You Can Enter Freely, But Leaving? Not So Easy (5)
“No way…”
Isabella Queen stared in shock, at a loss for words. Mermen were pouring out of the portal.
“Let’s show them the power of the mermen!”
“Sweep away anyone without the royal crest on their chest!”
“Kyaaahooo!”
The mermen leaped over the railings and charged straight at the enemy lines. The rebels, who had been preparing to encircle them, panicked at the sudden appearance of these otherworldly beings.
“W-what the hell are those?!”
“Agh! Monsters! Mages! Call the mages!”
“Form ranks! Hold the line!”
Boom! Whoosh! Sizzle!
Some mermen spat jets of water from their mouths, unleashing a flood that soaked the ground everywhere. They fought with glee on the slick surfaces.
And then, Illar unleashed the massive monster he’d been holding back for a new dungeon. A one-horned, one-eyed cyclops rampaged with fierce eyes, swinging its club wildly.
“Hey, you idiot! Those guys over there are allies! Only attack the ones without the royal crest!”
“Groooar.”
Scolded by Illar, the cyclops scratched its head and turned back to the rebels. Each swing of its club brought screams and sprays of blood.
“Incredible…”
“Remarkable…”
The queen and Sir Latimer gazed down in a daze. The mermen’s fierce counterattack had reversed the momentum in an instant. As the enemy lines buckled, the castle guards found their courage and joined the fray with renewed vigor.
“I’ll head down and take command. Marie, head maid, please look after Her Majesty.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
As Sir Latimer rose to leave, he glanced back at Kang Naru with a pleased smile.
“You always manage to surprise me.”
He patted Naru’s shoulder and departed. Soon after, the queen murmured to herself.
“Refreshing. So satisfying.”
“What is?”
“Look at that. Isn’t it beautiful, watching those scum die?”
She turned to Naru, eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.
“This is why I like you. You’re the best.”
“……”
Naru gave a wry smile. He was happy she was pleased, but her ruthless side shining through made him hesitate to respond enthusiastically. Her eyes sparkled like a predator’s, thrilled by the slaughter below, and she was grinning. Naru had grown numb to such displays from her by now.
“I’ll be right back after checking somewhere else.”
“Where to?”
“We need to stop more of them from entering the capital. There are portals at the shrines in all four directions. I’m going to destroy them.”
“Go ahead. I’ll attend to Her Majesty.”
Naru nodded to Marie, then turned to the queen.
“Don’t stay out here. Get to safety inside.”
“Come back safe. No injuries. That’s an order.”
“Yes.”
Her tender tone brought a smile to Naru’s face. Summoning the hero’s sword Rancer, he vaulted over the railing.
“When’s he coming…”
In the bustling market intersection, Sophia waited anxiously for Naru. Meanwhile, knights bearing unfamiliar crests patrolled the streets. They didn’t threaten civilians, but they stopped passersby for checks, dragging off anyone with even a hint of royal ties.
She feared they’d approach her.
What do I say if they talk to me?
Racking her brain for excuses, she recalled last night. Naru had shown up suddenly.
“I need you to come with me somewhere.”
“Where to?”
“A few places.”
Puzzled, she followed. He visited several spots, telling her to memorize them. If the capital faced a sudden attack, they’d meet here at the intersection. So she’d come… but he still hadn’t shown.
“Peekaboo.”
“Eek!?”
A whisper in her ear startled her; she spun to find Naru grinning.
Sophia clutched her chest, sighing in relief.
“You scared me.”
“Wait long?”
“A while.”
“Sorry. The way here was messy.”
“There! Grab him!”
“Seize the hero!”
A mob of rebels charged from afar, spears and swords at the ready. Naru rubbed his temple.
“Ugh, they followed me all the way here.”
“W-what’s going on?”
“Guess they hate that I’m close to the queen. My hair and looks stand out—didn’t blend in. What now? If they catch me, I’m dead.”
“Then kill them quick, Naru!”
“Gasp. Kill them? People? Nah, can’t do that.”
“Why? You’re strong!”
“Just don’t feel like taking lives today.”
“Is there a hero rule like ‘only kill monsters and demons’?”
“Maybe?”
“P-portal! I’ll open one!”
“I’ll fend them off with my sword sheath. Hurry!”
“Right! Wait, didn’t you say no killing?”
“That’s why I’ll just smack ’em!”
“Oh~ Anyway, opening it now!”
As Sophia hastily chanted, arrows rained from above, piercing the rebels’ helmets with deadly precision.
“Gahk…!”
“Urk…!”
The charging foes dropped instantly. Seven soldiers felled in a blink—whoever it was, they were elite.
“That person looks familiar…”
Naru peered up at the rooftop. A woman held a longbow in one hand. Silver hair whipped in the wind. Bronze skin gleamed on her voluptuous form, squeezed into tight red leather bikini armor. Long, elven ears.
Naru’s eyes widened in recognition.
“Jenia?”
She hopped down lightly.
“Couldn’t even handle those losers? Pitiful, so I helped.”
“How’d you get here?”
“Don’t laugh. I still hate you, bro.”
“I’m just happy to see you! Aren’t you?”
“Not even a little. Don’t wanna greet you either.”
His non-blood-related dark elf little sister was as curt and cold as ever after all this time. She glanced at Sophia, then fixed on Naru.
“What’re you doing?”
“Oh! Places to go. Gotta hurry! Sophia, open it there!”
“Where?”
“Next to my new house.”
“Ah, that one. Got it, opening now.”
As Sophia chanted, Naru smirked at Jenia.
“You’ve grown a lot. You were tiny when I was around.”
She shot him a glare and turned away huffily.
“Hmph.”
Crash.
A glass shattering outside made Alicia, brushing her hair in her room, set down the comb and step out.
“What’s going on?”
The hallway was empty. No signs of breakage.
“What…”
Tilting her head, she moved to close the door—then another shatter from below.
“Where is everyone? No one around?”
Maids should be bustling, but none were visible.
Are they all busy?
Sensing something off, Alicia donned her coat and headed into the hall. As she stepped toward the stairs—
A maid climbed up. Alicia asked in relief.
“It was noisy—what happened?”
“Miss…”
The maid’s vacant gaze met hers, blood trickling from her lips. A stab wound marred her abdomen.
Thud.
She collapsed. Alicia screamed.
“Kyaaah!”
Glass exploded in the hall as assassins burst in.
“You Alicia, daughter of Duke Neville?”
“Looks match. Take her.”
They lunged. But Alicia’s training held; she dodged nimbly, fleeing downstairs.
“Father! Mother!”
“Alicia!”
Chaos below too. Duke Neville bled from his forehead, sword in hand, shielding his wife and servants against the intruders. Blood pooled on the floor—family knights lay dead.
Terror gripped Alicia.
“W-who are these people!?”
“Seems like Viscount Bishtent’s men. It’s pandemonium outside.”
Thud thud!
More assassins joined the chase. Ten total now.
“Duke, drop the sword and come quietly—we’ll spare you.”
“How can I trust you?”
“We’re just to hold you and your family till this blows over. You’ll be released unscathed after.”
“The viscount’s orders?”
“Three… two…”
“He’d never let me live.”
Neville gripped his sword tighter, steadying his breath.
“Father…”
Alicia scanned tensely. If he swings, who first? Dodge? But no sword… Panic swirled.
“One.”
As the assassin said “It’s over”—
“Ah~ We’re a step late.”
All eyes turned. A man and two women stood there. Alicia blinked, recognizing the man.
“…Assistant Professor Naru?”
The hero Kang Naru. His sudden arrival tensed the assassins.
“That’s the queen’s right-hand, Kang Naru?”
“H-how’d you get here!?”
“Damn it!”
Swords swung at Naru. He waved them off casually.
“Easy, easy. You’ll get yourselves killed.”
Suppress
One blast, and they’d freeze trembling in place. Naru smoothed his hair leisurely.
“Everyone, drop your swords. Except the duke.”