Max’s powerful aura pushed the six surrounding warriors farther away from him, forcing them to strengthen their footing as their boots dragged across the broken ground and halt their attack.
Darkness spread across the battlefield, swallowing the light of the burning siege weapons and covering both armies beneath an unnatural shadow.
Even the soldiers defending Frankindia felt their knees begin to shake as they watched the disaster unfold beyond the walls. None of them had ever experienced the complete disappearance of mana from their surroundings, and the emptiness left behind made their bodies feel strangely vulnerable, as though the natural order of the world was being torn apart before their eyes.
Grass withered wherever the darkness passed, trees dried from the roots upward, and the remaining plants growing between the mountain rocks curled into lifeless husks. However, despite everything beyond the walls being drained of mana and vitality, the capital itself remained completely untouched. The trees within the city continued to sway beneath the wind, the flames still burned, and none of the defenders felt their strength being taken from them.
Max was deliberately protecting Frankindia while allowing his darkness to consume the land beneath the two invading armies.
Max looked at the six warriors struggling against his aura, and a fierce smile slowly spread across his face.
"Let’s dance, even if it means death," he barked.
The moment the words left his mouth, his figure vanished.
The ground burst apart where he had stood, and before the others could react, Max appeared in front of Valeria, his new weapon already swinging toward her. From the beginning, he had judged her to be the most dangerous among the six. If he could take her down with one powerful attack before they adjusted to his darkness, handling the remaining five would become much easier.
---------
The entire palace shook beneath the overwhelming pressure descending upon Parahdon, its black stone walls groaning far more violently than they had when the siege weapons struck the barrier moments earlier. Dust drifted from the vaulted ceiling, golden flames trembled inside the wall lanterns, and several thin cracks spread across the polished floor leading toward the throne.
An old man sat upon the throne of black gold, his head lowered as he rested one temple against his hand. His other hand remained wrapped tightly around the edge of the armrest, while one of his legs bounced without pause, betraying the fear he was desperately trying to hide.
"My king, you must flee before Parahdon falls. It is only a matter of time—" Clotilde pleaded from the foot of the throne.
She knelt alongside seven other warriors, all of them dressed in black armor engraved with the silver crest of Frankindia. Although they had remained composed while the siege continued outside, the new pressure weighing upon the palace had left even the strongest among them struggling to breathe.
"No... No, I cannot abandon my people and leave them to die here alone."
The old man slowly raised his head, revealing brilliant silver eyes beneath his heavy brows. His long hair was as white as fresh snow, while the deep lines covering his face appeared even more pronounced beneath the unsteady golden light. King Clovis the Third had ruled Frankindia for most of his life, yet he now looked older than ever, barely able to draw breath beneath the combined weight of the invasion and the power spreading beyond the palace walls.
"The Crimson Horde and the Imperial Court launched an unlawful attack against us, seeking to consume our kingdom without so much as offering an explanation." His fingers tightened around the armrest until his knuckles turned pale. "We have never offended the Imperial Court, and the Crimson Horde was already strong enough to swallow us on its own. We knew that day might eventually come, and we prepared for it as best we could, but why would they suddenly form an alliance?"
His voice weakened as he finished, and he slowly shook his head, unable to understand what had brought two powerful enemies to his borders at the same time.
"My liege, perhaps there is a reason after all."
The unexpected words came from one of the warriors kneeling beside Clotilde.
The young man reached up and removed his black helmet, allowing his long white hair to spill freely across the back of his armor. He lowered the helmet to the floor before turning his silver eyes toward Clotilde, his expression carrying none of the warmth one might expect him to show his own sister.
Clotilde noticed the direction of his gaze, and unease immediately tightened her chest.
"Speak, Gunthar," Clovis ordered.
Gunthar bowed his head even lower.
"I recently learned that one of your most trusted servants betrayed your faith and acted against your will." His voice remained respectful, yet every word carried a deliberate sharpness. "Clotilde allied herself with the troublesome king of Voidstar without your permission. She stained our sacred blood by giving herself to him, and she now carries his child."
For a moment, even the violent tremors passing through the palace seemed to disappear.
Clotilde’s eyes widened as she stared at him, her lips parting in disbelief. Only a handful of people knew about her relationship with Max, and she had never imagined her own brother would reveal it before the king at the worst possible moment.
"Brother, you—"
"Silence!" King Clovis roared.
Clotilde flinched before the words could leave her mouth. Clovis pushed himself upright upon the throne, whatever exhaustion had weighed upon him moments earlier briefly overcome by anger. His brilliant silver eyes settled dangerously upon her, while his trembling hand slowly tightened around the armrest.
"Is what Gunthar said true?"
Clotilde stiffened beneath the king’s stare, but she refused to lower her head.
"I have never betrayed Frankindia," she said, forcing her voice to remain steady. "My relationship with Max was my own choice, and the child I carry changes nothing about my loyalty."
Gunthar’s jaw tightened. "My liege, we should offer her to the enemy as the price of our surrender. Her life may be enough to spare our people."
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