Several days had passed since the negotiations began. Empress Elisa II remained in delicate talks with the Elven tribe residing in Grisvell Town, striving to secure a stable alliance. Meanwhile, the joint forces maintained their scheduled patrols, ensuring the safety of both the humans and elves in the area. However, not all factions within the Francia Magna Kingdom adhered to the Empress's directives.
During one such patrol, Vergil, alongside Apollo and the Imperial army commanders, discovered a sinister plot—a covert assassination attempt on the daughter of the Elven Chief Elder. Acting swiftly, they intercepted the assassins before they could carry out their mission. The operation was clean and efficient, leaving no room for the enemy to escape or retaliate.
Once the crisis was averted, Vergil personally reported the incident to Empress Elisa II. She listened with a grave expression, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her ceremonial rapier. Beside her, the Elven Chief Elder remained composed, though a flicker of anger flashed in his ancient eyes.
"You have my deepest gratitude," the Elven Chief Elder spoke, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. "Had your forces not intervened, my daughter would have been lost."
Empress Elisa nodded solemnly. "This treachery cannot go unanswered." She turned to Apollo, the undead commander, her gaze sharp. "What are our options?"
Apollo, his pale yet commanding presence unwavering, stepped forward. "My forces can launch a preemptive strike before dawn," he stated. "The cover of night will amplify our advantage, and my undead legion reaches peak strength during those hours."
Vergil considered Apollo's plan and nodded. "A night assault is our best option. Striking before they can regroup will ensure we maintain the upper hand."
Just then, Freya stepped forward, her wolf-like ears twitching with urgency. "The courtesan we sent managed to steal several critical documents," she reported, handing over a bundle of papers. "According to these, some high-ranking officers under Prince Arthuroa orchestrated the assassination attempt in secret."
Empress Elisa's expression darkened as she scanned the documents. "So Arthuroa dares defy me…" she murmured, the weight of betrayal settling in her voice. "This cannot go unanswered."
Looking up, she turned to Apollo. "What is the current condition of the Elven Chief's daughter?"
Apollo bowed slightly. "She is safe. Our Ogre Cleric has placed her under strict medical supervision. She will recover, but for now, she remains under watch."
Empress Elisa exhaled, the tension in her posture easing slightly. "Good. I will personally escort her back to her people, ensuring her safety and reaffirming our commitment to the elves."
Then, she addressed the room with a commanding tone. "Black Shield and the Assassin Brotherhood, I want you to be on full alert. Strategize with the Imperial commanders. This must be handled with precision. Wait my command for strike"
Vergil and Apollo exchanged glances before nodding in unison.
"As you command, Your Majesty," they said in perfect accord.
Vergil and Apollo wasted no time in summoning all members of the Black Shield Mercenaries and the Assassin Brotherhood to a large war tent. The atmosphere inside was heavy with tension as warriors, assassins, and mercenaries gathered, their gazes locked onto the two leaders standing before them. No one was absent. The mission ahead demanded their full presence.
Apollo was the first to speak, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs.
"Empress Elisa II has given the order—Black Shield Mercenaries and the Assassin Brotherhood are to prepare for an assault on a Francia Magna Kingdom encampment."
A ripple of interest spread through the gathered warriors. They had been expecting retaliation, but now they would be the ones striking first.
Vergil, standing beside Apollo with his arms crossed, added, "Our primary target is Lady Luna Motragane's encampment. Eliminating her presence will weaken Francia Magna's chain of command in this region."
One of the mercenaries raised a hand. "When do we attack, and what do we need for the operation?"
Apollo's expression remained unreadable. "I only need a signal from the Empress, and we move."
Vergil elaborated, his tone as sharp as his blade. "The attack will take place between dawn and sunrise. The timing will depend on the movement of enemy patrols and the best window for a surprise assault."
A massive ogre warrior, his towering form making him stand out even among the assembled soldiers, grunted before speaking. "Are we launching a direct ambush?"
Vergil and Apollo exchanged glances before nodding.
"Yes," Apollo confirmed. "The Assassin Brotherhood will provide tactical support, ensuring the enemy is neutralized before they can retaliate."
One of Vergil stepdaughter, Sylvy, raised an eyebrow before speaking up. "What's the R.O.E for this mission?"
Some of the Black Shield mercenaries looked at each other in confusion.
"What's she talking about?" one of them whispered.
Vergil and Apollo, however, exchanged knowing smiles. They were pleased by the question. It showed that Sylvy was thinking beyond the battle itself—about the mission parameters and consequences.
Vergil stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over the assembled warriors. "You have two choices," he said.
"Option one: We eliminate the entire camp. No survivors. This ensures total success, but it risks raising suspicion. Francia Magna will retaliate swiftly if they realize their forces are being systematically wiped out."
Apollo nodded, crossing his arms. "Option two: We capture Lady Luna Motragane, along with any officers and soldiers willing to surrender. This gives us leverage and valuable intelligence. Vergil has reason to believe that Prince Arthuroa's inner circle is fragmented—his officers might be acting without his direct orders. It also serve as booster to our rank if the soldier or the commander joining with us, to be honest i prefer this option"
Murmurs broke out among the gathered soldiers. Capturing high-ranking officers meant access to enemy strategies, but it also meant handling prisoners—a tactical challenge in itself.
At that moment, Aria, another one of Vergil Stepdaughter and the Assassin Brotherhood members, raised her hand. "But don't each of their camps have their own commanders?"
Vergil turned to her and nodded. "Yes, each encampment is led by a designated commander. However, above them are higher-ranking officers who dictate larger strategic movements. The orders for Lady Luna's camp might not have come from her directly."
Aria narrowed her eyes in thought before asking, "Then is it possible that this attack was ordered by one of Prince Arthuroa's higher officers rather than Arthuroa himself?"
Apollo smirked. "That's very likely," he said. "Judging by their appearance and conduct, many of them are nobles. They might be taking matters into their own hands."
Vergil crossed his arms. "Which is why capturing their officers is just as important as the attack itself. We need to know if this is part of a larger conspiracy or simply reckless ambition from his subordinates."
The heavy atmosphere inside the war tent was interrupted when the entrance flap was pushed aside. A ogre cleric, clad in traditional priestly robes, stepped in. His deep voice carried urgency as he announced,
"The Elven Prince has awakened. Empress Elisa is with him now, questioning him about what happened."
Apollo immediately turned to face him. "And what about the Elven Chief's daughter? What is her condition?"
The ogre nodded reassuringly. "She is still in the medical tent, receiving care. Empress Elisa has also requested your presence—both of you—while we prepare food for the Elven Chief's daughter."
Vergil exhaled quietly, a subtle sign of relief. With a slight nod, Apollo turned back to the gathered mercenaries and assassins.
"This concludes our briefing. Prepare for deployment—we move as soon as the order is given."
The assembled warriors saluted before dispersing, returning to their preparations. Meanwhile, Vergil and Apollo left the war tent, striding toward the medical tent where the Elven Chief's daughter was recovering.
Inside the medical tent, the soft glow of enchanted lanterns illuminated the space. At the center of the room, a young elf girl sat upright on a cot, her delicate features pale but recovering. Before her was a tray of freshly baked bread and steaming soup.
Seated beside her was Empress Elisa II, her regal presence softened by a rare display of warmth as she ensured the girl ate.
As Vergil and Apollo entered, the Empress glanced up. "You've arrived," she said, gesturing toward the elf girl. "This is Lyriana, daughter of the Elven Chief. She has just regained enough strength to speak."
Lyriana looked up at them with curious yet cautious eyes. Apollo wasted no time. "Tell us what happened," he said, his tone calm but firm.
Lyriana set down her spoon, gathering her thoughts before answering.
"I was on my way back home, escorted by a squad of elven guards," she began. "We took the safest route through the Grisvell forest, but we were ambushed. The attackers were not of my people… They were from an unknown force."
Empress Elisa leaned forward. "Did they bear banner from Francia Magna's forces?"
Lyriana nodded. "Yes. Their leader, the one commanding them, was surprisingly kind to those under his rule. He treated all races fairly… but his soldiers—those who attacked me—were not the same."
Vergil narrowed his eyes. "So someone is acting independently, outside official orders," he mused.
Empress Elisa folded her arms, deep in thought. "I have already spoken with your father, Lyriana. He has agreed to negotiations. As a sign of goodwill, the Imperial Army will personally escort you home."
Lyriana's expression brightened slightly at the reassurance. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Vergil and Apollo exchanged glances. This information changed things—if a separate faction was operating outside of Francia Magna's chain of command, then there was a greater conspiracy at play.
As the three leaders stepped out of the medical tent, Empress Elisa's expression hardened. "This attack violates the terms of our agreement—Francia Magna has overstepped."
She turned to Vergil and Apollo, her golden eyes flashing with resolve.
"You have my full authority," she declared. "Crush their encampment. Show them the consequences of defying me."
Vergil and Apollo exchanged a final look before responding in unison.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
As the dusk prepare to come, Vergil turned to Aeka, his voice calm yet firm.
"Aeka, call Freya and gather all Assassin Brotherhood members at the war tent. Also, summon every Black Shield Mercenary, including Apollo."
Without hesitation, Aeka nodded and swiftly departed to carry out his command.
Moments later, the war tent was once again filled with the elite forces of both factions. This time, however, the air was charged with excitement—especially among the Black Shield Mercenaries. This was their first mission under Empress Elisa's direct command, and they were eager to prove their worth. Even the hobgoblins among them grinned, ready to showcase their brutal combat skills.
Apollo stepped forward, his voice carrying authority.
"The Empress has given us full authorization to strike tonight."
A cheer erupted from the mercenaries. Meanwhile, Vergil unrolled a detailed map onto the war table, pointing at a specific location.
"Our target is the encampment of Lady Luna Motragane," Vergil announced. "Here are the ideal attack points."
Apollo crossed his arms and studied the map. "Black Shield Mercenaries will execute a frontal assault, focusing on overwhelming the enemy and forcing their surrender. Our main objective is to capture Lady Luna Motragane along with any soldiers willing to lay down their weapons."
Vergil nodded, adding, "Meanwhile, the Assassin Brotherhood will support from the shadows—eliminating priority targets using long-range magic and ranged weapons."
Apollo turned to his men. "Before the main attack begins, Assassins will infiltrate the perimeter, securing vantage points around the enemy camp."
Vergil continued, "The Brotherhood will also act as our eyes in the dark—tracking movements, preventing reinforcements, and intercepting anyone trying to escape."
A massive ogre raised his hand. "Will the Assassins use traps?"
Vergil smirked slightly. "No need. The Brotherhood will surround the camp completely. No one gets in, and no one gets out."
Apollo then pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal communication devices.
"These are our earpieces," Apollo explained. "They allow seamless communication between teams. Just wear them like an earring—the small red orb must face your ear."
One by one, the Assassins picked up the devices and equipped them. The Black Shield Mercenaries who were human did the same, ensuring both sides could coordinate during the operation.
To test the devices, Apollo spoke.
"The weather tonight is cloudy."
Vergil and all Assassins immediately heard his voice, clear as if he were speaking right beside them.
Satisfied, Apollo nodded. "Good. Tonight, we make our move."
Vergil exhaled, his gaze sharpening.
Night fell, and as planned, the Assassin Brotherhood arrived at the designated location first, setting up their positions in the darkness. Moving like shadows, they prepared for the upcoming battle, using magic to conjure sniper rifles—each enhanced with enchanted scopes designed for precision kills.
Moments later, the Black Shield Mercenaries gathered, their arrival signaled by the soft rustling of armor and weapons.
Vergil's voice came through the communication earpieces.
"The enemy camp is protected by an anti-monster barrier."
Apollo, standing at the frontline, cracked his knuckles.
"Not for long."
Summoning his power, he activated a spell—Echo. With a single earth-shattering punch, the barrier shattered into nothingness.
Inside the camp, Lady Luna Motragane's soldiers immediately noticed the disturbance. Alarms rang as they scrambled to wake the rest of their forces. However, before they could organize, Apollo unleashed his undead legion—a battalion of armored skeletons rose from the ground, their hollow eyes glowing with eerie blue fire.
"Advance."
The undead army charged forward, smashing into the Francia Magna troops. Within seconds, the Black Shield Mercenaries joined the assault, striking with brutal efficiency.
From their hidden vantage points, the Assassin Brotherhood provided long-range support. Their enchanted rifles fired silently, taking down enemy soldiers attempting to flank the mercenaries. Each shot was precise—some were lethal, while others incapacitated targets without killing.
Despite the chaos, the battle remained disciplined. As per Vergil's command, soldiers who surrendered were spared and taken as prisoners—only those who fought to the death met their fate on the battlefield.
The peak of the battle came when Apollo stood face-to-face with Lady Luna Motragane's elite team.
Her squad consisted of three warriors—two women and one man. However, before they could engage, Vergil—who had been watching from the shadows—fired a single tranquilizer bullet, taking down one of the women instantly.
Then, moving with unmatched speed, he eliminated the rogue and the male mage who had been flanking Lady Luna Motragane.
Now, only Lady Luna Motragane and her swordmistress remained.
Enraged, they launched an all-out assault on Apollo.
But Apollo was an unstoppable force.
With a swift, devastating counterattack, he disarmed the swordmistress and incapacitated her within moments. Then, after a brief yet brutal exchange, he subdued Lady Luna Motragane herself, capturing her alive as planned.
By the time the first light of dawn touched the battlefield, the camp was in ruins.
The only ones left behind were the corpses of those who had refused to surrender—scattered across the bloodstained ground.
The prisoners—including Lady Luna Motragane—had already been taken under heavy guard, transported back to Grisvell Town to face interrogation.
As morning broke, the Black Shield Mercenaries marched into the Britalienne Empire's joint military camp, escorting the war prisoners captured from the previous night's battle. Guards swiftly processed them, guiding them into a makeshift prison area.
Ordinary soldiers were offered a choice: Join the Black Shield Mercenaries orEnlist with the Britalienne Imperial Army.
For officers and those with notable potential, a separate offer awaited—direct recruitment into the Black Shield Mercenaries, including Lady Luna Motragane herself.
Those undecided remained imprisoned, but they were treated humanely as per war protocols, receiving adequate food, water, and basic medical care.
One by one, officers—many from noble families—were interrogated about the attempted assassination of the elf chief's daughter and the ambush along the forest route.
By midday, Empress Elisa II returned to camp after safely escorting the elf princess back to Grisvell Town. Her expression was stern and resolute as she entered the prison tent where Lady Luna Motragane awaited.
"Lady Luna Motragane," Empress Elisa's voice cut through the tension. "Explain why the Francia Magna Kingdom violated the agreement."
Lady Luna looked genuinely confused. "What agreement are you referring to?"
The Empress's gaze hardened. "Your forces mobilized against the elves of Grisvell Town. We had a clear accord—any act of aggression against them would be considered a breach of truce. Yet your men moved to capture the elf chief's daughter."
Luna's eyes widened in shock. "That... wasn't the order given to us." She paused, frustration etching her features. "Our directive was clear—to abduct the elf princess, not to wage war. And that command came directly from Commander Aslan."
A heavy silence fell over the tent.
Empress Elisa II clenched her fists. "Commander Aslan, is it?" Her voice dripped with anger. "So, he's acting on his own authority... Or worse, there's treachery brewing within Francia Magna's ranks."
Apollo stepped forward. "Your Majesty, what's our next move?"
Without hesitation, Elisa turned toward him. "Prepare for an immediate strike. This time, the Imperial Army will join the assault. We will not let this betrayal stand."