Aschenfall Fortress — Dawn
The preparations began before sunrise. Kaito personally oversaw every detail as the sky turned shades of orange and purple. The meeting was scheduled for noon, but he would leave nothing to chance. In the central courtyard, soldiers checked their armor, sharpened their swords, and loaded arrows into their quivers. The atmosphere was heavy with tension—everyone knew this "negotiation" was merely a façade for something far more dangerous.
Adelheid stood beside him, reviewing the tactical arrangements with a serious expression. Her arm was still bandaged, but she had insisted on going. She would not allow Eldric to see her as weak. At his other side, Lilith examined small glass vials containing her concentrated mist—preparations for a rapid retreat if things went wrong. And they probably would.
"Ten guards," Kaito said, pointing at the selected soldiers. "The best. Veterans from Dreisburg and the fortresses."
Gorman nodded, marking names on a list. The chosen soldiers stood at attention, pride mixed with nervousness. They knew they might not return.
Naporia appeared from the training grounds, her expression stormy. She planted herself in front of Kaito, arms crossed.
"This is stupid."
Kaito looked at her patiently.
"We already discussed this."
"And I'm still saying it's stupid!" Naporia stomped her foot. "You let Adelheid go, you let Lilith go, but me? I stay here like a babysitter!"
"Someone has to protect the base," Kaito replied firmly. "And I need my best warrior here, not walking into an obvious trap."
Naporia opened her mouth to protest, but Kaito continued before she could speak.
"Besides, you'll have the most important mission. When the trap is triggered—and it will be triggered—I need you to appear where they least expect it. Full flank. That requires patience, stealth, and perfect timing."
Naporia's eyes gleamed faintly at the prospect of a surprise ambush.
"You're telling me I get to appear behind them?"
"With forty assault soldiers. At the exact moment."
Naporia smiled slowly.
"Alright. I accept. But only because it sounds fun."
She walked off to prepare her forces, and Kaito exhaled in relief. Managing Naporia was like handling a sharp blade—useful, but dangerous if you weren't careful.
At that moment, Aria emerged from the infirmary. Still pale, with her left arm in a sling and careful movements that revealed lingering pain. But her eyes shone with fierce determination.
"I'm going with you," she declared without preamble.
Kaito immediately shook his head.
"No. You're injured. You can barely hold a bow."
Aria stepped closer, her jaw tense.
"I can hold a bow well enough for what matters. And you need someone who understands how Eldric thinks."
"Aria…"
"Selene will be there," Aria interrupted, her voice breaking slightly. "And if she's going to shoot me again, I'd rather see it coming."
Kaito studied her face. He saw the guilt there, the weight of unreturned loyalty, the need to close that chapter somehow. Finally, he nodded.
"Alright. But you stay back. In the rear. If things turn ugly, you retreat first."
Aria nodded gratefully.
"Thank you."
The last preparation was the hardest. Drake was brought out of his cell, still chained with the magical restraints Lilith had prepared. His face showed a mixture of resignation and curiosity as Kaito approached him.
"You'll be part of the negotiation," Kaito explained. "Eldric wants you back. We'll use that."
Drake looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"What if you simply return me and end this?"
Kaito shook his head.
"Because we both know Eldric won't stop after getting you back. He'll attack anyway."
He paused, looking directly into Drake's eyes.
"But I want you to see something today. I want you to see the difference between how we treat you… and how Avernor treats you."
Drake didn't respond, but something in his expression softened slightly.
When the sun reached its zenith, the delegation was ready. Kaito at the front, dressed in his simple black armor. Adelheid to his right, sword sheathed but hand near the hilt. Lilith to his left, barefoot as always, her mist vials hidden in her dress. Aria behind them, bow in her right hand, quiver on her back. And among them, Drake in chains, escorted by two guards. Behind, the ten elite soldiers in tight formation.
"Forward," Kaito ordered.
And they marched toward the neutral valley.
---
Neutral Valley — Noon
The valley was an open space between two low rock formations, wide enough for both groups to see each other clearly but narrow enough that any ambush would be obvious. Or at least, that was the theory. Kaito knew the surrounding rocks offered dozens of hiding spots for additional troops.
Avernor's group was already there when they arrived. Eldric at the center, tall and arrogant, his silver plate armor shining under the sun. Marcus at his side, his massive shield resting on the ground, expression serious and watchful. And Selene slightly behind, bow already in hand with an arrow nocked—not aiming directly, but ready to act in seconds. Behind them, ten soldiers in a mirrored formation to Neudämmerung's.
The two groups stopped twenty meters apart. The silence was thick, broken only by the wind blowing through the valley, lifting small clouds of dust. Both leaders studied each other with the intensity of predators assessing a rival.
Eldric spoke first, his voice heavy with contempt he didn't bother to hide.
"The failure. Look at you now. Playing king with a handful of deserters and criminals."
Kaito didn't take the bait. His voice came out calm, controlled.
"And you're still a tool of corrupt kings. Some things never change."
Eldric's jaw visibly tightened. His eyes moved to Drake, chained and guarded, and his expression hardened further.
"I see you mistreat my comrades. Typical of someone without honor."
Adelheid stepped forward, her hand moving toward her sword.
"You speak of honor while planning an ambush. How convenient."
Eldric smiled—a cold smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Marcus intervened with a more measured voice, trying to maintain some diplomacy.
"We came to negotiate. As agreed. Return Drake to us, and we will discuss reasonable terms."
Lilith laughed softly, the sound like shattered glass.
"Reasonable terms? Like massacring our people? Fascinating definition of reasonable."
Kaito raised his hand, silencing the exchange before it escalated further. He stepped forward, shortening the distance between him and Eldric to fifteen meters.
"I propose something simple. I return Drake to you. And you withdraw. Permanently. You recognize Neudämmerung as a sovereign kingdom."
Eldric looked at him as if he had said something absurd, then burst into laughter. It wasn't laughter of amusement, but mocking disbelief.
"Withdraw? Recognize you?" He theatrically wiped his eyes. "You're not in a position to demand anything, failure. Look around. You're surrounded."
Kaito didn't look around. He kept his eyes fixed on Eldric.
"The same could be said to you."