Three luminous rings materialized behind Archibald as he locked gazes with Garia, who gripped his knightly sword. Though Garia sensed something amiss, Archibald’s hawk-like vigilance pinned him down, making disengagement impossible.
The moment Garia showed any hint of retreat, Archibald would dart forward like a hunting hawk. Garia feared no death match—but wasting time on meaningless combat? Unacceptable. Yet staying meant playing right into Archibald’s hands.
By simply advancing when Garia retreated and retreating when Garia advanced, Archibald could chain him here indefinitely. Frustration gnawed at Garia. He didn’t know the full picture, but Princess Royal Rosalynd’s grievous wounds and these mysterious foes screamed impending disaster.
“You despicable human! You dared trick me!”
Felice’s tiny fists shook as she lunged at Archibald.
“Tch.” Archibald sidestepped smoothly. “Uncle’s busy, little one. Run along.”
Though stretched thin holding off two opponents, Archibald’s strategy held firm. Even with Felice joining the fray, he focused solely on Garia—his entire tactic boiled down to one word: *entangle*. Against these powerhouses, Felice’s draconic bloodline felt woefully inadequate.
Garia grew desperate, trying to coordinate with Felice to land a telling blow. But Archibald wisely disengaged each time, leaving Garia’s strikes sinking into cotton—powerless and maddening. Every attempt to break free was met with Archibald’s relentless pursuit. He clung like a leech.
Rosalynd lay unconscious nearby—the true anchor chaining Garia down. The instant he moved toward her, Archibald materialized in his path. Stay or go? Agony.
What Garia didn’t know was the true danger—the Chaos Cross Chapter’s real objective. Had he learned they plotted to kidnap the Princess Royal, he’d have torn himself apart to escape. Rosalynd was the Empire’s genius knight, yes—but next to the royal bloodline? No contest.
*If I shout Archibald’s scheme to that red-haired elder, it’ll wreck Chaos Cross’s plans. But even if Garia bolts back wounded, he might not save the Princess. Worse—if he leaves, Rosalynd stays here alone. To me, the knight who saved me with lightning matters more than some stranger princess. I won’t harm her.*
*Besides, Chaos Cross won’t hurt their hostage. Archibald said it himself—they want a trade with the Avaria Empire. Hostages get pampered, not butchered. They’re not arrogant enough to wage war on an empire.*
*And if I expose them? Even if Garia saves the Princess, Archibald will mark me for death. Having a powerhouse’s hatred? Not fun.*
Weighing the stakes, I turned to Eunice. “This isn’t our fight. Let’s run—”
Huh?
I whirled around. Eunice was gone. My jaw dropped as I spotted her beside the unconscious Rosalynd—dragging her behind a tree, then… *patting her down?!*
*Is she seriously—?! Did she forget she’s in my body?! Holy—*
*Wait. Is this yuri? Straight? Or some forbidden dual-gender romance?!*
I sprinted over. Eunice had already stopped. Relief washed over me—she was just searching Rosalynd’s skirt pockets.
*Phew. I almost thought she’d try something on me. How stupid.*
“What are you looking for?” I asked.
“The Medal of Honored Order. But it’s not here.” Disappointment flickered across Eunice’s face.
“What’s it for?”
“Unrestricted access to the Imperial Library of Avaria Capital. An imperial pass.”
“You need to get in there?”
She nodded, propping Rosalynd against the tree. “That library holds ancient records—even grimoires labeled ‘forbidden witchcraft’ by the continent. Vanished secrets of the old world might be archived there. We *must* go.”
“If only she carried it on her,” Eunice sighed softly.
Her earlier words still puzzled me.
“Eunice—this ‘must go’ reason…?”
She met my eyes. “We’ve swapped bodies. Who’d believe such a tale? The Imperial Library might hold answers. Even a sliver of hope is worth chasing.”
“…Right. If that’s true, the medal *is* crucial.”
I understood now. Our goals aligned: reclaiming our own bodies.
Before I could respond—
***BOOM!***
A blinding white pillar of light erupted from the distant forest, shaking the earth. A deafening explosion roared. Howling winds ripped outward. Birds shrieked, bursting from the canopy in panicked clouds.
“The Princess Royal’s location?! What happened?!”
Garia’s face drained of color. Ignoring Archibald completely, he shot toward the light. If the Princess was in danger, his failure as her guard would doom even a Crowned Strongman under the Empire’s wrath.
*Why isn’t Archibald stopping him?* I wondered. *Does he think he’s already won?*
But Archibald’s expression shattered that thought.
Shock contorted his face—as if he’d seen a ghost. Then, grim-faced, he too soared toward the explosion.
“You treacherous humans!” Felice hissed, lips curling. She burst into pink flames, streaking after them.
In moments, all three Crowned Strongmen vanished. Only Eunice, me, and the unconscious Rosalynd remained.
