Shortly after the crowd recognized Princess Dana's status, the disorder and chaos quickly died.
No one had the courage to continue causing trouble in her presence, especially not after the imperial soldiers and martial students made their stances clear to them. Anyone with their brain screwed on properly wouldn't do so.
After all, disrespecting Princess Dana even after her status was made clear was equivalent to challenging imperial authority.
The normal punishment for challenging imperial authority was death by beheading. In the most severe cases, it was the execution of one's entire family and relatives. This was to reinforce imperial authority and quell rebellious hearts.
Nevertheless, Princess Dana was kind and reasonable as she appeared to those who knew her. Her infamy only came from her choice to pursue the martial way against all opposing views on the matter.
After all, the martial way was the warrior's path – the path of men.
Women who awakened their witch powers should join the Sacred Tirtha and learn the art of healing and treating diseases. At the very least, that was the norm for women until the imperial capital turned into a shithole due to the vampire outbreak.
Nevertheless, contrary to expectations, Princess Dana did not become unsightly from training the martial way; she did not become a muscular giant like most warriors.
In fact, she retained a slender body with toned muscles and silky-smooth skin. One could even argue that pursuing the martial way had enhanced her beauty instead.
Despite that, men also considered Princess Dana undesirable. As such, Princess Dana was still unwedded at a hundred years of age.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter all, she was a Peak-stage Senior Witch with a body comparable to Mid-Rank 4 Body Refiners. Furthermore, the combination of magic and brute strength made her power comparable to Peak Rank 4 Body Refiners.
If not for the limitation of magic development in the Great Ratholos Empire, she could have been even more powerful.
No warrior wanted to have a wife more powerful than them, as doing so would make them the joke of the city. People would belittle their strength and question their masculinity at home.
Such disgrace and humiliation wasn't something a proud warrior could endure, nor were they willing to experience.
On the other hand, the few men who actually desired Princess Dana for her strength and beauty lacked the qualifications to enter her eyes or win her hand in marriage. They were mostly weak men without prospects.
"Since everyone has become cooperative, please follow the instructions of the soldiers. They will point you to the next closest emergency shelter and escort you there," Princess Dana directed with a sweet smile.
Many unmarried men were immediately charmed by her. However, they quickly shook their heads as they recalled who she was.
When Princess Dana smiled, she was like a saintly angel. But when she was angry, she was also different from an asura from hell. This illusion was especially vivid due to her blonde and scarlet hair, which gave her a wild and rebellious impression.
Strong men didn't want her, and weak men couldn't handle her.
As the excess crowd slowly dispersed from the Martial Hall's entrance, a small group of Wyvern Riders arrived to see Princess Dana.
"Your Highness, please come with us. His Imperial Majesty has instructed us to escort you to Dragon Palace for safety," the leading Wyvern Rider respectfully informed.
"Why do I need to be escorted to safety?" Princess Dana frowned, evidently unhappy with the arrangement. "Am I someone who needs to hide away in the comfort of safety? I can stay and fight!"
"Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for me," the Wyvern Rider pleaded, helplessly adding, "I am only following the will of your father, the emperor."
"Everyone is scared and afraid without knowing what is happening," Princess calmly mentioned before her gaze turned sharp with gloom and graveness. "Despite that, I've been doing my best to calm everyone and control the situation here."
"And yet, before I get to learn anything further about the situation, my father wants to send me away? How is that acceptable?" Princess Dana voiced her objection.
She was an imperial princess of the Great Ratholos Empire, the holy land of warriors. She could have lived a luxurious and simple life like her sisters. However, she had decided to pick up the sword and pursue the martial way—all to acquire strength to become a leading figure who could safeguard her country.
Now that the empire was experiencing a crisis unlike before, the strength she desperately pursued could finally show its worth in such a time of need.
To flee to safety at such a crucial time was equivalent to spitting on her sense of responsibility and everything she had worked for.
"This…" The Wyvern Rider didn't know how to respond as he experienced a dilemma.
Even if he really tried to carry out the emperor's will by force, he might not necessarily succeed since Princess Dana could rival him. He might even lose if he wasn't careful.
"I understand your position and difficulty, but you must also understand mine," Princess Dana calmly stated before adding, "You should know that it is also meaningless to try convincing me to leave with you. I will not shy away from danger and my responsibilities."
"However, you don't have to worry about failing my imperial father's orders. He will not fault you since I am the one defying his will. In any case, I have always been regarded as the rebellious child in the family. Since when have I not defied people's expectations?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"If you know anything about the real situation, please tell me and enlighten us all. There's no point keeping me in the dark. I won't be able to help if I don't know anything," Princess Dana sincerely requested shortly after.
Her words quickly won the Wyvern Riders over, as they admired and respected her desire to fight for her country.
Even if she was a woman, she had the bearing of a true leader.
"Understood, Your Highness!"
The Wyvern Riders gave Princess Dana their most solemn salute as a sign of their respect and recognition.
Shortly after, the leading Wyvern Rider filled her in on the situation;
"The current situation is like this – Based on our current understanding, we know that the area covered by the crimson light has become part of Gehenna. Furthermore, it is connected to Evernight Domain, the territory of the Great Devil Abaddon."
"So far, most of us have only encountered the lowest-level creatures from the Evernight Domain. However, the situation is very dire. Our empire's experts are all locked in battle with powerful vampires, and they are losing."
"Moreover, we've received word that Great Devil Abaddon himself intends to descend on our world with his army of vampires. It's just a matter of time before the vampires overrun the city and take control of it."
"Although it all sounds unreal, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is most likely the worst possible event to have ever happened in the history of humankind, Your Highness."
Princess Dana's expression became unbelievably grim after she learned about the situation. She didn't think it was a reversible situation.
However, her eyes soon flashed with sharp killing intent.
Regardless of the final result, she was prepared to slaughter as many vampires as possible.