Chapter 99
TL/PR :Nesta/YoruNoTsuki
Getting the gist of Aymon’s mind, the Emperor lifted his sword and shouted.
“Stop all the other Shinsu from chasing the chief! Form a barrier and protect him from any attacks!”
“Yes sir!”
As he moved across the battlefield, the Imperial Army just behind Aymon firmly blocked the way. They held their sword with unwavering resolve and attacked all the other Shinsu. They’ve become a solid barrier to protect Aymon’s back.
Count Otoman tried to persuade the Imperial Army to pledge loyalty to him, but the Emperor remained as their sole object of loyalty.
In the meantime, Aymon became closer and closer to the two humans. The flustered Otoman desperately yelled.
“D-Don’t come near! Or else the Princess will die!”
It didn’t cross his mind that Aymon would ignore his warning and attack him head-on. He gradually lost his composure.
“If you come closer, I’ll really kill her!!”
Otoman pressed the dagger on Belinda’s neck. But he couldn’t hurt her because she was the only shield that could protect him from the black leopard.
Even the Shinsu, one that was supposed to protect them, was trampled under the paws of that black leopard. The Princess was his last card to control the beast. If he killed her, he would also die, right after.
Unsure of what to do, this situation drove him to extreme hesitation. Sweat dripped from the palm that held the dagger. Otoman adjusted the dagger that almost slipped from his hand and exhaled nervously.
Belinda didn’t miss the opportunity as soon as he got confused.
I have no intention of dying quietly in your hands.
She pushed Count Otoman with all her might. Otoman, who only focused on the black leopard, was caught off guard by Belinda’s sudden rebellion.
“You crazy b*tch!”
When Otoman lost his balance, he clenched his teeth and swung the dagger. Blood suddenly burst out of Belinda’s deeply cut collarbone.
Belinda pressed the wound tightly with her palm and stared down at him.
“You will never be the emperor!”
The moment Belinda said the last word of that sentence, the black beast attacked him.
A huge shadow covered his body at once, and red blood spurted out without giving him time to discern the situation.
Just once.
It ended with just one attack.
“Argh!”
Otoman struggled with pain as the sharp fangs and dagger-like claws pierced his body.
But soon his scream stopped as death came over him. His breathing was cut off along with a growling sound.
Aymon growled with murderous intent as he trampled on Count Otoman’s corpse. His eyes lit up a violent spark as if to mirror his burning rage.
Joseph also collapsed as soon as Count Otoman died. This is because their lives were connected through the magic stone in his stomach.
Thud.
Joseph’s lifeless body rolled on the ground. At the same time, the Shinsu stopped running wild. Reason began to return to their frenzied eyes.
The place that once reeked of violence was now enshrouded with bone-chilling silence.
Shanti muttered blankly.
「What the hell …….」
An incomprehensible situation unfolded in front of him.
Humans he didn’t kill were dead, and the bloody smell covered his whole body. His wounded body was throbbing with pain.
All the Shinsu who were released from control began to retract their claws with confused faces. Aware of this change, the Imperial Army also lowered their swords.
Through the silence, the Emperor and Lard approached. They came straight to Belinda and expressed their worries at the same time.
“Are you alright, Princess?”
“Belinda, are you okay?’
Lart took off his clothes and pressed Belinda’s wound with it. He grimaced as if he was holding off his tears.
He was very tough and determined when the war broke out, but he felt guilty over the fact that he failed to protect his sister which resulted in her being taken hostage.
The Emperor also watched his daughter and son anxiously. Both the prince and the emperor wanted to save Belinda before, but they couldn’t break through the Shinsu that had protected the two humans and only stamped their feet in frustration.
The Imperial Army who wanted to clear up the devastated area, approached Joseph’s collapsed body. They put their hand on Joseph’s neck, but they couldn’t feel the pulse.
However, to ensure Joseph’s passing, one of the knights picked up Lapyan’s sword next to Joseph’s body and used it to stab him deeply. But the army left without seeing the light leaking from Joseph’s wound gradually.
As soon as Aymon confirmed Count Otoman’s death, he ran toward Belinda while transforming back into human. He then embraced her tiny body tightly, ran his trembling fingers through her hair, and rubbed her cheeks.
“Breedee.”
Just to embrace her warmth. As if making sure she was breathing was the only source of relief to him right now.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you get hurt.”
The pained voice rang over in Belinda’s ears.
Belinda hugged Aymon in tears. She wrapped her arms around his strong back and felt the warmth. She let her entire body sink in the embrace of his blood-soaked body.
“Aymon.”
She was dizzy from the overflowing emotions.
Who cares about who when you’re hurt like this? Why are you worried about me when your body is full of scars? You have no idea how precious your body is!
The beast in front of her was miserable. Obviously, his arms were as wide as a mountain, and even though he was the one who held her in his arms, she was the one that wanted to hold him and comfort him.
She felt sad and resentful at the same time.
If he hadn’t persisted to protect humans and the Shinsu, he wouldn’t have been hurt this much. It was selfish, but she couldn’t help it as the fact ripped her heart to pieces.
“You, worry about yourself. You…..”
She knew that she shouldn’t let out her resentment like this, but her resentment broke out uncontrollably. She faced the wounded man for a moment and buried her face on his chest. He reeked of blood, but she hugged him without any hesitation.
Aymon lowered his gaze in silence as he was exhausted. He kissed her ear ardently, and only then the tightening tension of his body slowly subsided.
Belinda calmly pulled away.
“But Aymon. The blood…”
She originally thought the dizzying blood smell from him belonged to others. However, the blood that soaked his body was so hot that her fingertips were shaking.
It was your blood.
Belinda frowned as she caressed his cheeks. She even had to watch where she touched him.
How many wounds do you have?
A smile rose on Aymon’s bloodied face. He read the worries in her eyes.
“I’m okay. I’ll get well in no time. I’m the Great Shinsu, after all.”
He whispered playfully, but Belinda couldn’t even bear to face his smile.
“Oh, my god. What to do….”
He paid a huge price for trying to protect everyone. A wound that did not heal easily even with the Shinsu’s regenerative ability was deeply engraved on his body.
“What should I do with this….”
Belinda fumbled around Aymon’s hem clumsily.
Just the small scratch that I got from Count Otoman hurts so much, but look at you.
Her trembling eyelashes were wet. Hot tears welled up her eyes and fell down.
“I’m really okay, Breedee.”
Aymon pulled her into his embrace again, but Belinda carefully pushed him away. She was terrified to touch Aymon’s open wound and hurt him now that she became aware of his wounds’ state.
However, despite her rejection, Aymon spread his arms again to embrace her.
“Hug me again please, hmm?”
There was even a weak plea in his playful voice.
Belinda couldn’t push him away twice and relaxed her body. She also spread her arms carefully and hugged him back.
“Aymon, Aymon.”
She called his name with all her might.
However, her mournful voice didn’t last until the end.
“Ah….!”
Belinda’s body stumbled before collapsing.
It happened in a blink of an eye. She collapsed slowly without a single groan at the pain that pierced her body.
She looked down to her chest and saw her dress starting to turn red and the tip of the spear sticking out of her chest.
“I remember everything! You punks! All of you who deceived me and killed me!”
A vicious voice rang behind her back. It came from Joseph, the man who stabbed Belinda with a spear.
Joseph, the man who was supposed to be dead. Lapyan’s sword was stuck in his chest. He was stabbed by a knight to confirm his death not too long ago.
However, that very act brought his life back. The divine power flowing from the sword healed his wound and replenished his blood.
Joseph’s memory returned along with his new life. A very long time ago. About Lapyan’s betrayal and Barahan’s death. His death.
Joseph looked at Belinda’s back and adjusted his blurry vision. When he saw her collapsing in Aymon’s arms, he let out an exhilarated cry.
A wicked triumph took over him.
This time, I will finish them for good!
Lapyan, who became a weak human being, and black leopard, who was covered with wounds. An evil smile spread over the fact that he could send these two to the afterlife this time.
Neither the magic stone in his stomach or any wounds inflicted to his human form could hold him back now that he had achieved his true power.
“You must have thought you won, right?”
Barahan laughed hysterically. The seeds of hatred that he sowed after being trapped in the cycle of life and death, finally bore fruit.
At last, it was time for a definite victory.
Aymon couldn’t even speak. He just stared vacantly at Belinda, who collapsed in his arms.
“Breedee….?”
Why is Belinda’s face so pale? I don’t know why you stumbled weakly like this. No, I don’t even want to know!
His vision was blurred.
“Belinda..!”
“Grab that man!”
Lart, who belatedly grasped the situation, roared.
Aymon couldn’t hear anything. It felt like someone hit his head strongly.
“Breedee.”
Aymon barely whispered her name. But there was no answer again.
He stroked her cheeks with trembling fingers. It was still warm. But she didn’t open her eyes to look at him, nor opened her dry lips to answer him until the end.
His heart beat went very slowly like a dead man. His body trembled at the sudden chill. His head was throbbing as if someone was grabbing him by the collar and shaking him up.