Leomi rises first and throws away the dress she ruined in her passion to change into her Hospitalier uniform. I admire her chiseled body as she takes off her bra to then focus on her perfect breasts made to fit in my palm.

“We made it as far as this, Jess.” She says while fitting on her pants first. “We'll make it to the end.”

“Hm.” I mumble in response. “That is superstition we can't rely on, kitten.” I gently reply. “The fact is that our enemies will no longer be taken by surprise. The fights ahead of us will be harder and harder to win. Do not forget Suxen who hides within the Vault.”

“She cannot hurt us from there.” Leomi notes.

“Indeed, Aisha made sure of it, but that also means we cannot harm her.” I acknowledge and correct. “Knowledge is power and no one else in the Empire has pursued it as relentlessly as she has.”

“You've defeated her barrier construct before and her Numbers are all dead.” Lance notes.

“I've never faced her true barrier construct, only the one she has disseminated.” I say while shaking my head.

Leomi falls silent as she fits on a new bra, likely realizing she cannot raise my mood if I refuse to let her. I get off the bed and adjust the broadsword hanging from my waist to walk out of the room.

I make my way to Yvonne's room to find her sound asleep with small wheezing coming out of her nose. I leave the apartment through the reinforced double doors to find Idali, Rowland, Nahl, and Uhla waiting for me in the hallway.

“Minions.” I greet.

Nahl's eyes narrow while Uhla rolls hers and Idali chuckles. Rowland, on the other hand, remains impassible as he fiddles with the bastard sword's handle. It makes me worry he'll lose focus during the fight to come.

“You'll be working with Elizabeth Vil to take down Wraith tonight.” I directly tell them.

“What?” Uhla asks with a confused expression. “You're not coming?”

“My health prevents me from fighting on the front-line, I will be taking action elsewhere.” I reply. Both Uhla and Nahl throw me suspicious looks that I sustain with a calm gaze.

“I understand that something is going on but aren't the two of you at odds?” Uhla questions.

“We share enemies and that is enough.” I reply. “Make sure you've enough flow to sustain yourself through a prolonged battle and equip yourselves with chain-mails.”

“I admit I didn't expect you to keep your cool and unite in the face of adversity.” Nahl says. “No matter what others say, Elizabeth Vil acted so with regards to you so I'm glad you're able to do the same.”

“Kh.” Idali smothers a laugh.

I throw her a flat gaze and wave my hand to tell them to follow me to the conference room. Leomi joins us ten minutes later as I am still memorizing and studying the map of Kruzser.

I had hoped to find hints of a city-wide construct being built into the capital like the Rykz did to the ruins but find none, which doesn't help soothe my nerves in the least.

Not only is the map imprecise but such a large construct isn't easy to spot considering the runes could be concealed anywhere and it's nearly impossible to tell them apart from simple decorations.

“I've given the deployment orders but the best way to end this with as few casualties as possible is to kill Roskal.” Lance utters.

I nod and gaze to my minions, wondering to what extent I can trust them. Very little. I tap my fingers on the map to draw everyone's attention and point to the Midnight Palace.

“Roskal is holed up in there, likely in the most secure room with titled Nobles occupying adjacent rooms.” I speak up and turn to Leomi.

“That would be the Imperial Suite on the last floor.” She tells me.

“No basement? Or safe?” I ask.

“There is but...” My fiancee trails off while waving her hand.

“Roskal wouldn't be so desperate as to hole herself up in these locations.” I agree. “It's a matter of prestige as well.”

“The Suite is in the center of the building, it won't be easy to access.” Leomi tells me.

“Too bad Jess isn't coming, she could just destroy the foundations.” Idali chips in. I throw her a glare but don't rise to the provocation.

“There are safeties in place to prevent this.” Lance denies. “I won't go into detail but the building is fortified using the same process as the great pillars the Emperor raised to protect us from the Lisilese.”

“Elizabeth blew a hole in the outer wall.” Idali reminds her.

“And that's it, the wall didn't even budge from the impact.” My fiancee remarks. “It was in one of the wings to access a simple meeting room which aren't the most fortified.”

“Who does this Midnight Palace belong to?” I ask.

“The Administration manages the servants but no one truly owns it.” Lance replies. “You could say it belongs to the Empire.” She hesitates.

“What?” I ask.

“There is a rumor saying that erecting this building as a neutral location for Nobles to meet was a masterstroke from our Emperor.” She explains. “High Nobility gathered political strength by organizing balls or playing mediator to conflicting houses by inviting them to their manors and throwing parties where they were the center of attention. But, since the Midnight Palace was built, all have preferred to gather on this neutral ground rather than subject themselves to another's authority.”

“Don't they fear the Emperor would spy on them since his Administration controls the grounds?” I ask.

“Each house is free to rent one of the rooms and modify the runes to their own standards or even replace them all so, no.” Leomi replies. “It's an old building, the Midnight Palace has long since established itself as the traditional center of politics for Nobility in Kruzser so none can avoid it even if they want to. E.Vil's assault is part of the reason the Order is after her.”

“How are we meant to assault this fortress?” Nahl questions, showing far less reluctance than he has when he began following us.

“You are not.” I cut in. “You will be waiting in ambush to catch a slippery...” I pause as I was about to say insect which is demeaning to the Rykz. The only other words that come to mind is snake or cold blood which is insulting to the Lisilese. “... low life, Wraith.” I lamely finish.

“Do you have any ideas? Because I will be attacking that fortress.” Leomi cuts in.

“No, and later.” I tell her, unwilling to speak in front of the others. I place my index on the map. “These buildings are the closest to the center of the Midnight Palace and the alleys narrow, he will flee in that direction.”

“Couldn't he go any other direction?” Rowland contests with an aggressive tone. “He needs to die, we can't let him escape again.”

“He could and will have several escape plans prepared but Elizabeth will pressure him so much he will choose the quickest path out.” I explain. “The outskirts of Kruzser are in that direction and there are several routes without Temples on the way or Imperial barracks, he will encounter fewer patrols.”

“That's quite the assumption.” Rowland grumbles. “What if you're wrong.”

“I likely am, he is experienced. Your role is to be there to catch him if he survives Elizabeth, I've told you why I'm placing you there but you are to chase after him if he goes a different route.” I calmly reply. “You have your task, you may go.”

Rowland scowls along with Idali but they turn to leave with their two companions. I glance back down at the map but I shoot down every idea that comes to mind because these tactics rely on people and I can't rely on those.

“You really don't have anything for me?” Leomi asks.

“Use your resources without counting to crush through whatever they put before you because you'll be at a disadvantage in energy reserves, the longer the fight goes the more will go wrong and the more they'll adapt.” I tell her. “Other than that, it'll be up to you to reach Roskal.”

“You'll both be there.” She comments.

“We will, but Wraith set this up so there will be obstacles in our way.” I reply.

“You'll make sure Liz is careful, right?” Leomi asks with more than a touch of nervousness.

“I'll do my best.” I murmur with a small grimace, knowing there will be no stopping Liz tonight.

My sister wakes on this thought and, as if to confirm my words, gently but firmly pushes me aside to take the lead. I feel my posture shift, my back straighten and my muscles tighten. It is an odd experience every time.

I blink a few times to fully wake from my nap and turn a glare to my fiancee for fooling around with my sister right after I told her not to. Lance makes a thin smile of recognition that melts some of my resentment.

“Thou art guilty of spoiling your jay, kitten.” I affirm.

“Should've let me take her, I have the endurance to satisfy you both.” Leomi brags with a teasing tone. “I couldn't exactly refuse her after attempting to have my way.”

“Yet you tried in order to escape my retaliation.” I accuse. Lance makes a slight shrug.

“I knew it wouldn't work, on either of you, but I did have to make the effort or you would be angry at me.” She explains without shame.

“I should punish you right here and now but I've work to do.” I utter.

I turn and walk out of the room, leaving my fiancee stunned by the abrupt departure. I return to our room and grab the long case containing my gear. I feel regret as I unlock the runic construct.

Jessica is too soft, she wasn't raised to suspect others and so didn't secure her belongings as I have mine. It is a fault of mine that I didn't warn her about how humans can be but I had never expected Teva to be the one to break our trust.

I grab my mask first and place it on my face before taking out my liangi to place it on the table. I then place my palm on the handle to pour flow through the Vuskyt.

After pin-pointing every rune engraved inside the metal and on the surface, I create a shaping construct and begin modifying the constructs held within. I optimize the sundering construct with what I've learned through experience and change the defensive construct to better deal with kinetic impacts.

It takes me a good hour to do all this and it makes me feel more confident for the fight to come. Yet, there remains the issue of the sympathetic construct against which I have no good options.

Overwhelming force works but it also costs a lot of energy. I've still several hundred portions but that's not enough and Leomi has her own fight ahead of her so I cannot ask for more.

No, tonight I must be fast and precise so that I am not dragged into a slugging match with Exemplars. I take off Jess' dress and broadsword to strap my sleeve-glove on, covering it with a set of simple brown clothes.

I then fit on the rest of my gear, the Vuskyt chain-mail and hard leather armor reinforced with steel bands. I shape a framework of air to function as a left arm and seize my liangi after hiding my engagement ring under a glove.

Now fully prepared to fight, I get ready to leave the Hospitalier headquarters but my eyes stop on a pouch laying on the bedside table. I scour my sister's memories out of curiosity and quickly find out she knows little but suspects much.

I snatch and attach it to my belt before gazing out the window. The sun is falling but there is still an hour until nightfall so I carefully grab Jess' cloak which I throw upon my shoulders.

I carefully conceal my left arm and mask before flying out of the building. I land in an isolated alley where I ditch the cloak and then discreetly cross a few streets, causing quite a fright to a handful of the capital's inhabitants, to lose eventual pursuers.

I climb atop a building once I've crossed a few blocks and take off, leaping roof to roof. I don't directly head for the Midnight Palace but, on the contrary, make my way towards a set of barracks that house Roskal's soldiers.

Very few people spot me crossing the city but those that do hurriedly lower their eyes and scamper away regardless of what they were doing. I notice fewer and fewer imperial patrols the closer I get to my target which raises my guard.

As predicted, though, there are no Exemplars out at this time and so no one to truly challenge me. I spot a company of Roskal's soldiers gathering in a courtyard between two long buildings.

I smirk as I crouch upon the roof, waiting for them to spot me. I had expected it to happen relatively quickly but it takes several minutes for one of them to raise his eyes and notice me.

The woman blanks out for seconds until she suddenly cries out in alarm while pointing up at me. I raise my hand and wave at the hundred soldiers who raise their heads to gaze at me.

“Take cover!” One of the sergeants screams with a panic to his voice.

I jump down while widely spreading a dozen portions of flow. The kinetic energy of my landing is far from enough to take out a hundred soldiers but an entire company suddenly breaking ranks produces enough force for me to sweep them all off their feet by redirecting it.

Those closest to me are thrown into others with such force that one ends up impaled on a nervous soldier's sword. I rush while swirling the liangi around my torso and making both blades slash close to the ground, slicing through an entire squad of my enemies before they can get up.

I take out another squad of ten before the rest can put distance between me and them. I prepare for a melee fight that shouldn't last long but Roskal's company never turns around, they keep running further and further from me.

I stand there, alone in the middle of the courtyard as I blink in surprise. I thought they were going to seek cover but not even the officers stuck around to fight me. I sigh and leap back atop the roofs to make my way to other barracks located near the Midnight Palace.

I drop on three more of Roskal's companies before nightfall and every fight goes about the same; I arrive, they decide to either fight or take cover, I attack and they break within moments.

My operation scattered four hundred of her soldiers for the cost of about forty portions in total, it is worth it but it leaves me with only around three hundred portions in reserve which may not be enough.

I decide not to assault the last barrack I know of because I've crippled her forced enough for now and head straight to the Midnight Palace through the streets.

I turn at a corner and immediately run into a squad of Exemplars in plate armor but on foot. They fan out and draw their swords as they link their kite shields. I swing my liangi down to hide the aft-blade behind my back as I lean forward to take an aggressive stance.

“Naught will stop my blades this night, not even the Order's best.” I warn.

“You were given courtesy after courtesy yet continue in defiance, your threats mean as much to us as our patience does to you.” The one in the lead responds.

“You protect one responsible for the death of an Exemplar.” I coldly tell them.

“Proof of it is being gathered, if there is truth to the accusation then the Emperor will carry out justice.” The man replies confidently, apparently not one to debate the fact Vikiana lost her position before she was killed. “It is neither your role nor your right to personally enforce the law.”

“Hmph.” I snort in disdain. “If Roskal's punishment is anything short of death, then it will be no justice you deliver to Vikiana's grave but insult.”

I launch at the Exemplars who activate runic constructs engraved in the gauntlets protecting their dominant hands. I pay attention to this new development but decide not to test whether it is a defense or weapon.

I close the distance in moments using my flow and swing my liangi at the row of shields. The Exemplars bring forth their golden glowing blades, challenging my weapon with their armor-piercing constructs.

I slow down and narrow my eyelids but keep going. I've perfected my liangi's sundering construct and they're not using more than a single portion each so it'll cost me little energy to get rid of their weapons, a good trade when facing such elites.

As predicted, my liangi's fore-blade severs through four swords while the aft-blade slices through two more. I stomp down with my right foot to pause my momentum and raise my left leg, lion's kicking the shield-wall to reverse my charge.

I send out a burst of kinetic force as the sole of my boot impacts, causing them to buckle but not much. I land a couple of meters away from my opponents and charge again but at an angle this time.

As I approach, the Exemplars who lost their weapons activate the runic constructs on their gauntlets which causes a triangular golden shrouds to erupt from their hands.

The shape is reminiscent of a scout's pike and it gives me a sense of danger so I decide not to directly engage as I had planned to. I angle my course outward and slash out with my aft-blade alone to test the construct.

My liangi, which is already extremely sharp and enhanced by an efficient sundering construct, is stopped dead and flung back by the first of these new weapons it encounters.

The unexpected failure makes me lose my balance. I stagger and have to use a series of lion's steps to avoid being cut into ribbons by these golden triangular constructs which the Exemplars swing at me without restraint.

The temple guards beholden to the Emperor break rank and pursue but don't lose any of their discipline as they take a scattered formation to box me in. I consider escaping to avoid a hard fight but decide otherwise because the situation isn't desperate so I may as well stay to figure out what they're using.