The carriage came to a stop at the Royal Mansion.
Marquis stepped out quickly, moving in a hurry toward the entrance.
Aria and Martha followed close behind.
Martha glanced up at her father, confused.
"What is it, Dad?"
Marquis didn't answer right away.
He pushed through the mansion doors and walked briskly toward his room.
"Come on... where is it..."
He began searching through drawers, papers scattering across his desk.
Aria stepped in behind him, watching with concern.
"What are you looking for, honey?"
Marquis paused for a moment, his hands still moving through stacks of documents.
"A treaty..."
He glanced back at her briefly.
"I think Void is after it."
He returned to searching, more urgent now, flipping through folders and shelves.
Outside, Darren stood guard at the gate, scanning the surroundings carefully.
He turned to his two soldiers.
"Patrol the perimeter."
"Stay alert."
The soldiers saluted.
"Yes, General!"
They split off, moving along the mansion's outer walls as the night settled heavier around them.
Darren scanned the horizon, eyes narrowing.
More figures emerged from the darkness, closing in fast.
"We're outnumbered."
His soldiers tightened their formation around him.
"We're with you, General."
Darren gave a firm nod, drawing his sword.
"Then let's hold the line."
Inside the mansion—
Marquis kept searching, tossing papers aside, his hands trembling slightly.
Then—
He froze.
His fingers closed around a folded document tucked beneath a stack of old files.
"Thank God..."
"It's here."
Martha stepped closer, curious.
"What's that, Dad?"
Marquis turned toward her, breathing heavily.
"This is—"
BOOM!
An explosion rocked the mansion.
The rooftop above cracked, debris raining down through the ceiling.
Darren's head snapped toward the sound.
"Your Highness!"
He rushed inside.
Inside the room—
Aria pulled Martha close, shielding her.
"Are you okay?"
Martha nodded quickly.
"Yes..."
She looked up at her mother.
"What about you, Mom?"
"I'm okay."
They both turned forward.
Marquis stood pressed against the wall, the treaty clutched tightly in his hand.
Standing before him—
Void.
His white mask reflected the dim light of the room.
"You found it for me..."
His voice was calm, emotionless.
"Now hand it over."
Marquis's grip tightened around the document.
"Never."
Void tilted his head slightly.
"Your choice..."
"That treaty..."
"...or death."
Marquis stared him down, unwavering.
"I choose death."
Martha's eyes widened.
She and Aria moved toward him instinctively.
"Dad, what should we do?!"
Marquis raised a hand, stopping them.
"Stay where you are."
Void's masked gaze shifted toward the family, studying them in silence.
"Oh..."
"A family."
"What a sweet gathering."
Darren burst into the room, sword drawn.
"Your Highness!"
Marquis's eyes widened.
"Darren!"
Without hesitation, Darren lunged straight at Void, blade aimed for a killing strike.
Void shifted aside effortlessly, avoiding the attack with ease.
"Annoying one."
In a flash, he flicked a card from his sleeve, sending it spinning toward Darren.
Darren's eyes caught the glint just before it reached him.
Too late.
BOOM!
The card exploded on contact, the blast throwing him backward into the wall.
Crash!
He slammed against the stone, sliding down, dazed from the impact.
"Darren!"
Aria's voice cried out.
Void turned his masked face back toward Marquis, unaffected by the interruption.
"Now..."
"Where were we?"
Outside the mansion, Norway's carriage rolled to a stop.
Norway stepped out first, followed by Saito and Kaito.
Ahead of them, two soldiers held down a struggling assassin near the gate.
Norway's eyes scanned the mansion, spotting the smoke rising from the shattered rooftop.
"This is a bad situation..."
He turned toward Saito.
"Blue Scarf."
"I want you and your friend to check inside the mansion."
"I'll stay out here with the soldiers."
Saito nodded firmly.
"Got it."
He rushed forward with Kaito, sprinting toward the mansion entrance.
Norway turned back toward the remaining assassins closing in from the gate.
He cracked his knuckles, stance lowering.
"Metal Spike."
He slammed his fist into the ground.
The earth cracked beneath the impact, spreading outward in jagged lines.
Then—
Sharp metal spikes burst upward from the ground, piercing through the assassins' chests and legs.
Screams echoed briefly before falling silent.
Norway straightened, dusting off his hands, gaze steady as he surveyed the fallen enemies around him.
"Perimeter secured."
He turned toward his soldiers.
"Keep watch. More could be coming."
The soldiers nodded, tightening their formation as the chaos outside the mansion slowly began to settle.
Void turned back toward Marquis.
"Hand it over."
Marquis's grip tightened.
"Never."
Before Void could react, Darren staggered forward and threw a punch, striking him square in the mask.
Void's head barely moved.
He steadied himself, adjusting his mask slightly.
"Nice punch."
Darren stepped between him and the king, breathing hard.
"Get away from my king."
Void's tone stayed flat.
"I don't have much time for this."
In an instant, his hand shot forward, driving a knife straight into Darren's stomach.
Darren's eyes went wide.
A sharp gasp escaped him.
Void pressed the blade deeper.
Darren screamed, the sound tearing through the room.
"Darren!"
Marquis's voice cracked with horror.
Void drew the blade back.
Darren collapsed to the floor, clutching his wound, blood pooling beneath him.
Void turned his masked gaze back to Marquis.
"Now..."
"Hand it over."
"Or I kill him."
Marquis hesitated, his hands trembling around the folded treaty.
Then, with a shaking breath, he threw it toward Void.
Void caught it effortlessly.
"Good."
At that moment, footsteps thundered into the room.
Saito and Kaito burst through the doorway.
Saito's eyes immediately locked onto Darren's fallen body.
"Darren!"
He rushed to his side, kneeling down.
"You okay?!"
Darren's breathing was ragged, blood soaking through his uniform.
"The treaty..."
Saito's expression shifted.
"What?"
He looked up sharply, eyes landing on Void, the folded document still clutched in his hand.
Void examined the treaty in his hand.
"Finally..."
"I have it."
Saito's eyes narrowed.
"What is it?"
Kaito stepped forward, jaw tight.
"A treaty..."
"Between this kingdom and the Balance Table."
Void's masked face tilted slightly, almost amused.
"Precisely."
He held the document up.
"Once I tear this down..."
"Your kingdom will no longer be under their protection."
"And I'll be free to conquer it..."
"...without ever facing them."
Saito's fists clenched.
"You dare—"
"I am."
Void's fingers gripped the edges of the treaty, ready to rip it apart.
"And I'm about to."
Before he could tear it—
"NO!"
Kaito lunged forward with full force, slamming his body straight into Void.
The impact sent them both crashing through the wall, shattering stone and wood as they flew out of the mansion entirely, disappearing into the darkness of the forest beyond.
Silence followed.
Dust settled where the wall had once stood.
Saito stared at the gaping hole, still kneeling beside Darren.
"Kaito!"
Void and Kaito crashed hard onto the forest floor, rolling through dirt and broken branches before skidding to a stop.
Void shoved Kaito off him roughly.
"Get off me."
He threw a punch, knocking Kaito aside, then rose to his feet, brushing dirt from his coat.
His eyes landed on the treaty, lying a few feet away on the grass.
He started toward it.
Kaito forced himself up, desperation flashing across his face.
"No—"
He lunged again, only for Void to strike him once more, sending him back down.
Kaito hit the ground hard, but refused to stay down.
Gritting his teeth, he reached out and grabbed Void's leg, holding on tight.
"Please, Void..."
His voice cracked.
"You have to stop this."
Void looked down at him, expression hidden behind the mask, voice cold as ever.
"Never."
"The Noctarion will have its glory."
With a sharp motion, he kicked Kaito aside, breaking free of his grip.
Kaito rolled across the ground, coughing, watching helplessly as Void turned back toward the treaty.