Necessity

Aurelia's dreams were interrupted by intense shaking and the sound of an explosion, she was sent flying outside the carriage with nearly enough time to grasp her weapon.

In the corner of her eyes, she saw shadows moving towards her, in moments she was surrounded by a group of what looked like children.

'What is with my luck and being attacked by children...' Aurelia couldn't help but question herself.

It was like fate itself knew that she couldn't bring herself to hurt a child, and in a cruel twist it threw murderous kids at her.

Slash~

She barely dodged a slash, despite her being a trained paladin, without her armor she was vulnerable to many attacks even against children.

Despite that these children seemed to be incredibly powerful, only marginally weaker than Aurelia herself.

'What did they put these kids through.' She pitied them, she could not strike them down.

Cedric kept encouraging her from the backlines, encouraging her to let go of her teachings and strike down little assassins.

Her hand trembled at the possibility, She would feel horrible but on the other hand, she did not wish to disappoint Cedric just as he gained respect for her.

She was sure of one thing, that was that these assassins were merely indoctrinated children sent to kill her.

'Why is everyone trying to kill me... First infiltrators, then urchins and the gang of Vitpacar, then Rayn and Lucious...now these children. Wait where are Rayn Lucious and Ladios?' She frantically looked around, they were supposed to be nearby, in most cases they as her personal guards would ride in a carriage with her, however, she had Cedric who was the best protection she could ever ask for.

Aurelia was sure Archangels were safe as they were infinitely more powerful than herself, however, she worried about her new guards, especially Ladios who she had named herself.

She felt a dagger in her gut, piercing through the gap of the weak armor she had procured.

"Gah!" Aurelia spat out blood before casting [Lesser Heal] on herself and with clumsy footwork made distance against the miniature assassins.

"Aurelia, stop making unnecessary movements. Even these infidel children can exploit that!" Cedric kept advising her through the battle.

Even if Aurelia wanted to kill them mercilessly she could not, they were a bit weaker than her individually but they were fast and slippery.

Her feet felt like they were made of lead, and hands as stiff as cast iron.

A mix of hesitation and lack of experience made her take another stab, fortunately missing the intended target which was the neck.

Aurelia gripped the wound as she made more distance, she hoped Cedric would deal with this but he seemed to have put trust in her.

'This must be a part of my training.' That was the only reason she could think of why Cedric wouldn't deal with the issue, or perhaps he just wanted her to prove herself.

Swish~

A blade narrowly missed her as she dodged, she understood what Cedric meant with unnecessary movement, a dodge that could have been a single move was instead a triple step.

However, each time she attempted to reduce the amount of movement she had to do she felt like she would fall over her own feet.

They were children, how was she failing so badly, she should have been able to knock them out easily without killing them.

However, she felt bad enough for them that her combat effectiveness dropped by the moment.

Her gaze fell on Zenith, a powerful blade created by Cedric himself, a legendary blade she couldn't even use to defend herself properly.

"I can't do it..." She nearly dodged another slash before kicking a charging assassin in the stomach, knocking the kid meters away, and making him roll into a bush.

A single moment later the same child charged at her, dagger in hand.

Her blade never even approached their fragile frame, it truly felt like someone was utilizing her gentle nature against her by sending children against her.

"Aurelia, those children have the same patron as demons! You must strike them down!" Cedric repeated himself, his tone conveying just how relaxed he was in a situation where Aurelia was trying to fight for her life.

She used Zenith to block another strike.

Clang~

A sound of metal hitting metal echoed in her eyes, and yet as the blade hit Zenith it was shattered.

'This sword is amazing...' She did not have time before another stab forced her on her knees.

Tears streamed down her face, and her force contorted in pain [Lesser Heal].

Aurelia's leg swept, knocking down the approaching assassins before gripping Zenith by its hilt and hitting a child with the pommel straight in his chest.

A sickening crunch echoed through the battlefield as the small assassin's ribs were broken.

'I didn't even use that much force...' Aurelia couldn't help but stare at the injured assassin, nearly moving but severely weakened.

Her mind raced, and her breath was heavy, when she was fighting the boss of Barony of Rags she had the luxury of Cedric's [Grand Blessing], but now she was forced to rely on her rather pathetic speed and swordsmanship.

She had let go of her foolish preconceptions about her being good with a blade, after all, she had met Cedric, and then even his summons were better than her.

She was nothing compared to them or even the former demihuman champions...

She was about to defend once again before Cedric's voice shook the entire battlefield.

"Enough! I have seen enough... I command you to freeze Infidels!" As by command [Divine Charm] took effect, forcing everyone, excluding Aurelia to freeze at the spot.

"Aurelia, you would have been killed due to your hesitation, however, I know it is much to ask of you to let go of your teachings so quickly. To kill a child, even if its a worshipper of demons, and is merely a weapon is a cruel act for untrained." Cedric spoke with a hint of understanding as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"However, that is a mercy you must grant them, so that they may be cleansed by the Lord." Cedric approached the injured child, his footsteps heavy.

"I know it is too much for you now, and so I will end what you started. Aurelia." Cedric approached the injured assassin, and with a swift motion, a head was cut off.

Aurelia couldn't watch it, she knew Cedric was doing what was necessary but it pained her deeply.

She closed her eyes as Cedric made his way to each of the frozen children, their fear apparent as the monstrous being killed them 1 by 1.

Each of them knew they could be next.

Every assassin was decapitated before they could even move.

Merciful kill for those brainwashed by demons.

"I have shown them mercy so that they may seek forgiveness in the embrace of Christ. Amen." Cedric's gaze turned towards Loris, who was quite apparently shaking as if he had seen a monster.