Chapter 12

## Episode 12

**Chapter 12** is the twelfth chapter of *Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts* manga series.

## Plot

One of the gatekeepers yawns as the other reminds him that they are still on duty, and they can't afford to let their guard down after those bandits trespassed a few days ago. One of them simply says that Leonhart is strong enough to handle any threat, but the other says that is besides the problem they need to put more spirit into their job. In an instant, though, a man knocks them down and tells two guards to bring him their king as he has business with him.

Sariphi reads a book as she tells Amit that she is starting to feel that getting humans and beasts to coexist is very difficult, considering that they keep fighting even after the war ended centuries ago. Amit admits that a perfect peace is difficult, especially since even among beastkind, different tribes are at each other's throats. Amit, however, adores Sariphi and believes that love can bring the world together, a sentiment Sariphi shares with her. However, Sariphi refers to Amit as her first "real" friend, promting the latter to ask if she didn't have any friends in Yoana. Sariphi confesses that she never made any friends after she learned she was going to be a sacrifice, her reasoning being that she didn't want to make anyone she got close to sad when she was gone. Sariphi does start thinking about someone, but the both of them hear a commotion.

It turns out the man had become chained up and locked in the dungeon with Leonhart and Anubis watching over him. The latter advises that Leonhart be careful because of how violent he seems and how intent he was in bringing him harm, comparing him to an animal himself. Leonhart steps forward and the man accuses him of killing Sariphi. Speaking of, Sariphi wants to see what the commotion was all about, believing she can help, despite Clops and Cy trying to convince her otherwise. She manages to trick them into telling her where the dungeon is, but when she gets there, she recognizes the man as Ilya, the friend she was about to tell Amit about, while he is brought to tears of joy that Sariphi is still alive.

Sariphi asks Leonhart to pardon Ilya, but Anubis says that not even a beast would be forgiven for what he did. Sariphi offers that she take Ilya's punishment in his stead, but after some silence, Leonhart tells Anubis to fetch the gatekeepers so they can understand what really happened. The gatekeepers tell Leonhart that Ilya said he had "business" with him, leading Leonhart to dub Ilya a guest that forgot to ring the bell. He does acknowledge that Ilya caused a stir and tells Anubis to find Set so they can consider a proper punishment for him prior to his release. Sariphi is grateful for Leonhart's decision as he asks her why Ilya is so important to her.

Sariphi tells him that when she was younger, Ilya was her friend, having met him after he started his pilgrimage with his master following the destruction of his home by beasts. One day she ran up to him and slapped a medicinal herb on his face since he always looked beat up from his training. Touched, Ilya tells her that one day he'll be strong enough to beat up anyone and if someone gives her trouble, he'll protect her. The two continued to grow close, but Sariphi never told him that she was going to be a sacrifice, which she believes is the reason he pulled such a stunt, and why she feels she needs to take responsibility for it all. Leonhart asks her that is the only reason, which confuses her, but he lets it slide and tells her to go to him. After she leaves, Leonhart wonders if he is truly so petty to ask such a thing.

In the dungeon, Anubis has Ilya's chains broken and he tells him to never set foot in Ozmargo again, as par the terms of his release. Ilya, however, grabs Anubis by the neck and tells him that he should be grateful to Sariphi, for he would have killed everyone had anything happened to her. Sariphi appears and says she's happy he is free while he in turn is grateful she is okay. However, he immediately takes her hand, telling her that she is taking her out of the country, believing that they have no need for her as a sacrifice so it shouldn't be a problem. Clops and Cy try to stop him but he kicks them aside and continues walking, but Leonhart appears and takes Sariphi, where he announces that Sariphi is to become their queen, much to Ilya's horror.

* Gatekeepers
* Ilya
* Sariphi
* Amit
* Leonhart
* Anubis
* Clops & Cy
* Senate Speakers
* Set *(mentioned)*