The brass alarm bell of Song Castle hangs high above the towering spire. When it is rung, the sound spreads across most of the city. The bell’s ringing is like an invisible ripple, spreading outwards and revitalizing the midnight streets, waking them one by one.
People rush out onto the streets, filled with uncertainty, asking each other what has happened.
Luc Besson is waiting for news in the eastern barracks of Ridenburg. But the clear sound of the alarm bell reaches him through the stone hole window, and he turns his head to look at the dimly lit Inner City District, his face changing. Before the orderly outside can push open the door to report, this Swordsmen Captain opens the door and shouts outside:
"Didn’t you hear it? Get up! Get up and gather! Get the second and third squads outside and follow me to Yusong Castle, that idiot Seber!"
Everyone looks at each other in confusion.
"Captain, what about the city gates?" someone stands up and asks.
"Are you an idiot? Besides that Highland Knight, who else could attack Yusong Castle? If Seber, that fool, wants to hide the news and let himself suffer, let him. If anything goes wrong in the castle, you’ll face the dragon’s wrath of Your Majesty. Maybe someone wants him dead, but I don’t want to be blamed for it—Now, keep your eyes on the target!"
The crowd hesitated at first, then they started moving.
Luc Besson finally takes a deep breath, but thinking about the Highland Knight and his mage followers makes him feel troubled. Highland Knights have always operated independently throughout history, even during the peak of the Kerkova Dynasty, the Royal Family couldn’t deal with these protective individuals, so what could he do?
He couldn’t help but silently curse Lord Jin Guo Seber’s female relatives in his mind.
Frey follows the young girl down a long, deep alley. When she hears the bell, she pauses and instinctively turns her head, lifting it to look back, worry etched across her face.
"What’s wrong?" the young girl named Su asks.
"Sorry, it’s nothing."
"War is coming," Su suddenly says.
Frey pauses and turns to look at her in confusion.
"The nobles issued a curfew, it only happens during wartime. Nobody talks about it, but everyone knows. Every time it’s the same," Su says quietly from ahead.
"You mean they know war is coming?"
"Who? The nobles? Of course, they know. They have their own channels for intelligence. Usually, by the time the news starts circulating in the city’s bars, they already know."
Frey doesn’t respond, only clenches her fists. She looks down, her bright eyes flashing with a hint of calm fury.
"But why is there no reaction in the city?"
"If there is, we wouldn’t see it. But the nobles will certainly be prepared. Ridenburg is very solid, and the people in the city shouldn’t worry too much. However, today the price of bread and wheat has risen by ten percent. These are changes that usually go unnoticed."
"What if Ridenburg is breached?"
Frey couldn’t help but think of Brand’s resolute attitude. She shakes her head, pushing the thought out of her mind. "But I have a friend who said Ridenburg would be breached."
"Then he must be a liar," Su replies peacefully from the front.
After ringing the alarm bell, Char arrives at the top of the barracks. He looks over the parapet at the moat outside; the streets are filled with gathering people and horses, likely the nobles’ private soldiers arriving first.
But that’s not his concern. He retracts his gaze and runs to the other side, roughly estimating the distance from one end of the castle to the other. Then he finds a feasible route and lights the Witch Candle in his hand. He recalls Brand’s teachings, silently chanting: "Et’ham——"
The first syllable activates the part of the mana connecting to the Abyss of Darkness. The Twin Goddess Yi Lian controls this part of the mana. Usually, witches use this mana for spirit communication or as a medium—then Char raises the candle, letting the light reach about fifteen feet away.
He selects a tree, and suddenly, he feels himself entering a corridor of light, being pulled forward. When he comes to his senses, he realizes he is already in the treetop.