Chapter 48: Where is Justice?

“What’s happening on the bridge, Jessica?”

Anna crouched low, dodging the arrows loosed from the demons on the bridge.

She pulled out an arrow lodged in the muddy ground beside her—the arrowhead was forged from refined iron, unmistakably crafted by human hands.

A chill ran down Anna’s spine.

She glanced at the enemy poking his head out to shoot atop the bridge, raised her hand, and slashed. A flash of swordlight followed the path of her Holy Sword, striking forward.

A shrill scream.

One enemy, busy nocking an arrow, tumbled off the bridge. He landed at the river’s edge, clutching desperately at the muddy bank, trying to climb up. But the force of the river was far beyond what he could resist. In less than a heartbeat, he was swept away by the current.

There was another agonizing cry as he floated, lifeless as a dead fish, atop the water, no longer moving.

Anna saw it clearly—that was a human face.

“I don’t know… There’s one Demon King’s officer on the bridge, but the rest…” Jessica bit her lip, her fingers trembling from gripping her sword too tightly, “They’re all human… There’s no mistake.”

The Knight Sword in her hand quivered upward with the force of her grip, reflecting a bright, snowy gleam in the daylight.

“We… walked right into an Ambush. At first, we heard someone on the bridge giving us the password—we thought it was another adventuring party, so I replied as well.”

She stopped, self-reproach written across her face, her cheeks twisted in anger or sorrow—just watching her made Anna’s own jaw ache. There was no need for Jessica to go on; everyone knew what must have happened next.

They trusted the signal too easily, and like little mice caught in a trap, they were lured out and slaughtered.

Only Jessica survived.

She stood atop the ashes and corpses of her comrades. In her despair, she glimpsed wild Ice Vine growing in the dense forest—as if she saw hope. She’d taken the initiative to send a distress signal.

And someone answered. Heaven never blocks all roads.

“滴滴滴——”

A bundle of arrows, trailing a crimson tail of fire, tore through the sky, announcing the end of their brief peace.

A new battle began amidst the ashes.

Anna stared at the red arrow streaking into the sky, her heart sinking.

She’d seen that arrow before.

There could be no mistake. It was definitely that person.

This was the fusion of Observation Magic and Archery—using a High-flying Arrow to track the target’s movements.

It was the signature move of that Bow Hero. Other than her, no one else had such skill.

Damil… Why are you working hand in hand with Wululu?

Anna nearly ground her teeth to pieces.

A hero once entrusted with the Mission to Defeat the Demon King was now standing on a bridge beside a Demon King’s officer, using despicable tricks to deceive and slaughter their own kin… What was this?

“Sister, what should we do?”

Lydia tugged at Anna’s sleeve, pulling her back to reality.

Calm down, Anna reminded herself.

“We go up to the bridge. Ophelia will cover us from below. Jessica and I will hold the enemy at the front. As for you, Lydia…” Anna took a deep breath and patted Lydia’s shoulder, “Find an opportunity. When we’re holding Wululu’s attention, deliver her a fatal blow.”

“M-me?”

Lydia pointed at herself in disbelief. For her to defeat Wululu… Could she really do it?

“Sister, maybe you should—”

Lydia blinked, mouth open, still thinking this sort of task was best left to her sister.

“Are you and Jessica really able to hold off the enemies on the bridge?” Anna’s gaze was fixed on the bridge, eyes as cold as frost. “I’m afraid aside from Wululu, there’s another troublesome foe up there.”

“Who?”

Jessica stepped forward, her voice low, her hand unconsciously settling on Anna’s shoulder. The next moment, realizing her mistake, she quickly let go and tried to apologize, but Anna waved it off.

“The former Bow Hero—Damil Lyon.”

Anna’s words were like a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples across the surface.

“Hero…”

Jessica’s face darkened, her grip on her sword tightening.

“Those people…”

She gritted her teeth, brimming with boundless rage.

“Hey…”

Lydia tried to say something, but Anna’s glare silenced her.

“Get yourselves together. We’re going up.”

With that, Anna tightened the rope leading up to the bridge.

She leaped, landing on the bridge deck. The instant she let go of the rope, a shield crashed toward her, trying to shove her into the river.

But she twisted nimbly through the gap in the shield, leapt high atop it, and brought her sword down on the shieldbearer’s helmet.

As the blade struck the iron helm, Anna hesitated. But only for a moment—the Holy Sword, unstoppable as ever, sliced clean through his neck. Watching the head roll away like a ball, Anna steeled her heart.

The moment these people allied themselves with the demons, they were no longer her kin.

Traitors are even more detestable than enemies.

A heavy arrow screamed toward Anna, grazing her cheek and drawing a line of blood.

Anna looked coldly at the youth standing at the center of the bridge, bowstring still vibrating in his hand.

His emerald-green eyes narrowed slightly, meeting Anna’s from afar.

“Long time no see, Anastasia.”

Damil said coldly.

“I never wanted to meet you like this, Damil.”

Anna didn’t want to waste words. She raised her sword and charged straight at Damil.

She slashed at him, but Damil leaped high, kicking at Anna’s face and using the recoil to open the distance.

The instant he landed, Damil drew and loosed three arrows in rapid succession, each aimed at Anna’s vital points. Anna twisted in midair, deflecting the arrow aimed at her face with her sword, and leapt once more to close in on Damil.

“So long apart, and you’re this cold to me, Anastasia?”

Damil’s lips curved in a mocking smile. Anna curled her lip in disdain, her attacks relentless.

“If you hadn’t betrayed us, I would gladly sit down and reminisce with you.”

Her sword slashed past Damil’s side, then flicked upward, tearing the hem of his cloak and slicing toward his chest.

Damil, flustered, shed his cloak, tumbling backward. In the moment he hit the ground, a pale light gathered on his bowstring.

With a whoosh, a shaft of light shot past Anna’s sword, slicing off several silver strands of her hair.

“Betrayal? How is it betrayal?”

Damil sneered, mocking Anna’s naivete.

“Then let me ask you, Anna. When we were fighting on the front lines, who was it that retreated without fighting? When we risked our lives for a vague mission, who stripped us of our honor as heroes? When we returned bloodied, hoping to rally again, who stirred up a storm of public opinion to stab at our backs?”

Damil swung his bow like a staff, blocking Anna’s sword. He grunted, blood spurting from his lips, and kicked Anna in the chest.

He retreated several steps, wiping the blood from his mouth, his mocking smile growing deeper.

“Tell me—doesn’t the kingdom’s behavior count as betrayal? Isn’t it shameless? Shouldn’t I be angry? Shouldn’t I stand against it?”

He held out his hand to Anna.

“Stand on the side of justice, Anastasia.”