Chapter 625: Chapter 625 - A Princess Without a Crown
Chapter 625: Chapter 625 - A Princess Without a Crown
Pawpaw swiftly obeyed Broken's command, slipping into the shadows to survey the area. When he returned, his report was grim: there were a dozen bandits scattered strategically throughout the forest.
They appeared poised to attack at any moment, and their arsenal included long-range weapons, giving them the capability to launch a coordinated assault when needed.
Escape was not an option. If Broken attempted to flee, the bandits would undoubtedly pursue him, dragging the situation into an unavoidable battle. Confronting them head-on seemed to be the only path forward.
But time was against him. He glanced at his system clock, realizing he had only twenty minutes left before a forced logout. Worse, with battle mode still active, there wasn't enough time to safely enter the Unseen Universe of Moonlight and ensure Princess Alora's protection. Leaving her outside, vulnerable to danger, was simply out of the question. He couldn't allow her to face potential threats in his absence. She needed guaranteed access to the Unseen Universe of Moonlight before he disconnected.
Broken muttered softly, just loud enough for Aerin to hear, "There are about fifty people... They've got us surrounded."
Aerin responded calmly. "Please remember, I am Aerin."
She paused, then added, "Because I am Aerin, and you are the leader of this expedition, I will follow whatever decision you make."
Broken gave a slow nod, his expression betraying the weight of his concern, though it was clear Aerin had understood the depth of his unease.
Straightening, he lifted his head and locked eyes with the man before them.
"So, have you made up your mind?" the man asked. "I'm sure you won't want to miss this opportunity, right? Please... don't resort to violence; we really don't appreciate it."
"I don't accept your offer. Kindly leave now, and take all your companions hiding in the shadows with you."
The man's grin faltered, replaced by a solemn expression. "Ah... it seems gentle persuasion won't do the trick."
Without a moment's hesitation, Broken took out a gleaming sword, gripping it firmly with both hands.
[+9 Iron Heart Sword]
[Grade: Elite]
[Attack Power: 118~141]
[Durability: 100/100]
[Weight: 320]
[...]
"Do you really think we'll be intimidated by that? We're not fools. We know you're carrying valuable treasures-you came here on a flying Spirit Beast, after all. Just hand over everything, and this will all be over quickly."
Broken inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, his expression softening into an almost serene smile. "Thank you. That's exactly what I needed to hear-proof that you're openly attempting to rob us."
He lowered his voice, murmuring under his breath, "Very well, Pawpaw. Go ahead and take them all out. Leave no one alive."
Pawpaw's response came instantly. "Yes, Broken! I'd love nothing more!"
Shadows began to stretch across the ground, spreading like storm clouds creeping forward. As it grew, the darkness solidified, taking the form of a massive demon cat.
The cat's claws lashed out with blinding speed, striking each bandit in rapid succession. Chaos followed wherever the shadow moved. Trails of blood marked its path as its attacks tore through its victims effortlessly, leaving no time for retaliation.
Panic gripped the bandits as the monstrous creature unleashed its fury. Their faces twisted in terror, and frantic cries erupted as they watched their comrades fall one after another.
"What is that?! A demon! A demon!" one of them screamed.
Aerin stood silently beside Broken, her head lowered as she struggled to process the horrific scene unfolding before her.
Then, she felt a gentle tug at her hand. Looking up, she saw Broken holding it tightly. His face was unsettlingly calm, a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding them.
"Don't you feel anything because you're not from this world, Broken?" she whispered.
Broken met her gaze and shook his head slowly. "I don't know how to answer that question," he replied softly.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
A few minutes later, Pawpaw completed her grim task, eliminating all the bandits with ruthless efficiency.
Once the battle mode ended and the required ten minutes had passed, Broken and Aerin finally entered the Unseen Universe of Moonlight.
Aerin lifted her face, her expression softening as a faint smile touched her lips. "Thank you," she said. "I don't know what I would have done if I had been alone."
Broken smiled. "Honestly, I'm not sure what I would've done either. All I could think about was getting you here before I logged out. The only solution I could come up with was to take them all out."
Aerin nodded. "I've experienced many wars and conflicts in the past. War can solve problems in the short term, but it's never a lasting solution. It only breeds more hatred and revenge, passed down for generations."
Aerin smiled softly, her gaze thoughtful as she asked, "Is it possible to solve any issue, whether small or large, without resorting to war?"
Broken responded slowly. "I believe peace can only be achieved if there's someone-or a powerful organization of influential individuals who can keep the world in balance. With mutual consent, war could be minimized. That's how it works in my world, though even there, those who hold power and compete with each other still find ways to engage in war." Aerin responded. "I'm certain that for thousands of years, many people have tried to solve this problem. And yet, war still persists as something unavoidable."
Broken nodded slowly, his thoughts lingering on her words. For some reason, he felt that Princess Alora-no, the woman standing in front of him, Aerin-seemed... gentler than the crowned princess of the Dissidia Kingdom.
Sure, they were the same person, yet they felt like two distinct individuals. Was it because, in this identity, she wasn't burdened by the weight of being a crowned princess? Or was it simply that without the title, her true nature could shine through more freely?
"Cecil..." Broken called softly, and in response, Cecilia materialized beside him.
"Aerin," Broken said, shifting his attention to her, "I'm going to leave you here. I'm sure you and Cecilia can have a pleasant conversation while you wait for me to return." Cecilia nodded and addressed Aerin with a gentle tone. "You may leave the Unseen Universe of Moonlight whenever you choose. However, doing so will take you directly to Master's study in the House of Slumdon. I trust you will only use this option in case of an emergency." Satisfied with the arrangements, Broken made sure everything was secure before logging out instantly, his presence vanishing from the pocket dimension.
Now, the thought lingered in his mind: who else would he meet in South Korea?