As Leon, Seraphine, and Loriel took their next steps forward, the oppressive fog vanished. Moonlight bathed them in silver-white radiance—night had fallen while they traveled through the mist.
But they weren't greeted with peaceful silence.
"FREEZE! DON'T MOVE!"
Shouts erupted from atop massive walls stretching in both directions. Authoritative voices—both men and women—barked commands from different positions, their tones sharp with tension and readiness.
Leon's eyes immediately locked onto what drew his attention most: rifles. Dozens of them, pointed directly at the three of them from the walls above.
Rifles. In a magical world.
The sight surprised him more than he'd expected. They looked like 19th-century models—bolt-action, probably single-shot, nothing like the automatic weapons from his previous life. But still. Firearms. Here.
Leon, Seraphine, and Loriel remained perfectly still. No need to make unnecessary enemies, Leon thought, his body relaxed but ready.
