Falmuth's economic suffocation finally forced King Edmaris's hand. Unable to sustain the embargo and humiliated by Avalon's "bureaucratic arrogance," the human kingdom mobilized a force of five thousand soldiers, including the feared Order of the Knights of Falmuth. The objective was clear: break the blockade at the Marble Pass, the narrow rocky throat that granted direct access to Sirzechs' lands.
Dawn at the Marble Pass was shrouded in thick mist, but for the eyes of the Praetorian Guard, darkness was irrelevant. Dietrich, positioned atop a high fortification built in record time, watched the disorganized advance of the Falmuth troops. Beside him, Benimaru—representing the strength of Tempest—kept a hand on the hilt of his katana, his face wearing a wild smirk that contrasted with Dietrich's statue-like immobility.
"They march as if numbers were armor," Benimaru commented, watching five thousand men funnel into the narrow gorge.
"Numbers are merely a statistical error when strategy is absolute," Dietrich replied. "Praetorians, prepare Containment Formation Level 9."
As the first tier of Falmuth knights reached the center of the pass, the marble ground—manifested by Sirzechs—glowed with a crimson light. Stone walls erupted from the sides, isolating the vanguard from the rest of the enemy army. It was then that Avalon's efficiency merged with Tempest's destructive power.
Dietrich's two hundred Praetorians descended the slopes in absolute silence. There were no war cries, only the metallic whistle of halberds cutting through the air. On the other side, the Star Wolves, led by Ranga, leaped between the rocks, dismantling the human archer ranks with lightning speed. The battle was not a chaos of blood; it was a cleanup operation.
In the center of the conflict, the captain of the Falmuth knights tried to cast an explosion spell, but was interrupted by a black blur. Valerius appeared among the enemy soldiers, moving with such fluidity he seemed to be dancing between the blades. With precise strikes to the armor's articulation points, the butler toppled elite knights like training dummies.
"I apologize for the interruption," Valerius said, disarming the captain with a flick of his wrist that shattered the tempered steel sword. "But the noise of your magic is disturbing Lord Sirzechs' scheduled rest."
Falmuth's resistance collapsed in less than an hour. The remnants of the human army fled in panic, leaving behind weapons, banners, and hundreds of prisoners to be processed by Grayfia. The victory was total, and the Marble Pass remained immaculate—save for the impact marks that Dietrich ordered to be polished immediately.
The crushing defeat at the Marble Pass was not the end of Falmuth's humiliation; it was merely the beginning of the bureaucratic process. While the captured knights were held in impeccable marble cells, Grayfia Lucifuge organized what would be remembered as Jura's greatest judicial spectacle: the Tribunal of Avalon.
The event was set up in the Central Plaza. Grayfia, wearing her maid uniform with a crimson magistrate's sash, presided over the high court. The knights of Falmuth, stripped of their armor and wearing perfectly pressed prisoner tunics, were brought before her. There was no physical torture; Grayfia's weapon was the Penal Code.
"The defendants are charged with territorial invasion, attempted armed aggression, and above all, the disturbance of public and commercial order," Grayfia declared, her voice magically echoing through the plaza. "Falmuth claims sovereignty, but Avalon's laws are universal within these walls. The sentence for your ignorance shall be penal servitude in the reconstruction of the very roads you attempted to block."
The judgment was interrupted by a metallic thud at the city gates. It wasn't an attack, but a majestic arrival. King Gazel Dwargo, the Armed Hero of Dwargon, entered Avalon mounted on his Pegasus, escorted by his elite knights. He had come to investigate the rumors of the "Marble Nation," but what he found left him in shock.
Gazel stopped in the center of the plaza, observing Grayfia's tribunal with sharp eyes. He saw absolute order, architecture that rivaled the dwarves', and above all, the aura of Sirzechs Gremory, who watched him from the palace balcony with Valerius at his side.
"So this is the Lord who made Falmuth kneel before a book of laws?" Gazel thundered. "I came here to see if I would find a monster or a king. So far, I see a system that would make my own auditors tremble with fear."
Sirzechs descended to receive the King of Dwarves. The meeting was marked by a respectful tension. Gazel felt immediately that Sirzechs was no common monster; his presence was that of a born ruler.
"Welcome to Avalon, King Gazel," Sirzechs said, extending his hand. "Lady Grayfia was just finishing processing our unwanted guests. I hope you enjoy our hospitality; the coffee is ready, and Valerius guarantees the temperature is ideal for a sovereign."
Gazel looked at Grayfia, who gave a short bow and returned to dictating sentences to the Falmuth prisoners without losing her rhythm. The King of Dwarves let out a short, deep laugh.
"A nation that uses bureaucracy as a weapon of war... Terrifying. Rimuru Tempest is an idealist, but you, Sirzechs—you are an architect of empires. Let us talk. I want to know if this gold Ducat of yours has a place in the vaults of Dwargon."
The day ended with Gazel and Sirzechs locked in a private meeting, while in the courtyard, the Falmuth knights began their first day of forced labor, learning that in Avalon, Grayfia's law was harder than the steel of their swords.
Author's Note:
The Gazel Factor: Gazel Dwargo has "Eye of the Truth," yet even he is impressed by Avalon's structure. This officially puts Avalon on the map as a recognized World Power.
Falmuth's Fate: They wanted gold, and now they're paying for it with sweat. Grayfia's penal servitude is the ultimate "I told you so."