Her breath became ragged, and beads of sweat trickled down her back.
Amira, running beside her, seemed to be in a similar situation, her labored breaths echoing between their footsteps.
“I found her! The princess!”
Just as they were sprinting toward the carriage, a masked man suddenly jumped out from an alley. It was as if he had known Ariella would head toward the carriage; the timing was impeccable.
‘Oh no…!’
He appeared right in front of her, leaving no way to evade. It was too close to turn back and run.
A gloved hand reached out quickly. Ariella hurriedly stopped and fumbled inside her outer garment.
At that moment, someone pushed her body.
“Run, Miss!”
Thud!
With a shrill cry, the wooden club struck the assailant’s arm.
Pushed unexpectedly, Ariella fell to the ground and looked up in a daze.
A small body, trembling incessantly, came into her view.
“I’ll take care of this guy, so hurry!”
Amira said that as she swung the club wildly at the man. Despite being clearly terrified, she stood her ground and protected Ariella.
That was, without a doubt, the most impressive back Ariella had ever seen in her life.
“You little…!”
The masked man lightly shook off his stinging arm from the blow. Then, in an instant, he reached out and grabbed Amira’s wooden club.
“Oh, no…!”
The maid, who had never properly learned swordsmanship, lost her only weapon in an instant.
Thud, thud, clang! The flying wooden club bounced off the wall and rolled to the ground.
Just as the man’s large hand was about to reach for Amira’s neck.
Swish!
Ariella grabbed a handful of sand from the ground and threw it at the man’s eyes. Perhaps because it was something she had done often as a child, it hit perfectly.
“Ahhh! My eyes!”
The overconfident man easily lost his sight to the unexpected attack. While he clutched his face in pain, Ariella pushed herself up from the ground and fumbled inside her outer garment again.
Knowing it was a trap, she couldn’t afford to be unprepared. Although she had brought many knights, she still needed at least one weapon to protect herself.
That was why she had kept a small dagger in the pocket of her outer garment.
Thud!
“Gahhh!”
The sensation of the blade piercing through thin leather and digging into flesh transmitted through her palm.
Ariella, without hesitation, plunged the knife into the man’s foot and quickly stood up, leaving the stubborn sword behind.
“Let’s go, Amira!”
“Yes, yes!”
There was no time to waste. The sound of unfamiliar footsteps could be heard not far away.
It was impossible for Adam to have returned already. Her companion must have heard the man’s voice and was looking for her.
Ariella picked up the wooden club that the assailant had thrown and moved her legs again.
“Ugh…!”
A groan escaped her lips. Perhaps she had twisted her ankle when she stumbled. It was a bad sign.
She tried to run despite the pain, but her speed naturally decreased.
“Miss, are you okay?”
Amira, who had been leading the way, stopped when she noticed Ariella lagging a few steps behind. At the same time, a new assailant appeared not far away.
“There!”
How many thugs did they hire? Ariella clicked her tongue in admiration of Lizzy’s preparedness.
Although they were still at a distance from the assailant, at this rate, they would be caught soon. So, she had to find another way.
“Amira, this way!”
Ariella led Amira into a dark alley. It wasn’t the direction of the carriage, but it seemed pointless to head there now.
Quickly scanning her surroundings, she spotted a good cover. It was a pile of construction materials stacked high.
Ariella gripped the club tightly and hid behind the cover.
“Miss? That’s dangerous…!”
“Keep running and make some noise!”
There was no time for lengthy explanations, so her command sounded somewhat abrupt. However, as always, Amira understood her well.
Nodding, Amira left Ariella behind and ran deeper into the alley. Her speed was slower than before, but the sound of her footsteps was louder. Each step seemed heavy.
Soon, the assailant chasing them was drawn into the alley by the loud footsteps.
As he ran past the cover, Ariella seized the opportunity.
Bang-!
“Gah…!”
The wooden club struck the back of the man’s head fiercely. A sound like something breaking echoed through the alley, and the man’s body slumped down.
Thud! The large man rolled on the ground. Soon, bright red liquid began to flow around him.
“Gasp, huff….”
Watching the tips of her shoes turn red with blood, Ariella gasped for breath.
‘Is he dead?’
Logically, he must be. She had clearly heard the sound of his skull cracking.
Her hands gripping the club trembled uncontrollably. She could feel her heart racing rapidly.
