I Screwed the Novel's Plot

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Trickster's smile vanished as he wiped the bloody saliva from his face and looked Damian in the eyes.

"You're quite daring, aren't you?"

An earth spear formed behind Trickster's back but before it could make a thrust, Damian's mouth was oozing out blood as the assassin's dagger pierced through his heart.

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My eyes widened.

'What… is that?'

I could see how Trickster's smile disappeared as he cleaned my bloody saliva from his face and stared me in the eyes. Wrinkles appeared on my forehead right after I found a perfectly formed spear-shaped earth behind his back.

'What is… happening?'

"You're quite daring, aren't you?"

I turned to him and abruptly slammed down his dagger that rushed at my heart. I shut my eyes when warm liquid splattered on my face.

I slowly opened my eyelids and a horrendous scene showed before me. Trickster's eyes were wide open and blood was pouring out from his mouth as my earth spear lanced through his heart.

My mind went blank. I didn't know what was happening right now. Did I just escape death? And what sight did I just see? Before I could think any further, I coughed a mouthful of blood.

I looked down when I felt a sharp pain in my upper abdomen and a dagger was planted there. It seemed I didn't fully block his attack.

I crawled to the side and pulled the knife out of my stomach. The red liquid was seen leaking from my wound and I forced myself to get up with the help of the tree by my side. I wished to stay and rest but I couldn't do that.

It would be nice if the reinforcements came, but what would happen if the assassins were coming instead of them? I didn't think I could fight them in my current state. I clutched my wound whilst walking staggeringly.

"Cough, cough!"

I puked another mouthful of blood and reached out to the nearby tree. Well, I might be able to close my wound with my Water Elemental but right now, I ran out of mana.

Honestly speaking, that was plausible but I would without a doubt end up fainting if I exhausted my Mana Core and I couldn't take that risk.

Also, it was not funny if I woke myself up in the underworld or another world. I have to stay awake no matter what.

"Cough, cough!"

I couldn't stop throwing up blood and my wounds kept bleeding. I felt dizzy, and my leg started to lose its strength. I had no idea, was it due to my blood loss or I was just dying?

However, a glimmer of hope lit up a bit of my spirit when I saw a marked tree bark with my blurred vision. I approached the tree with my wobbling feet and touched it.This was a sign that I engraved when entering the forest. I moved my limp legs to follow where they led me.

"Argh!"

I couldn't help but groan in pain right after I fell on my stomach. I forced myself to get up but I ended up coughing heavily.

"Cough, cough!"

Rosy fluids were leaking from the corners of my mouth and I wiped them before trying to rise once again, but my bottoms refused to listen.

'Come on! Move!'

Yet, no matter how much I struggled, it was fruitless. Looked like they lost their power. I laid my head on the soil and breathed slowly to ease my mind. In the end, I gave up and decided to drag myself with both hands to keep moving.

–Shrug –Shrug --Shrug

I didn't know how many times had passed but my body was soaked with sweat and the forest was painted in pale-tinted orange as the sun prepared to set.

'Can I make it out of this wood before nightfall?'

Suddenly, I heard a male voice.

"Are you okay?"

A shadow cast upon me and I moved my head to look up. Nevertheless, my shaded eyes refused to give me a sight but judging from his familiar voice, I could tell he was someone I knew, albeit I failed to remember who he was. I plopped my head to the ground and heaved a sigh of relief.

'Am I safe now?'

"Didn't I tell you to not get yourself out of the castle, did I?"

Ultimately, I was stunned to death after I fully memorized who the owner of the spokesperson was. My head abruptly perked up and finally, I caught a pair of golden eyes staring down at me. It was Alexander.

'Why must I meet my murderer at a time like this?!'

Before I could shout at him, my head unexpectedly felt heavy and my vision went black.

.

.

.

Chislon and Fedel stopped and exchanged glances as they saw the view beneath. Debris of earth was scattered everywhere and there was even fire burning a tree and grass below! Just what in the world happened here? Both of them hopped down.

"It seems there was a fight here."

"Seems that way."

Chislon strolled to the burning tree, he summoned Water Elemental and used it to put down the tree and the grass. He was just glad it rained yesterday so the fire didn't spread any further.

"Count Andreas. Please come and take a look at this."

Chislon turned to the voice and walked towards Fedel. However, he was horrified after Fedel moved sideways and revealed a gruesome spectacle before his eyes.

A man was skewered by an earth spear from behind and it seemed like his death wasn't long since his blood was still dripping and soaking the forest floor.

"I also found these."

Fedel showed him a sword and a dagger with its blade carved with Desdemona's family crest.

"This sword was a decorative hanging sword, originally from the Prince's chamber."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. I remember because its hilt has a unique design and I assumed the Prince took this weapon before his runaway."

Chislon couldn't help but massage his temple. That little brat was way too clever to prepare his running away plan. He even took a freaking sword! Although its blade was dull, he knew the danger so he left armed.

"And, as for the dagger. I think this was his."

Fedel eyed the spiked man. Diverse from those assassins' weapons that they fought off, this one was different. This proved that this man was like a leader or something.

Chilson spun to the battle area behind him. The destruction scale couldn't be said as simple fighting, Elementals were involved.

"Do you think the Prince...?"

Chislon nodded certainly.

"Looks like the Prince fought to defend himself. But..."

To be able to fend himself against a well-trained assassin was considered amazing for Damian's level. But managed to kill a top-notch assassin–Chislon eyebrows furrowed.

'Isn't it a little bit too much?'

Even if he successfully killed the assassin, Chislon thought that he wouldn't get out of here unscratched. It was not that the Count underestimated his pupil's skill, but it was because he knew exactly where Damian's level was. He just knew him too well.

Chislon peeked at his telesphere and froze after realizing that the flickering red dot was nowhere to be found. A wave of headache filled his head. He immediately skimmed through the surroundings and found a trail of blood on the grass. He instantly veered to Fedel.

"Let's go."

Feel nodded but before they could move, Chislon's telesphere rang. He received a call from the Empress and immediately picked it up. Afterward, Chislon inhaled in relief and then turned to the man beside him.

"The Prince has been found and Her Majesty requests for us to return."

"Is the Prince safe?"

Chislon shook his head.

"I don't know. But Her Majesty will explain the rest once we return to Castle."

Fedel nodded and glanced at the corpse below.

"What about him?"

"We will retrieve the dagger. We can use it as solid evidence if Her Majesty wished to open up a Trial. As for this and the other corpses, the Imperial Dispatched Search Team will take care of them."

"I understand."

Chislon took out a teleport magic paper and channeled his mana to it. After waiting for ten seconds, a white magic circle formed under their feet and they disappeared into thin air.

The scenery changed as they were transported inside the Blink Sphere inside the Empress' Palace. Without wasting any time they left the room and a maid greeted them.

"Her Majesty is waiting in her study room. I will be your guide."

The maid led them to the front. However, a boy caught Fedel and Chislon's attention. He bent his back lightly the moment they passed him. Both of them couldn't help but furrow their eyebrows. Arriving at a giant doot, the maid knocked on it.

"Your Majesty, Count Andreas, and head butler Fedel has arrived."

"Let them in."

She opened the door and the Empress could be seen sitting on a chair behind the desk. After it closed, both of them bowed.

"I greet the Empress of the Chrono Empire."

"You may rise."

Theresa took a deep breath.

"Thank you so much for your utmost help in finding the Prince. Prince Damian has been found and I promise to reward you handsomely."

Chislon shook his head.

"There's no need to thank me. He's my pupil and as his tutor, I'm also responsible for his safety. But, if I may ask, how is Prince Damian's condition?"

Theresa exhaled a long sigh once more.

"He's in a critical condition."

They could vividly hear how the Empress' voice trembled; she tried her best to push back her tears. Fedel took a step forward and bent.

"Please forgive my rudeness. But may I ask why is the First Prince here?"

The Empress stayed silent for a few seconds before she dropped a bomb that made Fedel and Chislon completely dumbfounded.

"Prince Alexander was the one who brought back Prince Damian."