The Royal Guard, though few in number, were all astonishingly powerful and utterly loyal to the royal family.
Amidst the current chaos engulfing the castle, over a hundred members of the Royal Guard still maintained strict discipline. They appeared neatly before Amelia in several rows, kneeling on one knee.
These individuals were both men and women, some old, some young, all clad in silver armor with swords hanging at their waists. Even kneeling, a fierce and iron-blooded aura emanated from them.
“Your Majesty, is there any hope left for our kingdom?”
Before Amelia could speak, the Guard Captain, Mark Harrison, voiced his question.
Amelia looked at Mark. Beneath his silver helmet, a bearded face was visible, but his eyes, once bright and spirited, now held a lingering despair.
Glancing around at the rest of the Guard, she saw it was the same for all of them.
Even the iron-blooded Royal Guard couldn’t face the current situation with true composure.
“There is no other way.”
Amelia answered after a moment of silence.
Her words drained what little color remained from the faces of the Royal Guard.
The gloomy sky, the scorching earth, the sweltering air, and Amelia’s reply all stirred a profound sense of desolation within each of them.
Once upon a time, the Steele Kingdom had known prosperity, but now its final act was drawing to a close.
“What does Your Majesty plan to do next?” Mark asked again.
“You all… don’t really want to make a futile sacrifice, do you?” Amelia had seen through the thoughts of Mark and most of the others.
“No… That’s not true.” Mark’s face flushed red at her words. “If Your Majesty requires it, no matter how difficult the path ahead, we will still gladly wield our swords and march into battle… as long as Your Majesty is willing.”
Amelia sighed softly.
She had detected a flicker of uncertainty in his voice and read something in the evasive eyes of the others.
The Royal Guard was indeed loyal to the Steele Kingdom. But if the kingdom itself was about to perish, was it truly necessary for them to sacrifice everything? They had families, too. If they died here, what would become of them?
Of course, if Amelia insisted they fight to the death for her, they would obey, even though they possessed the ability to resist the order.
But…
“Forget it.” Amelia spoke, simultaneously watching the clamorous bullet comments and said, “You have all given much to this kingdom and fulfilled your duties. I, Amelia Steele, Queen of the Steele Kingdom, grant you release from this heavy burden. Henceforth, you are free to do whatever you wish. You are free.”
Upon hearing this, one by one, the members of the Royal Guard looked up sharply, staring at Amelia in disbelief.
They… were free?
At a time like this, Her Majesty the Queen was giving them their freedom?
The Head Maid, Molly, looked at Amelia strangely. She felt today’s Amelia was different from before. The original Amelia was supposed to be someone without much initiative, easily fooled. How did she suddenly have the courage to make such a decision?
The barrier was about to shatter. Once it did, the Three Kingdoms Allied Forces would storm in. Without the Royal Guard, how would they resist those wolves and tigers?
Perhaps, she wouldn’t even need to trick Amelia into the secret passage?
“You may go.”
A gust of wind lifted Amelia’s wavy, light golden hair. She tucked a strand away, her figure looking somewhat forlorn.
“Then, Your Majesty, you…”
“Don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourselves from now on.”
“Your Majesty…”
The Guard members stared blankly at Amelia.
[Wasn’t this supposed to be a rallying speech? How did it turn into disbanding the Royal Guard?]
[This plot is completely different from the original! What on earth is going on?]
[But it’s useless for the Guard to stay anyway. The only one who can save Amelia is Eileen. Eileen alone is more useful than all the rest of the Guard combined.]
As the bullet comments debated, someone from the Guard began to leave.
It was a young man, with a long future ahead of him, unwilling to die here.
Surrendering to the Allied Forces might not guarantee death, but staying to resist certainly would. He made his natural choice.
Once the first left, a second and a third followed…
The members of the Royal Guard dispersed one after another.
Even Mark, the Guard Captain, after kowtowing heavily to Amelia one last time, departed.
In the end, only one person remained.
It was a young woman in silver armor. Beneath her helmet, one could see long, silvery-white hair and a pair of eyes as bright as rubies.
The girl was very beautiful, but her expression was severe. Even now, down on one knee, she clenched her fists, suppressing her inner turmoil.
She was furious at the others for leaving, but since this was Amelia’s decision, she felt she couldn’t speak out.
Her name was Eileen Bechel.
She was the protagonist of the drama “Journey of the Fallen Kingdom Sword Saint’s Revenge.”
The moment she appeared, the bullet comments erupted. Countless comments flooded past, expressing their adoration for Eileen.
Amelia had known Eileen would stay. She had been monitoring the bullet comments, which mentioned Eileen was extremely loyal. That was precisely why she had felt confident uttering those earlier words, letting everyone else go.
As long as Eileen remained, all problems were no problems.
“Eileen, are you willing to stay and remain by my side?” Amelia looked at Eileen seriously and asked.
“I am willing.” Eileen answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“Then, Eileen, whatever mission I assign you, will you carry it out?”
“Wherever Your Majesty’s will points, there my blade shall be aimed.”
“Very well. Then, Eileen, I give you your first mission right now.”
“Please give your command, Your Majesty.”
Eileen’s beautiful face was set with unwavering determination. Whatever the mission, as long as it was from Amelia, she would execute it.
She had been taken in and raised by the royal family since childhood. She knew deeply that without them, she would be nothing. Now was the time to repay that debt, even if it cost her life.
Amelia looked at Eileen with satisfaction, then slowly raised her hand. Her slender, pale finger pointed at Molly, who was standing not far away. “I want you to kill her.”
Molly, the target of that finger, froze.
An instant later, before Molly could even react, the sound of a sword leaving its sheath rang out. Eileen’s figure seemed to appear right beside Molly in a flash, her blade descending cold and relentless as moonlight.
“Splash!”
Accompanied by a flash of cold light, a head went flying into the air, tumbling and rolling several times upon landing.
