Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Examiner (11)

Ahcehera braced herself as the Zergs coordinated their attack, unleashing a torrent of toxic fluid onto her mecha.

The hiss of corrosive acid meeting metal filled the air, and the cockpit trembled under the onslaught.

“Mistress, the damage has increased, 50%,” Syverian reported, its voice steady despite the critical situation.

Ahcehera gritted her teeth. “Move to that peak. We need to hide for now.”

Syverian’s thrusters roared to life, propelling them toward the jagged peak that jutted out from the alien terrain.

The battered mecha stumbled into the mouth of a cave, its legs barely holding under the strain. Inside, the dim glow of bioluminescent moss illuminated the damp, narrow space.

The live stream was still running, and the viewers watched every moment with bated breath, their screens displaying the harrowing scene around Ahcehera.

She exited the cockpit, her steps unsteady. Her hand trembled as she retrieved four healing potions from her space button, downing them one by one.

The bitter liquid burned her throat, but she didn’t flinch. Her sharp eyes scanned Syverian, assessing the damage with a heavy heart.

The stream buzzed with comments as the audience witnessed her resilience.

[She’s injured, yet she’s still moving. How is this possible?]

[Four healing potions in one go? That could kill a normal person!]

[She’s beyond human. Is this the true strength of the princess?]

[Why isn’t the live feed being cut off? Shouldn’t they protect her privacy in such a critical moment?]

Ahcehera’s lips pressed into a thin line as she drank an energy-boosting potion. Its sour tang jolted her mind awake, pushing the creeping fatigue aside.

She rummaged through her space button, pulling out an array of tools.

She knelt beside Syverian, her hands moving with precision despite the tremor in her fingers.

Her focus was unyielding as she replaced the damaged inner parts, working as if driven by a force beyond herself.

It felt strange, her hands were moving faster than her mind could process. The precision, the speed, it all felt… unnatural.

Is the original soul of the villainess still here? Inside of me?

The thought lingered, but there was no time to dwell. She wiped away the remnants of the corrosive fluid from Syverian’s surface, revealing the deep burns etched into its armor.

Reaching for a vial, she sprayed a cooling potion over the damaged areas. A faint hiss rose as the potion neutralized the heat, steam curling into the stagnant air.

A sudden cough escaped her lips, breaking the tense silence.

“Mistress, be careful,” Syverian warned, its tone tinged with concern. “The spores are still present in the air around us.”

Ahcehera shook her head, her voice steady despite the exhaustion pulling at her. “Don’t worry. I’m continuously running my mental power. They won’t harm me so easily.”

“But Mistress, you’ve already overdrawn your mental power. Your injuries are severe, pushing further could be fatal.”

Her eyes darkened with determination as she turned toward Syverian. “I can still fight. I will fight, until my last breath, Syverian.”

[She’s risking her life for all of us!]

[Doesn’t she know when to stop? Someone save her already!]

[Her mental power must be extraordinary to resist the spores. But how much longer can she hold out?]

[Every moment feels like it could be her last. This is unbearable to watch!]

Ahcehera straightened her back, ignoring the ache that spread through her body. There was no room for hesitation, no time for rest.

Every second counted, and she was determined to make it to the next, whatever it took.

–

“Mistress, the Zerg queen has moved. It’s heading in our direction,” Syverian reported, its voice betraying an undertone of urgency.

Ahcehera’s brow furrowed, but her lips curved into a wry smile. “She might be following my mental power. Syverian, prepare for battle. This might be the last.”

The camera captured her expression, a faint smile that didn’t reach her weary eyes. The audience froze, their collective breath held as if time had stopped.

To them, it felt like they were witnessing the final moments of their princess, a fleeting image of defiance and grace before the inevitable.

[She smiled… is this really the end?]

[The galaxy can’t afford to lose her.]

[Why is no one there to save her? This is unbearable to watch!]

[Princess, please! Hold on just a little longer!]

Ahcehera calmly returned her tools to the space button and climbed into the cockpit. Inside, her hands moved swiftly over the console, initiating diagnostics.

“Syverian, run a systems check. Is there any way to minimize the spread of the damage?”

“Mistress, my duty is to protect you. I can still launch an escape module to get you out.”

“Escape to where?” Ahcehera snapped, her tone sharp but not unkind.

“The abyss is a labyrinth of dead ends. The entrance we used has already been sealed. Maps are useless here, and we can’t even call for reinforcements.”

A brief silence filled the cockpit before Syverian responded, its voice resolute. “Mistress, I will do my best to keep you alive.”

Ahcehera’s eyes softened as she nodded. “Let’s work together, Syverian. One last push.”

The mecha’s damaged frame groaned as it stepped out of the cave. Ahcehera gripped the controls, her body braced for the coming storm.

At her side, a long sword gleamed with residual light from the cave’s bioluminescent moss.

Without warning, she unwrapped a lollipop and placed it between her lips. The sharp, sweet taste cut through the metallic tang of exhaustion lingering in her mouth.

The camera caught her manic smile, a grin that was equal parts madness and determination.

Her pale face was illuminated by the flickering lights of the cockpit, and her eyes sparkled with an eerie brilliance.

The stream exploded in reaction.

[Is she… smiling? What is going on in her mind?]

[She’s insane. But that’s why she’s the princess. She thrives in chaos!]

[The lollipop! Even in the face of death, she’s unfazed.]

[I can’t believe her calmness. She’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever seen.]

Unbeknownst to Ahcehera, her family was already in turmoil.