Verlith didn’t yet consider the Eagle Mercenary Group members enemies. She hadn’t confirmed their identities or motives—only suspicion marked them as suspects.

But since she’d set her sights on them, no one else would threaten their lives!

As a former interrogation commander, Verlith despised nothing more than suspects dying before spilling their secrets.

And now it happened right before her eyes!

The square-jawed cavalry captain’s actions were a direct insult!

Losing investigative leads was secondary. This act screamed that she, Verlith, couldn’t even protect mere suspects!

How could she tolerate that?

In that moment, she forgot Ansal’s warning.

Slowly, she knelt. Her fingers closed the fallen mercenaries’ eyes. A cold smile curled her lips.

The Netherbane cavalrymen burst into laughter, seeing the mercenaries frozen like statues.

*"Bunch of cowards!"*

Four riders peeled from the ranks, advancing toward the two maidens again. No one would stop them this time.

*"Halt. One more step, and you answer for the consequences."*

Alyssa gritted her teeth, resolve hardening her face as she stared down the knights. She snatched rifles from the corpses, aiming shakily at the cavalry.

*"I, Alyssa An, swear on my honor and noble blood—I’ll fight to the death before surrendering! Challenge me if you dare. No compromise!"*

Her fierce gaze pinned every rider in place. The cavalry froze.

*"Personal honor means nothing against imperial security and millions of lives!"* Lindwan boomed. *"I am Lindwan of House Lin—one of the Eastern Pearl Empire’s top noble houses. Final warning: submit to inspection. Or we inspect your corpse. If no Netherborn taint is found? I’ll face General An myself. I’ll hang before him if needed—I owe you a life. But today, you comply. I’ll inspect you privately. Let the General punish me later."*

Lindwan gambled on imperial law shielding him from House An’s retaliation. House Lin’s status matched theirs. And with Netherborn Elves lurking, he’d sealed the Eastward Path. No one passed unchecked.

*"Seize them!"* Lindwan’s command cut sharper than Alyssa’s defiance.

Alyssa raised her rifle, finger jamming the trigger—click, click, click. The safety was on. Her face flushed crimson as riders closed in.

Suddenly, slender hands covered hers.

*"Alyssa, get in the carriage. Leave this to me. No one will hurt you."* Verlith’s voice was soft.

*"This isn’t a joke, Vier! Get back!"*

*"Deadly serious."*

Verlith slipped the rifle from Alyssa’s grip, snatched a second pistol from the ground, and spun both weapons. The silver-haired maiden’s eyes turned glacial.

*"Three steps—that’s your limit. Take one more, and be ready to eat bullets."*

The cavalrymen blinked, then guffawed at the frail girl.

*"Just a wench! Charge!"*

One rider lunged forward—until Verlith’s barrel snapped toward him.

*"One."*

Her ice-cold tone froze him mid-stride. Sweat dripped beneath helmets.

*"Fools!"* Lindwan roared. *"Two girls scare you? They can’t even work safeties! Take them!"* He waved his own pistol at the maidens.

*"Yes, Captain—"*

***BANG!***

No one saw Verlith flick the safety. Her shot tore through the air.

Riders hit the dirt, scrambling wildly—then stared at each other, unharmed. Laughter erupted. *Terrible aim.*

*"CAPTAIN!"* A scream cut through the mirth.

All eyes snapped to Lindwan. Mounted on his armored steed, he was unscathed—except his pistol now lay ten feet away, his palm bleeding where the bullet had struck.

*"Impossible..."* His square jaw slackened. *That shot could’ve taken my head.*

*"Lucky shot!"* he snarled, face burning. *"Grab them! Let’s see their luck hold!"*

*"Aim! Fire on the armed one—spare the An girl!"*

Rifles lifted as one. A single volley would shred the maidens into bloody lace.

*"Vier..."* Alyssa clutched Verlith’s arm, eyes shut tight.

*"It’ll be fine."* Verlith stepped forward, shielding her, pistols steady on the cavalry.

*"Foolish wench. You’ll learn true power!"* Lindwan’s roar shook the ground. Muscles bulged beneath his armor. ***CRACK!***

The earth split. Dust and stones swirled like a sandstorm.

*"Not wind—earth magic!"* Verlith hissed, shoving Alyssa down. *"An Elven Sorcerer!"*

She had to retreat. This wasn’t a battlefield for civilians. Against sorcerers, even the First Knight of the Northern Alliance knew: survival meant choosing her ground.

The tide had turned again.