Military Base
Rose looked over everything one last time and gave a small smile.
"All right. Everything is settled here. I'll take Briar with me, and everything should be set."
Reaper looked at her.
"Master, this Reaper would like to join you."
Rose turned toward him.
"You want to come with me?"
"Yes, Master. I wish to protect you."
Rose thought about it for a moment before looking around the base.
"But if you come with me, who is going to stay here?"
A proud smile appeared on Reaper's face.
"Master, allow me to demonstrate one of my powers."
Rose raised an eyebrow.
"Go ahead."
Reaper slowly rose from the ground.
Blackness began pouring from his body.
Rose immediately stepped back.
The darkness twisted through the air before gathering beside him. Slowly, it began taking shape—first a body, then arms, legs, and finally a face.
Within seconds, another Reaper stood beside him.
An exact copy.
The clone looked directly at Rose.
"I am at your command, Master."
Rose stared.
She looked at Reaper.
Then at the clone.
Then back at Reaper.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
"This is why you were so excited when I agreed to let you come, isn't it?"
Reaper's proud smile answered the question before he could.
Rose laughed.
"Okay. I see what's going on."
She walked around the clone, studying it carefully.
"How powerful is your clone? Because I don't want to take you with me and then find out your clone put everyone here in danger."
Reaper immediately frowned.
"No, Master. I am going with you. The clone will remain here and protect the base. I want to support you when we arrive. I do not wish to be left behind. I want to contribute myself to you."
Rose pointed toward the clone.
"That didn't answer my question."
Reaper paused.
"My clone possesses the same abilities I do. However, I can only create one perfect duplicate of myself at a time."
Rose's expression became more serious.
"And maintaining it?"
"The farther we are separated, the more power it requires to maintain our connection. I can see what it sees and feel what it senses, but there is a limit."
That made Rose feel slightly better.
"So you're powerful, but you're not unlimited."
Reaper smiled.
"No creature is unlimited, Master."
Rose nodded.
"Good. Because I don't need you passing out in the middle of a battlefield."
Reaper looked almost offended.
"This Reaper does not simply pass out."
Rose laughed.
"Fine. Let's go."
She checked the time.
"We're already close to the debriefing. I need to know exactly what's happening when we get there, and I need to make sure the team I'm working with is going to cooperate with me."
Rose opened the door.
Immediately, Briar flew across the room and landed on her shoulder, his body small enough to perch comfortably there.
Reaper stared at the dragon.
Briar stared back.
Rose could already feel the tension between them.
She sighed.
"Reaper."
"Yes, Master?"
"Tell your clone to make sure no one gets close to this base."
Reaper gave the command.
The clone bowed.
"As you command."
Reaper looked back at Rose.
"What I protect, it will protect."
Rose nodded.
"Okay. Good. Let's go."
She walked out with Briar on her shoulder and Reaper following close behind.
The door closed behind them.
For several seconds, the clone remained completely still.
Then it disappeared.
High above the military base, twelve meters in the air, a dark figure appeared.
It hovered silently over the compound, watching the entire perimeter.
Every movement.
Every entrance.
Every person.
Anything the clone saw—
Reaper could see too.
⸻
Sea Kingdom
Word had reached King Nerion.
His own brother was preparing to move against him.
To Nerion, it was betrayal.
He understood what Archduke Vermont intended to do.
Take the throne.
A spy planted among Vermont's forces had delivered enough information to expose part of the operation.
Nerion knew Vermont intended to make his move soon.
So the King made his decision.
He would not wait for his brother to strike first.
King Nerion immediately summoned the First Concubine, Seraphina.
The moment she arrived, Nerion called for his butler.
The butler rushed forward.
"Your Majesty."
"Prepare Sophia to leave the Sea Kingdom," Nerion ordered. "We cannot allow Archduke Vermont to win."
The butler bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do it quietly."
The butler hurried away.
But none of them realized someone else had been listening.
Princess Lilia.
She had followed Concubine Seraphina.
And hidden in her hand was a memory crystal.
Lilia remained silent as she recorded everything.
Every word.
Every order.
Every part of the plan.
If something happened, she wanted evidence she could bring directly to her uncle, Archduke Vermont.
Then she heard footsteps.
Lilia quickly ducked into a small corner.
The butler and a maid rushed past her in the opposite direction, heading toward Princess Sophia's quarters.
Lilia's heart began pounding.
They were making their move tonight.
She hurried back to her quarters and immediately tried contacting Vermont.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
"Come on, Uncle…"
Still nothing.
She couldn't wait.
Lilia quickly changed into a maid's uniform and slipped through the back entrance of the palace.
She hurried through the darkness.
But she didn't realize someone was following her.
Suddenly—
A hand covered her mouth.
Lilia tried to scream.
Then she saw the face beneath the hood.
Her body froze.
"Maribel?!"
Princess Maribel released her.
"Where are you going?" Maribel demanded. "What are you doing out here? Father told us to stay in our quarters."
Lilia stared at her.
"What are you doing here?"
"I saw you sneaking out!"
"I'm going to Uncle's house right now."
Maribel's eyes widened.
"But Father told us to stay inside."
Lilia's expression hardened.
"I'm not like you. I don't respect Father the way you do. I respect Uncle, and I'm going to him right now. So leave me alone. If you want to tell Father, then tell him."
Lilia turned and sprinted away.
Maribel stared after her.
Then she groaned.
"You're my responsibility too!"
She ran after her.
"I'm coming with you!"
⸻
Archduke Vermont's Residence
The moment they arrived, Lilia knew something was wrong.
Soldiers were everywhere.
People rushed through corridors carrying weapons, documents, armor, and supplies.
Generals shouted orders.
Military personnel moved from one room to another.
Even members of the Military Magic Council were present.
Maribel slowly looked around.
"What is going on?"
Lilia didn't answer.
"Lilia!"
Still nothing.
Maribel grabbed her arm.
"Why are there so many soldiers here? What is happening that we don't know about?"
Lilia pulled away and hurried toward Vermont's office.
She knocked.
No answer.
She knocked again.
"Come in."
Lilia pushed open the door.
Several generals were inside.
High-ranking soldiers stood around a large table, along with members of the Military Magic Council.
"Uncle."
Vermont looked up.
"Princess Lilia? What are you doing here?"
"I know you're busy, but there's something you need to know."
Vermont immediately noticed her expression.
He raised his hand.
"Everyone, out."
The generals and soldiers exchanged glances before leaving the room.
Maribel stepped inside behind Lilia.
"Can someone please tell me what's happening?" she demanded. "Does Father know about all of this? We should tell him so we can fix whatever is going on."
Vermont stared at both princesses.
"Sit down and listen carefully."
Neither moved.
"We are preparing for war."
Maribel froze.
"What?"
"And both of you need to remain here. I don't want either of you caught in the crossfire. I want you safe."
Lilia stepped forward.
"I already know."
She held out the memory crystal.
"Here."
Vermont took it.
Lilia activated the crystal.
King Nerion's voice filled the room.
Then Seraphina's.
Then the orders concerning Sophia.
The room fell silent.
Vermont slowly looked at Lilia.
"Where did you get this?"
"I told you I don't trust the First Concubine. I followed her. She went into Father's study. Then the butler and the maid rushed out, and I heard yelling, so I started recording everything."
Lilia hesitated.
"I knew something was going on with Princess Sophia and the Magic Council. I figured I needed your help."
Then she looked directly at him.
"But I heard something else too."
Vermont's expression changed.
Lilia swallowed.
"Are you planning to remove Father from the throne?"
Silence.
Maribel slowly turned toward Vermont.
Her face went pale.
Vermont looked between the two princesses.
Maribel's shock was written all over her face.
Inside, only one thought repeated itself.
I have to tell Father.
I need to warn him.
Vermont could see it.
He could see the conflict written across her face.
"Yes," he finally said.
Maribel's eyes widened.
"What?"
"The sins that have been committed cannot continue to be covered up. Sophia committed a crime. The Magic Council wants her to answer for it, but your father refuses to surrender her."
Maribel immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Maribel—"
"No!"
She stood.
"Sophia wouldn't do that."
Lilia stared at her sister.
Maribel looked at Vermont.
"And Father wouldn't protect her if she had!"
Vermont remained calm.
"Your father has been protecting Sophia."
"No."
"Maribel—"
"You're wrong!"
Her voice cracked.
"My father loves this kingdom. Sophia loves this family. She wouldn't do whatever you're accusing her of doing."
Lilia stepped closer.
"You don't know everything Sophia has done."
Maribel turned toward her.
"And you do?"
Lilia went silent.
Maribel's eyes filled with tears.
"You hate Father. You always have something to say about him. But that doesn't mean everything he does is wrong."
"I don't hate Father."
"Yes, you do!"
"No. I just stopped believing everything he tells us."
That sentence silenced Maribel.
Vermont watched both sisters carefully.
Maribel had been sheltered.
She had believed everything her father had done was for their family.
She believed he protected them.
She believed Sophia was simply her troublesome younger sister.
She believed her family was safe.
Now everyone around her was telling her something completely different.
Her stomach dropped.
She loved her father.
She loved Sophia.
She loved Lilia.
She loved her uncle.
And now it felt as if everyone around her was tearing that family apart.
Maribel stood so quickly that the chair scraped loudly against the floor.
"I—I'm leaving."
She rushed toward the door.
Lilia immediately stepped in front of her.
"Sit down."
"Move, Lilia."
"No."
"Move!"
"There's something else you need to know."
Maribel glared at her.
Lilia didn't move.
"Do you remember what Father told us about the Queen?"
Maribel's anger disappeared.
She slowly nodded.
"Yes."
Her voice became quiet.
"What does that have to do with my mother?"
Lilia looked toward Vermont.
Vermont released a slow breath.
He had already sent for the Queen.
"Sit down," he said. "It's time for you to hear the truth."
Maribel didn't want to.
But something about Vermont's expression frightened her.
The sisters slowly walked toward the couch and sat.
Then—
Knock.
Not from the main entrance.
From a side door.
Vermont looked toward it.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened.
A woman stepped into the room.
A small tiara rested upon her head.
Long, beautiful dark hair framed her pale face, and an elegant but simple dress flowed around her as she walked.
Maribel stopped breathing.
The woman crossed the room.
Maribel stared at her.
She had seen that face before.
In paintings.
In portraits.
In pictures.
But never like this.
Never alive.
Never standing directly in front of her.
Maribel slowly stood.
"No…"
The Queen stopped.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She gently reached for Maribel's hand.
"My baby…"
Maribel couldn't move.
The Queen raised one hand and softly touched her daughter's cheek.
Then she pulled her into her arms.
"My baby…"
Maribel's body remained stiff inside the embrace.
Tears began spilling from her eyes.
There was only one thing she could manage to say.
"Father told me you died."
The Queen froze.
Slowly, she pulled back and held Maribel's face between her hands.
Tears rolled down both their cheeks.
Maribel stared into the face of the mother she had believed was dead.
Then she wrapped her arms around her.
Her mother hugged her back.
Suddenly—
Rushing footsteps thundered outside.
The main door burst open.
"Duke!"
Everyone turned.
A soldier rushed inside.
"We're under attack!"
Vermont immediately stood.
The generals and soldiers waiting in the hallway rushed back into the room.
"Get ready!" Vermont ordered. "Move into formation! Protect the civilians first!"
The soldiers immediately moved.
"Begin the defense plan!"
The war had begun.
⸻
Military Base
Marina and the others were already waiting.
They had tried repeatedly to contact the Duke.
No answer.
But the portal was open.
Rose looked toward Marina.
"General, our team is ready."
Marina looked over everyone.
"Deploy now."
Section by section, the teams began entering the portal.
No one knew exactly what they were about to walk into.
Rose stepped forward with Briar perched on her shoulder and Reaper beside her.
The three crossed through.
Chaos greeted them on the other side.
Explosions.
Shouting.
Soldiers running.
Magic flashing outside.
A man was waiting for them.
Marina immediately approached him and saluted.
"What is going on? I thought the battle wasn't supposed to begin until tomorrow."
The soldier returned the salute.
"I am Lieutenant Myon. Archduke Vermont sent me. Something has happened."
Marina's expression hardened.
Lieutenant Myon continued.
"The King discovered part of our operation. He struck before we could make our move."
Rose's stomach tightened.
Tomorrow.
They had prepared for tomorrow.
Whatever plan they had walked in with was already falling apart.
"The King attacked first," Lieutenant Myon continued. "The plan has changed."
Marina glanced toward the fighting outside.
"There's more," Myon said. "Another faction has decided to assist the King. We need your teams to help regain control."
Marina gritted her teeth.
"Copy. I'll have my people assist with evacuation and anything else necessary. The Council is already here with us."
Lieutenant Myon saluted.
Then—
BOOM!
The entire entrance shook.
Rose spun around.
There was no more time to think about tomorrow.
"SHIELDS! NOW!"
Everyone snapped to attention.
Those capable of producing shields immediately raised them.
Reaper calmly walked ahead of the group.
"Master."
Rose looked at him.
"I will take care of this part for you."
Reaper wanted Rose to understand exactly what kind of power she now had at her disposal.
He raised one hand.
Then snapped his fingers.
A massive dark barrier exploded outward.
It surrounded the entire building.
Everyone stared.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
The barrier was enormous.
Dense.
Powerful.
The magical pressure coming from it felt comparable to a Tier Seven shield—or possibly even higher.
Rose stared at it.
Then she looked at Reaper.
She shook her head and laughed.
"Okay. Are you good keeping this barrier up for us?"
Reaper bowed slightly.
"Master, I am at your disposal. Anything you need, I will do."
Then he added,
"However, maintaining this barrier while sustaining my duplicate across such a distance will require concentration."
Rose immediately became serious.
"Then don't overdo it."
Reaper looked at her.
"If the barrier becomes too much, you drop it. Understood?"
For a moment, Reaper seemed surprised by the command.
Then he bowed.
"Understood, Master."
A tiny snort came from Rose's shoulder.
Everyone looked.
Briar had turned his head away from Reaper and rolled his eyes.
Silence.
Then several people started laughing.
Even Rose couldn't hold it in.
Reaper stared at Briar.
Briar refused to look at him.
For just a moment, some of the tension disappeared.
Then Rose stepped forward.
Her expression became serious again.
"Everyone, attention!"
The soldiers and teams turned toward her.
"Groups One and Two—find the civilians and follow the extraction plan you've been given."
They nodded.
"Groups Three and Four—you're with me. We're pushing toward the throne. We need to find Archduke Vermont and determine whether he's in danger or needs assistance."
Rose turned toward Marina and Lieutenant Myon.
"We're ready to deploy."
⸻
Meanwhile — Blackwell Borderline
Red Team and Blue Team prepared to move toward Blackwell Castle.
Black Team and Yellow Team would approach from the rear.
Green Team would remain at the borderline on defense.
If anything moved—
They would know.
Vehicles waited nearby as everyone performed their final equipment checks.
August looked toward the distant castle.
"I hope Rose is doing all right."
Selene stood nearby, holding Irish's hand.
"Don't worry about her. We already know what kind of person Rose is."
Irish smiled slightly.
"That's exactly why I'm worried."
Before anyone could say more, Ryder shouted.
"ATTENTION!"
Everyone immediately stood straight.
Ryder looked over Red Team.
Then Blue Team.
Black Team.
Yellow Team.
Green Team.
This wasn't only about Red Team anymore.
All of them had come this far.
Ryder took a breath.
"We all came this far together."
Everyone listened.
"If we take this castle, we've won this part of the war. We know what kind of people the Blackwells are, but remember why we're here. We're here to bring them to justice."
His expression hardened.
"If we find anyone inside, we do not kill unless they attack first. If they attack, defend yourselves."
He looked across the teams.
"We all want to go home."
A few soldiers nodded.
Then Ryder smiled.
"Like Rose would say—let's make it, not break it."
Several people laughed.
Everyone knew Rose probably would have said something much worse.
Ryder had definitely sugarcoated it.
"Let's come back home."
"YES, SIR!"
The teams shouted together.
Some laughed.
Others grinned.
But the nervousness was still there.
Engines roared to life.
The vehicles began moving.
Ahead of them, Blackwell Castle waited.
They had finally located it.
Rose had given them everything she could remember from what she had seen while flying above the territory on Briar—the castle's location, its surroundings, the entrances she had noticed, and as much of the layout as she could describe from the air.
But that was all they had.
They didn't know how many Blackwells were inside.
They didn't know what defenses were waiting for them.
They didn't know if the Blackwells already knew they were coming.
For all they knew, they were driving directly into the heart of enemy territory.
Sergeant Bill's voice entered the mind-link one final time.
Stay alert. From this point forward, assume we're being watched.
The vehicles continued toward the castle.
No one spoke.
Every eye remained forward.
Because finding Blackwell Castle was only the beginning.
Now they had to get inside.
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