Saving A Royal Pain in the Bangs

Golden hair. Blue eyes. High-quality robes and dignified-looking.

Is that his royal highness?

Sinipat ko ang papalapit. He's running frantically as if it's his last. His movements are elegant despite his scared and anxious expression. I noticed that he's carrying something or someone on his back. 

My senses became sharper as I scanned the surrounding.

Ngayon ang unang araw ng misyon ko ngunit mukhang mapapalaban agad ako. I quickly analyzed the situation. If I've arrived a little late, it's gonna be complicated. Mabuti nalang at tama ang kalkulasyon ko sa oras ng pagdating nila dahil kung nahuli lang ako nang kaunti, mas malala ang mangyayari.

A royal's death in our territory means war.

I looked behind them and saw about three black-clothed people a mile away, swiftly approaching. Assassins. In plain sight, mukha lang silang itim na usok na patalon talon sa mga puno. My eyes have been trained and years of experience helped me see every movement clearly. I dashed with caution and readied my bow and arrow. The man stopped in his tracks and froze after noticing me.

Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo kay Erebus upang makahanap ng tamang tiyempo. Tatlong pana ang pinakawalan ko at tumama ito sa tatlong akmang aatekihin ang naestatwang lalaki. Inakala yata niyang sa kanya nakatutok ang dulo ng aking palaso. Naging abo naman ang mga tinamaan ng pana. Epektibo talaga itong ibinigay sa akin ng commander. A special bow and arrows blessed with holy power from the temple.

Hindi nga biro ang banta sa buhay ng dugong bughaw na ito. Wala pang isang oras nang tumapak siya sa imperyo ay natunton na agad siya ng kalaban.

Mabilis akong bumaba ng kabayo at lumapit. Hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ko ang mga bahid ng dugong tumalsik sa magara niyang suot. It seems that they were ambushed while on the way to Marveille's entrance and got separated from their guards who tried to hold the assassins back allowing the prince to escape.

Deploying a group to act as bait and then assign quick runners to chase after the target. Quite the plan but so cliche.

Typical lowlife tricks.

I smirked.

Whoever are after this prince's life, I commend them for their quick intel and 'a little bit' smart strategy.

"Your highness...?" Nanunukat ang tinging humarang ako. I purposely decreased my aura's pressure to show that I mean no harm. I won't risk alerting his highness and trouble myself with explaining later on.

Nananantiya ang tinging ipinukol nito sa gawi ko. Nasalubong ko ang bughaw na bughaw niyang mga mata na agad akong sinuri. Sensing that I pose no threat, his guarded face eased slightly. Mabuti at naisipan kong isuot ang uniporme namin kaya siguro agad niya nahulaang mula ako sa palasyo.

"Who are you? Please... Whoever you are, save us! We just arrived but strange people came and blocked us before we could approach the entrance!"

Placing a tightly closed fist on my chest, I slightly bowed in a quick manner. A knight's greeting.

"I'm the knight assigned to escort you and ensure your safety upon entering the empire, your majesty. Just call me Jae."

"I'm not... Oh, well. That's a relief. However, let me clear one thing. I am the prince's--"

Iwinasiwas ko ang palad ko at tumingin nang diretso sa papalapit na mga assassins.

Hah! If not for this emergency, I'm sensing I would be reprimanded for daring to dismiss a royalty. Not that I cared, though.

Based on the man's extravagant clothes, there's no doubt he's the prince.

It's just that one thing seems weird. He looks dashing but he doesn't have that exuding aura that only royal's possess. Hindi siya yung tipong lilingunin mo talaga at pakatitigan. Maybe because of the fact that he's foreign to me. Not to mention that any guy, who's not as strong nor stronger than me, is not attractive in my eyes.

"Save that for later. I don't have time for a chitchat. Kailangan kong tapusin ang misyong ito para makalayas na ako at makapaglakbay kahit saan ko gustuhin."

Hindi na ako nag abalang sulyapan ang naging reaksiyon nito dahil mukhang wala naman siyang naunawaan sa huli kong sinabi.

"Stay behind me, your lordship."

Nagtaka pa itong tumingin sa'kin na para bang sinisiguro munang kaya kong mag-isang lumaban ngunit agad namang tumalima nang mabatid na hindi naman siguro magpapadala ng mahinang sundo ang imperyo para sa kanila. Pinalagutok ko ang mga daliri ko sa kamay.

Wala na akong sinayang na sandali at agad na pumuwesto sa harapan. Tama nga ang hinala ko dahil sampung mga nakaitim ang dumating pa kasunod ng tatlo kanina.

I know this group. They are hired assassins who moves in a tactical position. Three for chasing after the target and ten more to deal with the target's guards. They mostly hunt powerful people and just like their name, they kill fast and barely noticeable. The 13 Shadows.

That explains why none of this prince's guards were able to stand a chance against these notorious killers. They're skilled and fast but not enough for me to break a sweat.

Malas ng mga pangit na to dahil sila ngayon ang tatamaan ng inis ko.

These ugly piece of shiets!

Sanguis or not, everytime my sword is unsheathed, it has to draw blood. It's a shame if it'll be stained with the blood of these shameless creatures. They're really tired of living, ah!

Inilabas ko ang punyal na galing rin sa Order. Lagutok ng mga nabaling leeg, tunog ng mga nahiwang laman at mabibilis na galaw ang umalingawngaw kasabay ng paghihisterya ng kasama ko sa malayo. Ilang segundo lang ang dumaan at nakabulagta na ang sampu. Ni hindi man lang ako pinagpawisan.

Gaya ng inaasahan, itim ang kanilang mga dugo at putol ang mga dila. These people traded their souls to a demon and thus, they're no different from soulless monsters. Naging abo rin ang mga katawan nila kagaya ng mga nauna.

Napangiwi ako nang mapalingon sa kasama kong mukha nang lantang bulaklak. Unang beses kong makakita ng maharlikang nasusuka at tila hihimatayin na sa nasaksihan. Ngayon lang yata ito nakakita ng itim na dugo at brutal na pakikipagpatayan.

"Can you still walk, your grace?"

"That was... I-I need a moment to catch my breath."

"Take your time."

Mabuti naman at kaya pa nitong maglakad habang buhat ang isang bata sa kanyang likod.

I guided them to the direction of my horse while thinking of the easiest path towards the nearest inn within this area.

These two needed rest and we all reek of the stench of blood. A bath is what we really need right now.

I took off my blood-stained armor and threw it away. With a flick of my finger, it was swallowed by flames and turned into ashes.

I hate the smell of those stinking mutts on me. So much for saving this royal pain in the bangs.

~🥀~
*To be continued*