The chamber was heavy with tension, the polished wood of the long table reflecting the glow of the morning sun. General Sofia Solo stood at the head of the room, her hands gripping the table’s edge, knuckles white with restrained fury.

  “Four soldiers dead. Two different cells busted. The whole capital mobilized, and they still escaped! How the hell did that happen?” Her voice sliced through the murmurs of the assembled Council members.

  Silence settled over the room. Even Claudius, ever the composed jester, sat rigidly in his chair. His mask hid most of his expression, but the faint tremor in his fingers betrayed his pain from his injuries.

  The commander of the Crimson Custodia stepped forward, clearing his throat. “They had help from the inside.”

  Sofia’s sharp gaze locked onto him. “A traitor among Carnifex? Is that what you’re saying?”

  The commander stiffened. “Yes, ma’am. The guards spotted a man wearing a set of Crafted Crimson and a Mutant Mask at the port.”

  Count Mikhailov arched an eyebrow. “And how can you be sure he was one of ours?”

  “For all we know,” Baroness Sallow added, “he could have been a member of B4.”

  “Or perhaps the Heavenly Union,” Mikhailov mused.

  The commander hesitated, unable to refute the possibilities.

  Duke Herzog, seated beside Claudius, ran a gloved hand over his mouth, as if trying to steady himself. “All we know for sure is that if he was wearing a Crafted Crimson set and still managed to overpower the tunnel guards, he must have been a very skilled Max LVL.”

  A 2v1 while undergeared? That man sure is dangerous.

  Herzog, as always, sat beside Claudius, making it easy to feel his faint but noticeable body tremors.

  “That does sound like B4,” Mikhailov conceded.

  Claudius finally spoke, his voice smooth and deliberate. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Why would B4 break their neutrality for a LVL 1 player?”

  Sofia narrowed her eyes, barely whispering, “And how would they even know about him? What do they know?”

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  The silence thickened. The commander shifted uncomfortably. Herzog cast a fleeting glance at Claudius, who did not return it. Instead, he drummed his fingers against the table.

  Then, General Solo straightened. “Confiscate any Mutant Mask among the guild. Every inventory, house, closet, chest, and bag must be searched. List every member above LVL 45 who owned one.”

  The commander hesitated, glancing nervously at Claudius. Even behind his visor, his unease was apparent.

  “The city is on lockdown until the investigation is complete. Only council members are allowed through the gates.”

  The commander’s heels clicked together. “Yes, ma’am!”

  “One more thing.”

  He remained at attention.

  “Send messengers to the other council members. The escapees are now enemies of the state. If necessary, deadly force is authorized.”

  “Sofia!” Herzog protested, rising sharply from his seat.

  “This is a matter of national security. No vetoes.”

  Herzog’s hand slammed onto the table, but he did not argue further.

  “Have I made myself clear?”

  “Yes, ma’am!” The commander saluted.

  Herzog slumped back into his seat, clearly distraught.

  “Good. Meeting adjourned.”

  As the council members and guards shuffled out, whispers and anxious glances filled the room. Only the High Council remained. A weighted silence lingered.

  Sofia turned to the window, watching the city below. “Why did you do it?”

  Herzog sighed, the fight drained from his body. “He’s my son. Despite everything, he’s still my son.”

  “And the others?”

  Herzog rubbed his temples, his voice low. “I had nothing to do with it.”

  Claudius interrupted whatever thought Sofia could form. “Let’s not worry too much. The three low LVL plebs won’t make it far.”

  “That boy could become dangerous.” Sofia’s voice was ice. “Make sure they don’t make it.”

  Claudius nodded. “Understood.”

  Sofia exhaled deeply, her frustration breaking through. “Damn it, Alois.”

  Claudius leaned back. “You know he’d do the same for Lucio. And you would too. No need to punish him.”

  “There’s family, and then there’s duty. As a High Council member, you must choose between the two.”

  Herzog said nothing.

  After a pause, Sofia’s voice softened. “Don’t tell the King.”

  With that, she left.

  The silence stretched between Claudius and Herzog until the latter finally spoke again. “You know, don’t you?”

  The jester tilted his head, the bells on his hat jingling softly. “Hm?”

  “You know who broke them out. We both know their escape wasn’t random.”

  Claudius swayed in his chair. “I know it was actually three cells that got busted. But no one can know that he escaped too.”

  Herzog’s breath caught. “What have you done?”

  Claudius merely shrugged. “As you can see, we’re in the same boat.”

  Herzog’s voice was tight. “Why did Stick Arslan land in the same cell block as him?”

  “We’ve all made our mistakes today.”

  Panic crept into Herzog’s tone. “We have to stop him.”

  Claudius pulled back his coat, revealing a fresh cut on his stomach. “Easier said than done.”

  “Shit!” Herzog cursed for the first time in Claudius’s presence. “If Sofia finds out, this is terrible news!”

  Claudius let out a hideous laugh.

  “No, dear friend,” he chuckled. “This is a perfect opportunity.”

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