Shadow Slave

Sir Amiran, one of the exalted Knights of the great clan Valor, was standing on top of a newly constructed dormitory tower, looking at the expanse of the city below. There was a long stretch of industrial buildings between him and the looming barrier of the defensive wall that protected the siege capital from the ravages of the Chain of Nightmares.

There were plenty of civilian shelters and dormitories, too - with the start of the evacuation, even industrial areas like this one had been put to use, accommodating numerous refugees.

The refugees were moving far below him like tiny ants. The thunderous booms of firing railguns did not seem to spoil their moods... after months of continuous siege, the people must have grown used to its clamor.

Knight Amiran grimaced.

"...Collateral damage will be high."

But that was war. None of these people would have had to die if the enemy had abided by the agreement to keep the hostilities away from the cities, but now that the Song clan had made their move, the hands of noble warriors of Valor were tied.

The lives of mundane humans were like water, anyway. No matter how much he sacrificed to achieve victory, it was just a drop in the ocean. Amiran didn't feel happy about the human cost of his inevitable victory, but he was also not particularly sad.

Knowing what he knew, their deaths were insignificant.

He heard light footsteps behind him and looked over his shoulder. One of his Awakened approached, bearing news. There was an expression of dark excitement on her face.

"We have confirmed the location, sir."

He nodded.

The band of Song's assassins had infiltrated the siege capital with one of the supply convoys. The original staff had been slain, and the imposters assumed their identities. After getting past the gates, they disappeared into the chaos of the overpopulated city without a trace.

...Or so they thought.

In truth, Valor had long anticipated this attack. The subterfuge the assassins employed was pointless. They had only managed to enter the city because that was where Lady Morgan wanted them.

easier and much more bloodless to deal with the servants of the Queen of Worms at the gates, but then some of them could escape. So, they

the honor of delivering Valor's retribution upon the

did it matter if

gathered on the roof. With warriors like

smile appeared on Amiran's

as soon as they make

flames were blue, and burned without producing any smoke. A pleasant fragrance was spreading from the fire, but the gathered

scar crossing her otherwise beautiful face. She was Ascended Morrow, a retainer of the great clan

that seemed to be coming from somewhere under the

of the Awakened around her were

them - a man in the uniform of the Evacuation Army - that listened to the sounds, too, his eyes growing a little wide. He was

moments of

thing... it's not going to break

Ascended Morrow smiled.

will.

for a

no worry, though. The thralls of Sister Beastmaster are very obedient. Granted, this

The man chuckled wryly.

see. Good,

not even know that he, too, was one of

your people

bit, then pointed at

It will be empty for about twenty-four hours starting from now. As you can see, my lady, the tunnel stretches all the way to the inner city without crossing any other major logistical hubs. It is also wide enough to transport the...

Morrow shook her head.

won't be able to make it back from the wall in time. And since Whispering Blade seems to have indeed gone to the Dream Realm... the casualties

but sadly, her mission was simply to deliver Beastmaster's present to Morgan of Valor,