77: A mother's determination

Earlier when Ravan and his squad entered the they found that house was eerily quiet. Due to their earlier encounters Ravan decided to stay cautious and commanded his men to tread with caution. So they slowly began to search the house looking for any traces of the royal family.

As they reached the backdoor they found it open and with traces of someone running out of the house. Panic flashed across their eyes as they realised that people here had fled from this using this door.

They hurriedly followed the trail to quickly catch their target. If their target managed to escape all of their efforts would be wasted. In their hurry they didn't realise one little crucial detail. Why was there such a deliberate trail when they found nothing in the whole house.

Their ignorance was paid with a great piece as the place most of the men stood suddenly blew up in an explosion. If it was not for Ravan at the last minute using his men as cover to shield him he too would be seriously injured by that explosion.

After the explosion subsided only three men survived excluding Ravan. And even then they are heavily injured.

Looking at his dead men Ravan felt a huge anger in his heart. These men were his own team that he painstakingly cultivated.

As someone who was hailed as a genius strategist Ravan knew that his strength alone isn't enough to survive in this world. That is why he created his own team that would act as his bodyguards and meat shields. But even when they were disposable paws he couldn't bear to see them sacrificed without any benefits.

" Find that bitch, she should be somewhere near here. Find her and capture her immediately. If she struggles, break her legs. " Ravan shouted his orders with a cold voice as he used his unique skill to take control over all of his remaining men.

Soon the men rang into action completely ignoring any pain they were feeling due to their actions. In their minds they didn't register anything but Ravan's orders. As soldiers they need not think about anything but obeying orders.

" Wherever you are I'm going to make you pay for what you did " Ravan said with a ruthless glint in his eyes. In his madness he completely forgot about his orders. His orders were to capture Lucia unharmed.

The rebels still feared Rudra's power so they repeatedly reminded their soldiers. They didn't want a crazy emperor coming at them. This is also the reason they sent both Ravan and Silvan to capture her.

The rebels know that Silvan has some affection for her so he will not harm her. And even if his men were to ignore his orders Ravan with his unique skill would be able to stop them. He was their grantee to mission success. But the rebels would have never thought that Ravan, their trump card, would go crazy after seeing the death of his men.

In the woods Lucia was running with Milim strapped on her back. On her hand was the familiar staff that Rimuru gifted her. Although she couldn't use her magic, the staff could still be used as a weapon.

Earlier Lucia heard the sound of an explosion. She deduced it must have been the trap she set for the enemy. She only used that trap to disorientate the enemy and earn her some extra minutes to escape with Milim.

As she was near the end of the anti magic barrier het combat instincts which were honed in her journey with her brother suddenly rang up. She rolled to the side to avoid a sharp object that flew past her.

Looking around, she found a wounded man looking at her with an indifferent gaze. He looked like an assassin as he had two daggers on his hands.

Lucia readied her staff. She knew she had no choice but to fight her way out. She isn't so naive to think her enemy would not kill her when she turns on her back to run. Furthermore with Milim on her back she doesn't have that option too. So conflict is inevitable.

' I hope Velda is fine on his end ' she thought before dashing at her enemy.

~ 20 minutes later ~

Lucia huffed as she used her staff for support to stand up. She was very tired after fighting three men at the same time.

Yes, three men. Apart from the assassin who found her another two men suddenly appeared while they were fighting. And these guys had a frightening teamwork that made Lucia this exhausted.

Normally Lucia could just use her martial arts to finish them all off without any problems. But these hateful guys always aimed for her back where Milim is. So Lucia had to be extra careful while also protecting Milim.

" Finally it's over " She said as he wiped the sweat that was on her face.

" Oh I wouldn't be so sure " came a cold voice making Lucia instantly tensed.

From the bushes came Ravan with his sword drawn. His eyes were overflowing with murderous intent that it scared little Milim.

" Shh shh now now sweety mommy will protect you so don't worry okay " Lucia gently said as she tried her best to console her child.

This seems to work as Milim slowly began to stop crying. She could instinctively feel her mother's overflowing love and care for her.

This beautiful scene of mother and daughter was interrupted by Ravan as he swung his sword with such agility that it left after images. Hey may not have the same speed as Silvan but his skills are the top amongst them.

Had it not been for her skill warning about the impending strike Lucia may have been heavily wounded. Despite having an ultimate skill she is unable to use it to its full extent due to her insufficient magicules. And she was never an active fighter to begin with. And unfortunately she began to accumulate wounds while she was fighting Ravan. Furthermore, he, like his men, always targeted Milim on her back.

But everything isn't hopeless. With each passing moment Lucia was slowly adapting to Ravan fighting style. If given enough time Lucia could defeat Ravan. Both parties knew this. This is why Ravan decided to use one of his trump cards.

Suddenly one of the men who Lucia assumed to be dead sprang into action as he aimed his dagger at Milim. This action completely caught Lucia offgard. In a hurry she used her staff to block the dagger and attack the man.

Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief she coughed a mouthful of blood. Looking at her body she saw a sword coming out of her stomach. She looked behind her in despair only to see Ravan with a cold smile.

She could helplessly lie on the ground as she was kicked by Ravan. He then forcefully took Milim away from her. After kicking her a few more times Ravan left.

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