But inside the Artimancers' chamber, the air was heavy, thick with urgency and unspoken dread.
Levin sat at the center table, his jaw set, eyes darkened by thought. Across from him, Asteroy leaned forward, voice sharp, almost incredulous.
"Tell me again... is this truly what the King commands? Us, killing the Knights?"
Levin's reply came without hesitation.
"Yes. The order came straight from Sephiss. The King wasn't pleased with the delay in the selection."
Pita, her brow furrowed, leaned closer.
"And you're certain he also plans to go to war with the animals?"
Levin exchanged a heavy glance with her before answering.
"It seems so."
Asteroy's voice cracked with disbelief.
"Then what does he intend once the animals are removed? What future does he imagine?"
Levin's fists tightened against the wood.
"I don't know. But it reeks of control, absolute dominion over the island. This isn't the King I remember. The one I knew was arrogant, yes... but he believed in liberation. He despised the banishment of artists, but at least he respected the Artimancers. This version of him" Levin's voice lowered, filled with unease, "—is something else. Cold. Inhuman."
Pita's eyes darkened.
"He wants the entire island to be Royals. Question is, does that include us?"
The silence that followed lingered like a blade at their throats.
Levin finally exhaled.
"I don't know. I despise the Zoners as much as any of us... but if he erases them, who's to say we aren't next?"
Asteroy grimaced.
"We Artimancers are in a... precarious position. And worse, the Royals know it. They see us as dogs, obedient, with tails between our legs."
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Levin's voice grew sharp, almost trembling with restrained rage.
"It infuriates me. All I've ever wanted was a world where Levy could live free from the chains of both Artists and Royals. Yet the Royals use us as pawns. They forget our history, our pride. We were soldiers in the reign of Benkage. It was only after King Jiguzo's rise that disdain for us became law."
Asteroy looked away, tone grim.
"And yet... the Royal Family has shown us mercy, we are exempt from selections and we live in our own guarded town. We cannot deny it. Defy them, and they'll crush us easily. We have no allies. Not with the Artists, their corruption is why we stand here in the first place."
Levin's gaze hardened, voice dropping like iron.
"The King fears one thing most: Artists among the Zoners. There's something inseparable between poverty and art, always dreaming, never grounded. I know this well..." His words faltered, his voice trembling with old sorrow. "...because I married one."
The chamber fell quiet, the weight of his confession pressing over them like a storm cloud.
Pita finally broke the silence, voice steady but tense.
"Then what do we do? Who do we strike first?"
Asteroy added, "There are six Knights, each of them artists. They won't fall easily."
Levin straightened, his tone precise.
"We don't need to bring all of them down at once, just thin their ranks, weaken their unity. The weakest Knights will be our first targets. If we encounter Lonnie or Jett... we strike together. Never alone."
His eyes flickered, sharp with warning.
"Sephiss was clear, we must be discreet. A whisper war. No mistakes."
The three exchanged solemn nods.
Outside, children's laughter carried on the wind, innocent, unaware. But within the chamber, the Artimancers' pact was sealed, heavy with the weight of betrayal and blood.
The small town of the Artimancers was alive with laughter as children darted between the cobbled streets, chasing one another in playful bursts of joy. Asteroy stood with his wife at his side, his hand wrapped tightly around hers. When he looked down, her eyes shimmered with tears.
"What's wrong, Lady Bug?" he asked softly.
"You know why I'm crying," she whispered, voice trembling. "Because I may never see you again."
"Hmm... don't say that," Asteroy replied, though his jaw tightened.
"How can I not?" Lady Bug pressed, tugging at his sleeve. "Now that I know what Lord Sephiss has asked of you. The Zoner Knights are Artists, and they're extremely powerful."
"My dear, have faith in the power of the Artimancer," Asteroy said. "Besides, we have Pita and Levin. Levin is one of the strongest Artimancers I've ever seen."
"Then let me fight beside you," she pleaded.
"I can't do that."
"Why? Because I'm a woman?" she shot back.
"Yes," Asteroy admitted, his voice heavy. "You know the rules. I don't make them, but they must be followed."
"You know how powerful I am," Lady Bug argued, her tone sharp but desperate. "I could make a difference if you let me."
"I know," Asteroy said, his voice softening. "But Levin has his paranoia about the Old World. He believes women are tied to the creation of Artists."
Lady Bug scoffed bitterly. "He's a fool of a man. I'm a woman, and I hate Artists too. If I searched for an Art, I would fail. I'm not talented at all."
"You are talented," Asteroy countered, brushing her hand with his thumb. "Which is why it's best you stay behind, to protect the town. Please."
Her eyes hardened, though her grip on his sleeve never loosened.
"Whatever," she muttered, though her heart trembled with love and fear.