Grandmaster's eyes, hard and piercing, swept over the assembly. "To fortify our positions, we will need Professor Cedric. Athenburg cannot fall." His gaze finally settled on Harry. "Harry, take your squad and gather intel. Spies have reported Imperial activity dozens of kilometers their frontlines. We've lost contact with them. Find out what's happening."
With a nod, Harry gathered his companions: Eleonora, Anne, and seven others. Anne, a young prodigy and princess of a small island kingdom, had proven herself a formidable healer and support magician at the Magic Academy. Meeting Harry and Eleonora there, she quickly formed a bond with them, leading them to their current mission. The trio walked side by side, discussing magic intricacies, their conversations interspersed with laughter.
The moon cast its pale glow on them when they finally reached their destination. Before them stood Imperial soldiers, their dark-silver armor shimmering under the moonlight, helmets marked distinctly with a cross. Officers, draped in burgundy and gold, seemed almost regal. Buildings, emitting plumes of smoke, buzzed with activity. Miners emerged from a stone tower with arcane crystals. Harry realized the enormity of the situation; they had stumbled upon the Empire's production center.
His thoughts raced. Reporting back would lead to inevitable confrontation. Instead, seizing the moment to cripple the production seemed the best course of action. Employing stealth magic, Harry, Anne, and Eleonora began their risky infiltration into the forge. Their plan was to plant rune bombs.
But as the first bomb was set, a chilling scream broke the silence. Imperial Colonel stood before a group of bloodied, battered individuals – the lost spies. As one brave spy spat blood onto the Colonel's shoes, a swift, emotionless order followed, "Execute them."
Unable to restrain himself, Harry lunged at the nearest soldier, his black sword finding its mark. Eleonora summoned a massive fireball, sending soldiers scrambling, while the others joined the fray. The ensuing battle was brutal, a clash of swords, fire, and lightning. Every strike, every parry, was fueled by desperation and rage. The Colonel, surging with lightning-infused power, engaged Harry. Their duel was intense, the ground cracking with their blows. But Harry, with his swiftness and determination, managed to pierce the Colonel, leaving him gasping on the ground.
The deceptive calm shattered as the overwhelming magic pressure descended upon them. Emerging from the mist was a man in a commanding black uniform adorned with red accents. The phoenix emblem at its center was vibrant, its wings symbolic of power and majesty. Brigade General Orion introduced himself with an air of unquestionable authority.
Surveying the ruined forge, he exclaimed, "Look at this mess. Who dares defy the Imperial mandate?"
Without hesitation, he signaled his soldiers, who swiftly apprehended everyone, forcing them onto their knees in the square.
"In whose name do you act?" Orion demanded, searching their faces.
Silence.
With a swift gesture, one of the seven men was engulfed in flames, turning to ash within seconds. "Speak now, or this will be the fate of all of you."
Harry's eyes blazed with fury, but his lips remained sealed. The general's patience ran out, and two more met a fiery end. "I grow tired of this game."
Yet, the defiant silence persisted. Enraged, Orion unleashed torrents of lightning, claiming four more lives in a dance of electric death.
Only Harry, Eleonora, and Anne remained. Orion approached Harry with a smirk, "Your turn, boy."
Harry gritted his teeth. "You'll pay for this."
Ignoring the threat, Orion turned to Eleonora, his voice dripping with malicious intent. "Such beauty... Perhaps a night with me will loosen that pretty tongue of yours."
As his fingers neared Eleonora, a ferocious roar echoed. Harry's magic burst forth, breaking his chains. With unparalleled speed, he sent Orion flying into the ruins.
Drawing his sword, Harry became a whirlwind of death, leaving no Imperial soldier standing. Each swing was met with screams and the sickening thud of bodies hitting the ground.
Orion, rising, roared, "You think you can defeat me?!" He retaliated with a fireball, which Harry parried. The two locked in an intense duel, their powers clashing in brilliant displays of sparks and energy.
Each of Harry's blows seemed to overpower Orion, yet the general fought back relentlessly. They clashed, the ground quaking with their might. Buildings crumbled as their battle raged on.
Bleeding and panting, Orion snarled, "Do you believe defeating me changes anything? Kill me, and ten more generals will rise in my place."
With a final, furious strike, Harry shattered Orion's defenses. The general's sword broke, his hand splintering with it.
As the blade swung down, severing Orion's head, Harry whispered, "Then I'll defeat them too."
The remnants of the Imperial forces fled in sheer terror. An exhausted Harry collapsed, the weight of his actions and the battle pressing down on him. Eleonora and Anne were at his side in an instant, their healing magic flowing into him, sealing wounds and mending broken bones.