The Princess And The Lord

As expected after Byroft finished off almost all the monsters in the forest he then smelled the human scent, coincidentally the creature came across a group of nomadic groups that had been hiding in the forest, needless to say further the group had no chance to escape Byroft clutch.

However, after Byroft, tastes human flesh the monster seem like it got an epiphany moment it become captivated by the taste of human flesh and blood to the point it began to ignore the other monsters and started hunting humans instead.

Cavio, who has been single-handedly monitoring Byroft's movements, knows it is only a matter of time before this cursed creature finds its way into their village and Cavio is not sure the barrier he and Arthea create will be able to withstand the creature's attack.

Cavio's only plan is to lead Byroft far away from their village as far as possible so that the village doesn't feel the impact of their fight when it happens later.

At the top of the hill Cavio saw Byroft coming towards him, he took a deep breath then the ancient letter tattoo on his right arm glowed then a sword appeared in his grip.

Cavio made a long leap as he aimed his sword at Byroft, but he was blocked by one of Byroft's long arms that attach to his back, the creature was stunned he was disturbed and then turn its green eyes over its shoulder.

Cavio didn't waste any more time, swiftly launched another powerful attack at the monster's head and Cavio managed to scratch the creature's thick skin.

Soon after, dark red blood spurted from the creature's wound on its forehead and the monster let out a furious roar then swung its four arms at Cavio, but in a quick movement Cavio nimbly dodged the raining attack of the monster, but Cavio had no intention to stay there any longer he then jumps off the monster and fled in the opposite direction of his village and his plan worked tremendously caused now Byroft chased his tail with blazing eyes.

All he has to do now is run as fast and as far as he can and only then can he protect the people he loves he then glances in the direction of his village a moment later a warm smile flits across his mouth.

'Live well, my Son…sister'

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A wide bright light suddenly explode into glowing shards, Arthea was stunned for a second then stomp her feet while cursing exasperatedly as this was the fifth time she had failed, she had no idea what had happened why is it so difficult to concentrate, blood seeping from her bandage causing her bandage drench with the blood but she had yet to make a copy of her brother she was afraid she would be too late if she kept failing like this.

Lazarus' relaxed voice admonished Arthea "Stop hunting Thea"

Arthea was grinding her teeth impatiently even though she understood what Lazarus was saying but putting it into practice wasn't easy especially since the longer she was here the more worried she felt.

"You don't need to worry, the time has no effect on this place, even though it still has a slight effect on you because your body is still in your world, and only your soul is here, still an hour in your world is equal to twenty-four hours in this world, therefore you have more time than you need"

Arthea rolled her eyes "Yeah but remember I only have eight days before I return to my world because my body can't last long without eating and drinking and I also need to rest otherwise my body will be destroyed from too much sleep, if that happened it will only make my task even more difficult" Arthea ran her fingers through her hair feeling increasingly frustrated.

Lazarus tilted his head, how could he not know? actually, this is another thing that has been gnawing at his heart for knowing there is a time limit for their time together.

The soul will not last long without its body when the body rots naturally the soul will force to return to the netherworld and the only thing that can stop it if he consumes her soul as part of his but that is even worst than watching her die cause she will become nothing than his lifeless puppet and he doesn't want to see that.

Lazarus took arthea bandage hands, he knew this was just an illusion she unknowingly made based on the condition of her actual body that had been injured and wrapped in a bandage.

"There is another way..." there's a strange gleam in Lazarus's eyes as he looks at her under his eyelashes.

"What do you mean?" Arthea wait expectantly.

Lazarus took a moment before he parted his red lips "Your body...if you bring your body to this place you will have all the time you need...no more distractions, you can focus here"

"If that's possible?" Arthea worriedly asks.

"Only with my help, are you forget I'm the guardian of the gates to all these worlds" a cocky smirk swept across Lazarus' cold face.

"Is that okay?" still, Arthea was unsure for all that she knew Lazarus shouldn't have the authority to do whatever he wanted there must consequence for what he did.

"As long as my actions don't affect other worlds, the gods won't care" he replied casually obviously he didn't care like Arthea.

Arthea become silent, there were still a lot of things she had to do in her world, there are people that depend on her moreover she still needed to ensure Demian's safety, therefore, she need to check on Demian from time to time, after all, she was the one who raised Demian so no matter how good the other taking care of Demian she still feels uncomfortable if she wasn't there personally to checked her beloved nephew.

However, Lazarus never knew of Demian's existance as she never told him, firstly it was because she thought it was not important for Lazarus to know about Demian but lately she was thinking if that was the only reason.

Arthea gently pulled her hand away from Lazarus, she turned around then shook her head weakly "I'm not sure..."

Lazarus's brow furrowed slightly looking at his empty hands then he clenched his fists while calmly hiding his hands behind his back saying: "Why? I thought you wanted to help your brother" he glanced at her briefly.

"I do... but..."

"But what?" Lazarus came close behind her then leaned his head against her ear "Sacrifice is required...great results come from great sacrifice, don't you think?" his sweet-gentle voice danced in her ear.

The hair on the nape of his neck suddenly rose, Arthea abruptly took a step back from Lazarus, Arthea turned around with her eyes fixated on Lazarus' face but there was no change in Lazarus's expression, he still had an oblivious expression like a child despite his mature appearance, could it be that she was too sensitive.

"I must return!" she abruptly said.

Lazarus frowned but he didn't stop her as he can feel Arthea become wary of him, "Okay," he perfunctorily said.

Lazarus' casual answer relieved her worry, Arthea now convince she has been too sensitive perhaps because of stress about Cavio.

Deep inside her heart, Arthea felt guilty for doubting Lazarus' intention, he had always been kind enough to help her despite all the troubles she bring to him, she can't even imagine how many rules Lazarus secretly break for her.

Arthea held Lazarus' hand while looking at him with an apologetic expression, "I'll be right back before you know it, okay!~" she smiled brightly hoping he understand her sincerity.

A faint smile lightened Lazarus's face as he nodded, "Okay..."

Arthea was relieved to see him behaving as usual, she then waved her hand to give farewell later on her figure slowly disappeared into thin air.

The smile on Lazarus' face soon replaces a cold and distant expression, his eyes turning into glowing crystals.

'Is she coming back?' a small voice suddenly rang in his head like an alarm.

Lazarus shook his head vigorously, lately, this voice keep bothering him even though before he had managed to press that voice to the point he forgot about it but lately for some reason, this voice appeared more and more it become harder to ignore "He'll be back!" he muttered in order to silence the voice.

'But for how long?' The voice returned.

"Shut up!" Lazarus covered his ears but his voice grew clearer and louder.

'You think he'll come back after she saves his older brother? fools!'

Lazarus ran out of the room then slammed the door behind him while running as far as he can from that place while still covering his ears but the voice refused to leave him.

'Even if she returns but for how long? a year - ten years - a hundred years? as you said time outside is faster than in this place, sooner or later that girl will die just like your Brother, everyone eventually dies meanwhile you remain forever in this place, alone and lonely, how much suffering can you bear in this endless  time...in this immortality?'

<strong>"SHUT UP - SHUT UP!"</strong> Lazarus screamed at the top of his lungs all of a sudden his power burst without control causing a huge crack in the space, all the doors begin to tremble violently even several stairs collapsed, a rumbling sound awake Lazarus from his outburst, he realize the damage he created then immediately withdrew his power.

Lazarus took a deep breath as he tried to control his power, soon after the cracks around him gradually disappear, the door become quiet and steady and the broken stairs slowly gathered in slow motion soon the stairs returned to their original state.

But Lazarus couldn't celebrate yet because the voice reappeared.

'She.. will never choose you, not when her brother is still alive'

Lazarus clenched his fist, he bit his lip until blood trickled from his lips "No!" he insists "Thea will never forgive me!"

'Then you will lose her, enjoy your endless loneliness...' the voice teasing words follow with a wild roar of laughs.