Shuher found it unexpected that Ibnel brought up the idea of cooperation.

“I’ll lower the altitude while drawing attention with my gun attacks. Then, Your Majesty, please finish it off.”

“Are you giving me orders now?”

“Let’s call it a desperate plea.”

Despite her words, her expression was not desperate at all, but Shuher decided to go along willingly. He wanted to see her skills up close and properly.

‘Well then, shall we begin?’

Ibnel aimed at the Rapiru’s wings first and pulled the trigger without hesitation. With that one shot, she clearly felt it.

“It’s completely different.”

Unlike its heavy power, there was almost no recoil, and it fit her hand as if she had used it for a long time.

‘Is it special because it belongs to the Emperor?’

Ibnel hit the Rapiru’s left wing precisely, but it seemed the claim about it being stronger than ordinary steel was no lie. It only lost balance for a moment before calmly continuing to fly.

And as planned, the monster began to focus its attacks on her.

Even as it approached rapidly with threatening sounds, Ibnel did not stop firing. While narrowly dodging the wing feathers, she accurately hit the right wing and body in sequence.

‘Impressive.’

On the other hand, Shuher, who was watching the situation as if leisurely observing, clearly realized that he was not mistaken. Her skills surpassed those of a knight who had trained for a long time.

And his eyes could clearly see it.

The exhilaration and confidence hidden behind those eyes that pulled the trigger without wavering.

The Rapiru, wounded by Ibnel’s calm attacks, was flying lower and lower. But the lower it got, the fiercer its resistance became.

‘This body is too heavy.’

Unlike her body as a national representative honed through consistent training, she clearly felt the dullness of her nerves. Moreover, she was already exhausted from facing the monster once before.

After a long journey without rest, what kind of bolt from the blue was this?

Rolling on the dirt ground, her dress had long lost its original elegance. Not just the hem, but even the sleeves were torn to the point where one might doubt if it was still a dress.

“Are you going to keep standing still?”

Ibnel felt her pent-up anger rising as she saw Shuher merely observing the situation without doing anything. While she was struggling like this.

Suddenly cornered, she pulled the trigger, but no bullets came out.

‘Of all times, at a moment like this.’

Even in that moment of ejecting the cartridge and reloading new bullets, the monster was rapidly approaching Ibnel.

And just as she aimed the muzzle straight ahead, Shuher stepped in front of her and swung his sword widely.

“Kieek!”

With that single movement, the Rapiru was pushed far away.

Although she had escaped the dangerous situation thanks to his help, a rather curt voice flowed from Ibnel’s lips.

“I wonder if you couldn’t have helped a little sooner.”

“I think this was a very appropriate timing.”

Even as they exchanged this banter, the Rapiru was approaching him with an ear-splitting roar. Even in this situation, Shuher didn’t seem to have any intention of dodging.

“Now…”

Just as Ibnel was about to say he should avoid it, an unknown energy began to flow from his sword.

‘What is that?’

It was clearly visible even to her eyes, too distinct to be formless. Soon, a black sword aura enveloped the entire blade.

Ibnel soon realized what it was.

‘The power granted to the Caries Empire to counter monsters.’

It was clear that this was the source of that power. Although she couldn’t know exactly what it was, it transmitted a fear through her skin that made her involuntarily step back.

It felt as if she might be instantly cut by that intangible power if she made a wrong move.

Shuher, holding the sword wrapped in the sword aura, precisely cut the spot Ibnel had indicated as soon as the monster came within range.

The body that had even withstood bullets was miserably cut in half by that power.

“Amazing…”

The pure white light emanating from the core completely disappeared, and simultaneously, the black energy enveloping Shuher’s sword faded away.

Ibnel watched the blood dripping from the sword and then unceremoniously sat down on the ground. Only now did it feel real.

Where she was, what situation she was in, and even this ability she had gained, whether it was an opportunity or a misfortune.

‘I really have come to this unbelievable world.’

She had to admit that the story was unfolding regardless of her will. The butterfly effect caused by her choice to survive.

“Hahaha.”

With nothing else to express her bewilderment, all she could do was laugh. Someone might think she had gone mad.

Shuher, who had sheathed his sword, approached Ibnel. His words were blunt as he looked at her in her dazed state.

“Have you perhaps gone mad?”

“Isn’t it stranger not to go mad in this situation? I’ve escaped death twice in one day.”

As she relaxed her grip on the gun, her fingers began to tremble slightly. She couldn’t even feel it anymore. What would unfold once she opened that door and went out?

At that moment, a hand was extended before her.

Following the hand full of scars, she raised her head and met Shuher’s eyes. As she just stared blankly, he wiggled his hand.

Take this hand and stand up.

Even at that moment, she hesitated. Whether it would be alright to take that hand.

‘I don’t know what will happen from now on. But…’

Taking a deep breath and opening her eyes, Ibnel stood up with the support of Shuher’s hand. Unlike his cold gaze, his hand was unexpectedly warm.

The reason she took that hand was simple. Because the option of dying was now gone for her.

‘I don’t want to die just because of something called fate.’

She had realized the obvious too late. That this was her life, and how to live it was entirely up to her.

Therefore, she didn’t want to conform to the given fate.

“Does this give you a reason to keep me alive?”

At Ibnel’s question, Shuher suddenly pulled her hand that he was holding. In an instant, the distance between the two narrowed.

Shuher slowly opened his mouth, looking at the white pupils that were clearly flustered.

“Yes, perfectly so.”

Ibnel had no idea of the meaning behind that smile, which contained many implications.

* * *

“Miss, are you awake?”

Ibnel rose from the bed at the voice waking her. The aches all over her body confirmed that yesterday’s events were not a dream.

The place where she was now was the Imperial Palace where Shuher stayed.

After all those events yesterday, Shuher had left saying only that they would talk formally tomorrow.

Lia burst into tears as soon as she saw the battered Ibnel. Although it seemed like she should be the one crying, Ibnel comforted Lia first.

When Lia asked what had happened, Ibnel had no words to give her. Because nothing had been decided yet.

Her exhausted body had succumbed to sleep helplessly, and when she opened her eyes, it was now.

“What will happen to us now? Will we be able to return to Aodin?”

Lia, who had taken a short nap in one corner of the room, was still trembling with fear. And understandably so.

If a monster had come right up to you and you had been on the brink of death, anyone would be scared and frightened.

Ibnel was also in no position to promise anything. But there was one thing she could promise.

“Lia, I don’t know what will happen from now on, but I can promise you this one thing. You won’t be in danger from now on.”

She was determined to do anything for Lia, who had come all the way to Caries for her and even risked her life. Having overcome the risk of death twice, what couldn’t she do?

“You seem like a different person, Miss.”

“Do I?”

Lia was bewildered to see Ibnel, who had been powerless and inactive, showing such a serious look.

But soon she nodded as if trusting her. Her desire to stay by Ibnel’s side had never wavered.

From that moment in the past when she decided to follow her after their encounter.

And this incident had made that determination much stronger.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Demil was standing there.

“His Majesty is looking for you.”

“I understand. Lia, you wait here.”

“But…”

“It’s okay, nothing will happen.”

Ibnel followed Demil out of the palace.

While Aodin had late spring weather, this place was in full autumn. The cloudless sky and the cool breeze were perfect for outdoor activities.

As she followed him into a building, closely observing her surroundings, those who had bowed their heads politely to Demil were busy whispering as soon as she passed by.

“Why is an Aodin person here?”

“Didn’t they die right away this time too?”

Just hearing that much, she could feel how hostile the people here were towards Aodin. If they could speak so freely about someone needing to die.

Compared to the jeers and curses she heard yesterday, this level was almost cute.

She followed Demil, who maintained silence to the end, and stopped in front of a door.

“I have brought Lady Ibnel.”

“Come in.”

Whether he had been attending to state affairs since early morning, Shuher was sitting in a white shirt and clothes more formal than yesterday.

“Sit here.”

Ibnel sat on the sofa Shuher pointed to and surveyed her surroundings with just her eyes. Judging from the desk and the various documents and books piled on it, it seemed to be his office where he handled state affairs.

Having only gone back and forth between rooms and gardens in Aodin, she couldn’t help but be drawn to this exotic space.

And Shuher was watching her every move.

It was too naive a behavior for someone who had maintained composure even in the face of a monster. Or perhaps even that was part of her thorough plan.

“One might think you’re seeing an office for the first time. Even though you’re a princess of a country.”

“Ah, I was just wondering how it might be different here. You called me because of yesterday’s events, right?”

Ibnel asked, getting straight to the point before Shuher could take interest in unnecessary things.

“Yes, we need to discuss your treatment. Of course, I have the right to decide that.”

“But things have changed because of yesterday’s events. Your Majesty needs the ability I possess.”

On her way here, she had coldly considered her position. Although her background knowledge was lacking, the situation was by no means unfavorable to her.

After all, she held a powerful key for negotiation.

Shuher looked at Ibnel, crossing his legs, at her attitude that was quite different from yesterday when she lacked confidence in her own abilities.

“It seems you’ve reassessed the value of your abilities.”

“Yes. So I think you need to negotiate. With me.”

It wasn’t that surprising as he had anticipated it to some extent. He decided to willingly engage in that negotiation.

After all, nothing would change despite that.