The sounds of heavy blows echoed across the battlefield. Fael collapsed onto the ground, coughing violently as blood streamed from his mouth.
Aven crouched down and grabbed Fael's hair roughly. "Giving up? You'll never be able to defeat me."
Fael spat blood straight at Aven's face. "Never"
Aven smiled, then hurled Fael high into the sky and bombarded him with a relentless barrage of spells.
Explosions thundered across the sky, their echoes shaking the entire kingdom. Aven continued casting spell after spell without any sign of stopping.
Claude suddenly appeared beside him and grabbed Aven's wrist.
"Stop. You've already nearly killed him."
Aven glanced at Claude and slowly lowered his hand.
"Alright, Lord Claude."
High above them, Fael's body fell back toward the ground. His eyes had rolled white, and his skin was charred black from the magical explosions.
BAM!
His body slammed into the ground. Fael lay there unconscious. Aven walked over and checked his pulse.
"He's still alive, Lord Claude." Aven gave a thumbs up.
Claude let out a long sigh "You're still the same as before. You can never control your temper."
Aven scratched the back of his head and smiled innocently.
Claude looked at Fael who was lying on the ground unconscious.
"What are you planning to do with him?"
"I just want to ask him a few things. Like how far Eidolan has progressed… and of course what that Krai guy is planning now."
One by one, dragons descended from the sky and landed on the ground. They shifted back into their human forms and looked around, noticing the battlefield filled with corpses yet completely clean of blood.
They bowed respectfully toward Claude.
"Apologies for our delay, Lord Claude."
Claude raised one hand.
"It's fine. Just take care of the bodies. As for your queen, she has business inside. Once you're done, gather at Arcadia Castle."
They nodded in understanding and immediately scattered to deal with the corpses.
Claude walked into the palace, followed by Aven who carried the unconscious Fael over his shoulder.
Inside the palace grounds.
The citizens gathered in the courtyard and the hall were sitting anxiously. When the palace gates opened, they quickly stood and bowed respectfully as Aris and the others entered.
Lucia followed behind them, her eyes scanning the crowd with sadness as she saw the fear on their faces.
"Everyone, calm down. The situation is under control. The knights of Eidolan have been defeated. You don't need to worry anymore. There is someone truly powerful standing with us now," Lucia announced loudly, trying to reassure them.
Cain rushed out from inside the palace and immediately embraced the exhausted and wounded Aris.
Aris smiled weakly. "I'm fine, Father. Don't worry."
Cain nodded with relief. "Thank goodness…"
Claude stepped into the courtyard, and the moment the citizens saw him, a chill ran through the crowd.
Cain's eyes widened in shock.
"L–Lord Claude? W what brings you here?"
Lucia smiled when she saw Cain's nervous expression. She patted Claude on the back.
"We've gained a new ally. Lord Claude and the Vampire Kingdom will now work together with us."
Claude crossed his arms.
"That's right. I came to help, Lord Cain."
Cain's eyes widened even more in disbelief.
"Thank you, Lord Claude, for coming to help us." He lowered his head deeply.
Claude awkwardly scratched his cheek, clearly flustered by the gesture.
"Lord Cain, please don't bow like that. It's not necessary."
Cain smiled and raised his head. "Thank you."
Aven stumbled in, breathing heavily while carrying Fael over his shoulder.
"L Lord Claude... at least you could help me a little..." He dropped Fael's body onto the ground.
"Aven?" Cain stared at him in disbelief.
"Y–you're alive? I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Aris patted her father's shoulder.
"No, Father. He's really alive."
Aven stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"It's been a long time, Lord Cain."
Cain let out a relieved breath.
"Thank goodness…"
Cain's eyes then shifted toward Fael.
"What are you going to do with him?"
"I have a few questions for him. But could you keep him locked in a cell for now?"
Cain nodded.
"Of course. Anything for you."
Lucia clapped her hands lightly.
"Well then, the situation is safe now, Lord Cain."
"Oh right. Where are my troops, Lord Claude?"
Claude gestured behind him.
"I told them to take care of the bodies. They'll come here afterward."
Lucia placed a hand on her chest in relief.
"That's good."
Cain stood straight and took a deep breath.
"Everyone. The situation is safe now thanks to Lady Lucia, Lord Claude, and Aven. You no longer need to worry."
"You may all return to your homes. Rest easy. We now have powerful allies by our side."
The citizens burst into cheers, clapping and shouting their thanks all at once.
Slowly, after a few minutes, the crowd began leaving the palace grounds and returning to their homes.
Those remaining were Cain, Aris, Lucia, Claude, Aven, and the injured and exhausted knights.
Lucia and Claude used healing magic to treat several wounded knights.
Meanwhile, Aven crouched beside Fael and poked his face with a small branch while waiting for him to wake up.
"What's taking this guy so long?" he muttered, slapping Fael lightly.
Aven then used a bit of healing magic to help speed up Fael's recovery.
Fael's eyes twitched open, and Aven immediately stopped the spell.
Fael slowly regained consciousness and coughed.
"Damn…"
He pushed himself up weakly and looked around.
His gaze fell on Claude, Lucia, Cain, Aris, and finally Aven. His expression was a mixture of dread and resignation.
"You defeated me. I surrender." He raised his hands.
Cain snapped his fingers.
"You will be detained in this kingdom. Don't ask questions and don't even think about escaping, or you'll face serious consequences."
One of the knights placed shackles around Fael's neck, wrists, and ankles, then prepared to drag him toward the cells.
Aven sighed.
"I've got some questions for you. So get ready and answer honestly."
Fael didn't even look at him. He simply listened in silence as the knight dragged him away toward the prison.
Soon after, the Red Dragon soldiers descended from the sky and landed in the palace courtyard.
"We've finished clearing the bodies from the battlefield."
Lucia nodded.
"You may stay and guard Arcadia. Follow Lord Cain's orders until everything is fully resolved."
"Some of you guard the main gate in case of a counterattack. The rest assist the villagers and the injured knights."
"Yes, my lady!" They bowed briefly before quickly dispersing to their assigned positions.
"Lady Lucia and Lord Claude, there are a few things I'd like to discuss with you. Let's talk in my office," Cain said, inviting them inside.
"Aven, you too. Don't even think about running off."
With that, Cain walked into the palace with Aris, followed by Lucia and Claude.
Aven clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"I'm coming, Lord…"