The three guards attacked with fierce determination, each moving in sync to maximize their chances. The A-rank with regeneration abilities charged head-on, his dual aura-coated katanas flashing under the dim light. His strikes were relentless, each swing aimed at vital areas. Yet, as expected, his blades passed straight through her, finding no purchase. The other two guards flanked her, the fire mage launching streams of searing flames while the teleportation user darted in and out, attempting surprise strikes. Their combined efforts should have overwhelmed any opponent, yet she remained untouched. Her form flickered almost lazily, her exhaustion apparent in the way she moved, yet none of their attacks landed. “Damn it!” The fire mage hissed, unleashing a massive fireball. It exploded on impact, filling the hallway with smoke and heat. But as the dust settled, she stood there, completely unharmed, her black and white cloak barely ruffled. “Are you done?” she muttered, sounding more

Two figures dashed hastily through the hallway."We're getting close. Be careful," Elora said, her voice tinged with urgency.Art nodded, already aware of the situation. He could feel the intense mana emanating from up ahead—proof that the fight had begun.‘Did we really have to come? I can tell the guards fighting the intruders are strong. They should be able to handle it,’ Art thought as they neared their destination. ‘Well, no harm in spectating a bit of action.’Moments later, they arrived, slightly out of breath from the constant running. But the scene before them was not what they expected.Blood pooled across the floor, bodies scattered like discarded dolls. At the center of the carnage stood a lone woman.Not far from her was a man, his face twisted in disbelief.‘Why does he have such a silly expression?’ Art wondered before realization struck. ‘Oh, she’s the princess. Now that I think of it, this was a dumb move. I should’ve stopped her from coming. That guy is definitely cu

Art could barely catch his breath after the punch. “Didn’t she say she wouldn’t kill me?” The skin of his true body art disappeared along with his true weapon. 'Two—no, one more blow like this could actually end his life. ' He wanted to speak up, but he couldn’t. ‘So I couldn’t help them in the end. Well, I did my best.’ No one could blame him for whatever happened next. But the fact that his heroic deed wasn’t being witnessed wasn’t a good thing. Just then, he heard a voice in the large hallway. “To think things have gotten to this level,” a man said, walking through the bloodied unconscious guards before stopping in front of the S-rank guard. “She got you as well.” “I’m sorry. I was incompetent. But be careful. Her abilities…” The head guard could barely finish before losing the last bit of his consciousness. “It’s a good thing His Majesty sent me here. This is the end of the line for you,” Krai declared. After being sent out by the king, he headed as quickly as he

Art checked himself one last time in the mirror.His appearance was unusual, and that was because he was dressed in formal clothing.The reason for this was the grand occasion taking place in the palace.Yes, he was still here. The attack on the palace had happened the day before yesterday, and the palace was already nearly recovered.But the lives lost could never be recovered.After the attack, he had been held captive as a potential suspect. He spent most of yesterday morning being questioned, and in the end, he was deemed a friend of the kingdom— even a hero for protecting Elora and Erwin. It was a little more complicated than that, but who was he to deny such an honor?Later today, all those who fought for the kingdom were going to be rewarded, so he had to get ready.At this moment, a large conference was being held somewhere in the palace.All the great families had to attend, along with some of the Swords and the Supreme Guard.Which meant a lot of very powerful people were

'No! No! No! No! No!' Art raged internally.He knew they were going to be rewarded, but he hadn’t expected to be called out in front of so many important figures.What would happen to his plan of staying hidden? This wasn’t what he wanted.Elora and Erwin were escorted in just after the announcement.Those who had protected the young royal siblings stepped forward, led by the head guard—who had lost an arm. The regeneration-attribute guard was also present, along with a few others.A total of three out of the seven guards had died, leaving only four stepping out. Excluding Art, who decided to try and sit this one out.'What the hell is he up to now?' The head guard shot him a glare, but Art ignored it.The king drew in a breath, then spoke, his voice steady yet heavy with meaning."You have done more than fulfill your duty. You have bled, fought, and endured hardship not for glory, not for coin, but for something far greater—my children, your future rulers, the heirs of this kingdom.