Princess of Fools

Aurelia had a solemn expression on her face, to her she had failed.

Cedric had to save her, again. Although she did not mind being saved by her hero she was still embarrassed that she was about to get killed by a group of children if Cedric hadn't intervened.

"Cedric... I am sorry." She felt ashamed of herself, her hero put his trust in her and yet she failed again.

Tears welled inside her eyes, ever since she witnessed things her hero could do she felt small and useless.

She had to rely on Cedric's blessing, then Angels, then Cedric himself.

Her tears trailed down her face as she sobbed.

"Why... I thought myself strong... And it seems I truly am Princess of Fools as everyone says..."

She was about to burst into tears before she felt something that she would never think would happen this soon.

Cedric had wrapped his arms around her and took her in his embrace.

A sense of calmness washed over her, letting her relax and yet it did not stop her tears.

She pushed herself against Cedric's armor, wrapping her arms tightly around the hero.

"Why is everyone trying to murder me? I am sure I haven't done anything bad to deserve such a treatment..." Aurelia's sniffing and crying made her sound more like a child than an adult woman.

"Everyone calls me Princess of Fools, but I have done nothing! I'm not even a major contender for the throne!"

Aurelia was no schemer, she was not a talented commander and she certainly was not someone worth going through so much trouble to assassinate.

Admittedly her lustful nature had tarnished her reputation, however, she was ready to abandon that life to pursue a hero who saved her so many times.

Despite her being unsuccessful in her seduction, Cedric still seemed to show some care for her, but no romantic interest, however, he was not indifferent to her presence.

'That is all I could ask for at the current moment,' She calmed down briefly, being in the embrace of her hero was as calming as she imagined.

She felt she could stay there forever, despite being surrounded by corpses of former assassins.

No, it did not matter to her at all, it was her and Cedric, everything she wanted right now was to enjoy the first instance of true affection he had shown her.

"Aurelia, being a leader will make you a lot of enemies. Despite you liking it or not." Cedric understood her, after all, she was a young woman who was never truly gifted in an act of intrigue.

What's more, she was naive and immature, making her an easy target to exploit.

'Demon Gaya at least had a plan to infiltrate the kingdom, but these assassins were after Aurelia's life. What is the point?' Cedric gently patted Aurelia's back with the intent to calm her down, which clearly worked as she enjoyed the embrace.

To kill someone who can be manipulated made no sense, perhaps the stupidity of Infidels who were blind to true faith, or some deeper plot he was not aware of.

"But... I never wanted that! I never wanted to lead the legion! I only accepted because Grahm convinced me it would boost my prestige!" She shouted, clearly distressed.

"I am not supposed to reveal this but... 4th legion is by far the weakest force of Valar..." Aurelia admitted sheepishly.

It made sense to Cedric now, it was the act of either a Demon or Infidel, to send your weakest army against the ultimate enemy of mankind.

It was the stupidity of the highest order unless the goal was to weaken Humanity as a whole.

A blow to morale that one would strike by eradicating the entire army was immense, despite that army being weak.

'It seems Valar will require cleansing...' Cedric sighed, to fulfill God's mission he would have his hands full however he did not mind that, after all serving the Lord was honor among honors.

"Aurelia let it out. I will not let anything happen to you. I swear it upon my name... " A promise, a pact made in the name of the God's Chosen.

To swear upon the Name was never to back down.

To swear upon the Name was to eradicate cities to rescue her who he was sworn to protect.

To swear upon the Name was to make an unbreakable pact.

Cedric would not invoke such a promise if he did not mean it, if the kingdom he was visiting was truly a threat to the First Star, then they were a threat to God's Mission.

And as a threat to God's Mission... Only death may free them.

His promise seemed to work as Aurelia calmed down, clearly just trying to squish the hero, albeit unsuccessfully.

His embrace grew tighter prompting Aurelia to tap on his armor frantically.

"Ced...ric I... can't breathe..." Cedric relaxed, letting the young princess out of his embrace.

She wiped away her tears before smiling,"If you are protecting me then I have nothing to fear... I promise I will get stronger in the name of God I won't be a hindrance for long!"

Cedric nodded, "Good, You as a Christian should not fear death, Aurelia. However, that is something that you will learn with experience."

[[Creator], Traitors have been neutralized.] Ladios spoke with distinct coldness.

Cedric had sent the trio of Archangels to hunt down the bribed soldiers and free their souls so that they may be judged by God.

'I despise traitors...' He couldn't help but hate those soldiers, after all not only were they Infidels, but they also lacked loyalty, they were truly one step above demons.

[Excellent, I shall take Aurelia and head towards Capital. I expect you to be close behind.] Cedric cut off the connection.

"Aurelia, Let us continue." Before she could react Cedric appeared beside her and lifted her up.

"Wha... whaa... WHAT???" Aurelia looked frantically as she found herself carried like a true princess in the arms of the knight.

Aurelia held onto Cedric as tightly as she could, Zenith firmly strapped to her back.

"We are going to hurry, you will not visit any more towns, I will need you to guide me to the capital," Cedric spoke coldly as he rushed forward, the speed surpassing even the flying monsters.

Aurelia couldn't help but nod, her face once again as red as a tomato.

"... East from here..." If she said she didn't enjoy being carried like this then she would be a liar.