The Forgotten Princess

I exited the count's office in a hurry. I should make preparations for the defense of the city.

"Your majesty!" Arnold called my attention. I looked around and saw him following me from behind. "Let me help your majesty. I can fight as well."

"Young lord Arnold, are you sure about this?" I asked.

"I am a good fighter your majesty." Arnold replied. "I can be of help."

"Fighting these creatures is different from what you have learned in the academy, Arnold." I said. "These creatures are from the ancient times and were the ones that the Almighty One had fought and purged."

"Arnold, listen to her majesty." Countess Elena said. "She had sad that these creatures are dangerous. You have never experienced to fight with your life on the line." She said with a worried tone.

"But I cannot just stand by and see our people and the city in danger." Arnold said to his mother." I understand the danger, your majesty. And I am ready to risk my life to fight." Arnold replied to me.

"No, Arnold..." Countess Elena said with tears running down her cheeks. "I have already lost your elder brother because of his doing of illegal business. He will be locked up for God knows how long. I cannot lose you too, I just cannot."

"Mama..." Angelica is crying. "I am still here..."

"You... you are not my daughter." Countess Elena said with an angry voice.

"Ma..." Arnold tried to calm his mother. "Angelica is not at fault. She should not be persecuted by the sin of father."

"Oh Arnold..." Countess Elena continued to cry.

"Butler, please send my mother and sister to their rooms." Arnold ordered the butler who had just arrived in the office.

"Yes, young master." The butler replied and guided the countess while a maid guided Angelica. "Let us go, madam."

"Ma, do not worry." Arnold said. "I will be careful."

"Please come back safely, Arnold." Countess Elena said.

When the countess and Angelika left the room Arnold took a step forward.

"I will fight for Tarmac, your majesty." Arnold said.

"I understand." I replied. "William, get Arnold a lightning mana stone to be used." I told William who had just came back after locking Count Forger.

"As you wish, your majesty." William replied. "Young lord Arnold, if you please come with me."

"Of course." Arnold replied.

William led the way while Arnold and I followed behind him.

"Have you already distributed lightning mana stones to the soldiers?" I asked. "Are they enough?"

"We have already distributed lightning mana stones to half of the soldiers, your majesty." William replied. "Some of our magic users are still infusing lighting magic to the mana stones that are available inside the city."

"We need to hasten the process. William." I said. "How long until those wyverns get to the city walls?" I asked.

The shadow guard that was hiding in the shadow showed himself to give a reply to my question.

"Judging from the distance and the speed of their movements, they will at the city walls within thirty minutes, your majesty." The shadow guard replied.

"We only have little time." I said.

We arrived at the entrance of the manor. Outside, my imperial knights and shadow guards are waiting. The city's soldiers are lined up in the grounds as well.

"Here me, my brave people." I said. "A group of dark creatures are coming here from the forest. These creatures have a taste for human meat and are a danger to the people here in Tarmac. That is why I all called you here. Sir William will brief you about these creatures."

"As her majesty had said, these creatures called wyverns are dangerous." William said. "We must fight off these creatures if we want to survive. Our intel had learned that these wyverns can be subdued by lightning, they are afraid to be electrified. That is why we are distributing lighting mana stones so that you can utilize them while fighting off these creatures."

"I have heard that the wyverns will arrive in the city walls in thirty minutes." I said. "They will be coming from the direction of the forest, and so I will be sending you to that side of the city wall."

"This group will be divided in to two." William said. "One group will engage with the wyverns outside the city walls and will be on attack while the second group will man the city walls using long range weapons as defense. Let us pray that we hold the night until reinforcements arrive."

"With that, this meeting is dismissed." I said. "I pray for everyone's safety."

"Thank you, your majesty." The men bowed and dispersed.

"Arnold, I will let you lead the defensive group on the wall." I said to him. "William, I believe you will be the one to lead the offensive team outside the wall."

"Yes, your majesty." William replied.

"Please be careful, you two." I said. "I will join the group atop the wall."

"No, your majesty!" William opposed to my decision.

"We need all the abled body we could get, William. And you know I can fight." I replied.

"But you are the empress, and you need to be protected, your majesty." William said. "Being in the battlefield is very dangerous."

"Yes, I am the empress, and I will not just stand by if I can be of help, William. You cannot stop me to help." I argued. "When can will the reinforcements arrive?" I asked the shadow guard.

"They will be here by sunrise, your majesty." The shadow guard replied. "We have sent word to the nearest Alvannian and Grandcrest soldiers' barracks. And the nearest is about five hours from here."

"Then we need to hold on for five to six hours." I said.

It is just past midnight, and the moon is already hanging up the night sky.

"We need to hold until the reinforcements come." I said. "Let us hold the defensive line as much as possible."