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Author's note: The chapters from here on will be longer than usual, especially this chapter. I got too immersed in writing, oops.

***

Cecil read the unsettling messages splattered across her vision, frowning.

[ Warning! If the elderly couple dies, it will interfere with Mission #7! Once it escalates further, Zasiok will lose his life as well and the mission will be forfeited automatically. ]

[ If so, you will be punished for having negative points. The punishment must not be underestimated. ]

"AI500, you are asking me to commit treason!"

[ The punishment is not to be taken lightly. ]

"You want me to drag the precious heroine and the great lord protagonist in this too?!"

[ The punishment will be waiting~ ]

"I'm dead either way, aren't I?"

[ You can choose between the punishment and the protagonist~ ]

Cecil wanted to cry.

She knew she had no choice but to move, she didn't know if she could withstand the punishment. Moreover, she didn't have the heart to stand by and watch as two frail elderly getting executed.

***


"Are you trying to get involved with another one of "me" again? Even after all that happened?"

Cecil stared at Xue, her expression a mixture of confusion and guilt.

"I...I am just..."

She trailed off, she couldn't deny that she wanted to get involved once again, for various reasons.

First, the annoying system she had in her mind, and secondly, her morals, and lastly, avoiding the dreaded punishment. Moreover, Zasiok was still part of the protagonist no matter what. How could she stand by and watch as his parents are murdered right before his eyes?

"Zasiok!" A pitiful voice croaked out from his mother.

Cecil spun around, seeing the two guards glancing at one another, nodding.

"Any last words?" The guards questioned the elderly couple who were sobbing.

Zasiok was roaring at the guards and the king, his eyes wide in fury as he gnashed his teeth. There was blood dripping out from his mouth from struggling too much with his battered body, but Zasiok clearly didn't care.

Cecil extricated her wrist from Xue, but the man only tightened his grip and dragged her back.

[ Previous impression points : 70
Remaining impression points : 60
Protagonist "Xue" dislikes your involvement. ]

Making a helpless noise, she turned back to Xue. "I can't just stand by and watch--"

"Why?"

"They don't deserve to die like this, and in front of their son!"

"If you get involved, you'll be committing treason, just like them."

"I know! Bu-but I don't have the heart to--"

"You want to drag me and Hana in it too? What if they aren't innocent after all?"

Cecil began to hesitate. She glanced between the elderly couple and Xue, becoming distressed.

She was torn between her own morals and her own loyalty. Xue might even right about them, they may not be innocent after all. However, she still unconsciously believed Zasiok was being framed.

Her hesitance only made Xue more upset, and his mood took a dive.

"If I end up doing something, the...the two of you have to pretend you don't know any of this." Cecil spoke with a hint of desperation. "Insist that you aren't involved with me. No matter what."

His hand on her wrist shook lightly, his face contorting. "...wh-what?"

"I'm sorry, Xue."

Hearing that apology, something snapped within Xue.

"Are you crazy? What makes you think I'll do that?"

"It's the only choice not to--"

He tightened his grip on her, pulling her closer and Cecil gasped.

"Shut up, I don't care!" Xue growled, his breath blowing on her face. "All you need to do is quietly stay by my side!"

"..."

The two of them went still.

Xue's eyes grew wide in disbelief.

What the hell am I saying?

He thought, staring at Cecil.

"What did you...just say?" Cecil asked, equally shocked.

Xue inhaled sharply, hastily releasing Cecil, recoiling back as if he had been scalded.

At that same moment, a droplet of water landed on Cecil's cheek, and she flinched. It was then she noticed a large blob of water behind Xue. She also noted how her wet and sticky clothes suddenly became dry, and the blanket around her felt warmer.

Cecil heard a desperate cry, and she spun around, seeing the guards charging their javelins down at the hapless elderly couple.

All of a sudden, a huge wave of water attacked the two guards, knocking them off their feet, and their javelins flew out from their grips. The guards scrambled out of the way, not wanting to be pierced by the javelins.

Everyone turned to look at the culprit, and they saw a beautiful, red-haired woman standing amongst the crowd, her hands moving about as she controlled the water. She bit on her lower lip, throwing the mass of liquid aside, her beady blue eyes unusually bright with determination.

When Hana realised the eyes on her, she straightened her body, blinking innocently. "I can't stand by and watch them die!"

The king clenched his jaw, he never liked the guests ever since their first encounter in the dungeon.

"Hurry up and kill them, and detain that woman!"

Cecil was nonplussed at the unexpected development from Hana. In the novel, Hana would only speak out or empathize with them, but she never directly involved herself in such a manner.

She knew, it was all because Hana attended the academy lessons, and she learnt how to fight on her very own. She was surprised how a small deviaiton from the plot could make such a significant difference.

Upon hearing the king's words, Hana panicked. "Ar-arrest me? But why would you kill them? What have they done wrong?"

Cecil heard those words, and it hit her hard right in her chest. Once again, the heroine caught her off guard.

Hana is right.

What am I doing? Why was I even hesitating? Even the heroine has made her move to help voluntarily.

Treason, punishment or whatever, this isn't right. This elderly couple hasn't done anything wrong, they are clearly innocent and helpless at this moment.

She flicked her wrists, her eyes fixed on the two new guards that were aiming for the elderly couple. They were flung away by a stone wall that shot up from the ground. At the same time, Cecil controlled her rock, swinging it towards Hana's direction.

Someone approached behind Hana, and Hana fumbled about, she didn't know if she should retaliate or allow herself to be arrested. She gripped at her shawl, a woeful look on her face. Just then, a rock whooshed past her, and the guard raised his javelin to shield himself from the small rock.

Hana instantly recognised that distinctive rock, her face lighting up.

Hana took it as an affirmative answer from Cecil, that she could defend herself if she wanted to. Drenching the shawl with the water from the royal spring, Hana swung it at the next guard who tried to approach her.

Cecil flashed a smile at Hana, and she switched directions, aiming the rock at the guards who were holding Zasiok back. The guards avoided the rock instinctively, causing their control to loosen and Zasiok broke free easily.

Within seconds, chaos had ensued and the king grew pale, droplets of sweat forming on his forehead. Meanwhile, the queen was still drowning in her own misery, and Kian could only comfort her, watching the situation unfold, relief flooding his eyes.

Kian turned to the queen, whispering lowly in her ears.

Meanwhile, the king pointed his finger shakily at the soldiers. "Hurry, you imbeciles! Kill them, kill Zasiok, and do whatever it takes to detain those guests!" He commanded, his voice increasing in pitch and he glanced at the queen, still wary. "Detain those guests but do not hurt them!"

The soldiers wanted to cry at the king's unreasonable order.

***

Hana could barely handle defending herself and defending the elderly couple, hence, Cecil quickly joined in to aid her. On the other hand, Zasiok was busy fighting off the soldiers as well, while trying to escort his parents away safely.

The only person who didn't move was Xue, who was still trying to recover from what he said to Cecil. He stared at his hand that gripped Cecil earlier, tilting his head and his expression seemed strange.

"All you need to do is quietly stay by my side!"

Xue recalled the words he said, his face twisting in confusion.

Why do I want her by my side?

A soldier tried to attack him, but without even looking, Xue blocked the attack with his spear and kicked the soldier away.

Amidst the chaos, the king turned his attention to the distraught queen once again, but she wasn't there anymore.

He sneered, his eyes shining wickedly.

She's not here anymore, very good.

"Forget it, kill them all! Even the guests, they are committing treason! Especially those two women, spare them no mercy!"

Xue snapped out from his reverie when he heard those words from the king.

His eyes grew dark.

***

The tides eventually turned, the soldiers going full offensive, and it became a disorderly elemental battle between earth, fire, water and air. It was three of them against dozens of soldiers, who possessed different elemental powers.

Thus, the three of them found themselves being forced back.

Hana slipped up, missing the chance to defend herself and she gasped audibly. The javelin was charging right at her, and she could only squeeze her eyes close to brace for impact.

Clang!

Hana heard the distinctive ringing sound of metal clashing, and she sensed a presence beside her, protecting her. She lifted her eyes open, knowing it was Xue.

"Xue!"

Xue eyed the soldier coldly, and the soldier retreated, preparing to use his elemental powers. Xue predicted his moves, easily disarming him and knocking him out with a punch.

Hana smiled, her eyes wandering over to Cecil and she instantly gasped.

"Cecil! Look out!"

Cecil was currently surrounded, spinning her rock around her. Her originally clean clothes had been smudged with dirt, and her hair was slightly tousled, despite that, she still appeared callous and beautiful.

She scanned the soldiers around her, cautious, scruntising them for any hand movements. The moment a soldier moved their hands, she chased them down without hesitation.

At that moment, a few soldiers nodded discreetly at one another; those that were out of Cecil's sight. She wasn't tall enough to be able to spot them all. They started to move their hands in a uniform manner.

Something doesn't feel right, why are they backing off suddenly?

Cecil became apprehensive, and she decided to increase the speed of her rock, as well as its range. She then felt some resistance around the rock, and she hurriedly dodged, alas, she was too late.

She yelped, feeling herself being tossed into the air as an unseen force struck her on the back.

Damn!

If only there were more trees around here, I could at least summon the vines to help me. These few measly decorative trees won't be able to help me...

Cecil lamented, finding herself tumbling through the air once again.

And their air attacks really hurts...

Cecil sniffled in her mind, feeling the slight throb on her back.

"Oh my god, Cecil!" Hana exclaimed in alarm, covering her mouth.

The two voices within Xue exclaimed in the manner like Hana.

Xue was already dashing towards Cecil, his expression glum. However, he skidded to a stop when he saw a figure behind Cecil in the air, reaching out his bruised, muscular arms to catch her.

Xue clicked his tongue, his grey eyes stomier than usual. He spun around, facing Hana.

"Stay beside me," he muttered lowly, grasping Hana's hand. "We need to get out."

Hana nodded, growing nervous, squeezing his hand and staring at Xue.

Xue is becoming more and more unhappy, ever since Cecil was held hostage.

Hana knew the Xue at the current moment, was rather...unstable.

Relying on brute force, Xue found a way out. Moreover, he wasn't being the slightest bit gentle in forcing his way out. Some of the soldiers even scampered off in fear.

They were afraid of losing their limbs trying to defend themselves from him.

Whereas, the king took one glance at Xue, and distanced himself from Xue as quickly as possible.

Sc-scary! That's too scary!

How is there such a student in the academy? He is swatting our soldiers away like flies! How is he so ridiculously strong?!

Xue scoured the soldiers, and there was a deadly glint present in his eyes as he finally spotted something. He released Hana abruptly, surging forward as he clutched his spear.

The soldiers that tried to fight back were hurled aside like nothing, the smarter ones avoided him with an alarmed cry.

He halted in front of four soldiers that were observing him in fear. Xue stared at them, his face aloof and the braver one among them rushed at Xue.

Xue sidestepped the soldier, gripping his arm and twisting it, his movements were precise. The soldier cried out in pain, dropping his javelin and Xue proceeded to toss the same soldier back to his comrades.

"It's the four of you," Xue spoke, his voice chilling. "You harmed her."

The soldiers glanced at one another as they supported their comrade, feeling uneasy. Their comrade was considered one of the top few fighters among them, yet Xue threw him off so easily; almost breaking his arm.

The soldiers didn't feel confident taking him on anymore.

They watched as the powerful, ash blonde-haired man directed his eyes to a raven-haired beauty in the crowd.

His eyes softened ever so faintly.

She is safe and sound.

His eyes then hardened as they wandered over to Zasiok.

At least the bastard did something right, for once--

At that moment, Xue noted the way Cecil rubbed at her back, wincing visibly. That small, pained action carved itself into Xue's mind.

When he turned back, his expression has changed completely.

The soldiers blanched.

"Sh-she's safe, isn't she? She wasn't hurt." One of them stuttered.

"You can spare us, right?" Another one questioned in a pleading manner.

Xue smiled menacingly. "Why should I?"

He proceeded to mow them down.

The warning from Cecil, to never kill in front of Hana, did not matter to him anymore.

***

《 start 》

Those who harms you, those who wishes for your death.

I will make them disappear.

No one can take you away from me.

Not them.

Not anyone.

Not even you.

Why am I even thinking like this?

It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter...because I do not dislike it at all.

《 stop 》

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