The possibility of a summoning ritual being performed in the city was there. Would the local rulers be so foolish? The answer would be affirmative if Mila judged by their actions thus far.

But just summoning someone didn’t make them strong at the start. Even if the foolish Nobles claimed a ‘hero’ to their ranks, the said ‘hero’ would still need time to grow.

Someone like that wouldn’t be able to repel the Kingdom's wrath. Even if an army of people were summoned, they would be powerless to resist an actual trained force. The Kingdom’s forces would decimate them.

So, while there was a possibility, and it was surprisingly high, it couldn’t be all. And it wasn’t important anyway. Mila had other issues to solve. She looked back at Andrew. The foolish friend refused to listen.

At least Andrew and Helly weren’t running towards the danger, choosing to leisurely walk. Which only baffled Mila’s overtaxed mind even more. The situation had devolved too quickly.

Not only was the city on the brink of destruction, with all exits blocked, but Mila’s main objective was impossible to achieve at this stage.

Andrew was being an ass. Helly was clearly hiding something. Their probable exit route was being invaded. She had to get a couple of kids out of Stilag. Isabel was angry. The Iron Swords were hostile. There was a powerful party of seven nearby with unknown goals.

Not to mention the Inquisition, the Military and Oscar, who were out to get them. At least these parties weren’t an immediate problem. They had their-

A bloodcurdling scream rolled over the city. Mila looked at the Noble district. It was quite close, wasn’t it? Just a handful of buildings away. Wouldn’t that mean the Military forces were gathering there to strike at the heart of the problem?

Mila’s heart dropped. They couldn’t be that unlucky, right? She tried to sense anything from the direction the scream had come from. There certainly was more noise coming from that way. “Andrew, ask Mr Crow about the situation at the Noble district. Asap.” She ordered.

To his credit, Andrew did so immediately. Despite the ongoing spat, he trusted Mila. Mr Crow glided lower, received his bond’s words and left. Andrew then turned his back and joined Helly.

“So,” Viola walked next to Mila. “What’s up with Andrew?”

While Mila had an opinion, Isabel was far more vocal about the situation. “The ashole is being an idiot who is also an ashole!” She cursed, then leaned closer to Mila while pushing Viola further away again. “We have to stop him.” She not so subtly ‘whispered’.

Mila was sure Andrew had heard Isabel. “I agree, but how?” Mila returned. “He is determined to go through Helly’s plan.” She didn’t bother to speak quietly either.

“We bonk him on the head and haul his ass out of the city.” Isabel made a whacking motion with her hand holding the hammer. It earned her an unamused look from the wolf.

Despite the absurdity of the idea, Mila considered it seriously. “It might work.” She admitted, and the wolf now looked at her. The beast wasn’t impressed.

“I have just the tool.” Isabel raised her hammer. The heavy weapon seemed to glint in the setting sun. “But I fear that head of his will be too thick for the impact to have an effect.” She lamented.

There still was no reaction from Andrew. The way he walked was rigid and mechanic, so Mila guessed their words did have an effect.

Only when Mr Crow returned did Andrew speak again. He avoided looking at Isabel and Mila, choosing to gaze at where the fighting was happening. At this point, the noise was overcoming every other sound. Especially since the shouts inside the mansion grew fewer and the clashes happened more scarcely.

“The military is bringing every bit of their local forces towards that district.” Andrew vaguely gestured towards where the Nobles had holed up. “The fighting isn’t happening that far.” A loud boom emphasised his words. “Mr Crow didn’t see anyone too dangerous acting yet.”

These were good news. Now Mila had to worry only about Andrew’s foolishness, the infiltrators in the mansion, Helly’s secret and Laura’s group, which were starring daggers at her and Isabel. Piece of cake and no problem at all.

Mila turned to Viola. “Could you rain in your newly acquired beasts? Their hostility is burning my back.”

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s possible, from what I gathered.” Viola glanced back. “I mean, they won’t attack and will listen to me. But I can’t control their emotions.”

That was fair but did little to soothe Mila’s nerves, which were going haywire. She wished she could either fight or flee, not suffer the scrutiny of superior fighters. “Understandable.” She finally said.

“So, do we actually try to incapacitate Andrew?” Viola wondered. “And I am still waiting for an explanation of what’s all this about.”

Mila sighed. “It’s private. And no. This isn’t something that can be solved easily. Unfortunately, I don’t think violence is a solution in this case.”

“Then why is Isabel practising her swing?” Viola raised a valid question.

Surprised by these words, Mila looked at her girl. “Isabel?” Her girl was making a very suspicious movement with the hammer while examining Andrew’s head.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“I wasn’t!” Isabel hid the heavy weapon behind her back.

Which only intensified the burning feeling of hostility that came from behind.

“We can’t do that to a friend.” Mila did not feel the result would be what they wanted.

And remarkably, Isabel disagreed. “No. We can. That’s what a friend does when their pal is doing something stupid. You stop them.” She paused. “That or we join in on the insanity. Which I take is not wise?”

“Not wise,” Mila affirmed.

But Isabel’s words made Mila think. Was joining Andrew an option? If the Iron Swords were willing to help, then their capability would increase exponentially.

Would they? Mila looked back at the stone-faced bunch. Their eyes had no sympathy for her and Isabel. To Mila’s senses, they burned brightly with potential. Powerful and resolute. They were not afraid of danger. Especially Laura.

Mila then asked Viola an important question. “What kind of contract did you make with the Iron Swords?” She didn’t bother to be quiet. The woman with the bow on her back and Laura would likely hear her anyway.

“Well…” Viola smiled. “They are serving me as bodyguards and are sworn to fight enemies I might face.”

“A broad contract. What are the limits?” Mila wondered. Her eyes still followed Andrew.

“Well,” Viola’s smile grew wider. “There are no limits. Of course, I can’t send them to do anything impossible.”

Mila looked at Laura in surprise.

The woman looked back in annoyance. “Miss Viola paid a lot for our services.”

“A lot.” Viola nodded and tapped her nose. “I am never wrong.”

“I do recall something about you fail-”

“Never wrong.” Viola placed emphasis on ‘never.’

Choosing not to comment on how Viola had failed her mission before coming to Stilag, Mila returned to the issue at hand. “Andrew,” She called her friend, who didn’t react. “Do you truly won’t reconsider?”

After what seemed to be minutes but was just a few seconds, Andrew shook his head. “No… This is something I can’t let go.”

“Isabel,” Mila then bumped against her girl. “Are we willing to follow him?”

While Isabel pursed her lips in displeasure, she nodded.

“Viola,” It was the woman’s turn to answer a question. Mila met the eyes of what she considered a friend now. “Are you willing to take a walk with us?”

“Gladly.” Viola didn’t hesitate. “Sounds like a great bonding experience. Right, Laura? Wanna join us? Have a girls-only evening?”

“It would hardly count as one.” Laura’s even voice came. “Some of my people have dicks between their legs.”

“Details.” Viola dismissed Laura’s words. “Come, let’s get to know each other better.” She invited the dangerous woman.

And to Mila’s shock, Laura listened. She quickly gained the distance and joined to walk in line next to Viola. “What are your plans, Miss?” She asked Viola but looked at Mila and Isabel.

“So?” Viola did the same.

“There is…” Mila hesitated. This had gone far better than expected. The situation that had looked so dire a moment ago now showed a possible solution. “Right, I’ll give all the information I have. Our main objective is a map.” She pointed at Mortimer, who had scurried away from Laura when she had come closer. The man certainly had a knack for recognising dangerous individuals. “He knows where it is.”

Mila continued to do a quick rundown on what they could face inside the mansion and the potential danger the raiding party possessed. Laura asked a few pointed questions to clarify things.

The woman was sharp and professional. Laura’s right-hand man, Verte, also joined the briefing. The man didn’t speak much, electing to support his superior.

In the end, Laura didn’t object to following Viola into danger. Neither did her subordinates. They prepared themselves for a battle while Laura introduced them and their capabilities.

It was a well-rounded squad. The Iron Swords had a healer, scout, close-quarter fighter, a bruiser and Verte, who could do it all. And that still left Laura herself, who was the most powerful of the group.

While Mila still felt… No, she knew it was a bad idea to enter the mansion’s territory, but Mila’s inner logic lacked the usual persuasiveness. “The man…” She paused. What was she even trying to say? “There is a man among the seven…”

Isabel put her hand around Mila’s shoulders, resting her palm on the scar the man had left while the rest listened.

“I want to fight him. If possible. Of course, if the battle arises, there will be many uncertainties, but…” Mila clenched her fists. “I owe him a good slash.”

It felt good to say it out loud. And a part of Mila hated it. She had tried to act on logic for so long, not letting her emotions dictate her actions.

And it was changing. Mila was changing. She glanced at Isabel’s majestic form.

Much of the change came from Isabel. Mila knew it was a positive thing for the most part. But at moments like these?

Yes. Mila wished she could smother her beating heart and racing blood. But she wouldn’t and couldn’t. Doing so would mean taking back all the progress she had achieved.

Becoming colder and more logical. Mila couldn’t do that to Isabel.

So, march forward, she did. Mila looked up to the sky for what felt like the hundredth time today. Then, she studied the surroundings.

The street was now empty. With the fighting at the Noble district intensifying, the people flocked towards the city walls. Mila knew it would result in many deaths. Nothing she could do about that.

Helly and Andrew reached the entrance. They both studied it shortly before entering, with the wolf following after.

Then it was Mila’s turn. She put on the mask, and Isabel did the same. Viola ordered her mercenaries to also listen to Mila, but it was doubtful they would.

For all of Viola’s strengths, direct confrontation was not her strong point. The woman was content in hanging back behind the front line.

Mila wasn’t exactly a front-line fighter either. But with her senses, she felt safe to proceed at the spearhead. Isabel was with her, joined by a buff woman named Amy, who carried a large shield.

The entrance wasn’t large. Most likely, it was meant for servants and supplies. Whatever it was, the door hung broken in the hinges, not barring their way inside.

After taking a deep breath, Mila stepped inside the mansion's territory. They just needed a map. That and to make sure Andrew didn’t die.

How hard could it be?