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

entrusted with the honor of

if

glanced at the valiant Awakened gathered on the roof. With warriors like these fighting by his side, the

appeared

We strike as soon as they make their

people were sitting around a ghostly fire. Its flames were blue, and

was a woman wearing simple civilian clothes, with a pale scar

scratching sounds that seemed to be coming from somewhere

faces of the Awakened around her

Evacuation Army - that listened to the sounds, too, his eyes growing a little wide. He was their contact within

of silence,

not going to break free,

Ascended Morrow smiled.

it will. When I

a second,

Beastmaster are very obedient. Granted, this one is more powerful than her

The man chuckled wryly.

I see. Good,

not even know that he,

have your people

bit, then pointed at the map being projected by his

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

Morrow shook her head.

tear its way toward the compound above ground. Summer Knight won't be able to make it back from the wall in time. And

loved nothing more than to slaughter the ignoble hypocrites serving the King of Swords personally, but sadly, her mission was