The generals file out one by one, leaving the heavy silence of command in their wake. Mikhail sits alone at the head of the table, the map of the siege sprawled out before him like a chessboard.
The tent flap rustles softly, and Miyako slips back inside. Her face, usually a mask of warrior stoicism, is etched with open worry. She walks briskly to the table, unable to contain her anxiety.
"My Lord," she begins, her voice tight. "You mustn't go out all by yourself. The pocket is surrounded."
Mikhail looks up, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not going alone, my love. There will be Imperial Elite Cavalry with me. We are the best mounted unit on the continent."
"But My Lord," she presses, stepping closer, her hands gripping the edge of the table. "You can send anyone—Hilowat, a captain, anyone. What will I do if something happens to you?"
Mikhail softens his expression. He extends a hand toward her. "No, my love. Come here."
She hesitates for a beat, then slowly walks around the table. He takes her hand, and with a gentle but firm pull, he guides her down until she's sitting on his lap. She stiffens slightly at the breach of decorum but quickly relaxes against him, seeking the comfort of his presence.
"I want to make this decision for myself," Mikhail whispers near her ear, his chin resting on her shoulder. "I need to see if they are worth rescuing, if they are worth putting my men's lives in danger for. A king must judge the value of his subjects."
"Yes, I understand," she whispers back, though her grip on his hand tightens. "Then take me with you."
"No," he replies firmly. "You're going to stay here. If I leave, the wall is vulnerable. You are my blade, love. I need you here to ensure there is a camp for me to return to."
She looks at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, fighting the urge to disobey for his safety. Finally, she nods. "I will hold the wall. I promise." After a few quiet minutes of just existing in his arms, she stands up, regains her composure, and takes her leave to prepare for the defense.
Mikhail watches her go, sighing. Why is everyone coming to me, one by one like this? It feels like those mandatory character interaction events before the final boss mission. This world is strange.
As if on cue, the shadows in the corner of the tent seem to coalesce, and Maria steps into the light.
"My Lord," she says, her voice carrying the warmth she only reserves for when she's alone with him. "I did as you instructed me."
Mikhail swivels his chair to face her. "So tell me. Did you find anything suspicious?"
She nods gravely. "Yes, My Lord. Just as the meeting began, I intercepted a man in the shadows behind the Queen's chair. He was trying to shoot Queen Yuehua with these." She produces a small vial from her pocket. "A high-level hypnosis venom. It wasn't meant to kill her; it was meant to enslave her mind."
Mikhail's eyes narrow. "I was about to kill him, but I intended to leave him with enough life to answer your questions," Maria continues.
"Oh? And how were you going to do that?"
"Like this, My Lord."
With a small, respectful bow, she slowly lifts the hem of her long maid dress. Strapped high on her pale, shapely thighs are two lethal, curved daggers that glint in the candlelight. The contrast between the domestic uniform and the instruments of death is striking.
Mikhail gives her a dark, appreciative smirk. "My deadly little pet. So tell me, what happened?"
Maria lowers her dress, her expression darkening. "But unfortunately, My Lord... before I could capture or incapacitate him, the assassin realized he was caught. He bit down on a false tooth and committed suicide instantly. His body dissolved into a black sludge before I could stop it."
"Hmm," Mikhail muses, tapping his finger on the armrest. "Anything else?"
"I sensed a lingering dark magic, both in the venom and the way he died," Maria reports. "Other than that, I have never seen something like this before in human lands."
Mikhail looks at her, his mind racing through the game's lore. "Maria... is there a chance? It could be that Kingdom."
Maria's ears twitch slightly. "It very well could be, My Lord. The presence of dark magic feels like the Demonic Kingdom."
"Okay, fine," Mikhail says, waving his hand. "Good work, Maria. Keep watching her. If they tried once, they will try again."
"Yes, My Lord." She bows deeply. "Good luck with your mission, my dear lord."
She vanishes back into the shadows.
Once alone, Mikhail leans forward, staring at the flickering candle flame. So I wasn't wrong in my assumption that Yuehua was assassinated in the game, not suicide.
This is getting complex by the minute. The Orc invasion isn't just a monster event; it could be a smokescreen for a much larger political subversion. But first... let's go get my loot.