The proclamations of the two dukes had come to an end, but the battlefield remained engulfed in the howling wind.
It’s no easy task, convincing two hundred thousand men to buddy up with the very adversaries they were swinging swords at just moments ago; these things take time.
Thankfully, the dukes were patient enough to wait. It began with the senior captains, who were the first to wrap their heads around the turn of the tide. They broke the silence with their rallying cry: "Down with the traitors! Save His Majesty!"
And once these leaders set the tone, the rank-and-file soldiers—who only knew a day’s wage for a day’s fight—gave up on thinking entirely. In unison, they shouted, "Down with the traitors! Save His Majesty!"
Why form an alliance? Who cares.
Who's the traitor? Who cares.
How's His Majesty? Who cares.
Thus, the two armies merged into one formidable force, with the elite at the forefront marching east, followed by ordinary soldiers, and at the rear, the convoy responsible for supplies and logistics.
Doyle and his Black Armor squad were now bundled like goods into the back of a wagon.
The imposing army marched on, arriving at a hill freshly scarred by battle, paying no heed to the overseer’s flag baring the image of an ax and cleaver-stricken eye.
That yellow and red flag of the supervisory team was silently toppled amidst the bustle of the army’s march, trampled under the boots of rank-and-file soldiers.
---
At the same time.
“Arghhh!!!”
The chilling screams echoed through the walls from behind a hidden chamber, sounding so forlorn they could make a child weep.
It felt like ages before a crack appeared on the pristine wall, and a secret door swung open. A man in black emerged, covered in cold sweat, clutching his right eye and staggering out into what seemed to be a normal office on the other side.
The man’s body was nearly spent; his hands, reaching for support on the desk, swept papers to the floor in disarray.
Drawing in deep breaths, he staggered to the door. Pushing open the doors of the office, he saw the armored guard standing sentinel.
"Urgent military news... Take me, take me to His Majesty! Now," he uttered before succumbing to darkness and collapsing on the ground.
---
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A refreshing coolness penetrated his chaotic mind, ordering scattered thoughts as obedience sets in motion. Clarity returned from the maze of confusion.
Who am I? Since joining the Shadow Guards, I've had no name.
Where am I? An office... no, the hidden room behind it, on a surveillance mission for hostilities in the West and the North.
What must I do? Urgent military information! Right! But I've collapsed...
So this peculiar cool sensation must be... the Waking Spell?!
The unconscious member of the Shadow Guards snapped open his eyes, sitting up abruptly. Next to him, an old mage with agility belying his age withdrew his hand, wrapped in magic.
The young Shadow Guard gasped for air, looking around—the knights in black armor, the old man in a grey robe, the general in a pure white cape... He recognized every face in the room, including the one on the lavish throne at the end of the hall.
He went from sitting to kneeling in an instant, recognizing where he was—the kingdom's council hall.
From the throne, a commanding voice descended like a decree from heaven, “Report your findings.”
Without delay, the Shadow Guard began, “The West and the North have not waged war. Instead, the dukes are swearing oaths, joining forces to march east towards the King's domain, claiming they want to...”
“Want to what?” an impatient voice interjected.
“To execute the villains, to rescue His Majesty from peril...” His voice grew softer with each word, until it was barely a whisper.
“Rescue who? Rescue me?” Laughter echoed across the hall, sending chills in the early autumn air, “Ridiculous, utterly foolish.”
“If these old men don’t fancy being dukes anymore, they should simply hand it over,” the one on the throne scanned the room. “What do you think, my lords?”
“Your Majesty!” Stepping forward, a knight clad in black matte armor sought permission, “May I ask the Shadow Guard a question?”
The King nodded silently, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face.
The knight, appearing indifferent or perhaps ignoring the royal micro-expression, spun to face the Shadow Guard on the ground, urgency palpable in his voice even through the helm, “What of the supervisory force? How fares the supervisory team?”
After a brief recollection, the Shadow Guard replied, “The dukes have captured the entire supervisory team.”
A hush fell over the hall, soon filled with hushed whispers from every corner.
Even the highest throne cast a watchful gaze.
Yet, for the black-armored general, the sneers and gossip meant nothing against the well-being of his son, the priority being survival above all.
“Silence!” A call from the royal officer restored order to the council, heads bowing to the sovereign throne.
“Lord Doyle, you are not to blame. Even you might struggle against those two olds hands, right?”
“I am ashamed.”
“No matter, if it’s unlikely that you, yourself, would have a certain victory, even less so for your twenty-something child, no?” The authoritative voice softened, surprising the ministers watching on.
By personally absolving young Doyle, the King implied that this matter need not be discussed in the future, shelving a sharp weapon against old Doyle before it could be wielded.
The ministers bowed deeply, showing disdain and envy—such leniency, for what right? Because his family had controlled the Black Guard for generations?
Silence among the nobles, the King continued, “Since they've intervened personally, they'll surely want to trade your son for something. Worry not, Lord Doyle, I assure you we'll negotiate his return first.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Old Doyle knelt, bowing deeply.
“Now, Lord Doyle, go home and await news,” the sovereign tone returned, “Until Rodz is exchanged, Lahore will handle all Black Guard affairs.”
“As you command, Your Majesty,” old Doyle replied.
“Acknowledged,” a crisp, cold voice emerged from nowhere, sending a shiver among the scribes; the leader of the Shadow Guards was indeed present in the hall.