War Room — Minutes Later
Kaito spread the map Aria had given him across the table.
—Eldric attacks in one week.
The three of them tensed.
—Four heroes. Two hundred elite soldiers. Blessed weaponry.
He looked at each of them.
—I need a plan. Now.
Adelheid studied the map.
—Two hundred elite soldiers against our one hundred.
She frowned.
—They're better equipped. Better trained.
Naporia smiled.
—But we have something they don't.
She looked at Kaito.
—We have three empresses.
Lilith added,
—And we know their route of attack.
She pointed at the map.
—If this information is accurate… they'll pass through the Iron Pass.
Adelheid nodded slowly.
—Perfect terrain for an ambush.
Naporia stepped closer.
—Then we don't face them head-on.
Her eyes gleamed.
—We make them come to us. And when they do…
She smiled.
—We destroy them.
Kaito studied the map.
—We need more details. Aria has information about the heroes' abilities.
He looked at Lilith.
—Interrogate her. Subtly.
Lilith smiled.
—Of course.
Kaito turned to Adelheid.
—I want fortifications in the Pass. Traps. Defensive positions.
Adelheid nodded.
—Understood.
Finally, he looked at Naporia.
—And you… prepare the assault forces.
Naporia grinned widely.
—With pleasure, mon général.
Kaito leaned back.
—One week. We have one week to prepare.
He looked at the three of them.
—This will be our first real war.
He paused.
—And we need to win it.
The three nodded in unison.
—For Neudämmerung.
---
That Night — Kaito's Room
Kaito couldn't sleep.
He stared at the remaining cards.
There were still more.
Uninvoked.
Should I summon another before the battle?
Or is that too risky?
A knock at the door.
—Come in.
Aria entered hesitantly.
—Sorry to bother you. I…
She hesitated.
Kaito sat up.
—What is it?
Aria stepped closer.
—I just wanted to… talk.
She sat in a nearby chair.
—Like before. When we were…
—Friends —Kaito finished.
Aria nodded.
—Yes.
Silence.
Finally, Aria spoke.
—How did you end up like this? With… them.
She vaguely gestured toward where she knew the three queens would be.
Kaito smiled tiredly.
—Survival. At first, I just wanted to survive one more day.
He looked at his hands.
—But then… it became something more.
Aria studied him.
—Are you still you? The Kaito I knew?
Kaito remained silent for several seconds.
—I don't know.
He looked at Aria.
—But I can't go back either.
Aria nodded slowly.
—Then… at least let me help you not lose yourself completely.
She extended her hand.
—Like I should have done from the beginning.
Kaito looked at her hand.
Then he shook it.
—Thank you, Aria.
---
Outside — Balcony
The three queens watched from different vantage points.
Adelheid from a tower.
Lilith from the garden shadows.
Naporia from the rooftop.
All watching the same scene.
Kaito and Aria. Talking. Like friends.
Adelheid clenched her fists.
Another competitor.
Lilith smiled coldly.
Interesting.
Naporia shrugged.
As long as she doesn't interfere in battle…
But the three of them were thinking the same thing.
That heroine…
We need to keep an eye on her.
---
Meanwhile — Avernor
Eldric was in his headquarters.
Reviewing reports.
A soldier entered.
—Sir. We've confirmed Aria's desertion.
Eldric didn't look up.
—And?
The soldier hesitated.
—Shouldn't we…?
Eldric finally looked at him.
And smiled.
—No. Let her.
He stood up.
—In fact… she's perfect.
He walked toward a map.
—Aria carries a magical tracker. Implanted without her knowledge.
He pointed to a location on the map.
—Now we know exactly where Kaito is.
He looked at the soldier.
—Move the attack forward. We depart in three days.
The soldier blinked.
—Three days? But we said one week…
Eldric smiled coldly.
—Exactly. Kaito expects one week.
His eyes gleamed.
—But we'll arrive in three.
He turned.
—Prepare everyone. We march at dawn on the third day.
The soldier nodded and left.
Eldric looked at the map.
Where a glowing point marked Aria's location.
And by extension… Kaito's.
—Thank you for being so predictable, Aria.
He smiled.
—And thank you for betraying us.
He touched the glowing point.
—Because now… we'll use you to destroy everything Kaito built.
---
Back in Neudämmerung — Aria's Room
Aria stood alone.
Looking out the window.
Feeling something strange.
As if…
As if something was wrong.
She unconsciously touched her chest.
Where, beneath her skin, without her knowledge…
A small magical crystal pulsed.
Transmitting her location.
Directly to Avernor.