"Do you truly believe a mere knight like yourself can stand against me? What a laughable notion," the man taunted, assuming his battle stance once again and drawing a double-edged sword from his hip. The blade was straight and lightweight, in contrast to the longsword wielded by Henry.
The clash between the two combatants intensified as they exchanged swift blows, their swords meeting in a symphony of clashes. Seraphine's heart raced within her chest, her anxiety threatening to overwhelm her. With trembling hands, she fumbled for the container of drug that Iris had provided, struggling to maintain her composure amidst the chaos of the fight.
"Seraphine, take a deep breath. You've got this," Alice's soothing words echoed in her mind. Drawing in a steadying breath, Seraphine managed to retrieve a pill from the container and swallowed it hastily.
Gradually, the racing rhythm of Seraphine's heart began to subside, her breathing steadying as a newfound calmness washed over her. Her heightened emotions started to recede, allowing her to regain focus and composure in the face of the ongoing battle.
However, it was apparent that Henry was facing a greater challenge. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he struggled to counter each of the man's relentless attacks. The man, on the other hand, appeared invigorated, his strikes accompanied by a menacing laughter that only fueled his enthusiasm.
While the intense battle raged on, Seraphine sought her opportunity. Drawing upon her past training in telekinesis with Alice, she subtly gathered a small amount of dust in her hand, careful not to alert her opponent.
Although her telekinetic abilities might appear feeble and inconsequential to her adversary, they held the key to turning the tide of the fight. With her other hand, she kept a firm grip on the shotgun, poised for action at a moment's notice.
As the battle continued, Henry's stamina began to wane, and he eventually succumbed to the man's powerful strike, sending his sword soaring into the sky. Stunned by the force of the blow, Henry found himself incapacitated and vulnerable.
Seizing the opportunity, the man prepared to deliver a fatal blow to Henry by thrusting his sword toward his heart. But just as the deadly blade was about to strike, Seraphine unleashed her telekinetic power.
The fine dust she had discreetly collected surged forward, aiming straight for the man's eye with remarkable speed and precision. The unexpected attack caused the man to recoil, his original strike disrupted.
" Shit!" he exclaimed, staggering back and hastily shielding his eye from the intrusive dust particles that had forcefully entered.
Seizing the advantage gained from the man's momentary disarray, Seraphine wasted no time. Swiftly retrieving the shotgun from her back, she took careful aim at the now-vulnerable adversary.
"You despicable wretch! Eat this!" Seraphine's voice was cold and resolute as she squeezed the trigger. The shotgun's blast was accompanied by a demonic-infused bullet that erupted into a high-explosive impact upon hitting its target. The force of the explosion sent the man hurtling backward, crashing into a nearby tree with a violent collision.
A guttural cry of agony echoed through the air as flames engulfed the man, his anguished wails filling the forest. He struggled to rise, his movements labored and pained, as he desperately begged for his life.
"Wait! you don't have to do this!" the man pleaded, his voice wrought with desperation and fear.
Seraphine's response was as chilling as the frigid wind that swept through the forest. Her face remained impassive, her eyes devoid of emotion as she continued to methodically reload and fire, each shot punctuating the man's pleas.
Bang! Bang! The gunshots echoed like thunder, drowning out the man's cries as Seraphine's relentless barrage continued, her resolve unyielding.
His supplications for mercy grew more desperate, his voice strained and broken. Yet, Seraphine's heart remained untouched by his pleas.
After a series of intense gunshots, the man before them had transformed into a charred and unrecognizable figure. With a gentle breeze passing through the area, the once imposing figure crumbled into ash, scattering into the wind.
Indifferent and devoid of emotion, Seraphine calmly holstered her shotgun. Though she had just taken a life with her own hands, an unsettling numbness had settled over her, leaving her disconnected from the gravity of the situation.
"Seraphine, are you all right?" Alice's concerned voice echoed in her mind, reflecting the unique bond they shared.
"I'm fine. It's just... I don't feel anything— sorrow, or remorse. It's all just plain," Seraphine replied in a tone devoid of expression. While avoiding a breakdown was a relief, her current emotional state was equally concerning.
However, a sudden cacophony of shouts and clashing swords drew their attention. The Chaos Order was springing into action, their malevolent plans unfurling.
"Seraphine, are you there?" Iris's voice broke through the earbud, her concern evident.
"We encountered one of the members, but he's been dealt with," Seraphine responded, her words carrying the same cold detachment.
"Did you take the drug?" Iris's question was direct, her intuition picking up on the change in Seraphine's demeanor.
"Yes, it's working. I feel nothing," Seraphine replied, her voice as chilling as her newfound emotional void.
"Nevermind, Seraphine. You need to head to the hunting field immediately and assist the nobles. Help the knights who are engaged in battle," Iris ordered, a sense of urgency in her tone.
"Understood. Sir Henry, let's move," Seraphine acknowledged the order and turned to Henry, who was still recovering from their encounter. His shock was palpable, as if he was gazing at an experienced assassin who had taken countless lives—a harbinger of death.
"Right... let's go," Henry managed to regain his composure, retrieving his fallen sword and joining Seraphine as they swiftly disappeared into the depths of the forest, ready to face the unfolding chaos head-on.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the forest, Damian and Adrian remained seated in the banquet zone. The atmosphere around them appeared tranquil, with no visible signs of disturbance. Yet, an unspoken tension lingered in the air, both father and son acutely aware of the impending threat inching closer.
"Shouldn't we go assist the blue team? They seem to be facing significant trouble," Damian's voice carried a note of concern as he voiced his worry for Seraphine and the others.
"We must remain here, Damian. Miss Iris made it clear that we are to stay put until the time arrives," Adrian's composed demeanor was meant to reassure his son and keep him focused.
However, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a deafening explosion that reverberated across the center stadium. The once calm ambiance gave way to a cacophony of panicked screams and startled exclamations from the nobles in attendance.
"It appears that the moment is upon us. Everyone, be on guard!" Adrian's voice boomed, his command cutting through the chaos.
He swiftly issued orders to the standby knights strategically positioned throughout the area. With precision and discipline, the knights emerged from their concealed positions, forming a protective barrier around the bewildered nobles.
Caught off guard and disoriented, the noble crowd found themselves in a state of shock, their confusion palpable. The suddenness of the explosion had plunged them into a realm of uncertainty. As the knights stood ready, their vigilant gazes scanned the surroundings, prepared to intercept any potential threat.