Marcus Skeiner had already pieced together the truth about Ethan and Xandria's relationship.
"Heh, you dumbass. What did you think? You seriously believed we captured that fortress with our own strength? You should be thanking us. If we'd attacked you from both sides, the Blade Syndicate wouldn't even exist anymore."
Xandria's blunt answer confirmed everything Marcus had suspected.
"I knew it," he muttered with a resigned sigh.
Ethan smiled, about to say something in response, when a sudden commotion interrupted him. He turned toward the source of the disturbance.
A headless warhorse with flaming hooves was galloping across the sky, every stride leaving blazing footprints suspended in midair. A trail of fire stretched behind it, lingering for a few moments before slowly fading away.
"It's Meatball!" Leo rushed to Ethan's side, his face instantly growing serious as he pulled out his iron staff and prepared for battle.
