Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 646

Chapter 646: True Bravery

Elenore entered into Hause’s temple, escorting Sophia urgently yet gently. After Argrave’s fight with the Castellan of the Empty, this place had been rebuilt to be one of the strongest fortifications within Blackgard, acting as something of a bunker within the city. She felt a little terrified, but she held strong with Sophia to steel her resolve.

“The first wave of combatants sent after him have fallen,” she heard, Durran’s voice piercing her head. “It’s… it’s looking to be a difficult fight. I haven’t felt this since…”

“Since when, Durran?” she asked, trying to stay calm.

“Be safe,” he told her. “I’m going to be dedicating all of my attention to this.”

The connection ended. Elenore bit her lip when he told her to be safe, thinking that he was the one who deserved to heed those words. She looked to her left, where Vasilisa stood.

“Can you take care of Sophia? I need to coordinate things on my end with various figures.”

Vasilisa nodded intently, taking the cooperative Sophia deeper into the temple. Elenore wouldn’t be of any help when it came to protecting Sophia. Apparently, Sophia had reacted rather strongly to this attack. Now, she was mute sadness, like she expected some tragedy. To be truthful… Sophia wasn’t alone in feeling this.

All that she could think of was what Orion said. His talk about death coming for him—it bothered her the most. Durran was many things, but a sacrificial fool was not one of them. She trusted her husband would take care of himself. Orion, though… his idealized goals came long before self-preservation. She paced around the temple, knowing that she should contact others but lacking the focus amidst the whirlwind of her brain.

“What’s wrong, Princess Elenore?” She looked, and there Hause, goddess of potential, stood waiting with concern. “Can I do anything more to help than offering shelter?”

“No. No, you’re doing plenty.” Elenore shook her head quickly. “I just need to get my head in order.”

“I am capable of helping with that, too.”

Elenore took a deep breath, making sure no one else was around. “I simply have a deep feeling that something will go horribly wrong. Someone who’s usually right predicted as much.”

“Really?” Hause tilted her head, then walked in front of her. “Then it is truly nothing to worry about. Predictions are largely meaningless.”

her eyes. “False comforts don’t work on

head. “No one has ever accurately predicted the future. I have seen beings with the potential of universes within them be snuffed out early. I have seen those with no innate potential rise to be the most

said, was no

Now… I believe it’s well past time for me to

then sat. She was acutely aware of the pouch in her dress’ pocket—a pouch that contained a single golden fruit capable of changing the shape of everything. Though she seldom employed it, one of Lira’s blessings allowed her to transport small items over long distances. With proper coordination… surely, this

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had red eyes and a strange power that made her question that fact. But there was no questioning she deserved

now… that indomitable little girl was trembling like a newborn

younger nieces on her own, so she was well used to taking care of children. She didn’t like being sober, but it was in the presence of children that she was able to muster up the

black hair. “Speak to me. It’s all going to be right, but it could be all right

whispered, “I can’t stop it. I

it.” Vasilisa shook her head. “That’s what all

from Royal Road, this story should be

outside, and let him take me away. But… but I don’t want to go. I want to stay here. I want to stay with

is coming?” Vasilisa asked. “How do you know any of

can defeat. The one that never gives up, no matter the adversity. He’s coming to take me away, like I always wished… but now, I don’t

was some truth to it. She wasn’t entirely in the know… but she knew that Sophia was a subject of extreme concern to the king. And she knew that she needed

Sophia’s shoulder. “Fuc—forget knights, princess. Having met everyone you have, who serves underneath Argrave… do

If whatever was coming came for Sophia… she certainly wouldn’t

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along the river that led into the mountains outside Blackgard. He wore brilliant plate armor covered with an immaculate white surcoat. A greathelm with two rising horns that were adorned with brilliant red feathers concealed his face. He carried in his right hand a gleaming

this knight was utter carnage. As he came, the bombardment of all the S-rank spellcasters gathered in Blackgard assailed this foe. In simple, efficient movements, he received every attack that came all with the same unassailability, like no attack truly had any bearing on him. His

amplified his quick attacks a hundred—perhaps a thousandfold, as the light teaming within the blade projected out to enact his power. The landscape itself was transformed by his attacks. The mountains of Blackgard were barely spared by protective enchantments established around

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