<strong>Chapter 286 – One Thing Holding Her Back (2)</strong>


    Elena’s eyes shed like red diamonds, and she slowly raised her dagger and pointed it at Batori. It is true that her enemy was well-prepared. However, for all the boulders toe down simultaneously, a person had to push each of them at the same time, otherwise there would be gaps. Three of the assassins had already died, and any empty spaces would be disadvantageous to them. They likely thought taking Carlisle’s life was more urgent than risking a fight to kill Elena. However…


    ‘It will be their most fatal mistake.’


    As Elena witnessed this scene in person, she would never allow it to happen. Batori responded mockingly to Elena’s confident attitude.


    “Do you know how many people we have? No matter how well you can fight, you cannot stop us.”


    The Blood Assassins, formed by Paveluc, were a group of the most ruthless and skilled fighters on the continent. It was unlikely that Elena could stop them when they were all gathered together, and was why Batori and the assassins weren’t intimidated even when she discovered them.


    In the end, however, Elena grinned.


    “Who said I would stop you?”


    “What…?”


    Before Batori could even process her words, she threw the dagger in her hand.


    Swiiiig—


    The de cut through a rope securing one of the boulders. The boulder swayed for a heart-stopping moment, then began to roll down the cliff with a thunderous noise. It was loud enough for anyone to hear from a distance.


    Batori suddenly realized her n and turned deathly white.


    “Th-this…!”


    The smile on Elena’s lips broadened. Since she knew Carlisle’s entourage would soon pass here, they would almost certainly retreat if they saw a falling boulder ahead of them. Elena timed her move perfectly to warn Carlisle.


    Batori’s face flushed with rage, but Elena gave a casual smile.


    “What are you going to do now? The Emperor will now know that this road is dangerous.”


    Batori whirled towards his men.


    “Everyone release it now!”


    The timing wasn’t right, but if Carlisle hadn’t gotten off the road yet, there was still the possibility to trap him. At Batori’smand, his men began to move quickly, and they began to release the boulders down the cliff.


    Kwatatatatatang!


    Elena swiftly moved into action. To protect Carlisle, he still had to prevent as many rocks from hitting the road as much as possible.


    “I won’t let you!”


    She leapt towards them and tried to stop them as best she could. At the same time, she paid attention not to stray too far from where thergest boulder was secured. It had the greatest probability of hurting—or even killing—Carlisle if it reached him.


    Chaeng! Chaeng!


    The sound of des crashing echoed throughout the cliff side.


    Elena held her breath as she staggered back and looked down at the drop below. Batori stared at her from higher up, his usual cat-like smile on his face.


    “Your Majesty, I’ll ask you another question. How are you going to get out of here now?”


    She couldn’t let Carlisle get near here, or else he wouldn’t be able to escape. Elena needed her escort knights now, but even that wouldn’t guarantee her victory if they arrived. For the first time, she could not answer any of Batori’s words.


    “…”


    From the moment she met Batori, she had becent. It would take someone’s sacrifice to stop him from killing Carlisle, and that sacrifice would be herself.


    Batori stared down at her, his face silhouetted darkly from the sun behind him.


    “Get her.”


    The assassins had given up on dropping the boulders and rushed towards Elena in unison.


    ‘I won’t take this lying down.’


    Elena quickly swung the dagger in her hand.


    Syugsyugsyug!


    Her swift attack broke up the line of the Blood Assassins. She danced into a gap and quickly stabbed her de into anyone who got into her vicinity.


    “Kaag!”


    With a short scream, one assassin fell to the ground spurting blood. She didn’t stop there, and began cutting through the Blood Assassins one by one. Batori’s face contorted in anger. He had been hoping for a quick victory.


    ‘This is beyond imagination.’


    He had heard rumors of her incredible power. Even so, it was impossible to believe that she was holding her own against a group of the most highly trained fighters in the world.


    In the end, however, the disadvantage in numbers caught up to her. An assassin approached her from behind and struck her on the back.


    Peog!


    “Ugh.”


    She lost her bnce, but she tried to carry on the fight. Someone kicked her ankle and she copsed to the ground. Immediately, six swords crossed over her neck. Despite the sharp edge against her skin, Elena lifted her head up and red at Batori.


    Batori had lost his smile, and his face was twisted in anger. Elena had ruined all his prepared ns, and he didn’t like the way she looked at him.


    He strode slowly towards her and lifted his hand.


    Jjaag!


    He struck her strongly on the cheek, and Elena’s head whipped to the side. Batori, breathing roughly, looked around at the remaining assassins.


    “We will take her hostage. Be prepared to see him.”


    Batori smiled back at Elena and continued.


    “If you say I’m useless, I’ll kill you in an even more brutal fashion than the Second Prince. Don’t bother to beg for your life…I won’t listen.”


    It was a considerable threat, but Elena gave a faint smile. She had thought about the worst possible scenario. Rather than burdening Carlisle, Elena would choose tomit suicide without hesitation.


    However, there was one thing now holding her back.


    ‘My child…’


    The child growing in Elena’s stomach would never see light. Batori turned his heel and gave amand to his subordinates.


    “Let’s return to the Grand Duke.”