"Stop taking so many turns, okay! I... get carsick!" After the Hero changed direction several times, I felt dizzy and disoriented. The impact from the acceleration was simply unbearable.
Even as the Dark Lord, I was about to throw up.
"Keep it down. Don’t let others hear you." The Hero tightened his arms around me. This idiot—even now, he was still trying to cop a feel? Why hold so tight! But I didn’t want to roll out like a ball at this insane speed and crash headfirst into a wall, so I clung to him like a koala.
"Can’t shake them off… they’re not slow either." The Hero halted his wild sprint when he landed on a corner wall again.
Since we stood sideways on the wall, I had to look up ahead. There stood eight knights in two neat rows, their silver armor gleaming coldly. But the swords in their hands blazed hot, faintly glowing red.
"The Sword Knight Order." The Hero whispered. A chill ran through me too—this was the top of the Church’s four great knight orders.
What to do? Would he hand me over? I clearly had no reason for him to risk turning against the Church to protect me. After all, we’d only known each other for two days.
"Duck down."
"Huh?" I felt him press my head to his chest, where I could almost hear his frantic heartbeat.
"Blazing Flash!"
A cracking sound erupted from the wall beneath us. Everything blurred before my eyes. My ears filled with clashing metal. Glancing slightly to the side, I saw all the knights knocked down. None were dead or injured, but all had lost the ability to move.
"So violent." I muttered in complaint, but inside, I was slightly shocked. What had I done to deserve the Hero risking rebellion for me? Yet why wouldn’t he let me go? Suddenly, Lott became a bit hard to read.
"Why… can’t we shake them off?" Lott grumbled in frustration.
"Maybe it’s because you scorched the carpet, and they’re following the burn marks." I blurted out what I’d been holding back. This Hero was adorably dumb.
"Uh..." He glanced awkwardly at his feet. "You’re really smart."
It’s that you’re too dumb! And here I thought the Princess praised your wit.
"Can your flames fly independently from your body?" I asked.
"Yes, but only in a straight line," he affirmed.
"Perfect." I started formulating a plan. "Find a long corridor with windows. Throw your flames along the path. Then we’ll jump out—remember to close the window behind us. We’ll circle back from outside the palace."
"Got it." He shook off the pursuers again. Honestly, in such narrow spaces, the Archbishops and their mages couldn’t match Lott’s speed.
At a turn, the flames detached from us, forming a crackling fireball that flew forward. Lott pulled open the window and jumped out, but remembered to shut it behind us.
Outside the palace, few people were around—a scene of tranquility and peace. But who knew the palace was in utter chaos?
After a few long jumps, we spotted a familiar window. Confirming only the cat-eared maid was inside, Lott carried me through it.
"Phew..." He let out a long breath, then glared at me. "Who told you to run off?"
"Ahem, it’s complicated... I’ll explain later. First, fix the cage—I suspect they’ll come to check soon."
"I already fixed it. Are you even a girl? You can dismantle anything?" His anger hadn’t subsided; he still frowned.
"Well... I was just so bored, meow..." I crouched down dejectedly and crawled inside. "Hey... get ready to argue with full force. Don’t treat me like a girl."
"And Yeluo, you know what to do later, right?" The little cat-eared maid nodded timidly.
...
BAM! The door was almost kicked open. A young man with grizzled hair and golden robes stood at the entrance, Archbishop Fangzheng behind him.
As soon as they opened the door, a roar sounded: "Let me out! I don’t want to wait for death in here!"
"No way." The Hero replied casually. "We’ll try to give you a normal life. But until then, no way we’re letting you out to cause trouble."
The girl in the cage sat crouched with her legs spread in an M-shape, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Without power... what’s the difference between me and a nobody!" I fought back drowsiness, forcing tears from a yawn to trickle down my cheeks.
Meanwhile, Yeluo trembled in fear from the sudden door opening, huddled in a corner.
"What happened?" The man in front looked around, finally fixing his gaze on Yeluo. The meaning was clear: you speak.
"Um... Your Holiness, the Dark Lord’s emotions suddenly went out of control. She argued with the Hero for about ten minutes." Yeluo stammered, clearly awestruck.
Yeluo, great assist! I silently gave her a thumbs-up in my heart.
So this was the Pope—he looked so young. But what’s with his hair? Premature graying? It was way too white.
"What’s wrong?" The Pope looked at me, no blame in his eyes. In other words... I couldn’t read his thoughts. He was deeply reserved.
"None of your business!" I pouted, turned my head away, then lay down with my back to him.
"Continue hunting the bug." The Pope said to the knights behind him. "You must catch it for me!"
He turned back to us. "Sorry to bother you. You come with me." He beckoned to Yeluo. She walked over with her head down.
Honestly, I was still worried. Maybe Yeluo would expose us. Or it might bring disaster upon her... But the Church shouldn’t trouble a mere maid, right? I consoled myself.
"Please wait... Your Holiness, about the matter I entrusted to you." The Hero suddenly called out.
The Pope turned to Lott, pondered for a moment, then said: "We’ve discussed it. It might be possible, but the cost is too high. Let’s talk after the public trial. We’ll do our best."
"Thank you." He gave a slight bow to the Pope.
Due to the angle, I could only see the Hero from the toes up. I couldn’t see the Pope—only heard the door close.
"You almost got yourself killed," Lott complained.
"Sorry..." I hugged my knees. "What just happened?"
"I pleaded with the Pope for you. To see if there’s a way to strip you of your Dark Lord status without harming your life. Don’t worry—if it works, I’ll take responsibility for you for life."
"You!" I raised my fist, thought for a moment, then lowered it. "All you do is sweet-talk... you idiot..."
