The sky had draped the city in a thick, navy-blue velvet of night. The two days that had passed had pushed the tension in the city to a dangerous peak.
At this late hour, the grand event square in the city center had transformed into a roaring arena for a political duel.
At the far edge of the crowd, hidden in the most invisible corner, Shadow and Elryia quietly watched the stage. Elryia turned to Shadow and whispered:
Elryia: "This silence… it makes me even more nervous. It's like the moment before an explosion."
Shadow: With a brief glance "The Duke never rushes. A hunter waits for the perfect strike."
Elryia: "But Lady Katherina's supporters are everywhere. How does the Duke expect to win against such a crowd?"
Shadow: "Iron is harder than noise, Elryia. Watch and learn."
Katherina stepped onto the stage. The crowd erupted with applause.
She took the microphone, her eyes reaching all the way to the back of the hall. Her voice was soft as velvet, yet steady as steel.
Katherina: "My dear people, two days ago I made you a promise. The heart of this city is my Healing Elixir Factory. Our unity and well-being are protected by the potions and spells produced there. We will not allow this order we built together to be destroyed or corrupted by Demir's cold, greedy hands!"
After her short yet powerful speech, she returned to her seat. It was the reporter's turn.
Reporter: "Lady Katherina, what do you think about the fact that the opposing side, the Iron Duke, has still not arrived at this late hour?"
Katherina leaned back with a mocking smile.
Katherina: "My thoughts are simple. If a noble fears standing before his people, he has already lost the right to lead them. He cares not for their love—only for the numbers in his account. I believe he's afraid—"
Before she could finish, the city shook with a thunderous explosion. The clash of steel echoed through the hall and swallowed her final words.
The entrance doors burst open, and the Iron Duke's Steel Guard Battalion marched inside, their armor clashing like a war drum.
The Duke walked at the center of the formation, dressed in a black suit, a devilish smile on his lips.
He sat down, not looking at the reporter but directly at Katherina.
Duke: Mockingly "Afraid, Katherina? For me, standing before my people is always a pleasure. My delay was simply to avoid interrupting your little show. Besides, I needed to make a bit of noise. I thought your factory's voice had gotten too quiet. Perhaps you forgot—true industry is never silent."
Katherina narrowed her eyes.
Katherina: "That sound was not industry—it was intimidation. As always, you place theatrics above strength."
Duke: "Theatrics carve themselves into people's minds, dear Katherina. Your gentle little potions heal, yes… but my Iron grants safety. Tell me—which one is remembered?"
The reporter asked the first question:
Reporter: "Duke, about your dramatic entrance: Lady Katherina claims the explosion at the entrance caused fear among the people. Why choose such an aggressive arrival?"
The Duke pointed sharply at Katherina.
Duke: "If the people were afraid of a little noise, that is entirely Katherina's doing. She asked me to have my Iron Battalion enter quietly. I refused. This city stands on my technology. Hiding my success would be an insult to my people. So this noise… was caused by her insolence."
Katherina's brows furrowed.
Katherina: "You're lying! I asked for respect, not threats! Do you have proof?"
Duke: "My proof is the discipline of the battalion outside. Something you lack."
The reporter moved on to a more personal question:
Reporter: "Duke, Lady Katherina… what is the origin of the tension between you? Is there an unresolved matter from the past?"
The Duke opened a book and began reading, utterly unconcerned. Katherina trembled with anger.
Katherina: Furious "Yes, there is a past! A past poisoned by his obsession!"
Duke: Without lifting his head "Ah, that old, boring tale again. Go on, Queen. Cry it out—maybe your people will believe you."
Katherina: Eyes welling with tears "Years ago… he confessed his love to me. He was in his twenties. I was married! I loved my husband. I told him honestly—'My heart belongs to someone else.'"
The Duke closed his book with a smirk.
Duke: "Telling a noble 'no'… perhaps the greatest mistake another noble can make, hm? In that moment, I felt my love turn to hatred. Fitting, isn't it?"
Katherina: Sobbing "You couldn't accept it! You couldn't accept that I loved my husband! And six years later—six years later he died in an accident. But I know… I know it was you! You took him from me!"
The hall erupted in whispers.
The Duke leaned back, bored.
Duke: "Are you done? Dramatic, I'll admit. But accusing me of murder with no proof… admirable courage. Next question, please."
Shadow clenched his fist. Elryia clung to his arm, trembling.
Elryia: "Shadow… he's a killer. He tricked all of us! We can't stay by his side!"
Shadow: "Calm down, Elryia. We act now and we walk into his trap."
The reporter continued:
Reporter: "Putting personal matters aside, Duke—what motivates you to take power? Why should Lady Katherina step down?"
Duke: "Because this isn't personal. If a factory cannot meet production quotas, its leader has failed. Her potions have been insufficient for six years. My factories exceed every quota. This is not my desire—it is the demand of numbers and reality."
The crowd erupted into shouts.
"Katherina's supporters are furious!"
Objects were thrown at the Duke.
Duke: "Enough!"
The Steel Battalion advanced.
Captain: "Return to your seats! Or we will use force!"
Gunshots echoed through the hall. BANG! BANG! BANG!
The crowd scattered in panic.
At that moment, a worker from Katherina's factory ran into the hall, breathless:
Worker: "Lady Katherina! We're under attack! A massive army led by Commander Lorian is bombarding the factory with war cannons! Your daughters are in danger!"
Katherina's face collapsed in horror. She leapt from her chair.
The Duke rose slowly.
Duke: "Wait, my Queen. Why so hasty?"
Katherina: "Get out of my way! Don't touch them! Keep your filthy hands away from my daughter!"
Duke: "Oh, but it's too late. Lorian has already acted on my command. Your factory burns as we speak. And I have an offer for you: If you walk through that door, the Divine Pact will inflict permanent damage upon your body—you cannot leave. And your daughters' safety… may be lost."
Katherina froze.
Duke: "So choose, my Queen. Leadership… or motherhood?"
Elryia sobbed against Shadow.
Elryia: "Shadow! This was his plan all along! We have to help those innocent girls! If we don't, that monster will hurt them!"
Shadow's eyes were steel, but burning with betrayal.
Shadow: "Not now, Elryia. Not yet."
This was no longer a political duel. This was the beginning of vengeance.
Chapter 9 – THE END