The last rays of the sun flickered over the city square like a candle about to burn out. The crowd was growing thicker, their faces tense with a strange mix of fear, anger, and hope.
Katherina stood at the center of the rally, upon a stone platform, her voice echoing across the square.
Katherina:
"This city… has bowed to machines for far too long! The Duke's rule, his so-called system… it destroys your freedom!"
Shouts rose violently from the crowd.
"She's right!"
"Enough is enough!"
"The machines are killing us!"
Shadow and Elyria watched from within the crowd. Shadow was still shaken by the mysterious, magical voice he had encountered earlier in the afternoon. Elyria could feel that everything was spiraling downward.
Unable to hold herself back, Elyria suddenly grabbed Shadow's arm tightly and stepped toward the stage.
Shadow (surprised):
"Elyria? What are you doing?!"
Elyria pushed through the people and climbed onto the platform. Silence spread like frost.
Elyria:
"I need to tell you all something! We still don't know the real cause of the explosion! Who is guilty, who is innocent—nothing is certain yet!"
The crowd murmured uneasily. Katherina shot her a sharp, cold glare, but Elyria continued.
Elyria:
"Shadow… is only searching for the truth. The Duke's inventions were never created with evil intent!"
Her courage fueled Shadow.
Shadow:
"The Iron Duke never meant to harm his people! Every machine he built… he built for all of you!"
The crowd split in two.
Some cheered.
Some booed.
Katherina approached them slowly, a dark presence looming over both.
Katherina (sternly):
"Then answer this. If the Duke is so innocent… who killed the elves in the mine? Was it truly an accident? Or was it the Duke's greed?"
Shadow's breath caught.
He had no answer.
Katherina:
"Tell me, Shadow… are you just another tool for him to use?"
Silence fell instantly. All eyes turned to Shadow.
Shadow opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
Elyria (whispering):
"My lord… be careful. Her magic affects those who speak and those who listen."
A metallic tremor shook the ground. The people recoiled in fear.
A red mechanical light tore across the sky.
Steam burst from vents in the ground.
The Steel Battalion entered the square from all directions—towering, black-armored soldiers with glowing red eyes, each heavy step echoing like thunder.
The crowd screamed.
And through them… the Iron Duke appeared.
Behind him walked Lorian, draped in a long black coat, a smug grin carved onto his face.
Furious shouts erupted:
"LIAR!"
"MURDERER!"
"GET OUT!"
The Duke ignored them.
He only smiled.
Lorian stepped forward, challenging Katherina with a slight tilt of his head.
Lorian:
"Quite the crowd you've gathered, Lady Katherina. Is it easy deceiving so many people with fear and lies?"
Katherina lifted her brow.
Katherina:
"I don't deceive, Lorian. I reveal truth. The only thing your name reminds me of… is failed inventions."
The crowd burst into mocking laughter.
Lorian smiled wider, but colder.
Lorian:
"Interesting. What about the magical residue we found after the mine explosion? Shall we tell the people that it came not from machines… but from someone's spell? Or were you planning to hide that?"
Katherina's expression twitched.
It was true—and Lorian knew it.
Katherina:
"Speak any further… and you'll dig your own grave."
Her twin daughters stepped onto the platform, glaring up at Lorian with unwavering eyes.
One of the girls:
"Do you rule through truth… or through fear and lies?"
Lorian bent down, smirking.
Lorian:
"I rule through reality, little lady."
The square erupted into chaos again.
And then—
The Duke raised his hand.
Golden runes ignited across his palm.
Silence swallowed the square whole.
Iron Duke:
"Katherina. Since you claim to be so brave… I offer you a Divine Pact."
The crowd gasped.
A Divine Pact
breaking it meant permanent bodily damage.
The Duke's voice thundered:
Iron Duke:
"Before all gathered here… you and I will engage in an open debate.
Questions, challenges, truth. Whoever withdraws before the end… breaks the pact."
Katherina crossed her arms.
Katherina:
"Go on…"
Iron Duke:
"At the end of the night, the people will vote.
Whoever they choose… wins.
The loser will belong to the winner for one week."
The crowd trembled with dread.
Katherina's daughters clutched her hands tightly.
Shadow felt cornered.
Katherina seemed righteous…
But betraying the Duke meant sinking into darkness himself.
Elyria (whisper):
"My lord… what will you do?"
Shadow closed his eyes, inhaled deeply… then stepped forward toward the Duke.
The Duke grinned in satisfaction.
Iron Duke:
"A wise choice, Shadow."
Katherina bowed her head in fury.
Katherina:
"So you choose his side… Fine. I'll see you both tonight."
As the Duke and Shadow left the stage, the crowd booed relentlessly.
But the Duke's smile grew sharper.
Because the game had begun—
And no one knew the Duke's real plan.
Leaving the tense rally behind, the Iron Duke walked forward with heavy steps. Lorian, Shadow, and Elyria followed him. The Steel Guardians marched like a living wall of metal around them, sweeping away the crowd's hatred with their cold presence.
People screamed and cursed…
But the Duke's face still held that thin, cold, wicked smile.
Iron Duke:
"Let them shout. A herd of sheep running in the same direction has never frightened me."
Lorian raised an eyebrow.
Lorian:
"My lord, you exposed yourself too much today. Their anger grows. Katherina's influence—"
The Duke silenced him with a single glare.
Iron Duke:
"—I know. That woman weaves spells with her tongue. But her words do not have the strength to break my iron will."
Elyria glanced at Shadow nervously. Shadow's mind was trapped in the scene at the square.
Katherina's offer… her magic… the idea of freedom…
But he had still chosen to walk behind the Duke.
Elyria (softly):
"Did you make the right choice, my lord?"
Shadow took a deep breath.
Shadow:
"Right or wrong… there's no going back now."
When they entered the Duke's territory, the atmosphere changed completely.
The common citizens protested outside, but the Iron District was charged with disciplined preparation.
Metallic hammering echoed everywhere.
Factories worked at triple intensity, black smoke rising like storm clouds.
Armored soldiers drilled in formation.
Mechanical war machines were being assembled and reinforced.
Lorian looked proud.
Lorian:
"My lord, I increased the production line by thirty percent. The Steel Guardians will finish their armor upgrades in two days. If that woman sparks chaos—"
Iron Duke:
"—My army will be ready. Good."
Shadow watched the preparations, a chill crawling down his spine.
"This isn't just a debate…
This is preparation for war…"
The Duke's heavy metal doors opened.
His office was a wreck.
Broken tables lay scattered on the ground.
The walls were marked with battle plans.
Some of the papers carried blood stains.
A half-finished mechanical arm sat in a corner, and the blueprint of a massive war machine dominated another.
When the Duke entered, everyone instinctively stepped aside.
He slammed his hand onto the large metal table.
Iron Duke:
"I can smell betrayal. Everyone in this city is choosing sides… talking behind doors… forgetting who truly holds power."
He turned sharply, locking his eyes on Shadow.
Iron Duke:
"Shadow. You showed me loyalty today. You didn't fall for Katherina's sweet words. But that alone isn't enough."
Shadow swallowed hard.
Shadow:
"What do you want me to do… my lord?"
The Duke approached him slowly.
Elyria stepped forward, but Lorian stopped her.
The Duke shoved a rolled plan into Shadow's hands.
Iron Duke:
"When the debate begins, you will do one thing—vote for me.
No matter what she says.
No matter what spell she casts.
Your support will strengthen me."
Shadow:
"Is that all?"
This time, the Duke didn't smile.
His expression was darker—far more dangerous.
Iron Duke:
"Yes. Because if you don't… it means betrayal.
And in my kingdom, betrayal is carved in steel."
He pointed at one of the wall-sized war plans—
huge armored battalions, mechanical siege towers, energy extractors…
Shadow thought:
"This isn't a challenge…
This is a conquest."
The Duke placed a hand on Shadow's shoulder.
His touch was cold—like metal.
Iron Duke:
"The task is simple. Show the entire city that you stand with me.
Through your words.
Through your stance.
Through your vote."
He paused.
His voice dropped to a chilling tone.
Iron Duke:
"If you stay with me… I will protect you.
But if you stand against me… I will destroy you with my own hands."
Elyria squeezed Shadow's hand.
Elyria:
"Be careful… this man isn't playing a game."
Lorian added coldly:
Lorian:
"The time has come, Shadow. Show who you belong to."
The Duke spoke one last time:
Iron Duke:
"Prepare yourselves. Night approaches.
The debate will decide this city's fate.
And if needed… steel and gunpowder will speak louder than words."
The door slammed shut.
Everyone in the room felt the shadow of the coming war closing in.
Chapter 8 – THE END