Chapter 87: Sorrowful Melody

"What's wrong, Zyro?"

Noticing his discomfort, Pert asked with a smile on his face as if everything was alright.

But it's not.

It's all messed up. Minutes ago, they took on an ambush of eight vampires. If it weren't for Zyro revealing his capability to triumph against the enemies on the other side. Both he, and Pert the archer would have died. Soon after, Scarlet will be surrounded by eight assassins in all sides. Who knew what her outcome would become?

Yet the kid still smiles as if nothing dire is happening. Zyro had long understood Pert's mental problem. No matter what the situation might be, his cheerful smile won't ever disappear. As though it's stuck on his face. Except on special events.

Zyro simply ignored it, like always. Glaring darkly at the wooden gate, he said.

"There's sounds coming from the other side."

Near them, the princess voice.

"That can't be. All routes are sealed like this, so..." But her words was cut midway upon hearing it too.

Silence settled over them as they listen to the noise reverberating within. Getting louder and louder, until it became vivid enough to be identified.

"...Marching caravan."

Zyro muttered.

He looked at Scarlet who had a crestfallen expression with her head down.

"Princess, it seems-"

"I know! Of course I know..." Her tone weakened. "Some trusted royals had probably leaked the information about the emergency passages."

Political figures ruling above society were truly smart. With the knowledge of these tunnels, they scattered their assassins in small groups to cover every settlements. Whenever Scarlet was spotted in one of the settlements, the squad in that village are instructed to engage in combat after informing the other nearby teams. No wonder the assassin didn't even think of retreating, because they've been tasked to hold Scarlet back until reinforcements arrive.

Sadly, they perished in duty. But their sacrifice was valid due to the message they sent. Calling the assassin full force.

The sound of carriages pulled by moving mounts and dozens of troops marching steadily like a foreboding melody. Listening to the sound of approaching danger, Zyro forlorn gaze meets Scarlet tearful eyes. Her sadness only heightened her beauty, begging any man to comfort her.

She wiped her tears and forced a reassuring smile. Saying as turn around to leave;

"Let's get out of here, before we get discovered by the villagers."

He voice was that of a calm leader, but Zyro could tell she's cracked within.

They left the small village some effort. Because of the unique scent of Zyro's blood, which was bleeding from his would on the neck. A few vampires was attracted, making them went through the trouble of knocking those vampires down secretly. Unfortunately, Zyro had to abandon his new found short spear to avoid alerting the underworld security personnel.

Their way became smooth sailing when they exited the underground street, and sneaked out of the bright yet desolate village.

All members didn't say a word the entire time. Scarlet's charming smile had disappeared, replaced by impassiveness similar to Zyro's usually indifferent face. On the other hand, the psychopathic kid was smiling as always. However, even his smile seemed strangely dull and faked.

Coming back to the forest, they venture deep until they create enough distance away from the village to feel at ease.

Zyro sat on the ground and leaned his back against a tree. Only then did he allow himself to relax, following which was pent up fatigue assaulting his body.

Before infiltrating the village, they have been traveling all night long. What's supposed to be a search operation to find the gate turns out more challenging than he thought due to the assassins appearance. Dealing with them was tiresome, Zyro even sustain a bloody injury. And they fought their battle without proper rest.

His tired, wanting nothing more than to sleep after such eventful day. The same goes for Scarlet and Pert, as well.

Zyro was just about to wearily close his eye when he heard soft sobbing. When he shifted to see, he saw Scarlet curled up, hugging her knees with both arms with her head down, hidden from view.

Still, the noise of her gloomy cry can't hide the sadness she's feeling.

Failure is bitter and cruel. The princess mistake was specially cruel, because it had taken her only hope to escape this wilderness and relentless pursuers.

"I think she needs a hug."

Zyro glared at Pert who's standing beside him, the kid was an Aster. So his endurance last could longer than them. Among their group, he has the most energy at the moment.

He stared down at Zyro expectantly, prompting him to do something.

However, Zyro didn't bolge an inch. Instead, he countered.

"Oh, why don't you give her then, yourself?"

Pert looks at the crying maiden for a while, then smiled innocently.

"I'm too young."

He meant he did not live much, to have the audacity to risk his life by suddenly embrace the princess. Gambling if she will seek comfort in his arms or outright gets killed by her lethal blood out of rage.

Perhaps she might feel better after a good slaughter?

Speechlessly deciding to let Scarlet be. Pert change the subject into a more important one.

"Hey Zyro, now that the village is out of our options. Where are we going now?"

Zyro closed his eye, either thinking at simply resting. Eventually, he said even tone without opening his eye.

"Somewhere safe. The assassins would probably perform a wide scale search for us in this area of the wilderness. With their current number, I expect them to be over a hundred."

"It's not us... It's only me who they're searching for."

Scarlet feminine voice suddenly dripted towards them. She simply spoke the cold truth, Zyro and Pert was no part of this mess. Because the assassin's sole target is Scarlet life alone. Nothing more.

Zyro meet her gaze, which was reddened due to excessive crying. Truth be told, she looks more adorable than usual.

"So?"

Was his flat response.

The princess was visibly taken aback. Her lips quivered.

"Your not. Leaving me?"

Zyro strength and Pert arrow are enough to trouble Scarlet. If they want to, they could run away. Leaving her behind along with the troubles she brought.

"We still don't plan to."

Said Zyro, before resting his eyes again.

Zyro decision was Pert decision, as well. Because the Fallen Knight only agreed to ally himself with the young Aster due to the same goal they share. That is, to escape Foggy Ring expanse. And the only possible way out he could see was through Scarlet. If she died, then getting an airship would be impossible without her authority as the heir of the throne.

Although it's a risky path due to the threats surrounding her life. Zyro was willing to take a gamble. So as Pert, as his ally.

Scarlet smiled, this time it's not forced but genuine. She had thought about the consequences of her failure. With her plan to use the secret routes in order to return home being discovered by her rivals. She felt lost and broken. What would she do now? She didn't know. However, her companion would surely leave. After all, who would want to be hunted by assassins?

But Zyro and Pert choose to stay by her side for the better end.

She's glad.

"I see. Thank you, I'll make sure you two won't regret this." Scarlet lingered for a while, then pulled herself back and focused on the predicament they were facing.

She cleared her throat.

"Ahem. As you just said, the assassins would be searching this entire area. If I were them, the sooner the better. So, how about we start moving now?"

Ending his short respite, Zyro got up to resume their walk. As he did, he said.

"No, trust me. I've been in a similar situation before. Judging from what we heard behind the gate, the assassins had carriage and mounts. Besting them at speed are futile, and we can't underestimate their tracking skills. The best course of action is finding a suitable hiding spot that they won't find. There, we wait for the situation to cool down. instead of playing chase tirelessly."

Scarlet went in the front of their formation, with the young archer at the middle while Zyro guarded the rear end. She suggested.

"You have a point. Then, should we begin searching for a hiding spot or create one? But I doubt we have enough time to do so, before they arrive."

"Don't worry, princess. We already have one ready." Pert said with pride. Because his the one who made it, a long time ago.

His referring to the secret tunnel he dug in the Mine mountain, which is connected to a hidden room in the Mine internals. Only Zyro and Pert knew of its existence, having used it multiple times in the past as they planned their leave.

"To think I'll come back to that place." Zyro muttered.

Both he and Pert never thought about returning to the Mine. The dim caverns where countless slaves work and died for a bit of food had only given them bad memories. But alas, destiny called them back.