Under the vision of the Real Eye, Willis could clearly see the trajectories of the three Mana Arrows.
Even the incredible shooting path they took earlier, like the first Mana Arrow, was fully visible to Willis.
However…
The three Mana Arrows, arranged in a crossfire, had already blocked every possible retreat path for her.
Nearby, Black Robes lurked with predatory intent!
And with her current condition, she could at most use Air Blade to block two of the arrows, leaving the remaining one…
There was no time to think further. Acting almost on instinct, Willis raised both hands to meet two of the Mana Arrows.
Ding!
Ding~!
At the moment of contact, the magical energy collided, producing dazzling lights and subtle explosions like fireworks.
At less than a meter’s distance, Willis had very little time to react.
So…
“Come!”
Willis’s eyes burned with fierce determination. Although this was her own decision, her heart was filled with fear.
But as an Imperial Princess, her dignity forbade her from showing even the slightest trace of cowardice on her face!
Puchi!
The remaining Mana Arrow pierced straight through Willis’s shoulder, the tremendous force sending her flying sideways.
The magic attached to the arrow relentlessly drilled through her flesh and blood, icy cold and bone-chilling like death itself!
Finally, the arrowhead lodged against her scapula, a spreading frost radiating from it before being melted away by the flames surrounding Willis’s body.
Blood spilled from the hole in her shoulder, dripping like rain…
The sharp pain nearly made Willis scream, followed by a wave of dizziness.
But there was no luxury to indulge in such feelings now. Before she even hit the ground, Willis saw the three Black Robes raising their blades, ready to impale her on impact.
If she landed on them, she would surely be turned into a pincushion.
Because her right shoulder was injured, Willis could only raise her left hand’s Air Blade and slash downward fiercely.
“Shatter!”
Pain contorted her face, but she unleashed even greater strength.
As her Mana rapidly depleted, Willis managed to cleave the blades raised by the Black Robes with her Air Blade.
Amid cries of horror, Willis twisted her body and fell into the Black Robes’ midst, swinging her Air Blade in a horizontal arc, which was met with screams of agony.
“Ah! My leg! My leg!”
Three Black Robes clutched their severed legs, blood gushing forth as they howled in pain, but Willis didn’t spare them a glance.
She immediately let go of the Air Blade and began to gather her remaining Mana.
The last Black Robe was startled by the feral gleam in Willis’s injured eyes. The more wounded she was, the more an indescribable ferocity burst forth.
Though she said nothing, her icy gaze pierced each of them, filling their hearts with a chilling dread.
“Fire… Phoenix!”
Willis gritted her teeth and raised one hand. Magic coalesced at her fingertips, forming a blazing Fire Phoenix.
The Fire Phoenix stretched its fiery body, pure flame magic imbued with terrifying power.
Ling—!
With a piercing cry, Willis hurled it forward. The Fire Phoenix screamed as it charged into the Black Robes, engulfing them in roaring flames.
The four Black Robes had nowhere to escape and were quickly consumed, screaming as they became human-shaped torches.
This attack exhausted the last of Willis’s Mana.
She clutched her shoulder, panting heavily, then dropped to one knee.
Looking up, she saw Winnie Kanasha in the distance.
Winnie had already nocked her bow again. As her lips moved, Mana gathered around the three arrows in her hand.
This time, she intended to kill Willis for sure!
[ So it really is like this? ]
Willis sighed as the thunderous sound of hooves and cries of battle drew near.
If she could just survive this shot, it would be enough.
Willis’s expression was complicated as she looked toward Winnie Kanasha. With the Real Eye, she could predict the trajectory of the Mana Arrows after being shot.
Thus, she could control which injured parts to protect; as long as they weren’t vital areas like the chest, heart, throat, or brain, she could survive.
She planned to sacrifice her limbs if necessary, but then she noticed Winnie Kanasha gripping the Mana Arrows tightly, trembling slightly, eyes blazing with hatred directed at Willis.
“I said I would kill you, and I will!”
Willis watched Winnie expressionlessly, trying to read when the shot would come.
Meanwhile, the cacophony of approaching hooves grew louder, and the Mage-Swordsman battling Hill Yu grew anxious.
“It’s the City Guard Army! Winnie, we have to go! The mission has failed!”
He shouted angrily.
“Run?”
Hill Yu’s eyes narrowed, pressing the Mage-Swordsman harder, cutting off his breath.
“No! It’s not over! As long as I shoot these three arrows, she’ll die! She has to die!”
Tears streamed down Winnie Kanasha’s face. Her hands bled from clutching the Mana Arrows, but she didn’t notice.
She just stared at Willis like a bullied child, crying and defiant.
“Willis Egbert, I will kill you. Only I can kill you!”
The elven woman roared, separated from Willis by the fiery wall left by the Fire Phoenix’s explosion.
Willis’s gaze grew even more complex in that moment.
Women, indeed!
“Winnie! Run! If you don’t leave now, it’ll be too late! Go!”
At that moment, a Black Robe suddenly rushed out from the side of the street, behaving recklessly—clearly not a cultivator.
Apparently, he was backup.
He grabbed the elf and dragged her into a prearranged escape route, disappearing into a nearby alley…
Willis hadn’t expected anyone else hidden nearby, making her cautious.
The Mage-Swordsman fighting Hill Yu seized the opportunity to throw a hidden dagger at Willis, forcing Hill Yu to retreat and use her sword to shatter the weapon.
But by the time Willis looked again, the Mage-Swordsman had fled with his companion.
At the same time, the thunder of hooves and shouts finally reached them. Over a hundred City Guard soldiers arrived beside Willis.
Seeing the two women, the lead officer immediately dismounted and apologized profusely.
“Your Highness, the City Guard’s rescue is late. Please punish us!”
In an instant, the soldiers behind knelt en masse, silent but with expressions mixing resentment and schadenfreude.
Especially when they saw the dreadful wound on Willis’s shoulder, blood pouring out, their hearts felt immense satisfaction.
Although the Bloodied Princess had no prior grievances with them, this didn’t stop those who fancied themselves just from feeling pleased.
Drained of blood and exhausted from battle, Willis weakly said, “It’s fine. You arrived in time. Go after those thieves.”
Everyone was stunned by Willis’s order, including Hill Yu.
To them, Willis not raging and cutting down half their number would have been a mercy.
Although Hill Yu was determined not to let Willis be so lenient, this casual release of what was essentially negligence was unlike Willis’s style!
Moreover, even Hill Yu herself believed those lazy soldiers who had allowed the thieves an opportunity deserved punishment.
Whether it be killing as a warning or at least salary cuts and dismissal.
“Yes! Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing us. We will capture those thieves and redeem ourselves!”
The officer hastily led his soldiers away, fearing Willis might change her mind.
He had no intention of leaving anyone behind to guard Willis.
“Sister, support me.”
Willis, nearly collapsing, leaned on Hill Yu.
She made this decision because she understood this was merely politeness…
If she truly punished those City Guard soldiers, even killing them, all it would do is earn her more enemies.
Her situation was already dire. Creating more foes now would be unwise.
Besides, was she even capable of that?
With her infamous reputation and grievous wound, punishment or executions might only drive those soldiers to desperation—perhaps even to kill her.
After all, if she died, most would cheer rather than mourn.
Hill Yu, on the other hand, greatly admired Willis’s generosity this time, as if feeling her teachings had borne fruit.
Feeling elated, Hill Yu decided to carry Willis to the Royal Academy.
“What… what are you doing? Sister… put me down,” Willis weakly said.
“Don’t speak. The Royal Academy isn’t far. I can carry you there quickly, and the Healers will treat you.”
Ignoring Willis’s protests, Hill Yu lifted her into a princess carry and sprinted down the street.