chapter 26
A figure appeared behind the captain.
A blade sliced cleanly through the air—
—and the captain froze.
His eyes widened.
A thin line of red traced across his neck.
Then—
He fell.
The captain's body hit the ground with a dull sound.
Silence followed instantly.
For a moment, even the underground passage felt frozen.
Then—
The figure stood behind the fallen captain.
Red hair.
Casual posture.
A blade still slightly raised.
Chris.
He blinked once, then looked at the body.
Chris: "Huh… that actually worked?"
He tilted his head.
Chris: "I was aiming for his shoulder though."
A pause.
Then he suddenly grinned.
Chris: "Well—close enough!"
John's gaze shifted slowly toward him.
Cold. Controlled.
John: "…Who are you?"
Chris blinked.
Chris: "Huh? Me? I'm your new ally—"
John: "What?"
Then—
Shouts erupted from deeper inside the passage.
Stonehaven soldiers were advancing.
"Captain's down—don't let them escape!"
Footsteps surged forward.
But before they could fully form their line—
Marco stepped in first.
Calm.
Controlled.
Marco: "John. Left flank."
John (slightly shocked): "Commander?"
A brief pause.
John: "You're here. You're alright."
Marco nodded once.
Marco: "Barely. But yes."
John looked at Chris again.
Marco gave a small, rare chuckle.
Marco: "Meet our new variable… Chris."
Chris raised a hand casually.
Chris: "Hey."
Marco: "Now let's move quickly."
John moved instantly.
John: "Understood."
Steel flashed.
One soldier rushed in—
Blocked.
Countered.
Dropped.
Another tried to follow—
John stepped forward and cut through the gap cleanly.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
On the other side, Marco moved with precise control, breaking their formation instead of chasing kills.
Marco: "Don't let them regroup!"
Chris watched for half a second—
Then lit up again.
Chris: "Ohh—there's more!"
He rushed in immediately.
Fast.
Chaotic.
Laughing mid-movement.
Chris: "You guys are really persistent!"
A guard swung at him—
Chris blocked it and shoved him back.
Chris: "Annoying!"
His expression snapped sharper for a moment.
Chris: "Alright—move!"
He kicked one soldier aside, then spun and struck another down in the same motion.
Within moments—
Silence returned again.
Bodies lay on the ground.
No more movement.
Chris exhaled.
Chris: "Okay… that was better."
He looked slightly satisfied now.
John: "Your skills are good."
Chris immediately brightened.
Chris: "Yeah! Did you see that? Haha, I'm the god of fighters!"
Awkward silence followed.
John stayed silent for a second.
Then exhaled.
He turned toward Marco urgently.
John: "We need to move. Now. The princess must already be waiting for our arrival—"
Marco turned serious.
Marco: "Let's go."
GRAND HALL_
The atmosphere had grown heavier.
All eyes were still fixed forward.
The prince stood in place, visibly restrained, his patience thinning with every passing second.
His gaze shifted toward Guinevere.
Prince (frustrated): "This is wasting time."
Guinevere didn't react immediately.
She stepped forward calmly.
Guinevere: "Now… the second ritual begins."
The prince stepped half a step forward.
Prince (sharper): "You are deliberately delaying this."
A pause.
Then his voice rose slightly.
Prince: "Do you think I cannot see it?"
The nobles stirred uneasily.
Whispers began to spread again.
Prince (cold, controlled anger): "Every step… every word… every 'ritual'."
He narrowed his eyes at Guinevere.
Prince: "You are buying time."
Guinevere remained calm.
Guinevere: "I am protecting tradition."
Prince: "What traditions? You are a soldier. Not someone who carries the traditions of Stonehaven. It is none of your business."
A heavy silence followed.
Then—
The princess stepped forward.
Calm.
Composed.
Princess: "Well… I am the one who ordered this. I wanted to carry my traditions."
The King of Stonehaven sat motionless.
Expression unreadable .
Cold.
He stands up.king:pri..
soilder:its important
king sharpen his gaze
One of his royal guards stepped closer and leaned in, whispering something into his ear.
For a brief moment—
The king's eyes shifted.
A slight pause.
Then—
A cold, heavy stare formed in his gaze.
King: "…I see."
The guard stepped back.
The hall remained unaware… but the pressure changed instantly.
The king raised two fingers slightly.
A nearby commander stiffened.
King (calm, deadly): "Kill them."
..CHAPTER 26ENDS...