Collateral damage could be justified, perhaps. Power earned respect in this world. If her contribution were decisive, most would swallow their outrage.
But circumstances had changed.
Magnus had flown into battle personally.
He had even left her that message through Giselle.
He was watching.
If she unleashed indiscriminate fire and allied troops died, it would signal deliberate disregard.
The deal would crumble.
At worst, she would need to return the advance.
At absolute worst...
Her jaw tightened.
What if Magnus claimed the overlord's core first?
The quest demanded Cerberus's core.
If she failed to retrieve it, all ammunition spent would be waste.
And if she moved to take it by force… She would need to kill Magnus.
Then likely the other six-star experts.
Then face the full wrath of Emperor Aerondor Arcana.
He would ban firearms across the Empire overnight.
Citizens will be forbidden to purchase.
Her income strangled.
The store would protect her physically.
