At the grand gates of Lord Barthold's residence, Catherine, Pierre, and Nina were stopped by two towering guards. Their metallic armor gleamed in the light of a lantern hanging nearby, heightening the tense atmosphere.
"It's late. Come back tomorrow morning," one of the guards said firmly. "Lord Barthold does not receive visitors at this hour."
Pierre stepped forward, attempting to diffuse the situation. "This is urgent. The Kingdom of Esverita is in grave danger, and we need Lord Barthold's help immediately. There is no time to wait."
The guard stood resolute. "Orders are orders. No one enters without direct permission."
Frustration flickered across Pierre's face, but before he could say more, Catherine stepped forward. Her posture was commanding, and her piercing gaze fixed on the guard. "You're wasting our time. If Esverita falls, what do you think will happen to Libenthium? Do you believe destruction will stop at your gates?"
"Apologies, ma'am, but orders—"
Catherine exhaled sharply, a sign her patience had worn thin. With a deliberate, authoritative step closer, she locked eyes with the guard. His expression faltered, his gaze went blank, and his posture slackened. Without a word, he stepped aside, granting them entry.
Pierre stared, wide-eyed. "What did you just do, Catherine?"
Without breaking stride, Catherine replied, her tone cool and dismissive. "A simple enchantment. Don't overanalyze it, Pierre. Focus on the task at hand." Nina followed behind, uneasy but silent.
Pierre frowned but chose not to argue. Catherine's methods were often enigmatic, and now wasn't the time for a debate.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted. Long corridors lit by large candles cast flickering shadows on cold stone walls. Their footsteps echoed ominously as Catherine led the way with unwavering certainty, as if she already knew where to go. Finally, they reached a large carved door that led to Lord Barthold's study.
Without hesitation, Catherine pushed the door open without knocking, startling Pierre with her disregard for decorum. Inside, Lord Barthold sat at a massive wooden desk, surrounded by piles of documents. His quill moved swiftly across the parchment, evidence of his focus on pressing matters.
He looked up, visibly annoyed by their abrupt intrusion. "I told you this morning I would give you my answer after further consideration," he said, his voice deep and commanding.
Catherine remained unflinching. She stepped forward, her arms crossed confidently. "Lord Barthold, we've come to discuss something that cannot wait until morning. The Kingdom of Esverita is in grave danger, and only your forces can help save it."
Barthold narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her. "And who gave you the right to enter my residence uninvited?"
"Desperation grants us that right," Catherine retorted sharply. "If you do not act now, Esverita's downfall will spill into Libenthium."
Barthold leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "I've heard countless claims of emergencies, Madam. What makes your plight any different?"
Pierre stepped forward, trying a more diplomatic approach. "Lord Barthold, the prince of Esverita is dead, and a malevolent force now controls the kingdom. We've learned that you're the only one with the military strength to counter this threat."
Before Barthold could respond, Catherine interjected, her tone cutting. "We are not here to seek your permission, Lord Barthold. We are here to ensure you understand the urgency. If you choose to remain idle, the blood of the innocents will stain your hands."
Her words hung heavily in the air, silencing the room. Barthold stared at her, his expression a mix of anger and reluctant admiration. Slowly, he set his quill down, folding his hands on the desk. "Very well. Explain what's happening in detail. But know this—if this is a waste of my time, you will regret coming here."
Catherine offered a faint, calculated smile. "We will not waste your time, Lord Barthold."
***
The chaos in the city of Esverita grew worse by the moment. The screams of citizens fleeing from the rampaging guard knights echoed everywhere. Thomas, Jeanne, Pharnaces, and Virginia stood in the middle of the ruined main street, trying to assess the situation. Their bodies were tense, each bearing the heavy pressure to act amidst the turmoil.
"Virginia, can you incapacitate them without killing?" Thomas asked, his voice flat but urgent. His eyes scanned their surroundings, ensuring no sudden attacks came their way.
Virginia nodded. "I can, but it takes time and energy. I can't control all of them at once." Her tone remained calm, though her eyes betrayed the exhaustion setting in.
"Good. Do what you can. Jeanne, Pharnaces, we'll focus on protecting the civilians," Thomas continued, issuing commands with firm resolve.
Jeanne unsheathed her sword, nodding with unwavering determination. "I'll make sure they get to safety," she said. Though visibly weary, the fire in her eyes burned brightly—a steadfast shield amidst the chaos.
Pharnaces smirked faintly, despite the grave situation. "Alright, I'll watch your backs," he said, spinning his spear.
Thomas wasted no time. "Let's move," he commanded, leading them toward the panicked crowd.
One guard knight approached, swinging his sword at an old man too slow to escape. Jeanne dashed forward, her blade deflecting the attack with a sharp clang of metal. In a swift motion, she spun her sword, striking the knight's helmet with its hilt. The guard staggered before collapsing unconscious.
"Don't let them harm the citizens!" Jeanne shouted.
Virginia stood behind them, her hands raised, forming a glowing circle of magic. Several guard knights within range suddenly froze, their bodies dropping like puppets whose strings had been cut.
"This isn't enough! There are too many!" Virginia said desperately, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead.
Thomas clenched his teeth, the weight of the decision pressing heavily on him. "Navigator, is there another way to stop them?" he asked in his mind.
The Navigator responded in a monotone. "Killing them is the most effective option. But if that is not your choice, you'll have to keep incapacitating them one by one."
Thomas exhaled sharply. The decision left a tightness in his chest. Seeing the guard knights—those meant to protect the citizens—turn into deadly threats was a cruel irony. Yet he knew that killing them would only deepen the devastation.
Pharnaces slammed his spear into the ground, creating a shockwave that toppled three guards at once. "We can't keep this up, Thomas! If this goes on, we'll tire out first!" he shouted.
Thomas scanned the area. In the distance, he spotted a woman clutching a small child, trembling in fear as they hid behind rubble. The sight struck him, forcing him to recall why they were here.
"We must keep going!" Thomas declared, his voice firm with resolve. He turned to Jeanne and Pharnaces. "Focus on evacuating the civilians. Don't worry about anything else!"
Jeanne and Pharnaces nodded, rushing toward the citizens to guide them to safety. Virginia remained at the rear, shielding them with her magic. Thomas, meanwhile, moved swiftly, searching for a way to end the chaos without further loss of life.
"This might not be enough," he muttered to himself. But for now, they had no other choice.
The chaos in Esverita showed no sign of subsiding. Thomas, Jeanne, Pharnaces, and Virginia continued to fight, sacrificing their strength and focus to save as many citizens as possible. However, the number of guard knights under the charm spell seemed endless, and exhaustion began to take its toll.
Amid the pandemonium, the sound of approaching horses drew their attention. Thomas instinctively turned, weapon ready for any new threat. But what he saw made his brows raise. A group of armed soldiers bearing the crest of Libenthium moved swiftly toward them. Among the group, Thomas recognized Catherine, Pierre, and a dignified older man—Lord Barthold himself.
"Libenthium's forces?" Jeanne squinted, remaining cautious.
Virginia, standing beside Thomas, relaxed her hands, halting the spell she was about to cast. "Are they allies or enemies?"
Thomas raised his hand, signaling everyone to pause. "Let's see what they do."
The soldiers halted a short distance away. Catherine and Pierre dismounted, followed by Nina and Lord Barthold. Barthold looked around, visibly shocked at the war-torn state of Esverita. Burning homes, streets littered with bodies, and blood-stained earth surrounded them.
"This…" Barthold fell silent before turning sharply to Catherine. "You didn't tell me it was this dire!"
Catherine stepped forward calmly, unfazed by Barthold's piercing glare. "If we had revealed everything, you wouldn't have believed us or moved quickly." Her voice was cold and emotionless, reflecting her resolve.
Thomas approached swiftly, cutting the argument short. "If you're truly here to help, then act now. We don't have time to talk!"
Catherine turned, meeting Thomas's gaze briefly, then nodded. "Libenthium forces, spread out. Incapacitate the charmed guard knights, but don't kill them. Focus on protecting the civilians!" she commanded.
Libenthium's soldiers moved efficiently, neutralizing the guard knights with precision. Jeanne observed their actions, noting their skill, and nodded slightly. "They know what they're doing," she murmured, a faint relief in her voice.
Pharnaces grinned, shaking the blood from his blade. "Finally, reinforcements. I was starting to think we wouldn't make it."
Meanwhile, Pierre approached Jeanne, gripping his sword tightly. "What's the situation now?" he asked.
Jeanne shook her head. "It's chaos. This charm spell has thrown the entire guard into disarray."
Virginia, standing behind them, added, "The charm isn't particularly strong but is enough to cause the knights to lose control completely."
Thomas, overhearing their conversation, clenched his fists. "The Archlich. He's the one who started this. But after killing Abner, he disappeared into the sky. We don't know his goal."
Catherine's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the name. "Archlich?" she muttered. She glanced at Barthold, then at Nina by her side. "We may need to accelerate our plan."
Lord Barthold, still stunned by the devastation, finally spoke. "If the Archlich truly caused this, we must act quickly. Esverita cannot be allowed to fall."
"It's too late for that," Thomas replied coldly. "Esverita is already on the brink of collapse. Now, all we can do is save what remains."
Silence fell over the group as the harsh truth sank in. Yet, in the next moment, they moved again, their determination shining through. The chaos in Esverita had not yet ended, but amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged.
***