The burning apothecary crackled, casting long, dancing shadows across the mud. The villagers had retreated into their homes, peering through shutter slats, terrified of the man who had turned the Baron's enforcer into a lawn ornament.
Lux stood before the frozen statue of Gareth. The Pyromancer's face was locked in a silent scream, his eyes wide with panic behind a layer of translucent black ice.
"Elara," Lux said calmly. "Thaw his head. Keep the rest frozen."
"As you wish."
Elara placed a finger on the statue's forehead. The black ice receded inch by inch, freeing Gareth's neck and face.
"GAAAAH!"
Gareth sucked in a desperate breath, his teeth chattering so hard they sounded like dice in a cup. His skin was blue, his lips cracked.
"C-Cold... so cold..."
"Focus," Lux commanded, crouching down so he was eye-level with the mage. He activated his [King's Aura], letting a heavy, suffocating pressure wash over the broken man. "You mentioned a 'Dark Cult.' You said the Baron tried to sell Seraphina."
Gareth's eyes darted to Elara, then back to Lux. "If... if I tell you... will you let me go?"
Lux smiled. It wasn't a nice smile.
"You are currently freezing to death in slow motion. Cooperation is the difference between a quick end and an eternal frost. Choose."
Gareth sobbed. "The Cult... The Cult of the Pale Moon. They... they operate out of the Baron's cellar."
Seraphina gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "The Pale Moon? They are heretics who believe in corrupting divine mana. They... they sacrifice women to summon Void Demons."
Lux's eyes narrowed. "Why Seraphina?"
"She... she has the 'Morning Star' bloodline," Gareth stammered, desperate to spill everything. "The Baron... he isn't just collecting taxes. He's buying artifacts. He's preparing a ritual. He needs a Saintess to be the... the vessel."
"When?" Lux pressed.
"Tonight!" Gareth screamed. "Tonight is the Red Moon! The Baron is holding a 'banquet' for the local merchants as a cover. But in the basement... the ritual starts at midnight. That's why we came for her today!"
[System Quest Updated]
[Quest: The Red Banquet]
[Objective: Infiltrate Baron K's Manor and stop the Ritual.]
[Time Limit: 6 Hours.]
[Reward: Baron's Territory (Domain), ??? Rare Item, 5,000 XP.]
Lux stood up. He had what he needed.
"The Manor security. How do we get in?"
"The... the sewers," Gareth wheezed, his consciousness fading. "There is an old drainage pipe near the cliffs. It leads to the wine cellar. Please... I told you everything... let me go..."
Lux looked down at the man.
He thought about the collar on Seraphina's neck. He thought about the extortion.
"I promised you a choice between a quick end and frost," Lux said.
He looked at Elara.
"Freeze him back up. But leave his eyes open. Let the Baron find him staring at the Manor."
"No! NO! PLEASE—"
SNAP.
Elara snapped her fingers. The black ice rushed back up, silencing Gareth's scream instantly. He was a statue once more, a monument to the foolishness of crossing the Greylock name.
Lux turned to Seraphina. She was pale, shaking slightly.
"Seraphina," Lux said, his voice softening. "You don't have to come. We can take you back to the Estate."
Seraphina gripped her staff tighter. The golden light around her flared, dispelling her fear.
"No. If they are summoning Void Demons... then it is my duty as a Saintess to purge them. And..."
She looked at Lux, her cheeks tinting pink.
"And you are going. Where you go, I follow."
"Good answer," Lux grinned.
He checked the System clock. 18:00 Hours.
They had six hours until the ritual.
"We need supplies," Lux said. "We can't walk into a banquet looking like refugees."
He turned toward the center of the village, where the General Store—and Nina the Merchant—was located.
"Let's go spend that gold. I want us to look like death incarnate when we walk through those doors."
The General Store
The bell above the door jingled.
Nina was behind the counter, counting coins. When she looked up and saw Lux, she nearly dropped her abacus.
"Lord Lux! You're alive!" She hopped over the counter. "And you brought... oh my god, is that the Saintess? And why is your maid covered in blood?"
"Long story, Nina," Lux slammed the bag of gold coins onto the counter. "We need gear. Top shelf."
[Shopping Spree Initiated]
For the next hour, Lux outfitted his team.
For Elara, he bought a set of Shadow-Weave Leather Armor. It was sleek, black, and enchanted to muffle sound. It accentuated her curves while offering actual protection. She looked less like a maid and more like the queen of assassins.
For Seraphina, they found a set of White Silk Robes reinforced with mana-threads. It was elegant but functional. Lux also bought her a Mana Crystal Necklace to help with her regeneration.
And for himself?
He bought a Midnight Blue Noble's Coat with silver lining. It had hidden pockets for potions and looked regal enough to command an army.
When they stepped out of the changing rooms, Nina whistled.
"You guys look like you're about to go save the world. Or conquer it."
"A bit of both," Lux winked.
He turned to his team.
Elara was adjusting her gloves, testing the grip.
Seraphina was admiring her new robes, twirling slightly.
"Ladies," Lux said, his voice commanding.
"Tonight, we dine with the Baron. Let's make sure it's his last meal."