Sword of Salvation-Chapter 101: - A Successful Failure (4)

As Mariel had told Athenia, he left the princess’s residence when night fell.

He didn’t need to worry about the girl’s safety. Aside from one of Anzu’s split bodies watching from not far from the house, Rea had also successfully recruited three maidservants and four female fighters to work for Athenia. The four women were members of Sterminatore Levels 3 and 4, who immediately agreed to retire early when Rea offered them the job.

However, unlike what he told the princess, Mariel did not go to the place where the elite soldiers had captured Julia. From the beginning, they weren’t the ones who had taken the beautiful girl. Mariel had lied a bit in his response to Athenia. The elite soldiers sent by Viertino indeed targeted Julia, but Anzu had killed them before they could act.

It was Anzu who kidnapped Julia. The demon then split its body into three to deceive Sean. While Sean chased the part of Anzu carrying another split body earlier that afternoon, the real Anzu returned to Mariel with the unconscious Julia. Mariel sent them to a cave in Camelot and then rested until Athenia arrived.

Therefore, as soon as Mariel entered his dimensional portal, he found himself above the cave he considered his home. And as he scanned his surroundings, Mariel’s eyes immediately met the real Anzu’s.

"You’re a bit late," said the demon, lounging on top of the cave.

Mariel snorted spontaneously and said, "If you hadn’t hit me so hard, I wouldn’t be late."

Anzu shrugged. "That’s your own fault," she replied. "But, well, now I understand why Lady Levia is interested in you. You’re quite fascinating, I admit. I thought accepting the task of serving you would make my life boring. But reality turned 180 degrees. I really enjoy the way you toy with humans."

"I’m also human, you know."

Anzu shrugged again. "You’re a demon in a human body," she emphasized. "You’re more of a demon than a demon. We see humans as food, but you see them as toys. You’re worse than us, but that’s what makes you so intriguing. Fantastic. I can’t wait to see your next plan."

Mariel didn’t like hearing Anzu say he was more of a demon than a demon.

That wasn’t true. Mariel admitted he wasn’t a good person, but he wasn’t evil either. Putting aside his goal of making Athenia and Stewart his pawns and bishops on the chessboard, wasn’t what he was doing meant to save the Kingdom of Denland and fulfill Athenia’s dream?

How could that make him more of a demon than a demon?

"I can’t force you to see me in a certain way. Each individual is bound to their own thoughts. If you see me as a demon, I can’t make you see me as an angel."

"Oh, you don’t like my compliment?"

"That was a compliment?"

"There’s no higher praise than saying you’re more of a demon than a demon. You should be proud, especially coming from me."

"I don’t know whether to feel proud or annoyed." Mariel shook his head slightly. "More importantly," he said while creating another portal to Vallhamoza, "go back there. I still need information about the person behind Viertino. My battle with him is inevitable."

Anzu said nothing and immediately darted into the portal.

Mariel descended from the top of the cave as soon as the portal vanished. He brushed aside the leaves covering the cave’s entrance and slowly pushed the stone door open. Mariel stepped in cautiously. And in no time, he found his target, sleeping with her hands and feet bound.

The fire burning in the middle of the cave only provided dim light. However, Mariel could clearly see his target. Julia zen Allegria, the black-eyed girl whose beauty rivaled Lasyana’s — though Lasyana’s assets were larger, of course.

If another man had found the princess in her current state, Mariel was sure 90% of them would be tempted to touch her and do inappropriate things.

However, Mariel wasn’t like other men. He was kind and humble. Mariel immediately cut the ropes binding Julia’s hands and feet. Then, he gently patted the girl’s soft, pale cheek to wake her up.

It took several pats to wake Julia. And immediately, the princess’s mouth let out a panicked sound. Mariel quickly covered her mouth and whispered that he was Mariel Allvar. He asked Julia to remain silent so they could escape quietly.

Seeing that the princess understood, Mariel removed his hand from Julia’s mouth. He then took the princess’s soft hand and guided her out. Of course, Mariel wasn’t taking advantage of the situation. What he did was necessary to maintain the tension of the scenario he had created.

"I lured the three guards to check in three different directions," said Mariel when Julia whispered, asking why there was no one around. He said this while sealing the cave entrance back to its original state. "We need to make them think the princess is still inside," he added before pulling the princess away — they ran at a moderate speed.

"Where are we?" asked Julia after they had run for several minutes — a question that made Mariel stop.

"I don’t know, but we’re far enough from Vallhamoza."

"I see—oh, how’s your wound, Mariel? Are you alright?"

"I’m fine. I caught up with your captor after getting treatment, so there’s no need to worry, Princess. Ah, Princess, can you close your eyes? I have a method to return near Vallhamoza quickly, but I’m afraid your vision will be disturbed."

"Oh, really?"

Mariel nodded.

"Then I’ll close my eyes."

As soon as the princess closed her eyes, Mariel lifted her in a bridal carry. The sudden action surprised Julia.

"Ma-Mariel, what are you doing?" the princess asked, but she kept her eyes shut.

"Forgive my rudeness, Princess, but your safety is my priority. Make sure to keep your eyes closed and don’t open them until I allow you, no matter if your head aches or your bones feel sore."

Julia nodded, and Mariel immediately opened a dimensional portal and stepped in.

"Uh, are we walking...?" Julia asked as Mariel exited the portal.

"...I can’t start if you don’t hold onto me tighter. Hm, try wrapping both arms around my neck. That way, I won’t have to worry about you being thrown off, Princess."

"Ah... Alright."

As soon as Julia’s arms wrapped around Mariel’s neck, he coated his body with wind armor. Without wasting any more time, he sprinted at full speed. Mariel already knew where Sean was, but he would circle around before heading there.

"A-Are we running?!"

"No! We fell into a dangerous portal. You feel like we’re running because I’m trying to keep pushing upward to reduce the falling momentum. Ah, oh no! Princess, tighten your grip as much as possible! I’m about to dodge large falling rocks."

"O-Okay!"

Mariel couldn’t help but smile. Nothing wrong with drinking while diving, right?