Peace Hunter

"What did you say? A massive horde of demons is attacking the San Lucia region?" Duke Louis asked, startled.

Queen Kayana, along with the other dukes and duchesses who happened to overhear Duke Louis's conversation, were equally shocked.

"What? The San Lucia region is under attack by a massive horde of demons?" Queen Kayana asked in astonishment.

Despite the shock felt by Queen Kayana and the other nobles upon hearing the conversation, Duke Louis continued speaking with Commander Mina via the communication crystal.

"Immediately order your troops to attack the demons assaulting the San Lucia city and to protect the residents living there; your duty and that of your subordinates is to safeguard the city. As for other areas within the San Lucia region, coordinate at once with Commander Allister and ask his troops to engage the demons and protect the local populace. My own forces are insufficient compared to the Storm Leopard troops, so you and your subordinates must focus on guarding and protecting the San Lucia city,"

"Thank you for the report, Mina. I will discuss this matter with Her Majesty. I am ending the call now," Duke Louis said.

Duke Louis ended the call with Commander Mina and returned the communication crystal to his pocket. Seeing that he had finished, Queen Kayana immediately turned to him.

"Is it true, Lord Louis? I gathered from your conversation just now that the San Lucia region is being attacked by a massive horde of demons," Queen Kayana said.

"Yes, that is correct, Your Majesty. Mina, the commander of my knights, received word that cities and villages within the San Lucia territory are under attack. She has just informed me that the San Lucia city, where I reside is currently being assaulted as well. I have ordered her to engage the invading demons. I also instructed her to coordinate with Commander Allister to combat the demons attacking other settlements in the region, as my own forces are insufficient to handle the threats across the entire territory; my knights are only enough to guard and protect theSan Lucia city itself," said Duke Louis.

"You acted rightly, Lord Louis. It is indeed your knights' duty to protect and guard your own city and residence. As for the other city and villages in the San Lucia territory, leave them to Allister and the Storm Leopard troops," said Queen Kayana.

"Very well, Your Majesty," said Duke Louis.

"However, upon learning that the force attacking the San Lucia territory consists of a massive swarm of demons, specifically artificial ones created by the mastermind behind the plot to assassinate me and the entire San Lucia family, it appears the enemy has finally resumed operations after two years of inactivity. This time, their apparent objective is the San Lucia family residing in the San Lucia city. Yet, they are not limiting their assault to the city itself; they are attacking other villages and cities as well. It seems their strategy is to prevent our knights from focusing solely on the defense of San Lucia city by forcing them to disperse and protect outlying areas. By drawing our forces away to defend other locations, they intend to leave San Lucia city vulnerable and easier to attack due to the reduced garrison,"

"Sir Oliver, contact Asier, Keira, and Ivana immediately. Order them to dispatch their troops to the San Lucia territory to help defeat the invading demons. Also, instruct them to send their elite warriors to the San Lucia city to protect both the city and the San Lucia family, the targets of this assassination plot," Queen Kayana commanded.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," replied Commander Oliver, who was standing behind Queen Kayana.

"Since the enemy has made a move, we must strike back with full force. Defeat their demons and do not allow a single member of the San Lucia family in the city to be killed," Queen Kayana declared.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Commander Oliver acknowledged.

With that, Commander Oliver immediately hurried off to contact Commanders Asier, Ivana, and Keira.

"It has been nearly two years since he and those artificial demons last made a move, but now he is active again. I never expected him to plan an attack on the San Lucia territory while the academy tournament is underway. It seems they were waiting for the moment when you and Miss Arlet were away from the San Lucia city, Lord Louis," said Queen Kayana.

"It appears so, Your Majesty. Fortunately, I didn't take Mina with me to watch the academy tournament; instead, I had her stay behind to guard my estate. Her abilities will be invaluable in fighting the demons attacking San Lucia. Even so, I remain deeply concerned about the city and the territory of San Lucia," said Duke Louis.

"You need not worry, Lord Louis. I have already ordered Sir Oliver to contact Asier, Ivana, and Keira immediately and have them dispatch their troops to the San Lucia territory. They will soon arrive to help deal with the demons attacking the region, including the city itself," said Queen Kayana.

"Very well, Your Majesty," said Duke Louis.

Just then, a bright light emanated from the pocket of Duke Neil, the Duke of San Angela. It wasn't just Duke Neil's pocket; bright light also shone from the pockets of Duke Dylan and Duke Remy. They immediately checked the pockets emitting the glow, retrieving the communication crystals that were lighting up. A glowing crystal signaled an incoming call. All three of them promptly answered and began speaking with the callers.

"What did you say? The city and territory of San Angela are under attack by a massive horde of demons?" asked Duke Neil, shocked.

"You can't be serious. You're saying the city and territory of San Quentine are being attacked by a multitude of beings with demonic traits?" asked Duke Remy, astonished.

"You aren't lying, are you? You say the city and territory of San Minerva are under attack by a horde of demons?" asked Duke Dylan, stunned.

The three of them continued their conversations, their faces filled with shock. Meanwhile, Queen Kayana, having overheard their conversation, also appeared visibly shocked.

"Are the San Angela, San Quentine, and San Minerva territories also under attack by demons?" Queen Kayana asked in astonishment.

Just then, Commander Oliver hurriedly approached Queen Kayana.

"Your Majesty, I have just received a report. Asier reported that the San Angela territory is currently under attack by a horde of demons; consequently, he cannot dispatch his troops to San Lucia, as they are already engaged in fighting the demons attacking San Angela. It is the same situation with Keira and Ivana; they reported that the San Minerva and San Quentine territories are also being attacked by demon hordes, so they too are unable to send troops to San Lucia."

"Furthermore, I have received reports indicating that the attacks are not limited to San Lucia, San Angela, San Minerva, and San Quentine; several locations within the capital, San Estella, are also under attack," Commander Oliver said, looking visibly panicked.

Queen Kayana was deeply shocked upon hearing Commander Oliver's words.

"Not only San Lucia, but San Angela, San Minerva, San Quentine, and even the capital, San Estella, are being attacked by massive hordes of demons? What on earth is happening?" Queen Kayana asked in shock.

"I have also received information that it is not just demons doing the attacking, Your Majesty. There are individuals dressed as nobles who are participating in the assault. They display no demonic physical traits, so it appears they are ordinary humans," Commander Oliver stated.

"It seems those nobles are displeased with the new regulations I’ve implemented. They appear to be colluding with the very person who plotted the assassination attempt against me and the entire San Lucia family. They are cooperating because they wish to see me removed too, and now they have launched a rebellion, joining in the attacks on territories across the kingdom."

"This cannot be allowed to continue; I must take action against them. First, given the chaos unfolding outside caused by attacks from both demons and these rebellious nobles, I will suspend the academy tournament for the time being," Queen Kayana declared.

Queen Kayana intended to rush to the center of the tournament arena to inform everyone present of what she had just learned. However, before she could make her way there, Duke Louis quickly approached her.

"Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty, but there is something I must say. I cannot simply stand idly by here. I must return to the San Lucia city; I have to protect my entire family there," said Duke Louis.

"I am coming too; I must also protect the other members of the San Lucia family residing in the city," added Duchess Arlet.

"You two..... Very well. If you wish to return to San Lucia, I grant you permi—" Queen Kayana began.

Just as Queen Kayana was about to finish her sentence, a thunderous crash suddenly rang out, startling everyone present at the academy's tournament grounds.

*BOOM*

"What was that?!" Queen Kayana asked.

-

Meanwhile, at the academy gates.

The gates lay in ruins, and the area was thick with smoke and dust. Inside the grounds, not far from the wreckage, Miss Violetta stood gazing toward the destroyed, smoke-filled entrance. She had sustained numerous injuries; blood was still streaming from wounds on her right arm and the right side of her abdomen.

"I never imagined you would launch such a massive attack on the academy," Miss Violetta said, staring into the smoke-shrouded gateway.

She prepared to strike with her sword, seemingly unconcerned by the wounds covering her body.

Moments later, the smoke and dust obscuring the ruined gates began to clear. As it dissipated, knights and others who had been near the entrance were revealed lying on the ground, drenched in blood; some had even lost limbs. Nearby, several figures stood watching Miss Violetta. The group consisted of King Albert, Duchess Harriet, Duchess Claret, Commander Marshall, Florian, and Princess Amelia. Each of them held their respective weapons, their gazes fixed on Miss Violetta.

"I never expected that you, fugitives for the past two years, would brazenly attack the academy. But what shocked me even more was seeing 'you'. Amelia, why are you with them?! And what has happened to your body, Amelia?! Why do you bear the physical traits of the Demon race?! Answer me, Amelia!" Miss Violetta shouted.

Miss Violetta was stunned to see that Princess Amelia, her own younger sister, now possessed the physical characteristics of a demon, such as black tattoos appearing on her body and eyes that had turned pitch-black. These traits indicated that Princess Amelia had transformed into a demon, a revelation that left Miss Violetta in shock.

Meanwhile, Princess Amelia remained silent, offering no response to Miss Violetta’s words. She then transformed her rapier into a spiked whip and immediately launched an attack at Miss Violetta. However, the strike failed to land, as Miss Violetta managed to block it with her sword. The two weapons remained locked in a clash of strength, and Miss Violetta appeared to be struggling slightly to hold back the whip.

"This attack is stronger than I anticipated," Miss Violetta thought.

She continued to hold off the whip with her sword. Just then, King Albert darted rapidly toward her, preparing to strike her down with his own sword. Miss Violetta had no time to react, as her focus was entirely consumed by blocking Princess Amelia's whip. King Albert’s sword was on the verge of striking her defenseless body.

However, just as King Albert's sword was about to strike Miss Violetta, it suddenly came to a halt. It wasn't just the sword that stopped; King Albert himself was immobilized, bound by vines that had abruptly erupted from the ground.

King Albert was not the only one; Duchess Harriet, Duchess Claret, Commander Marshall, Florian, and Princess Amelia were also ensnared by vines rising from the earth beneath their feet, making it difficult for them to move. Consequently, the force of Princess Amelia's whip attack waned, allowing Miss Violetta to instantly swat the weapon aside with her sword. She then turned her gaze toward the group trapped by the vines.

"That magic..." Miss Violetta murmured.

"It looks like you're having some trouble, Violetta," said a woman's voice from behind her.

Miss Violetta then turned around and saw Miss Karina standing behind her.

"Miss Karina," said Miss Violetta.

"I will help you take care of them," said Miss Karina.

-To be continued

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