War Room — Night
Kaito was surrounded by his council.
Three queens: Adelheid, Lilith, Naporia.
Aria.
Gorman.
And a few key captains.
The map of Iron Gorge was spread out.
Kaito spoke first.
"We have three days. Maybe less. I need a clear strategy."
He looked at each one.
"Proposals."
Adelheid stood.
"Defensive pitched battle at the gorge."
She pointed at positions.
"We use the terrain. Force a funnel. Archers in the heights. Rock traps."
"Classic," Naporia commented. "But predictable."
Adelheid looked at her.
"Effective."
Lilith intervened.
"I propose a psychological ambush before the battle."
Everyone looked at her.
"I send my fog the night before. The soldiers forget why they're fighting. They hesitate. They divide."
She paused.
"When they reach the gorge... they're already broken mentally."
Naporia shook her head.
"Too slow. I propose decapitation."
She leaned over the map.
"A surprise night attack. I lead elite forces. Kill Eldric while he sleeps."
She pointed.
"Without their leader, the rest collapses."
Aria spoke timidly.
"What if we combine everything?"
Everyone turned.
Aria stood up.
"Lilith weakens morale the night before. Adelheid prepares defenses at the gorge. Naporia maintains reserve forces for a quick counterattack."
She pointed at the map.
"We use each strength to cover the others' weaknesses."
Kaito considered.
"I like it."
He looked at the three queens.
"Objections?"
Adelheid nodded.
"Functional."
Lilith smiled.
"Intelligent."
Naporia shrugged.
"As long as I get to kill something, I accept."
Kaito outlined the plan.
"Then that's how it'll be. Lilith, sow doubt the night before. Adelheid, pitched battle at the gorge. Naporia, shock reserves."
He looked at Aria.
"And you... precision support. Eliminate key targets."
Aria nodded.
"Understood."
The meeting continued for hours.
Discussing details. Contingencies. Signals.
When it ended, it was already midnight.
---
Balcony — Kaito's Room
Kaito couldn't sleep.
He was on the balcony, looking at the stars.
A knock at the door.
"Come in."
Aria entered timidly.
"You can't sleep?"
Kaito shook his head.
"Too much to think about."
Aria approached the balcony.
"I understand."
Comfortable silence.
Finally, Aria spoke.
"The cards you have. The unsummoned villains."
Kaito looked at her.
"What about them?"
Aria hesitated.
"Do you plan to summon more?"
Kaito was silent.
"I don't know."
He looked at his hands.
"Each summoning changes me. I can feel it. I become... colder."
Aria touched his shoulder.
"Then don't summon more. You already have enough power."
Kaito looked at her.
"And if it's not enough?"
Aria held his gaze.
"Then you die as a hero. Not as a monster."
Kaito felt the weight of those words.
Before he could respond...
The door opened.
Adelheid entered.
She saw Aria touching Kaito's shoulder.
She stopped.
"Sorry. Am I interrupting?"
Her voice was cold.
Aria withdrew her hand quickly.
"No, I... I was just..."
Adelheid interrupted her.
"You should rest. There's much to do tomorrow."
It wasn't a suggestion.
It was an order.
Aria nodded and left quickly.
When she was gone, Adelheid approached.
"Since when are you two so... close?"
Kaito sighed.
"Adelheid..."
"It's not jealousy," she lied. "It's tactical concern."
She looked at Kaito.
"She was a hero of Avernor. Do you really trust her?"
Kaito looked directly at her.
"Yes."
Adelheid clenched her fists.
"Why?"
"Because she reminds me of who I was. Before all this."
Kaito turned back to the stars.
"And I need that reminder. Or I'll lose myself completely."
Adelheid felt something in her chest.
But she said nothing.
She just stayed by his side.
In silence.
---
Dawn — Two Days Later
A scout arrived at a gallop.
Exhausted. Covered in dust.
He threw himself from his horse in front of Kaito.
"Commander! Enemy movement detected!"
Kaito tensed.
"Where?"
"Twenty kilometers south. Advancing toward the gorge."
Kaito frowned.
"When will they arrive?"
The scout panted.
"That's the strange thing, Commander..."
He looked at Kaito with worried eyes.
"They're coming faster than expected. Forced march."
He paused.
"We estimate... three days. Not seven."
Silence fell like stone.
Kaito looked at Aria, who was present.
Aria paled.
"No... the information was correct when I stole it..."
Kaito processed quickly.
Three days. Not seven.
Either Aria was wrong...
Or it was a trap.
He looked at the scout.
"Sure of your calculations?"
"Yes, Commander. At their current speed... three days. Maximum."
Kaito nodded.
"Understood. Dismissed."
When the scout left, Kaito looked at his queens.
"Change of plans. We accelerate everything."
He looked at Adelheid.
"Defenses finished in one day."
At Lilith.
"Psychological operation tonight."
At Naporia.
"Forces ready by tomorrow."
The three nodded.
Kaito turned to Aria.
"And you... come with me."
---
Private Room
Kaito closed the door.
Aria was trembling.
"Kaito, I swear I didn't know..."
Kaito raised his hand.
"I know."
He stepped closer.
"But I need to ask you something. And I need total honesty."
Aria nodded.
"Is there ANYTHING else you haven't told me? Anything Eldric could use against us?"
Aria thought desperately.
"No... I... don't think so..."
She touched her chest unconsciously.
Kaito noticed the gesture.
"What's there?"
Aria blinked.
"Where?"
Kaito pointed at her chest.
"You keep touching there. Like something's bothering you."
Aria realized.
"I... don't know. It's just... nerves."
Kaito studied her.
Then nodded.
"It's alright. Rest. I need you ready."
Aria left.
Kaito remained alone.
Thinking.
Three days.
Trap or coincidence?
He looked toward the window.
Where the horizon showed dark clouds approaching.
"Three days," he murmured. "Then in three days... we'll know if we survive."