Chapter 181
As he carefully checked her condition, Calix’s expression once again twisted with anger.
“…You’re hurt?”
At the words spat out through gritted teeth, Lea’s shoulders jerked up on their own. His expression was anything but calm.
“Your Highness, I’m fine. But I think we should leave this place first.”
It wasn’t as if she didn’t know his abilities. However, this wasn’t a place for a one-on-one duel—it was a battlefield. No matter how strong an Esper was, in this environment, a coordinated attack could bring anyone down.
Lea’s advice only spurred him on even more. Calix, his expression turning icy, spoke to her.
“Are you telling me to run away like a coward and leave behind those who did this to you?”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
“I have no intention of letting those who laid a hand on what’s mine go free.”
That wasn’t something he meant only for Leonis. This was just the beginning. All the nobles who had tormented Lea and himself, and eventually even Bianca and the Emperor. He intended to pay them all back, one by one.
For Calix, Kyle was just one more piece among many he couldn’t simply overlook.
“Your Highness.”
As Lea tried to stop him again, Calix sent her flying far away with his wind ability. The moment focus returned to Kyle’s eyes, who had briefly lost consciousness, Calix unleashed a full-scale assault with his wind ability.
Transparent blades rained down around Kyle. Trees, rocks, and every living thing nearby were sliced apart. More than half of the subordinates who had moved with Kyle had their heads severed or limbs torn off in that attack.
“S**t!”
Enraged, Kyle unleashed his own power. The earth surged up, hardening like stone as it flew toward Calix. Heavy clumps of earth were hurled at him.
Instead of dodging, Calix blocked with a wall of wind, killing any Leonis soldiers he found. As Calix’s destruction intensified, Kyle’s expression grew more and more twisted.
It seemed the Cantabrian Crown Prince’s power was not normal. He even thought Calix’s rank might be higher than his own brother, the Leonis Crown Prince. Suddenly, Calix’s striking features appeared right in front of him.
“What?!”
Kyle didn’t even realize his front had been breached. He tried to retreat, but Calix was faster. Instead of using his abilities, Calix swung his fist.
Wham—!
A punch landed, snapping Kyle’s face to the side. Swallowing a groan as he felt a tooth break, Kyle took a barrage of blows helplessly.
The two moved freely using wind and earth, never stopping their attacks. Watching them nervously from a nearby tree, Lea could do nothing but observe.
She was frustrated that she couldn’t climb down alone. Regretting that she hadn’t bought a magic tool for times like this, she suddenly spotted a squad approaching in the distance.
With a frightening look to rival Calix’s, Zion was tracking Calix’s trail at incredible speed. Quickly spotting Lea in the tree, he skillfully climbed up and wrapped an arm tightly around her waist.
“Ha…”
Holding Lea in an awkward position, not sure whether to pull her in or let her go, he checked her condition. Seeing the mark on her temple and the blood that had dried, veins bulged on Zion’s forehead and neck.
“…You’re safe now, Lady Lea. We’re here.”
At his words, Lea could see the others climbing up behind him. Derek, Ilion, Eric, and other Espers were dealing with the remaining Leonis subordinates.
Zion, holding Lea tightly, prepared to move her. But Lea couldn’t leave just yet. She was worried about Calix, who was fighting Kyle like he’d lost his mind.
“…Zion. Please stop His Highness.”
“Why should I?”
Normally, Zion would have agreed to anything Lea asked, but not this time. If Calix had realized the enemy’s movements any later, Lea might have been taken from them.
What use were other Guides to him now?
He could no longer accept guiding from anyone else. He wanted to receive guiding only from Lea, the one he acknowledged. The possessiveness he’d never shown to Calix filled his head.
With a twisted smile, Zion coldly asked again.
“Why? Why should we spare that bastard?”
Realizing what Lea truly meant, Zion waited for her answer. Taking a deep breath, Lea replied honestly.
“There has to be a margin left.”
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