The night air was cold, heavy with the scent of blood.
A lone figure stood amidst the bodies of fallen guards, his presence barely visible under the dim moonlight. The man's hood concealed his face, but the aura surrounding him was undeniable—pure, calculated menace.
As the last body hit the ground, he exhaled slowly and muttered, "Out of my way."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, vanishing into the darkness like a phantom.
---
Inside the grand halls of Aurelis Castle, the guards remained unaware of the silent slaughter happening just beyond the gates. The intruder moved like a specter, his footsteps soundless against the polished floors.
Every time a guard crossed his path, they fell within seconds—a swift chop to the neck, a pressure point struck with deadly precision, or a dagger piercing their weak spots.
No alarms were raised.
No one even had time to scream.
---
Inside Princess Isolde's chambers…
The princess sat at her desk, immersed in a book. The soft glow of candlelight flickered against the walls, creating a peaceful yet isolated atmosphere.
A sudden gust of wind caused the flame to dance wildly.
Isolde frowned and turned toward the window.
"Strange… I don't remember opening it."
She slowly rose from her seat, her instincts whispering that something was wrong. Just as she reached for the dagger hidden beneath her robes—
A firm grip seized the back of her neck.
Her entire body tensed. Magic swirled at her fingertips, but before she could cast a spell—
Darkness consumed her.
The book in her hands slipped to the floor.
Her consciousness faded.
Her figure disappeared into the night.
---
Meanwhile, Leonhardt remained completely unaware of the events unfolding in the castle.
Laughter filled the house as Leonhardt sat with his family, enjoying the warmth of their company. The simple joy of being together made him momentarily forget about the outside world.
Elly was happily chatting with Amy about the latest fabric trends in the market, while Javier sipped his tea, nodding along. The atmosphere was peaceful, a rare moment of relaxation for them all.
Leonhardt leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms. "Man, this is nice… I should do this more often."
Then—
Knock. Knock.
A firm knock on the door interrupted the moment.
Leonhardt furrowed his brows, glancing at his family before standing up. "I'll get it."
As he opened the door, a gust of cold wind rushed inside—but it wasn't from the weather. The sudden shift in mana told him someone powerful was standing outside.
There, under the dim torchlight, stood Alistair—his mage robe slightly swaying from the lingering energy of his teleportation magic. His silver-white hair was a little messy, and his eyes, usually calm and composed, were filled with urgency.
Leonhardt smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "Alistair? Wow, this is rare. What, did you miss me already?"
Alistair didn't react to the teasing.
Instead, he stepped forward and spoke in a low, urgent tone.
"Leonhardt... the princess has been kidnapped."
The warmth of the evening had faded. The once-lively atmosphere in the house now carried an air of uncertainty.
Leonhardt sat at the dining table, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, fingers interlocked. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his posture spoke volumes.
Amy, standing nearby, crossed her arms. "Leonhardt... are you really going?"
Javier, usually carefree, was frowning. "You just got back, man. Do you really need to throw yourself into this mess?"
Elly, gripping the hem of her dress tightly, spoke with hesitation. "You don't even know what you're getting into. What if—"
Leonhardt raised a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. His eyes, sharp yet calm, moved between them.
"I know," he muttered.
Silence followed.
Alistair, standing by the door, watched without interrupting. He had seen this side of Leonhardt before—the moment where he was stuck between two paths.
Leonhardt exhaled. His family's concern was valid. He wasn't an elite soldier. He wasn't a hero. He had only just joined the special forces, barely making a name for himself.
But that didn't matter.
This wasn't about ranks or status.
"…I have to go," he finally said.
Elly's eyes widened slightly. Amy sighed, rubbing her temples, while Javier clicked his tongue in frustration.
Leonhardt stood up, his chair scraping against the wooden floor. He turned to Alistair. "Where do we start?"
Alistair smirked slightly. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Leonhardt and Alistair walked swiftly through the dimly lit corridors of the castle, their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. The weight of the situation was settling in, but Leonhardt remained focused. He wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this meeting, but one thing was certain—this mission wouldn't be easy.
As they entered the war room, a large table was spread with maps, marked with red and blue indicators. The room was tense, filled with the presence of four individuals—Reiner, Garrick, Alistair, and Sylvaine.
These weren't ordinary knights.
They were members of the Special Forces, trained for high-risk operations. Each of them carried an air of discipline and confidence, their eyes scanning the map with sharp focus.
Leonhardt felt slightly out of place—he was still new to all this. But before he could process the weight of the moment, his gaze landed on someone he did not expect to see.
Magnus.
The young prince stood at the head of the table, clad in a legendary knight's armor, unlike anything Leonhardt had ever seen. The silver plating was engraved with intricate golden patterns, giving it an aura of prestige. A royal blue cape draped over his shoulders, adding to his commanding presence.
And in his hand, he held something even more terrifying—Excalibur.
Leonhardt had heard stories about this sword, but seeing it in person was overwhelming. The very air around it felt heavy, as if the blade carried a presence of its own.
Magnus turned toward them, his golden eyes unwavering.
"I will be leading this mission."
Silence filled the room.
Even Reiner and Garrick, both experienced warriors, did not object. Magnus wasn't just some royal figure being pushed into leadership—he was taking command because he was strong enough to.
Leonhardt was stunned. He's replacing Captain Muller?
Magnus was only 18—the same age as Elly—yet he had already stepped up to lead a rescue mission for his kidnapped sister. His confidence was absolute, his aura completely unshaken.
Leonhardt couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
This wasn't just some prince. Magnus was a warrior—a leader.
And in that moment, Leonhardt realized…
This mission would be far more dangerous than he had imagined.
TO BE CONTINUED....
End of Chapter 15.