Death.
She focused.
I hope they got the letter. Duke Clive was loyal to Sinephilim, of that, I was sure.
Veronica steadied her hands as she prepared the drinks. The Baron's hall was nothing but noise. Aucteros and Charles's hideout held many mercenaries and nobles.
Death.
I must bring them here. We need these villains dead. Charles was easy to fool. But Aucteros… my instincts screamed he knew. Knew everything.
She felt them always watching her. Always smiling like it was all just a game.
Death.
That book he carried; it pulsed with something deeper. Charles called it divine magic. A tome of unspeakable knowledge. Was it the same book Felicia mentioned from her world? Or something worse?
She exhaled, pouring the drinks in their glasses.
Death.
Weeks spent undercover. Poisoning key enemies, building alliances. She killed High Mage Caldris. A common maid who outed Charles. Baron Elias, he was replaced after his "sudden illness," and now Baron Jeremy, another puppet for the villains.
Keep it together. Every step earned their trust. Every step brought her closer to the edge.
She stabbed her finger with a knife and let blood drip into each glass.
Death.
It was the only poison Charles wouldn't question. Death, slow and sure. So long as her thoughts stay fixated on murder, his blessing won't catch the truth. The truth is that they will die, here and now.
But she was tired. And if her mind slipped even once-
"They're more dangerous than I realized," she whispered. "They need to die."
But alone, she wasn't powerless, just vulnerable.
In the letter she sent Sinephilim, she begged for reinforcements. The church paladins. Enough to overwhelm the guards when the trap was sprung.
If they even come. And if they failed? I'll kill this man even if it costs me my life.
She stepped into the hall with her tray of death.
"Veronica!" Charles beamed. "You bring drinks again!"
"I do," she said smoothly. "We have much to prepare."
"That we do," Aucteros said from his chair, tapping his finger against his accursed book. The room was a den of corruption, elite rebel knights lounging, laughing, murmuring. Most of the men here were mind controlled. But the others were the families of the nobles Rhenvar slaughtered.
They joined Aucteros for obvious reasons. It was a snake pit. But tonight, she brought the venom.
Death.
"I feel it," Aucteros murmured. "Like..." He smirked. "Someone just triggered the next arc of this story. We must prepare for battle."
The knights eagerly swarmed the tray, grabbing drinks.
Veronica kept her eyes low. Focused. Focused on death. Aucteros' gaze lingered too long. She felt something. But what?
"Hmm… perhaps your book is wrong," she offered, forcing a smile.
The guards drank.
Now. Come on, Sinephilim. Don't be late.
Aucteros flipped a page. "Seems Veronica betrayed us."
Her blood turned to ice. "Aucteros…"
"She sent a letter earlier. To my enemy. The demon queen." He didn't even look up, toying with a glowing crystal on the table. "I let her. Thought it'd make a fun trap. Apparently, I was right."
No- no. He knew?
"She probably thinks Willow's power will save her." Aucteros grabbed the crystal and put it in his pocket. "Charles, when they arrive, take control of Willow. Make him burn the city."
"Understood," Charles said flatly.
Veronica's heart thundered. Her only hope was that her message had bought enough time.
"And you," Aucteros turned to her, "still have your uses. We'll need a bride for the royal wedding. After we kill the king and crown prince."
Then his smile twitched. "Ah. Seems we made a slight miscalculation."
One by one, the guards began collapsing. Foam on their lips. Eyes wide in shock.
The doors exploded in a burst of fire.
Sinephilim stepped through, her silver hair trailing behind her. At her side, Willow strode silently, heat radiating from him in waves.
"Ah. The pretty one," Charles said, raising his hand.
Willow didn't flinch.
Sinephilim's voice hardened. "Your Blessing is a disease, Charles. Infectious. And pathetic."
Charles's blessing wasn't working?
Veronica blinked.
Her presence alone… is resisting it? Is the blessing of purification that powerful?
"Seize her!" Aucteros barked toward Veronica.
A guard lunged, holding Veronica at knifepoint.
"Now, Willow," Aucteros chuckled. "Don't do anything rash. I know how flammable you are."
Willow didn't respond. He burned hotter. The room shimmered.
"I remember when we were friends," Aucteros continued, savoring the moment. "You introduced me to Rhenvar. Sylvia didn't trust me. You vouched for me. You were so afraid of being alone, you asked for help."
"You're dead asshole." Willow ignited. Flames danced along his skin.
Veronica felt the blade dig deeper. Warm blood trickled down her neck.
I need a distraction. Just one second.
She touched her blood.
The guards and nobles that survived readied themselves as more rebels poured in.
Then.
A red blur zipped around the room.
"Mother be praised, what a nap!" said the tiny, mocking voice.
Viir, the red fairy, struck a pose midair. "Boop."
A black spike erupted from the ground into a guard's chest. His body went limp.
Veronica's knees nearly buckled at the familiar pressure. The same crushing energy she felt at the ballroom. Viir was awake. And she had the same power.
The guard held her hesitated. Veronica shoved her bloodied fingers into his mouth.
Die.
He did. Foaming from the mouth.
"Charles, we need to leave!" Aucteros shouted. "Everyone, stall them!"
The room exploded into chaos. Charles and Aucteros slipped through a side door as the remaining guards surged forward.
"Oh finally," Viir grinned. "Let's play."
She darted through the air, blades of chaos rippling behind her. Willow's fires dimmed and Sinephilim face drained.
Veronica stood alone for a breath. She felt weak, life draining from her body. Not like at the ballroom. This magic was pure.
So, this is true chaos.