Day 1 — The First Crack
Vargun did not sleep that night.
Lilith's words echoed in his head like war bells.
"How many of your men are truly loyal to you?"
He rose at dawn, irritable and paranoid.
He summoned his lieutenants to the main hall.
Five men. Veterans. Those who had been with him from the beginning.
—I want a full report on all patrols —Vargun ordered—. Names. Shifts. Everything.
One of the lieutenants, a bald man with a grey beard named Gorman, frowned.
—Why, sir? Everything is in order.
Vargun stared at him.
—Are you questioning me?
Gorman blinked.
—No, sir. I was just asking...
—Don't ask —grunted Vargun—. Obey.
Uncomfortable silence.
The lieutenants exchanged looks.
Gorman nodded slowly.
—As you command.
He left with the others.
When they were gone, Vargun remained alone.
Staring at the door.
Gorman questioned my order.
Why?
What is he hiding?
The seed of doubt grew.
---
Kaito's Camp — Same Day
Kaito gathered his makeshift council: Adelheid, Lilith, Rolf, and the Voss brothers.
—We need to be prepared for any outcome —said Kaito, pointing to the map—. If Vargun accepts, good. If not...
—We attack —Adelheid finished.
Kaito shook his head.
—We wait. We let Lilith do her work.
Adelheid looked at him.
—Commander, with all due respect... how much longer will we wait?
—Three days —replied Lilith from her spot, reclined on a rock—. I gave him three days.
Adelheid turned towards her.
—And if it doesn't work?
Lilith smiled.
—It will work. It already started.
Rolf raised his hand timidly.
—Excuse me... what exactly started?
Lilith stood up, walking to the center of the group.
—Vargun now doubts his men. That doubt will become paranoia. Paranoia... will become violence.
Her eyes flashed.
—He will kill someone innocent. His men will see it. And then...
She snapped her fingers.
—Loyalty breaks.
Adelheid frowned.
—That's... twisted.
Lilith looked at her.
—Would you prefer a battle where our men die?
Adelheid did not answer.
Kaito intervened.
—Three days. We remain alert but do not attack first.
He looked at everyone.
—Understood?
Everyone nodded.
Although Adelheid did so reluctantly.
---
Day 2 — The Execution
Vargun could not eat.
He could not think.
He only watched.
Everyone.
During breakfast, he saw two soldiers whispering in a corner.
He approached.
—What are you talking about?
Both men startled.
—N-nothing, sir. Just... about today's patrol.
Vargun stared at them.
—Are you sure?
—Y-yes, sir.
Vargun walked away.
But the doubt persisted.
They lied. I saw it in their eyes.
They're planning something.
In the afternoon, he summoned Gorman again.
—I want you to arrest those two soldiers.
—Which ones, sir?
—The ones who were whispering this morning.
Gorman hesitated.
—Sir... they didn't do anything wrong...
—I SAID ARREST THEM!
The shout echoed throughout the fortress.
Gorman stepped back.
—Y-yes, sir.
An hour later, the two soldiers were chained in the courtyard.
Vargun interrogated them personally.
—What were you planning?
—Nothing, sir! We were just talking about...!
—LIES!
Vargun drew his sword.
Gorman stepped forward.
—Sir, please. They are good men. Loyal...
Vargun turned to him.
—You defend them?
Gorman froze.
—I... no, sir. It's just...
Vargun smiled bitterly.
—Then you won't mind if I do this.
He turned... and beheaded one of the soldiers.
The head rolled across the ground.
Absolute silence.
The gathered soldiers watched in horror.
The second prisoner began to cry.
—Please! I didn't do anything! I have a family!
Vargun raised his sword again.
—You should have thought of that before betraying me.
—I DIDN'T BETRAY YOU!
Vargun executed the second man.
Blood stained the courtyard.
The soldiers did not applaud.
They did not cheer.
They just... watched.
With fear.
And with something else.
Hatred.
Gorman clenched his fists, but lowered his gaze.
This is wrong.
Completely wrong.
---
Kaito's Camp — Night of Day 2
A scout returned with news.
—Commander... there is strange movement at the fortress.
Kaito stood up.
—What kind of movement?
—Executions. Vargun killed two of his own men today. In public.
Adelheid frowned.
—Why?
The scout shook his head.
—We don't know. But the soldiers are... restless.
Kaito looked at Lilith.
She smiled.
—Day two. Everything is going as planned.
Adelheid looked at her with disgust.
—You're enjoying this.
Lilith shrugged.
—I'm doing my job.
Kaito raised his hand.
—Enough. Maintain vigilance. Report any changes.
The scout nodded and withdrew.
Adelheid approached Kaito.
—Commander... this feels... wrong.
Kaito looked at her.
—Do you prefer a battle?
—I prefer honesty over this.
Kaito exhaled.
—I know you're a warrior goddess. But sometimes war isn't everything, Adelheid.
He paused.
—Trust me.
Adelheid looked at him for several seconds.
Then she nodded.
—Always, commander.
---
Day 3 — The Breaking Point
Vargun hadn't slept in three days.
His mind was a whirlwind of paranoia and rage.
In the morning, he summoned Gorman again.
—You —he pointed a finger—. You always question my orders.
Gorman blinked.
—Sir, I...
—Are you planning to betray me?
—No, sir!
Vargun approached.
—Then kneel. Prove your loyalty.
Gorman hesitated for only a second.
But it was enough.
Vargun struck him.
The old lieutenant fell to the ground.
—I KNEW YOU WEREN'T LOYAL!
He raised his axe.
—SIR, WAIT!
Another lieutenant intervened.
—Gorman has been with you for ten years! He is your right hand!
Vargun turned towards him.
—You too?
The lieutenant stepped back.
—I... no...
Vargun laughed. A broken, demented laugh.
—ALL OF YOU! ALL OF YOU BETRAY ME!
He raised the axe.
And then—
Gorman spoke.
With a trembling but firm voice.
—You... have gone mad.
Vargun froze.
Gorman got to his feet, bleeding.
—We are not traitors. You are the traitor.
He pointed around.
—You betrayed your men's trust. You killed innocents. You became a monster.
He looked at the gathered soldiers.
—We owe no loyalty to a madman!
Silence.
Then... one soldier dropped his spear.
Another followed.
And another.
Vargun looked around, incredulous.
—What...?
Gorman spat blood.
—It's over, Vargun. Your reign is finished.
Half a dozen soldiers surrounded Vargun.
Not with loyalty.
With intent to arrest him.
Vargun roared.
—TRAITORS!
He raised the axe and attacked.
He killed three before they subdued him.
Finally, they brought him down.
Chained.
Beaten.
Broken.
Gorman approached, limping.
—Take him to the cells.
He looked at the monster who was once his leader.
—And send word to the outsider.
Another soldier blinked.
—The one from the camp?
Gorman nodded.
—He said he wanted to negotiate. Now... we have something to negotiate.
---
Kaito's Camp — Afternoon of Day 3
The messenger arrived at a gallop.
He wasn't hostile.
He was... submissive.
He knelt before Kaito.
—Sir... Lord Vargun has fallen.
Kaito exchanged a look with Adelheid.
—Fallen?
The messenger nodded.
—His own men rebelled. He is arrested. And... Lieutenant Gorman requests an audience with you.
Kaito looked at Lilith.
She smiled, satisfied.
—Three days. As I said.
Kaito turned to the messenger.
—Tell Gorman I will come tomorrow.
The messenger nodded and withdrew.
When he was gone, Adelheid spoke.
—Commander... it worked.
Kaito nodded.
—Yes. But we are not finished yet.
He looked towards the mountains.
—Tomorrow, we will decide the future of these lands.
---
That Night — Vargun's Cell
Vargun was chained in his own dungeon.
Filthy. Bleeding. Broken.
But his mind... still worked.
This was that brat's fault.
And that damned witch.
They did this to me.
He clenched his chained fists.
But I still have one card left.
He remembered something.
The brat's camp.
Small. Vulnerable.
And a silver-haired woman.
Clearly important to him.
Vargun smiled with bloodied teeth.
If they come tomorrow... I'll send loyal men to the camp.
We'll capture them.
And then...
The brat will pay.
---
The Next Day — The Dungeon
Gorman visited Vargun.
—You have fallen low, Vargun.
Vargun looked up.
—Gorman... old friend...
—We are not friends.
Vargun spat blood.
—What will you do? Hand me over to the brat?
Gorman nodded.
—He will decide your fate.
Vargun laughed bitterly.
—What if I offer you something better?
Gorman frowned.
—What?
Vargun leaned forward.
—Tell the brat I want to see him. Him and the witch.
—Why?
Vargun smiled.
—To... negotiate my surrender.
Gorman studied him.
Then nodded.
—I will tell him.
He left.
Vargun leaned back against the wall.
Come, brat.
Come and discover your camp is in flames.
And your precious commander...
Is mine.
---
Kaito's Camp
The messenger returned.
—Sir... Vargun requests to see you. You and Lady Lilith. He says he wants to formally negotiate his surrender.
Kaito frowned.
—In the fortress?
—Yes, sir.
Adelheid stood up.
—It's a trap.
—Probably —Kaito admitted.
He looked at Lilith.
—What do you think?
Lilith tilted her head.
—A defeated man can still bite.
She paused.
—But also... it could be useful to hear what he has to say.
Kaito nodded.
—We will go. But with precautions.
He looked at Adelheid.
—You stay here. Protect the camp.
—Commander, if it's a trap...
—That's why I need you here.
Kaito touched her shoulder.
—I trust you to keep them safe.
Adelheid hesitated.
Then nodded.
—Understood.
Kaito turned to the messenger.
—Tell Gorman we will come at dawn.