Without wasting time, Velt assumed his Orc King form and struck Eivan with such force that he sent him flying out of the castle, smashing through a wall in the process. Immediately after, he withdrew outside as well.

  —Looks like he doesn’t want to get in our way —Jack commented.

  —Seems so. Now it’s up to us —Rurhy replied.

  —Hey, what do you think you’re doing? Your leader left you all alone… what a shame —Sarah mocked.

  —Sarah, it’s not too late. Surrender, and I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure your punishment isn’t too severe —Rosa said firmly, though without harshness.

  —That’s what annoys me. You’re always kind, always the same story with you… it’s irritating —Sarah said, clutching her head with both hands.

  —Doesn’t look like she’s going to listen to you —Dash commented.

  —Alright, then I guess there’s no other choice —Rosa said. —Sarah, I’ll stop you. I hope someday you can forgive me.

  —Tsk, go ahead, little sister. Come at me if you can —Sarah replied irritably, snapping her fingers.

  At once, numerous guards appeared, weapons in hand, ready to attack.

  Meanwhile, Velt continued fighting Eivan in the castle courtyard.

  —Just as tough as the other one —Velt said, catching his breath. —Zero, did you find the parasite?

  —Analysis complete. No traces of the parasitic worm detected on the exterior of the body —Zero replied.

  —On the exterior…? —Velt repeated thoughtfully. —Don’t tell me that…

  —Correct. The parasite is most likely inside the body —Zero confirmed.

  —His skin is extremely tough. I don’t think it’ll be easy to open him up to extract it —Velt muttered.

  His thoughts were interrupted as Eivan attacked again. Velt barely dodged.

  —That was close —he said, but Eivan lunged at him once more.

  As he evaded the blows, an idea struck Velt. With a swift motion, he grabbed Eivan by the arm and delivered a blow to his face that sent him flying several meters back, then returned to his human form.

  —Zero, even if the body is dead, the parasite still needs to keep it “alive,” right? —he asked.

  —Correct. The parasite requires the body’s functions to remain active in order to control it, even if the host is already dead —Zero answered.

  —Then… could poison affect it?

  —Not in the same way it would affect a living human, but yes. However, it will not spread through the body, since the blood is no longer circulating —Zero explained.

  —I see… —Velt murmured. —I’ve got an idea.

  Eivan lunged at him again, but Velt struck him hard and once more returned to his human form.

  —Even in my Orc King form, I can’t do that much damage. This is irritating —he said.

  —What is your plan, Mr. Velt? —Zero asked.

  —Poison him. I’m sure it’ll be more effective than just hitting him —Velt replied. —When I give the signal, transform me into Grok.

  —Understood.

  Velt charged straight at Eivan, who did the same. Their fists collided in a brutal clash, leaving them motionless for an instant.

  —Zero, now —Velt ordered.

  His body began to transform until it took the shape of a wolf, larger than normal. Without hesitation, he moved behind Eivan and drove his claws into his back. Eivan reacted by grabbing him by the neck and lifting him up, but Velt took advantage of it, digging his claws in deeper and biting into Eivan’s neck.

  Eivan began squeezing violently, but Velt sank his claws into both of Eivan’s arms. The pressure increased… until, suddenly, Eivan stopped and released him without a word.

  Velt returned to his human form and began striking Eivan relentlessly, slamming him to the ground.

  —Now that you don’t have arms, you’re nothing, right? —he said as he pummeled him again and again.

  Even so, Eivan kept moving, despite having no arms.

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  —I’m getting tired of you and your damn durability —Velt shouted, irritated.

  He once again assumed his Orc King form, evolving it into Orc Lord, and began stomping Eivan mercilessly. After several minutes, Velt stopped, reverted the evolution, and returned to his human form. Eivan was still trying to move, but his body was completely shattered.

  —You really are resilient —Velt said as he grabbed him and dragged him back toward the castle. —Alright, I’m done with you. Now let’s help the others.

  Inside the castle, the group was still fighting the guards, whose numbers were steadily dwindling.

  —Take this, you bastards! —Dash shouted, hurling a guard into two others.

  Two more fell as throwing daggers buried themselves in their necks.

  —There are fewer and fewer left —Jack commented.

  One guard tried to attack from behind, but a dagger pierced straight through his chest.

  —Hey, that whole attacking from behind thing looks fun. Let me try —Jack said, appearing behind the guard and finishing him off.

  This is bad… he’s not coming to help me, Sarah thought.

  Soon, she noticed the guards beginning to flee.

  —Hey! What do you think you’re doing?! —she shouted furiously.

  —Go to hell, you lost. We’re getting out of here —one replied before running off.

  —You miserable dogs! —Sarah screamed, but a metallic sound rang out: the last guard had fallen.

  —Alright, that was the last one —Rurhy said.

  —God, I’m exhausted —Luke complained.

  —Sarah, please think this through. This isn’t you. The Sarah I know wouldn’t go this far just on a whim —Rosa said. —We never got along as children, but the Sarah I knew wouldn’t do something like this over a tantrum… please, surrender. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you aren’t sentenced to death.

  —Shut up already! —Sarah shouted. —You’re always the same. This was supposed to be my victory… he promised me. Daddy, come help me!

  There was no response.

  —W-where is Dad…? —she murmured.

  —He can’t come help you right now —Velt said, appearing as he dragged Eivan behind him. —It took some effort, but I don’t think he’ll be a problem anymore.

  Sarah screamed in despair.

  —Why is this happening to me?! This wasn’t part of the plan! I was supposed to win!

  —Sarah, please… surrender —Rosa repeated.

  Sarah fell silent. Her gaze fixed on Eivan, who moved like a broken marionette. Suddenly, she brought a hand to her chest.

  —Hng… —she groaned, collapsing to the floor.

  —Sarah! —Rosa cried, running to her side.

  —I guess you don’t need me anymore… —Sarah said weakly.

  —Wait, I’ll heal you —Rosa said, casting a spell that had no effect. —What’s going on…?

  —R-Rosa… stop. You can’t heal me.

  —Yes I can. I just need to focus —Rosa insisted, but Sarah interrupted her.

  —This isn’t something you can heal. Don’t waste your magic on someone like me.

  —Enough! —Rosa shouted. —You always pushed me away since we were kids, and even so… can’t you accept my help just once?

  Sarah gently patted her on the head.

  —Always the same… too kind for a rotten world —she said with a bitter smile. —Listen to me, Rosa. You need to become strong. Don’t trust too much… and don’t make the same stupid mistakes as your older sister.

  She began coughing up blood.

  —You —she said, pointing at Velt—. In Solaris, there are people far worse than those here. They gave me the substance for the parasitic worms.

  —Substance? —Velt asked.

  —A dark liquid… they said it would help me achieve my goals. I guess I failed, and now they want to silence me.

  —Who gave it to you?

  —I don’t know. They wore hoods. They only said that if I needed more, I should look for them in Solaris.

  —I understand.

  —One last thing… take care of my little sister. If you don’t, I’ll come back from the grave to haunt you —she added jokingly.

  —I will.

  —Rosa… I’m sorry for being such a terrible big sister…

  She closed her eyes.

  —Sarah…? Sarah, wake up! —Rosa cried through her tears.

  There was no response.

  Rosa held her sister’s lifeless body in her arms while the others watched in silence.

  —This leaves a bad taste in my mouth —Dash muttered.

  —She was our enemy, but… I don’t know if I can call this a victory —Luke said uneasily.

  Velt suddenly turned his head.

  —Was it just my imagination…?

  —Negative. A life form was detected and quickly concealed its presence —Zero reported.

  —This will cause us trouble in the future —Velt murmured.

  —I don’t want to ruin the moment, but we can hunt down the guards who escaped —Jack said.

  —I want to give her a proper burial —Rosa said. —I don’t want her to end up in a mass grave… or something worse.

  —I don’t know if the village will agree —Jack replied.

  —I know. I’m not asking for help —Rosa said, gently stroking Sarah’s head.

  —Velt, your call —Rurhy said.

  Velt thought for a few seconds.

  —Jack, Dash, and Luke, go after the guards. Rurhy and I will help Rosa.

  —This will bring you trouble —Rosa warned.

  —Remember what I told you. I’ll do everything I can to see you smile —Velt replied.

  —We’re family now —Rurhy added with a smile.

  Rosa didn’t answer; she simply nodded through her tears.

  Elsewhere, in a dark hall, a man watched from a luxurious armchair.

  —You took longer than expected.

  A hooded figure knelt.

  —Was the experiment eliminated?

  —Yes, my lord… but there was interference.

  —Interference?

  —A group defeated her. I only activated the spell to silence her. One of them defeated a zombie and noticed my presence. She also mentioned Solaris.

  The man fell silent.

  —I see. You may go.

  He approached the window.

  —This will cause problems… but for now, we’ll initiate plan B