The path the princess and Nira took just collapsed, blocking the possibility for both Velar and Hartwin to catch up to them. However, that was alright, what was important was that Estelia was safe. At least, for now. Now, all they had to do was hold back this monster of an angel.

  But there was a problem, it would be impossible for the both of them, as mere humans. All they could ever afford was to give the princess mere seconds. And with the princess out of its sight, the angel seemed outraged as it roared violently. It turned its face towards Velar.

  Velar quickly stepped back, but not before the angel shifted its skeletal wing and struck it at him. The strike was too fast, almost as fast as the strike of lightning. He could barely follow it with his bare eyes. He never expected, he never imagined, that he would face something of this magnitude, something this powerful.

  He had witnessed how the princess fought, but this was something different entirely. The world he had known before was thrown out the window. This world he had stepped into, this new realm, this was its true nature. There were entities that lurk this world that were beyond anything that humanity could ever hope to defeat. Something that would be impossible for him. The princess, the immortal Taneva, the monstrous Cursed Children, and now this supposed angel. The dangers he experienced in life was nothing compared to the truth, to this reality.

  He frantically tried to shift his sword to block the incoming sharp point of the wing. But there was no way he could protect himself whatsoever. It would be futile. One hit from this entity, and he would certainly die.

  However, before the angel’s attack could reach him, Taneva arrived in a flash and used his sword to deflect the wing. At the same time, he pushed Velar away from the angel. It all happened so fast that what Velar only realized was that he was now away from the monster. Taneva then stood in front of him, his clothes tattered.

  Velar glanced at the angel and saw the two Cursed Children attacking it. While Hartwin fled like a rabbit, heading towards Velar.

  “Where’s Estelia?” Taneva asked.

  “She escaped with Nira through that path.” Velar pointed at the blocked path Estelia and Nira ran through.

  Taneva glanced back and briefly nodded. “The angel might still try to go after her. So we’ll fight it as long as possible. And the two of you,” he glanced at the newly arrived and panting Hartwin. “Get out of here.”

  “Can you even beat that thing?”

  “Who knows, but we’ll do what we can. Just go, and don’t wait for us.”

  Velar nodded. “Then we’ll meet in the capital city.”

  “Yes. I’m sure Estelia will be heading there as well.”

  “Alright—” One of the Cursed Children, Galik, shot past them, after being blown away by the angel. He crashed into the stone wall. “Time to go, Hartwin.”

  “Right behind you!”

  Velar sheathed his sword on his back before making a run for it. Loud rumblings echoed behind them, the ground beneath their feet shook like an earthquake. Velar, in all his experience, had never witnessed such an intense battle before, aside from the princess and the demon. If this were to happen in a crowded place, there would have been an unimaginable amount of collateral.

  Is this how a battle is between the divines?

  It was indeed beyond any mortal like himself could handle.

  As they ran, they shifted their eyes towards the flattened Galik on the wall. His flesh was shifting and reforming. If even these adults were having a difficult time, then Nira wouldn’t stand a chance. Despite being a child, Nira was still very instrumental in their group. She was powerful enough due to her immortality. But in the face of a true monster, that would never be enough.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  They kept on running deep into the mountains, through the path they were intending to take. Surprisingly, there weren’t any monsters that got in their way. Perhaps that was because of the presence of that angel. Monsters were almost similar animals, if they sensed something dangerous, they would typically keep their distance.

  Some time passed, and the signs of chaos from behind them subsided. They had already run far enough. They stopped in their tracks to catch their breaths. Hartwin placed both hands on his hips, slouching while breathing heavily.

  “I-I think we’re good.”

  Velar stabilized his breathing. “For now, at least. But not entirely, while we’re still in this place.”

  “This will make one hell of a story. A dead angel... I never imagined something would be possible.” Hartwin plopped down on the ground. “Folks in the Holy Kingdom would freak out.”

  “If that’s a dead angel, then what’s a live one?”

  “Something scarier, maybe?” He let out a sigh before placing a hand on his bag. “The princess didn’t carry any food, didn’t she?”

  “She didn’t.” With her deteriorating health, there was no way she could just carry heavy bags, or any bags, during this long journey. Nira didn’t as well, she was still a kid, and she never really needed to eat. She could eat, but not really a necessity.

  “Damn, I wonder where they’re gonna end up. They don’t even have any food.”

  “... Yes… But I’m sure the princess will do fine.” Velar, as her knight, wanted to go find her. But in this place, it would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Plus all the powerful monsters. Furthermore, he had faith that she would be completely alright.

  She was no mere simple princess.

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “We should be more wary. We are only humans in the nests of monsters.” Now it was only the two of them, it would only become more difficult for them to eliminate powerful monsters that they might encounter. Before, even if Taneva was not involved, they had Nira. But now it was only the two of them, making things more risky. “Best we should try to lose a monster that is difficult to defeat.”

  “Agreed. Can’t really risk it.” Before they would try to eliminate every single monster who got in their way. For training and just because they could. Hartwin pulled out a pouch and drank water from it. “Let’s keep going. It wouldn’t be surprising if their battle suddenly reaches us.”

  With that, Hartwin stood up, and they continued walking down the path.

  “Seriously though,” Hartwin said. “What is the princess going to eat around here?”

  Velar slightly winced. “There are… a few options…”

  Hartwin puckered his lips before mildly nodding. “Yeah… She won’t like that at all.”

  Indeed, but there was really nothing Velar and Hartwin could do.

  “That clan leader,” Hartwin said. “Looks like he already ran ahead.”

  “As long as we don’t meet him again, I think we’re going to be alright.” Besides, he was alone now. With Velar and Hartwin, they should be able to deal with him pretty well.

  “Yeah. Well, we aren't important right now. I’m more concerned about the princess.”

  “Yes, her deteriorating health will make things harder for her.”

  ***

  I was cutting open the worm I had just killed. While Nira was collecting small dry wooden trunks or sticks and piled them up for cooking. I frowned in obvious displeasure as I sliced up some meat, blood dripping onto the soil.

  Nira had also brought some sticks for the cut meat. Ugh, we didn’t even have any cooking equipment. Now I had to hang this meat over the fire. Didn’t even have any spices to improve the flavor.

  This sucks!

  I pierced my dagger into the meat before pushing the wooden sticks into them. Even the sticks sucked. But hey, at least this worm meat looked okay. It looked like just any meat. Yes, I was gaslighting myself into making this an acceptable food.

  I used magic to light up the wood on fire. I leaned the sticks on a rock while the raw meat hung over the top of the fire. Feeling tired, I let out a heavy sigh.

  I conjured a bench of ice for Nira and me to sit on. We had nothing to do but wait for the meat to be cooked. It should get cooked before nightfall, so Nira could get to eat. True, she might not need to eat, but eating was good for the mind.

  Still, this was a humiliating experience.

  I rotated the meat around until it looked to be cooked. I handed out one stick of meat to Nira and she accepted it. She seemed to hesitate for a moment, but immediately took a bite with a wince. But then again, she always chowed down on flesh to get some blood, so this was something she could completely handle. But still, this was worm meat, so…

  I, on the other hand, stared at the roasted worm meat with a pitiful expression.

  I am reduced to this?

  How miserable. People of this land eat monster meat, that was how they survived this long. They had gotten used to eating this. But not me, I would never get used to this. Still, in this current situation, there was no other choice.

  You know what they say: Do as the Romans do.

  Still, this didn’t make it less disgusting. But whatever… I’d make it up for some good food once I reach the capital city.

  I took a bite of the worm meat. I subtly groaned as I chewed.

  At least it wasn’t too bad. It was decent enough for me to swallow and digest.

  I should really get out of here as soon as possible.

  I blamed the angel for getting me into this situation.

  When am I gonna eat something good again?

  How depressing.