A few days later, a royal decree arrived swiftly from the capital, spreading through all the major cities like wildfire.
The contents were terse, yet heavy with unspoken pressure: every major city must dispatch legions to the capital for a military parade—to demonstrate unity and the might of the central government.
Before anyone could process the strangeness of this order, word had already spread—Eryx would personally lead a portion of the Second Legion to the capital.
At once, whispers began to shift across the city.
Upon receiving the command, Eryx remained silent for a long while. He knew this wasn't a simple "military exercise." The sudden summons stank of backstage manipulation. If they only needed a show of force, his personal presence wouldn't have been necessary. He had sensed something for a while now—but there was no proof.
Still, a direct order from the royal court couldn't be refused.
Before departing, he called his adjutant Will to his side, his tone as steady as always:
"You'll handle all affairs in my absence. Keep the regional defenses tight—no slack whatsoever."
Will stood at attention and nodded, but just as he turned to leave, Eryx stopped him.
"And…" Eryx's eyes sharpened, "watch Jim."
Will blinked, then immediately understood.
"…And Marcellus and the others." Eryx added slowly, his voice low but laced with chill.
"Understood." Will didn't ask questions.
Eryx looked out at the darkening sky, unease gnawing at his thoughts. Two weeks—neither short nor long. All he could do was hope everything would remain under control.
Meanwhile, Marcellus and the others were caught off guard by the news of Eryx's departure.
They gathered in the castle's hidden chamber. Livia held the newest deployment notice in her hands, brow furrowed.
"…So he has been reassigned."
"This doesn't sit right," Elias muttered from where he leaned against the wall, narrowing his eyes. "You think this was Edgar's doing all along?"
"I do," Marcellus said with a cold laugh. "We thought we'd created an opportunity. But maybe the entire reassignment was Edgar's and the capital's plan from the start. He just used our push to make it seem like we made it happen."
The three fell silent for a moment.
"Even so—" Livia looked up, her eyes calm and sharp. "Eryx's departure is a real opportunity. Whether or not it was Edgar's ploy, the fact remains: for the next two weeks, he won't be in the city."
"Which brings new problems," she paused, then continued. "Eryx isn't a fool. If he and Jim are even slightly sharp, they'll start suspecting our involvement. The real question is—what will they do then?"
"…Keep us under tight surveillance," Elias answered immediately.
"Exactly." Livia nodded. "Which means this is a double-edged sword. If they do suspect us, any move we make in these next two weeks could be even more exposed—especially with Jim. He's not someone easily deceived."
Marcellus frowned after a moment's thought.
"So we've just been pushed into a more dangerous position?"
"Not necessarily." Livia gave a faint smile—light, yet edged with piercing clarity.
"Because with Eryx gone, the entire balance of the city depends on the remaining officers, soldiers, and Jim. If we can stir chaos now, and seed distrust among them—drive wedges between their loyalties—then maybe, just maybe, we can tear open a crack from the inside."
Elias's eyes sharpened.
"You're suggesting…"
Livia gave a slow nod.
"Exactly. Discord—that's our true weapon."
"If we can make Jim suspicious of Will, or make the soldiers suspect Jim is colluding with certain high-ranking officers… even just a few planted rumors and misleading trails could destabilize the entire command. And with Eryx away, there'll be no one left to suppress it."
"That's when we'll have real cover for our moves."