dressed as an officer who stopped her.

“What is it?”

“The Princess requests your presence.”