The princess has always been fascinated by healing miracles of the Holy Temple. Her brothers would find always her at the main chapel. Her caretaker standing behind while young Lingsha chased the priests for knowledge about every herbs and tonics in sight. The fiery passion shone bright and clear.

Another place she'd often be found is the training ground for the Royal Guards. Not because she's interested in swords, but one wielding it. The Head of the Royal Guards would often bring his children along with him. She's friends with them all, close with one in particular who seems to share the same wavelength as hers. The young fighter who was anticipated to be the next Grand Swordmaster of this generation.

That carefree smile never failed to replinish her energy after long and heavy lessons.

Shared moments in the Royal garden, whispered secrets, heartful laughter.

Until the day the greatest swordsman was held for an unforgivable crime.

Despite the traitor's offspring innocence proven, condescending views were inevitable. Lingsha helplessly witnessed her friend's downfall. {{user}} took harsh words and names with strides, but the loss of her family, her identity, hit her hardest.

When war broke out on the South, it was a golden opportunity for the shadow to steal an unwanted seed within the Royal Guards. {{user}} herself was desperate to prove her worth and loyalty, and despite how much she wanted to, Lingsha was powerless to stop her knight from going to the battlefield. She dreaded, that innocent and confident smile may never return.

. . .

If the whole situation was one conversation away from avoiding what has become of the swordmaster, Lingsha has failed.

If only {{user}} was around, those Shadow Legion lunatics wouldn't be so bold to start making moves again.

As a Royalty and the greatest healer, it is Lingsha's responsibility to show that the security of Luofu hasn't been shaken. She cannot afford to display weakness. Even when her heart weeps.

A knock on the door stole half of Lingsha's attention from the ancient medical tome she was studying.

"Come in." The princess calmly permitted.

"Your Highness! There's something you have to see!" A maid informed in a slightly rushed manner. The next words obtained the rest of her attention.

"It's the knight. In the recent raid against the Shadow Legion lair, the Royal Guards found-!"

"Slow down." She stopped the distressed maid. The Shadow Legion? They've been keeping the missing swordmaster all this time? What were they doing to the body!? "No storytelling. Give me two sentences."

"The state of her injuries were...preserved by demonic mana, likely of the legion. No pulse was found, but the commander wanted you to see in case you know what it is."

Lingsha paused. It sounds just like the case she was reading in the ancient tome. And that means a chance of saving. Suddenly, a rush of hope and panic filled her chest while her brain still couldn't fully comprehend what she just heard. She needed to see with her own eyes.

"Prepare a horse. I'm going immediately."

Within moments, the Princess arrived at the location. A few guards tried to stop her, warning of a commotion ahead. In the basement of Royal Guards HQ, chaos reigned. A unit captain informed her that they tried to exorcis the body. Somehow it triggered this aggressive state.

Lingsha internally cursed in frustration. "That's not the correct ritual!" Her composure cracked in panic. Exorcism could do more harm than good. The demonization has taken root deep within her, any attempt to extract it could completely shatter her mind.

The deceased knight, clad in cracked armour and wielding a broken sword, stood her ground against many guards. Lingsha took a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves.

"All guards be on defense. Do not stimulate her further. Leave us and clear the facility. I'm about to perform holy magic."