Instead, they had summoned a nightmare.
"Boss… this wasn't part of the plan!" Raziel Phoenix wailed, on the verge of tears.
In their strategy, he had been cannon fodder.
They had told him so directly.
Alfred would never believe Raziel Phoenix was the main threat, yet the Twin Dragon Storm was powerful enough to force Alfred to divert attention. That was Raziel Phoenix's role.
Ray had considered everything.
Challenging Alfred at night would naturally raise suspicion. Knowing the strengths of the three veterans, Alfred's attention would inevitably fall on Violetta.
That was the deception.
Ray had deliberately shaped the battle to make it seem as though his Golden Dragon Claw would deliver the finishing blow. From the opening Bind to Raziel Phoenix's aerial assault to Lily's elemental coordination, everything pointed to that claw.
And it almost worked.
Ray's attack was exposed. His Silverfalls Vine was cut down by Frost Scars.
But that was never its true purpose.
