Tamae and Brukk were on guard. They saw the creature they had feared before—the Prince of Ant Bee—but a few monts later, Brukk furrowed his brows.
"That's not the Prince of Ant Bee. What exactly is that?" His gaze shifted toward Niva.
The Princess of Ant Bee was indeed very unfamiliar, since most born from the Ant Bee colony were male princes.
Almost never was a Princess of Ant Bee born.
While Brukk's attention was fixed on Niva, Tamae's eyes were on another creature she had never seen before. No fur, yet it had eyes, a nose, ears, and hair.
Tamae tilted her head. "Why is a demi-human of the ape race here? Was she captured by the Ant Bees?"
Tamae looked concerned because the creature in front of her didn't have much fur. She was certain it had been tortured by the Ant Bees.
She drew her sword and pointed it at Niva. "You've gone too far. Torturing an innocent demi-human like that. I won't let this continue."
Brukk saw Tamae pointing her sword at the Ant Bee leader. He quickly tried to grab Tamae's hand and lower her arm, but failed.
Tamae was stronger than him. "Miss, now is not the ti to cause trouble. Let one of my kin be the victim. Your life is far more valuable," he said.
But Tamae ignored Brukk's words. Her righteous spirit was far too strong. She couldn't bear to see anyone suffer. She would save them, even if it ant risking her own life.
"No. I will save that ape from the Ant Bees," Tamae said firmly.
She took a stance, preparing to strike. A strong wave of magic pressure radiated from her, causing the ground beneath her to tremble.
"I'll kill all of you!" she shouted.
She pushed her body forward. In just a second, she was in front of Niva. A powerful slash flew from her blade.
Niva didn't move at all. Tamae smiled, certain her strike would kill the leader of the Ant Bees.
"Die, monster!" she shouted again.
Boom!
The slash was blocked. A burst of magical energy cracked the ground and ford a small crater.
With a single small motion, Tamae was forced backward.
Her eyes widened in shock. "Why did you protect that monster?" she asked.
Alvaric, who had been silent all this ti, looked confused. He didn't understand why the two demi-humans in front of him assud he was one of them. From any angle, they were different.
"I should be the one asking. Why did you want to kill my subordinate?" Alvaric replied. "We didn't even attack you."
Tamae looked puzzled. "What do you an?"
Brukk took a step back, narrowing his eyes, trying to understand the situation. "Wait... she's your subordinate?" he muttered quietly.
Tamae turned her gaze toward Alvaric, who now stood between her and Niva. His gaze was sharp, but there was no killing intent. He stood calmly, as if nothing in the world could threaten him.
"You... you're a demi-human of the ape race, aren't you?" Tamae asked, confused. "But why are you protecting an Ant Bee? They're not creatures you can trust! They're cruel and devour everything."
Alvaric frowned, then glanced at Niva, who was still standing behind him. Her face was calm, unfazed by the earlier attack. He answered, "I'm not a demi-human, and she's not my enemy. She is..." Alvaric tilted his head, choosing a better word, "she is my family."
Brukk raised an eyebrow. "Family? You're saying this Ant Bee... is your family?" He pointed at Niva. "You know who she is, don't you?"
"She's the Princess of Ant Bee," Alvaric replied.
Brukk and Tamae looked at each other. It was their first ti hearing that title, but it was very similar to Prince of Ant Bee. They were sure it was the sa thing—only different in gender.
"If you know, then why are you protecting that monster?" Brukk asked again.
"I already said—she is my family. If you try to kill her, I'll destroy you before you get the chance," Alvaric said firmly.
In that mont, an overwhelming aura erupted from Alvaric's body. The pressure was intense. Brukk and Tamae were forced to the ground.
Brukk even collapsed and couldn't get up, as if a giant boulder had fallen on him. anwhile, Tamae remained standing—but she had to kneel.
Tamae's whole body trembled. "Who... who is this being in front of us? He's so strong."
As Alvaric retracted his aura, the pressure instantly disappeared. He turned around. "Are you planning to attack us, or what?" he asked.
Brukk managed to get up and glanced toward Tamae. He shook his head.
Tamae remained silent for a while. She needed to make a decision. Her earlier confidence vanished the mont she felt Alvaric's aura.
It wasn't magic—just his aura.
"No. We're not here to make enemies," she replied.
Alvaric nodded. "Good, then co inside. We'll welco you."
At that mont, the Ant Bees began to vanish. So turned and left the area. Alvaric and Niva walked down into the entrance tunnel.
Brukk and Tamae looked at each other. They were hesitant, but refusing the invitation would be foolish—perhaps suicidal.
So, they both nodded and followed them down.
"Thank you for your welco," Tamae said.
***
In another place, the ruler of Chillg City was sitting on his chair. He turned toward the window, sensing sothing ominous.
"Is Tamae alright?"
"Don't worry, sir. Lady Tamae will be just fine. She's a royal general. Only a few monsters can defeat her," Nali replied.
Nali was a fox-girl who served as secretary to Raiga—the ruler of Chillg City. Raiga was Tamae's older brother.
Besides being Raiga's personal secretary, Nali was also the vice-commander of Chillg's defense force. She was strong, though slightly weaker than Brukk.
anwhile, Raiga was stronger than Brukk. However, he wasn't as strong as his sister. Still, he was a political genius—that's how he beca the ruler of Chillg City.
"I hope so," Raiga said.
His gaze remained on the window. He couldn't shake off the uneasiness in his chest. He knew Tamae was incredibly strong. They had grown up together. They were only five years apart.
As kids, Raiga had never once beaten Tamae in a fight. Not even close.
"Why do you say that? Are the Ant Bees really stronger than Lady Tamae?" Nali asked.
Raiga shook his head. "No. They shouldn't be that strong. But my instincts are telling ... my sister is in trouble."
Nali held Raiga's hand. "Please relax! Believe in Lady Tamae."
Raiga nodded. "Thank you."
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