The ten orcs I've spared their lives led me to the mountainside where Camilia was held hostage.
I sat on one of the orcs' massive broad shoulders, while keeping my eyes out for any sign of trouble.
Suddenly, we came upon Camilia's royal carriage. It was destroyed into pieces.
My eyes widened as I saw the bodies of the King's elite knights sprawled around the floor in a pool of their own blood.
It was a massacre. Every single one of them were brutally killed. I couldn't believe it. An elite knight was strong with the strength and prowess of five men. Camilia had four elite knights to protect her and yet they all fell to their death.
I jumped down from the orcs shoulder and walked around to inspect the dead men. They were as dead as a fly. There wasn't anything I could do for them.
I haven't done any studies on resurrection magic. It was a forbidden art lost to humans. I'm sure if I had even the faintest knowledge of resurrection magic, I'll have done something for these guys.
They were good men who sacrificed themselves to protect my step sister. The only thing I could do right now is avenge their deaths.
Koff! Koff!
I stiffened and turned sharply to the direction of the sound. I couldn't believe it. One of the knights was still alive.
I found him wedged under the rumbles of the carriage, laying on his back with his sword gripped tightly in his hand. Laying around him were also dead bodies of some of the orcs he took down.
"Sir, Krell?" I gasped, instantly recognizing him. Krell was reputedly called the Iron Knight. He was known as the strongest in the kingdom but here lies Krell, defeated by a horde of orcs.
I've seen Krell in action. I don't doubt his strength nor swordsmanship but if he could be taken out by some orcs, then these orcs were either higher level orcs or they were assisted.
I counted the bodies of the orcs he had slain, there were about fifteen in numbers. Not bad. He didn't go down without a fight.
Krell coughed again, this time spitting out blood.
"Take him out of the rumbles," I commanded my orcs.
The orcs obeyed. They carefully removed the rumbles and laid Krell to my feet. He had a deep cut on his back. His skin was pale and growing cold by the seconds. He had lost so much blood if he were a regular person he could've been dead instantly.
The fact he held on longer for three hours was amazing. I was impressed. They don't call him the strongest for nothing.
"Sir Krell," I said, stretching my hand before him. "You've fought well. I'm going to heal you now."
A warm green light pulsed from my hand and spilled over his deep wound. Krell groaned as his torm flesh began to knit itself back together. His skin and muscles were rejoining as if time was reversed on his wound.
Krell's ghostly pale face slowly began to regain a flush of life. The sweat on his brow was drying and his faint breath grew steady and strong once again.
In less than a minute, I've healed krell's wound and saved his life. This was my first time using healing magic. It amazes me how well it worked.
Krell stirred as he slowly opened his eyes. When he saw me, he looked surprised. "Archer, what are you doing here?"
Krell and my mother were close friends at the castle. They were so close people did mistake them for a couple but that wasn't the case. Krell's romantic interest was with someone else.
He treats me like I was his little brother. We had a sibling type of relationship except we aren't blood related.
Krell doesn't know I'm the King's son nor is he aware of my enrollment in Waurweth academy. It's no wonder why he was shocked to see me.
I looked away, "Um... I was passing by and happened to stumble upon you. Are you alright?"
Krell didn't answer, his eyes grew wide with terror when he saw the orcs standing behind me. He jumped to his feet with valor and grabbed his sword.
"Stay behind me, Archer," he yelled while shielding me. "These vermin attacked us, killed my men and kidnapped lady Camllia. I won't rest until I've slaughtered every single one of them."
"Sir Krell, take it easy," I said, stopping him. "These orcs are leading me to Camilia. If you kill them now, we won't know where she is."
Krell stared at me as if I had gone crazy. "What do you mean? I don't understand."
I took a deep breath then narrated what happened as briefly as I possibly could. After I was done, Krell could only stare at me as if I had gone crazy.
"You can't be serious, Archer," he said quietly, lowering his sword. "You mean to tell me you've been hiding your true abilities all these years? You must be a child prodigy of the legendary hero who became king 500 years ago. Do you have any idea how much of a threat you are to the demon king?"
The story of the legendary hero who became king was a moonlight tale told from generations to generations. I never imagined myself being a prodigy.
"No one must know about this, Krell," I said, my voice firm. "I'm going to save Camilia. Stay behind. I'll be back."
Krell regarded me as the orc carried me back on its shoulder. "I'm coming with you," he insisted, his eyes never leaving mine. "I don't know what's going on but if you're going to rescue lady Camilia, there's nothing you can do to stop me."
"Forget it, Krell," I said. "It could be dangerous. I can't guarantee your safety. You're in no good condition to fight. You must rest and make a full recovery."
Krell's eyes narrowed. "Three hours ago, we were ambushed by a band of orcs. I took down a few orcs but I wasn't strong enough to protect lady Camilia. I watched my brothers in arms slaughtered and my princess stolen from my sight. I allowed my rage to blind me and let my guard down. That finished me. I won't let things end this way. No matter what happens, I must rescue Lady Camilia and avenge my fallen brothers even if it kills me."
I stared at this man for a while, saw the steely resolve in his eyes and decided it was no use arguing with him.
"Tag along then," I grinned. "I'll make sure you have your revenge."