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nOnce their lessons were over, the trio left the college and went to the city to get something to eat.

nWhile walking down the street, Leira turned to Ella and asked worriedly. ”Do you think they’re okay?”

nThe half-elf nodded with a smile before answering in a concerned voice. ”They should be okay, but we don’t know until Archer contacts us.”

nLeira sighed but didn’t say anything else until Halime spoke. ”I’m sure they’ll be alright. They are with him after all, and he won’t hurt them.”

nThe two worried girls calmed down, but that’s when Ella quickly reacted and cast an Earth Shield that stopped a surprise attack.

nWhen the other two saw this, they reacted instantly and got ready to cast magic.

nOnce the attacks stopped, they looked in the attacker’s direction and saw over a dozen people covered in black standing there.

nThey got worried, but soon, shock took over as the snake girl stepped forward.

nHalime, typically the trio’s quieter and more reserved member, took a step forward, her yellow eyes narrowing in determination.

nThe air crackled with an unexpected mana as she raised her hands.

nElla and Leira exchanged surprised glances, unaccustomed to witnessing such a display of magic from their usually calm companion.

nAs the attackers in black advanced menacingly, Halime’s hands pulsed with a dark, poisonous aura.

nA low hum emanated from her as she unleashed a series of Poison Blasts, each one more potent than the last. The spell surged from her fingertips, leaving a trail of toxic mist in its wake.

nElla and Leira watched in awe and disbelief as the blasts hit their targets with precision, causing the assailants to recoil in agony.

nThe attackers, caught off guard by this sudden and formidable counterattack, staggered backward.

nBefore Ella and Leira could respond, four men appeared before them. When Leira saw this, she relaxed as they were her imperial and Halime royal guards.

nOne of the men started casting a spell that covered the street they were on in darkness. After doing that, two men vanished, appeared behind the attackers, and unsheathed their swords.

nWith lightning-fast speed, they struck out at the unknown assailants. When Leira and Halime saw this, smiles appeared on their faces as they recognized their guardians.

nThe two girls were relieved when they knew help had arrived, but Ella was confused.

nLeira turned to her with a smile before explaining. ”Three of the guards are mine. Father assigns them to me when I’m not in the domain.”

nElla nodded to the cat girl before they watched the fight as the first guard made his move.

nThe first guardian, a towering figure with a shield adorned with the imperial crest, stepped forward.

nHe deflected an incoming attack with a swift swing, providing cover for the second guardian.

nThis one, agile and swift, gracefully danced through the chaos, parrying blows with a gleaming sword.

nMeanwhile, the third guardian, a master of defense magic, created a barrier of protective magic around the three girls.

nA calm yet authoritative voice echoed in their minds, “Stay close. You’re under our protection.”

nThe fourth guardian, a rogue-like figure with dual blades, moved with incredible agility. He quickly killed a few attackers who attempted to flank from the shadows.

nHis movements were like a lethal dance, leaving no room for the attackers to regroup.

nIn moments, the tide of the battle turned. The attackers, outnumbered and outmatched, began to retreat.

nHowever, they were not happy with repelling the threat. The guardians wanted to kill them, so they didn’t come back.

nThe fast one pursued the retreating assailants, swiftly killing them with skilled strikes. The guardians regrouped in front of the trio, with the street now clear.

nThe leader with the imperial crest turned towards them, his expression stern yet protective.

n“You three,” he declared, “come with us to the palace. Your safety is our priority.”

nLeira nodded with a sense of relief. The three girls walked behind the guardians on the empty street. Their footsteps blended with the fading noises from the earlier clash.

nThe three girls were escorted to the palace, and as they walked, one of the guardians here to protect Halime pulled a hood off.

nShe was a dark-skinned older woman with blonde hair and beautiful snake-green eyes. Ella and Leira saw pretty green scales that poked out of her collar.

nWhen the snake girl saw this, her eyes widened as she spoke. ”Damla?”

nDamla grinned as she addressed Halime, “Greetings, Princess. Your father entrusted me with your protection, but you seem to have a talent for disappearing. We’ve been having quite the challenge finding you.”

nHalime chuckled and was about to explain when the first guardian interjected during their stroll, “She’s with the lad. Rumors say he has his own realm they all retreat to. Our services are typically required when all the ladies are at the College Of Magic or in the city.”

nThey grew curious when Leria and Ella heard this, so the cat girl asked. ”What ladies do you protect?”

nUpon hearing this, the leader of the guardians responded, “The emperor has tasked us with safeguarding all the girls of the boy. He understands that any harm coming to them would unleash the wrath of a furious dragon upon the empire.” 𝘪𝘦.𝘤𝑜

nAfter speaking, they continued walking, and Ella noticed the imperial and royal guards seamlessly forming a protective circle around them.

nThe guard led them to the fort that housed the elevator to the floating island and stepped in.

nThey were let through by the guard and stepped onto it. Ella and Halime looked around in wonder as they shot up.

nSoon, they arrived, saw another fort, and walked through it until they stepped into a beautiful snow-covered garden.

nElla marveled at the sight. “I never thought flowers could look even more beautiful with a layer of snow. It’s like a magical winter wonderland.”

nHalime, usually reserved, couldn’t help but smile at the enchanting scene. “Indeed. Nature’s beauty knows no bounds, especially in the palace gardens.”

nThe soft crunch of snow beneath their boots accompanied their conversation as they continued walking.

nSnow-laden flowers seemed to twinkle as if adorned with nature’s jewels. As they strolled through the gardens, Halime was looking around in marvel, but soon they arrived at the entrance.

nA maid stood outside waiting for them and took over to guide them. The guardians said their goodbyes before heading off somewhere.

nBefore Halime’s guardian left, she handed over something and spoke. ”Princess, this communication device will keep us in contact.

nThe snake girl nodded with a smile as she said farewell to her guardian answered. ”Thank you, Damla. I will see you soon.”

nThe older woman nodded before catching up with the others as the maid led them inside.

nShe led them through the palace corridors and soon came to the emperor’s study. When they arrived, the maid knocked on the door, and a loud voice was heard. ”Come in!”

nShe opened the door, and the three girls entered to see Emperor Osoric and Empress Chloe sitting there.

nThe two looked up, and big smiles appeared as Chloe stood up. ”Sit down, ladies.”

nElls, Leira, and Halime took their seats as Osoric began to speak. “Archer has gone missing in the Western Wilds, but I have confidence the lad is fine; he’s resilient, after all.”

nAfter speaking, the emperor leaned back in his ornate chair, his gaze steady as he observed the trio of Ells, Leira, and Halime.

n“Before we delve further into Archer’s situation, there’s an important matter I wish to discuss,” Osoric began, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

n“As you’re well aware, the safety of Archer’s ladies is important to me. To that end, I’ve taken additional measures to ensure your well-being.”

n“I have assigned two imperial guards to each of Archer’s chosen companions,” Osoric announced, his eyes resting on Ells, Leira, and Halime.

n“Their primary responsibility is your protection, and they will accompany you when you’re not in Archer’s domain. Consider them your loyal guardians, sworn to defend you with their lives.”

nWhen the three heard this, they smiled, but Ella asked. ”Why would you assign me a guard? I’m a maid, not a princess.”

nOsoric turned his attention to the half-elf with a smile before answering honestly. ”You may be a maid, but not to him. You’re someone special, and if anything were to happen to you like today, he would go on a rampage and destroy everything.”

nElla nodded with a small smile. ”Thank you, your Majesty.”

nOsoric was about to reply until Chloe interrupted. ”You’re welcome, little El. After all, we’re family now.”

nShe looked at Leira, whose cheeks were turning red, and continued. ”We’ll announce the engagement alongside the other rulers when Frostwinter Festival begins, which is merely weeks away.”

nAfter speaking, the emperor looked at the quiet snake girl who wasn’t speaking. ”Your Father and Mother will also be here. They want to meet Archer.”

nIf there are any mistakes, point them out, and I’ll edit it. Thanks

n𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮

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