The battlefield crackled with tension.
Steel clashed in the background. Smoke hung thick in the air. But to Lumberling, the world narrowed to a single moment, a figure trembling behind the protective stance of an old man in battered armor.
The young Sengolio noble.
His eyes were wide, face pale with disbelief, lips twitching with fear.
Lumberling recognized him immediately.
He's the one. The one who hurt Shade.
The spider's damaged limbs. Its missing leg. The scent of trauma burned into its shell, this was the man responsible.
Skitz slid to his side, eyes glinting. "My Lord, let's take him out together. That knight's aura… it's heavy. He's at the peak. Just a breath away from becoming a full Knight."
Lumberling's voice was calm, but resolute. "No. Stay back this time, Skitz."
Skitz blinked. "Huh? Why?"
