Shadow Reaper moved faster than any of the attackers expected.

The first elf, mid-lunge, jerked violently as the Reaper's short blade carved through his chest, the blade sinking deep before the body even hit the ground. A strangled gasp escaped the elf's throat, crimson spilling across the ground.

The others froze for a single moment, stunned at how quickly one of their own had fallen.

Then the battle erupted.

Flames roared to life around another attacker's arms, swirling into a molten sphere. He hurled the fireball toward Edward, but two Shadow Knights were already upon him.

He managed to dodge one of the strikes, avoiding the attack just in time.

But the second strike came too fast. His fire lashed out in panic, bursting across the Knight's armour—only to fizzle uselessly against the black, shadowy steel.

The dark longsword drove through his chest, lifting him off the ground before his lifeless body crashed to the dirt with a dull thud.

The forest was filled with the sound of metal, fire, and screams.

Five Shadow Soldiers lunged toward the human attacker, their forms flickering like living darkness. The man managed a single swing of his dagger before being overwhelmed—dragged down beneath shadowy swords.

At the same time, Edward shadow stepped, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared behind the silver-haired elf who had spoken earlier. The tip of Edward's blade pressed against the elf's throat before he even had time to react.

The elf froze, his breath caught. His wide eyes darted from the blade against his throat to the battlefield, where the rest of his companions lay motionless.

"We have some questions," Edward said evenly, his voice carrying no emotion—only cold precision.

The elf trembled, the smell of blood thick in the air.

Elarien stood silently only a couple paces away.

A few moments ago, she didn't think much of Edward, just saw him as some random human who accompanied Prince Arthur, but now she saw something that didn't make any sense. A lone human commanding an army of shadows who killed three attackers within moments.

Edward, however, didn't seem to notice her stare. His attention stayed on the elf trembling beneath his blade.

"We're looking for someone," he said. "A man named Vael."

The elf's body stiffened at the name. His eyes widened for a heartbeat before narrowing again, as if debating whether to speak or not.

"W-what about him?" he finally muttered.

"Where can we find him?"

"Find him?" the elf echoed, disbelief lacing his voice. "You can't be serious…"

Edward pressed the blade harder, just enough for a thin line of blood to bead against the steel.

"Where?"

The elf's composure broke.

"Nightveil Mountains!" he blurted out. "That's where you'll find him! I swear!"

Edward's eyes narrowed, searching for any hint of deceit.

The elf raised both hands, desperate. "I swear on the Oath! That's where he is!"

"Good."

Edward lowered his weapon, stepping back.

For a brief second, relief flooded the elf's face. His lips parted as though to say something more—perhaps a plea, perhaps a curse.

Then the black blade of the Shadow Reaper burst through his chest.

The elf's eyes went wide, a strangled gasp escaping his lips before his body went limp and crumpled to the ground.

Edward turned slowly, meeting Elarien's gaze across the carnage.

"Nightveil Mountains," he said calmly, as if nothing had just happened. "Do you know where that is?"

Elarien hesitated, her eyes flicking between the four corpses scattered around them.

For a moment, she looked like she might ask why he'd killed the elf anyway—but something in Edward's expression stopped her.

Finally, she nodded. "I do. But we can't go there alone. The terrain itself is deadly enough that even veteran adventurers don't return from there often."

"Let us return to the capital," she added after a pause. "Seek assistance before heading north."

Edward's gaze swept across the fallen bodies, the metallic scent of blood heavy around them.

"Very well," he replied.

Then, before they left, he raised his hand slightly. His eyes narrowed on the fallen corpses.

"Extract."

The shadows stirred at the word, and in an instant, four faint, humanoid forms materialised above the corpses, each shaped from the darkness of the slain attackers.

For a moment, Edward lingered on these new summons.

"It's been a while since any of my summons evolved," he muttered under his breath.

The thought distracted him for only a moment, a flicker of curiosity about the state of his status window and his evolving summons. But now wasn't the time. There were far more pressing matters at hand.

The shopkeeper.

The elf had led them straight into an ambush. And Edward was almost certain that it wasn't a coincidence.

He turned toward Elarien, his expression unreadable. "Let's pay your shopkeeper friend a visit first."

Her lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile—more a thin line of approval. "Gladly."

The walk back through the forest was quieter than before. The silence had changed—less eerie now, but a bit heavier. Edward's shadows followed like a second army, flickering in and out of existence as they trailed behind him. He kept on edge, unsure of any other attackers or mana beasts that might be around here.

Elarien walked right beside him, the faint glow of her frost magic still clinging to her fingertips. Every now and then, she glanced around, her eyes searching for some unseen danger, but nothing came. The forest remained calm.

Edward noticed Elarien glance his way a couple of times. Most people would have already asked him countless questions about his summons, but she remained quiet. Though the curiosity was clear in her gaze.

When the village lights came into view again, the tension in the air eased slightly. Lanterns glowed warm and gold in the distance, the faint hum of voices carrying on the wind. Yet neither of them slowed their pace.

Edward dismissed his summons, not wishing to draw attention as they walked straight down the narrow street, past elven merchants and curious villagers who turned to stare at the sight of an elf and blood-stained human marching toward the heart of the settlement.

Elarien ignored their glances while Edward didn't even notice them, as all his focus narrowed on the shop before them.

The small bell above the armour shop jingled as they pushed through the door.

"What can I—" the shopkeeper began cheerfully, before his words died the moment he saw who it was. His eyes widened, face draining of colour.

He took a step to his left, toward the back door, but a massive shard of ice crashed into the wall beside him, freezing solid and blocking his escape.

He spun the other way—only to find the Shadow Reaper standing there, blade raised and eyes locked onto him, awaiting Edward's command.

Edward took a step forward.

"We need to talk."

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