[Seraphine’s POV]
My thoughts were questioning my every action until now. Why did I do that? Why did I do this? However, I pulled the reins of my horse, pulling my chariot of thoughts.
At present, my only goal was to make sure that Master Aiden reached the Tidebreaker, and I won’t let anyone stand in my way.
"Seraphine, you focus on the leader and sages. I and Felicia will handle the rest." Master Aiden suggested.
"You ready, Felicia? Just freeze if you see someone approaching and I am unable to act," he quickly conveyed to her.
"Hmmm," Felicia only hummed in response, holding Master’s collar tight.
The first to make a move was Felicia herself; she froze half the side attacking Master. Watching her combat capabilities, I relaxed a little.
The leader moved, his fist glowing with fire. Just as I dodged the attack, it was followed by two sword swings of Sages along with him. I defended from the attack with my sword as I skidded backwards.
The problem was not their strength but the sheer number, and I also had to keep an eye on Master in case of any mishap.
"It looks like you are worried about the brat. Don’t worry, you will join him in the underworld in a few minutes," the leader sneered, as he caught onto my thoughts.
Keeping my mouth shut, I only focused on the coming attacks from different angles. Their number had just dwindled slightly as I mercilessly dismembered them.
Again, multiple flashes appeared on the deck, and the dwindling number increased again.
Frustration crept up in my mind as I counted the numbers; the situation has turned from somewhat hopeful to a bleak outlook, again.
Without giving another thought, I swung my sword. All the grandmasters that lunged at me were butchered; sages only lasted for a few strikes. I only had to keep myself alert to the leader and his 4 Sages, who were fighting at a different level than the rest.
Their every move forced me to adapt and improvise. The leader had fire affinity, visible from his forearm covered in fire and the burning marks left at the place of every punch.
My skills, which I hadn’t used until now, I had to use at every interval. The defensive skill Order Guard saved me from many near-miss chances.
Whenever the pirates tried to surround me, I used Purity Sweep to scatter them away.
When the third batch appeared, the sharp voice of Master Aiden reached my ears: "Hurry to the side; the leader has the ability to transport people in his proximity. We won’t last much longer," he shouted.
"That kid sure got brains; many people never get to know how they were surrounded and killed. But he is also right that you won’t last long."
"These members are just from three ships; 12 more are on their way," the leader grinned and spoke like he was doing our final rites.
"Could you buy me a few seconds, Master Aiden?" I asked.
"Yeah, just hurry up," he nodded. "Felicia, same tactic. You freeze, I punch," he added.
"Okay, mister. Felicia is ready," she spoke, still enthusiastic even in the grim situation.
We were now at the border of the deck; a few steps back and we would be overboard. As I focused on my skill, Heavenly Servitude Judgement, its effects would be reduced due to rank lock. But this was my hope to get out of the clinch.
The fight of Master Aiden and Felicia together was rhythmic at minimum. Felicia froze anyone reaching close into an ice block and Master powerful punches did the rest.
The next moment, as my focus on my skill and mana increased, an ethereal golden sword appeared behind me, not in its full majesty but threatening enough.
As I was ready with my skill, suddenly a movement caught my eye and I reacted but I was a moment late.
The leader either to distract me or solely to target him, moved like wind towards Master Aiden. Felicia sensing the danger erected a thick ice wall immediately.
However, his fire-coated punch broke the ice wall like it was made of mud. Still, the few microseconds were enough for Master Aiden to take a defensive stance as the pirate leader’s fist made contact with the hands of the master in a cross shape.
Like a cannonball, Master shot towards the cabin wall. Luckily, he had moved a little, stopping himself from being thrown into the sea. Felicia hurried toward him.
"Mister, are you okay? Sorry, Felicia tried to stop, but she isn’t strong enough," she complained about herself.
Every bone in my body twisted as a rage took over. "Stay away from Master Aiden," I shouted as I aimed my skill at the leader.
He retaliated by meeting my sword head-on, supported by his Sage-rank pirates.
A blinding light covered the deck for a few seconds; I immediately hurried to Master Aiden.
He was slowly trying to get up; I didn’t even know how he could move. Even I was avoiding the direct punches of the leader.
"I am alright, Seraphine, Felicia," he spoke weakly as he got up.
"Hahaha...know this is truly interesting. A puny Awakened-rank surviving the punch from a Saint-Rank. I changed my mind; you guys deserve to be captured alive. So that I can find the reason for that power," the leader declared, grinning from ear to ear.
There was slight bleeding from his forehead and right hand, but his smirk was getting wider; he looked like he was convinced of his victory.
"Would you guys surrender, or would you guys surrender?" he reverted back to his sarcastic tone, already enjoying the win.
"Do you have some powerful spell, Felicia?" Master asked in his strained voice.
"Felicia can, but it takes a lot of mana and some time to prepare the spell," she answered.
"Okay, get ready. Seraphine and I will provide cover," he stated, trying to appear brave, but I could clearly see the pain written all over his face from the punch earlier.
My thoughts narrowed; I wasn’t much surprised seeing my attack wasn’t able to do much damage. It was hardly 10% of the skill; however, due to rank lock, I can’t access my full power.
The leader had become slightly relaxed after seeing Master in such a state and cornering me.
Amidst the victorious smirk of the leader, more people appeared, teleported by his ability. The number of pirates was reaching 200 even after we eliminated many attackers.
Why? A question occurred in my mind even at this moment. Why was he still standing after taking a hit? Not ready to leave me behind, I am sure he can summon hundreds of such powerful maids as me.
So why was he still showing stubbornness? All the recent days spent with Master Aiden flashed in my mind for a second. He never once considered me expendable; if such a man died just because he couldn’t leave his maid behind, people would call him a fool.
At that moment, I decided that whatever happens, he has to live. So that he can complete that dream of his.
As the group of almost 200 pirates stepped towards us simultaneously. Master with his fist barely raised, and Felicia was preparing her spell.
I etched this memory in my mind, a reminder that someone didn’t leave me behind even when he should have.
Golden light enveloped me as the air itself floated me upwards.
"Felicia, protect Master Aiden and take him to our ship," I muttered softly; both turned, looking at me questioningly.
A smile bloomed on my face as I tapped into that locked mana. Suddenly the system screen appeared at me once again.
[You are breaking the rule of Summoning. Forcefully unlocking your power will result in damage to your core.]
[It’s not advised!!]
’Thank you, system, for giving me a chance to serve under a new master.’ I thanked mentally.
The sword manifested again, but this time its grandeur was much different than before. Its edge was gleaming with golden energy, the Heavenly Servitude Judgement in some of its original form.
"NO! Seraphine, don’t!" Master shouted, and I disobeyed him for the first time.
"Big sis?" Felicia, confused, spoke.
"A bigger sword won’t do you any good, bitch," the leader also shouted.
The sword moved with speed incomparable to before; the leader tried to attack head-on again. ’Fool, it only looks the same,’ I spoke mentally.
As the pain of forcing such mana permeated my entire body. My consciousness started slipping and I stared falling.
The last thing I saw before I closed my eyes was a worried look on my master’s face and a glowing screen.
[Severing the link of summon to her mana core.]