"What?"
In the village, Uranus An and Emilia faced the anxious Petra. They had only just arrived when Petra hurried over, worry etched on her face.
"The little fatty, Lyuka, he's missing," Petra reported urgently.
"Liya, there's a barrier around the village, right?" Uranus asked, his expression tense and serious.
"Yes," Emilia nodded, her voice tight with concern. "What should we do now?"
"Petra, have you searched the entire village?" Uranus inquired.
"Yes, I have," Petra replied.
"Then he must have gone outside. First, let's see where the barrier is broken."
Uranus began patrolling the perimeter, scanning the trees for crystal stones that powered the protective barrier. These stones primarily warded off demonic beasts.
"It seems to be here," he muttered.
At a section of the fence, messy claw marks marred the ground, and the crystal stones on either side were missing.
"Liya, what are you doing?" Uranus asked, grabbing Emilia gently.
"Ann, I'm going to save him," Emilia said, her face firm with determination. She could not stand by while someone she cared for was in danger.
"All right, but you have to promise me one thing," Uranus said cautiously, his eyes locking with hers.
Emilia had expected hesitation but was surprised when he agreed so quickly.
"What condition?" she asked.
"Later, no matter the danger we face, if I tell you to leave, you must go without hesitation. Do not falter for even a moment. If you can't agree to this, I cannot let you take the risk."
Emilia nodded.
"Liya," Uranus said, frowning slightly as he grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. Each word carried weight. "If I tell you to run and you don't, I will never forgive you. Do you understand?"
Emilia was stunned. His words were heavy, far beyond what she had anticipated.
"We're just going to check; there won't be any danger," she whispered, trying to reassure herself.
"Promise me."
"I understand," Emilia said, pouting slightly at Uranus, who seemed to be scolding her.
"Petra, please run to Roswaal's Mansion and inform them," Uranus instructed solemnly.
"Yes!" Petra sprinted toward the mansion. Uranus exhaled deeply and pulled Emilia into the forest. Following the chaotic footprints, they ventured deeper into the shadows.
---
Suddenly, demonic beasts leapt from hiding, clearly waiting in ambush.
"An ambush, as expected," Uranus muttered. Instinctively, he shielded Emilia behind him, scanning the surrounding threats.
"Oh my, handsome young man, we meet again," Elsa purred, crouched on a tree trunk. She twirled her blades in her hands and licked her crimson lips, her expression unsettlingly playful.
"It's you again," Emilia muttered, realizing the trap. Ice cones materialized before her, ready for defense.
"Did you capture Lyuka?" Uranus asked sharply.
"You mean this little fatty?" Elsa replied casually. At her feet, a demonic beast revealed Lyuka, unconscious but unharmed.
"Why are you targeting Liya?" Uranus demanded, his gaze sharp and cold.
"Our target this time isn't her, it's you," Elsa said with a sickly smile. "Only when you die will she like someone else."
Emilia's expression shifted. Though she didn't initially grasp the full meaning, the implication soon sank in. She wasn't foolish.
"Kill them," Elsa commanded.
"Roar!" The surrounding demonic beasts bared fangs and claws, charging forward. Ice cones shot from Emilia, but the numbers were overwhelming.
A demonic beast lunged from the left. At the critical moment, Uranus swept it aside with a swift kick. The two fought back-to-back, their movements synchronized.
"Whoosh!"
Blade light flashed. Elsa lunged with her gut-slicing knife.
"Liya, be careful!" Uranus warned. He blocked the strike with his left arm, taking a deep gash in the process, forcing Elsa back with a kick.
"Oh my, how enviable! Using your own body as a shield," Elsa said, licking the blood from her blade, her smile chilling.
"Ann!" Emilia's face paled at the sight of his wound, her eyes filling with tears.
"Liya, this is an ambush. When I tell you to run, you run. No hesitation." Uranus's voice was strained but firm.
Clinging to his back, Emilia continued firing ice cones, draining her energy rapidly.
"You promised! Have you forgotten?" Uranus's voice dropped, tinged with anger.
Emilia understood. Connecting it with his earlier serious expression, she realized he had anticipated the ambush.
"Yes, those footprints were deliberately left. I suspected at first, but now…" Uranus trailed off.
"Then why did you still…"
"Because I cannot stop Liya's kindness. Whatever you are willing to do, I will support unconditionally, even at the cost of my life," he said quietly.
"Liya, when I tell you to run, you run. Call Puck and the others; everything will be fine. If you're stubborn, I won't forgive you. This is what you promised me."
Without giving her time to respond, Uranus charged at Elsa.
"You bastard, how dare you target Liya!" he shouted, striking her with precise force.
Elsa grinned, stepping back toward Lyuka. Uranus quickly cleared the demonic beasts in their path and scooped Lyuka into his arms.
"Liya, now! Take Lyuka and go!" he commanded.
Emilia caught Lyuka instinctively, but she hesitated to leave Uranus behind.
"Trying to leave? Not so easy," Elsa sneered. "You won't get past me."
Uranus's aura radiated power, holding back enemies like a one-man army. He grabbed a demonic beast as a weapon, forcing Elsa back and shouting, "Liya, what are you still standing there for?"
"Ann!" Emilia cried.
A flash of cold light and a wound appeared on Uranus's chest, sending a spray of blood into the air. Emilia's tears flowed freely.
"Go!" Uranus shouted, blood streaming from his mouth. He held Elsa tightly, eyes bloodshot. "You can save me by calling Puck and the others. Go quickly!"
"I… I will definitely come back," Emilia sobbed, tears streaking her cheeks. She fired ice cones at the surrounding demonic beasts, retreating through the forest.
---
As Emilia fled, Elsa suddenly stopped, flipping over and pressing close to Uranus. The demonic beasts hesitated, sensing the shift.
"Master, why is this so troublesome? Wouldn't it be easier to just turn her into a demon?" one asked.
"It's not time yet, but it's close," Elsa replied, gently lifting Uranus's chin and stroking his tender lips with her thumb.
---
In the forest, Emilia ran with Lyuka in her arms, faster than she ever had before. Even if she tripped, she rose immediately, tears streaming like pearls. She had to find help quickly. If she didn't, Uranus…
"Liya," she whispered, panic rising.
Bursting into the village, Puck, Ram, Rem, Natsuki Subaru, and Petra had just arrived. At first, they barely noticed her, but when Emilia appeared, pale and disheveled, their expressions changed.
"Lady Emilia!"
"Emilia-chan, what happened?"
"Puck, quickly! Go save Ann!" Emilia cried, tears streaming, dragging him along. But it was all too late.
---