“What are you doing?!”

Arthur returned to where his companions were only to find the spacious and luxurious dining room quite lively, to say the least.

Not only that, there was a lavish feast on the rectangular wide table, filled to the brim with all kinds of drinks and food.

Melia, the woman who had agreed to help the Duke and Halric, was also present. She was one of 5th floor inmates of the Shadow Keep Penitentiary, and Arthur didn’t know much about her, she seemed to be decently strong.

Chris told him that she was Lv86, which made her slightly weaker than Evelyn if the one were to judge someone’s prowess based on their Level.

Melia had dishevelled ravel-black hair, a relatively ragged appearance, and a gloomy expression, but she was quite talkative and friendly.

Arthur had barely interacted with the woman, but he knew she used to be a thief or something akin to that. Additionally, she was quite good at creating explosive mines and all sorts of deadly traps.

“Arthur! Come, join us!”

“...”

Chris was holding a bottle of wine in his hand and relaxing on one of the chairs, a big smile on his face.

Isabella was gobbling down food and sometimes looking around. Charles was right next to her, reading the book he got from the Devil Doctor’s laboratory.

As for Evelyn, she was sitting straight, not touching her food and eyeing Halric and Melia like an eagle.

Lastly, Emil Red, with a flushed face, was mumbling to himself while occasionally shouting that he wasn’t drunk.

“Is this really the time for this?”

Arthur sat next to Chris but he didn’t shy away from voicing his disagreement with this unnecessary feast.

Four armies were going to attack the city tomorrow, so this definitely was not the time for a party.

“This was your friend’s suggestion. Furthermore, it isn’t so bad to have fun and fill one’s belly before a long fight.”

Halric didn’t touch his body, but he was all smiles. Then again, he looked awkward as he was a short boy whose head barely reached the table.

“Exactly! We must make the best of our situation! This way, we drink, chat, and have fun! We get to know the players too! Here you go, Melia!”

Chris eagerly poured wine into Melia’s glass. The pale-skinned woman, who looked like a ghost out of a horror movie, nodded her head and proceeded to drink.

“I envy this explosive energy of yours.”

“It’s just you and your constant worrying. Just forget about what’s to come and enjoy the here and now. We only live once… or twice hahahahah!”

Arthur rolled his eyes and swept his eyes across everyone. Only Terden Sidus wasn’t present, which was to be expected considering his attitude.

The party lasted for another hour before everyone retreated to their rooms to rest.

Chris, Evelyn, Melia, Isabella, and Charles weren’t going to be on the frontlines. They will manage to provide assistance from atop the walls.

More specifically, Arthur’s companions would see to the Southern walls and remain grouped at all times.

Emil, who had no choice but to agree to help, would be on the Northern walls along with Melia.

Arthur would have to take care of Sulong’s mages, but unlike the rest, he was going to fight from up-close. He will be positioned East and assisted by Halric’s magic and Treants.

Last but not least, the Duke and Halric will focus on Hector of Raziwon and his calvary knights.

…

Unexpectedly, as Arthur was returning to his room, the Duke approached him.

“Follow me.”

He uttered those two words and then walked away.

Unbothered by the man’s show of hostility and disdain, Arthur walked after the Duke until they reached a small and solitary open balcony.

However, even then, Terden maintained a very long silence, one unbroken by Arthur as he patiently waited.

“I hate you, parasite. I hate you and your villainous kind.”

Knowing that he had more to say, Arthur didn’t interrupt him. He just smiled.

After a brief pause, the Duke turned around and faced Arthur, who was possessing the body of Leonis Sanguis.

“Nevertheless, I will not let my personal feelings get in the way. I do not trust you, but I trust Halric. For that reason, I will consider you as my ally. I will fight alongside you.”

Terden let out a sigh of exasperation as he continued, “I never imagined a day where I will have to rely on a Parasite to protect my home.”

“Never say never, right?”

The Duke glared at the smiling parasite, “I know that you have hidden intentions, like all of your kind. But, you agreed to help and for that… I am grateful.”

Arthur nodded once before asking, “I am curious about something. Why are you so hell-bent on fighting? I know this is your home, but you are risking your life. You could die.”

“Because of my honor, my family’s honor, parasite. It is something your kind lacks. I will not let the land built by my forebearers get razed to the ground just because of some greedy bastards.”

“I still can’t understand, but it doesn't matter. You have good night, Duke.”

Arthur turned around and left as Terden kept staring at him.

The same night

Near the Shadow Keep Penitentiary

Leiu, who was leaning against a tree trunk and gazing at the campfire, suddenly jumped to his feet.

The sudden movement startled the sleepy Julie, who had been lost in her own thoughts. She saw him charge toward a certain direction and vanish into the darkness of the night.

Albeit surprised, she hesitantly chased after him only to see an unexpected sight.

There, in a narrow dirt road in the middle of nowhere, there was a large magical carriage.

“Aaaaah!”

A blonde-haired girl let out a scream as Leiu kicked a knight in the chest and sent him flying before easily incapacitating another man.

While pressing his foot on Daren’s chest, Leiu swept his eyes across those present.

He began with the scared Selene, who hid in her carriage, then at the young woman who had a flashing barrier surrounding her.

“I remember you.”

“Wait! I know her!”

Julie quickly walked up to him and motioned toward Elyna, who looked very anxious and unwilling to remove her barrier despite the fact that Leiu didn’t attack her.

Zenzo Jill, Selene’s Knight, was on the ground, completely unconscious from Leiu’s hit.

“We’re not your enemies.”

Daren let out a groan of pain before squeezing those words. Leiu hadn’t used a lot of power yet he was immobilized in an instant. He couldn’t even react.

Leiu pulled away his foot and eyed the Southerner then focused on Elyna.

“She’s my brother’s maid. The other girl is a Noble.”

Leiu nodded but didn’t talk. He returned to his usual silent mood, looking gloomy and a bit bored.

Fortunately, Daren quickly explained the situation.

Apparently, they had been looking for the two of them for days and were only able to find them thanks to Elyna.

“I…I can sense something from him…” Said Elyna.

Unlike her usual calm demeanor, she looked extremely disturbed by Leiu.

“Because of the covenant you have with the Demon Lord.” Half-heartedly explained Leiu, not bothering to provide a more explicit, and warranted, exposition.

He is the Night Adjudicator. He once ruled all of Hell before relinquishing it back to Medtris.

The Demon talked to Elyna, but his words only made her fear the seemingly harmless youth more.

“We couldn’t take her back with us, so we accompanied her all the way.”

Daren wryly smiled as he slowly stood up and patted the dust off his shirt. His eyes were shining as he seemed to be admiring Leiu.

“It is an honor to meet you!”

Then, he did an exaggerated bow while speaking as loud as he could.

“...”

Alas, Leiu merely scoffed and ignored him.

“I didn’t expect you to come back, to be honest.”-Julie

“I…”

Elyna didn't know how to respond. She wanted to explain her situation but didn’t want to do it in front of Daren and Selene.

“It’s fine. Thank you, Mister Daren. I am Julie Lernon, by the way.”

“A-ah! Yes!”

“Daren!”

Selene shouted from within the carriage, her eyes filled with jealousy just because he spoke with another woman.

“Anyway… I think we must leave.”

Daren awkwardly scratched his head and then proceeded to drag Zenzo into the carriage.

In truth, Daren had much to say to Leiu, but now wasn’t the right time. The less time they spent here, with Leiu, the better it was for Selene. After all, as an Imperial Aristocrat, she couldn’t be seen with Leiu, moreso now as the Emperor had sent many people to chase after him.

The meeting between the two groups barely lasted ten minutes, and soon, the carriage flashed with a magical light and sped away with an absurd speed.

“Consorting with Demons is never a good idea.” Remarked Leiu while scrutinising Elyna.

“I’ll go get your brother tomorrow morning.” He added that sentence before returning to the campfire.

A couple of hours later

Raml Asfr

The Sultan’s Palace

“I just received that all Hashashin are in position. Everything is ready, Master. You need but give the word.”

The leader of the Hashashin was standing in front of Mehmed, who was visibly anxious.

“And the Imperials?”

“They are preoccupied with the runaway assassin. Azakin City has been closed off so we couldn’t get hold of any details.”

“Alright.”

Mehmed paced around his desk, nervous as the time for action grew near. He wasn’t going to personally risk his life, but what he was about to do will undoubtedly bring the ire of the Empire.

“Another thing, Master.”

The Hashashin, who, despite his jet-black clothes, were standing in an unsteady manner due to the heavy injuries he had sustained, continued his report,

“The Viscount contacted us. He wants to deliver the ‘package’.”

“Yes. Send her but keep the Sage. That one we can use… provided we break the spell on him first.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Tell them to unleash it exactly at dawn. Make sure they’re seen too. This is a warning, after all.”

The Hashashin bowed and left seconds later.

“Tomorrow is going to be a long day…”

Excitement, dread, restlessness, guilt, Mehmed was overcome with all sorts of emotions.

What he was about to do was immoral, evil, inhumane. However, it had to be done.

The Imperials needed to know what he was capable of. They needed to fear him… that was the only way to make them back off and for the Desert to be made into an independent nation.

As for the Militant Syndicate, it wasn’t going to be of any threat because of the Viscount: What Kirn Sparrow was about to do was going to change the balance of power and turn this entire continent upside down.