The midnight hour was almost up, and it was the one time of the year when the Raven Knights were dispatched. Maxime, seated cross-legged on his bed, was meditating in preparation for an important mission.

“Aren't you tired yet? What are you doing up so late?”

He sensed the familiar presence outside his tent, sharp enough to catch her restless pacing. Once he’d allowed her in, the first thing she did was question why he was awake, a comment he replied to rather bluntly.

“Can't you tell? Meditating.”

Christine, with her ever-cheeky smile, entered, offering the usual banter despite his serious demeanor. “What about you? Why are you still awake? Are you on watch duty?”

“Of course. Otherwise, why would I be up at this hour?”

Maxime chuckled at her unashamed tone. “What about the guy you’re supposed to be sharing the watch with? Where is he?”

“Which answer do you want? Sleeping, snoring, unconscious? Take your pick.”

“Let's not talk about it.” Maxime shook his head, deciding meditation was out of the question. The glow of the campfire outside cast a faint light into the tent, illuminating the scene.

“So, why stay up all night meditating, especially for someone who can't even use mana properly? You'll wear yourself out.”

Maxime shrugged off her concern. “I'm fine. And if it gets too tough, I can always count on you.”

She took a deep breath, as if holding back her annoyance. “Right. I’m just a servant, ready with a bit of healing magic or some herbal tea if you need it.”

“If you don’t want to play servant, you could always go back to your watch instead of coming in here just to provoke me. Or we could keep each other company on the watch.”

Christine ignored his jab, and Maxime felt a twinge of irritation. Sometimes I think she does more harm to my sanity than anything else.

“Just tell me. Why aren’t you sleeping and instead meditating like this?”

Maxime sighed, giving in. “It’s just... a habit.”

“A habit?”

“A routine, I guess. It’s something I do to be in my best shape before an important task.”

“Staying up all night to be at your best? That’s a first.”

Maxime shrugged again. “Everyone has their own way.”

“Well, that’s not how it works for me.”

She gave him a playful smile, her eyes crinkling into crescents. It was a smile he could picture vividly, but it began to fade. The night dissolved like a cloud, and Maxime felt his consciousness rising from the depths of meditation. He became aware of the birds singing as he opened his eyes to a pale dawn.

It was the day of the Mage Tower assault. He had everything prepared, and his senses were sharp. He gave the hilt of his sword a final touch, then rose, stepping out into the red glow of the sunrise.

==

A slap echoed as Charlotte struck the back of Dennis’s head, who yawned loudly in response, protesting as he rubbed the back of his head. But no one was laughing. This was a common sight for Maxime, who was often around them, but there was a difference today. Dennis and Charlotte were fully armed, standing among the knights and soldiers ready for battle.

“The Royal Guard’s top two companies, and the men sent by Count Benning,” Dennis muttered, glancing around. There was an unspoken tension between the groups, the soldiers eyeing one another warily. The gathering was assembled for the covert operation against the dark mages hidden within the Mage Tower.

“They brought a lot of people.” Dennis’s gaze hardened as he looked around.

“Why do you think that is?” He asked Charlotte, who merely shrugged.

“I’m not sure, but whatever it is, it’s going to be big. And Arsen isn’t even here for it?” Dennis questioned, glancing around.

“Maybe he was given a separate task,” Charlotte replied, but Dennis wasn’t convinced.

At that moment, footsteps approached, and Dennis’s lips curled into a smile. “The Commander is here.”

A presence so overwhelming that it seemed to engulf the entire assembly entered the area. The knights fell silent, the aura of the approaching figure swallowing the aggressive energy that filled the courtyard.

“The Commander of the Royal Knights,” announced a voice, and the knights parted to make way for the leader, who bore nothing but a single sword at his side. His gaze swept across them like a scythe.

“Anyone who resists or refuses inspection is to be detained.”

His deep voice reverberated through the courtyard. “If they use force or dark magic to resist, they are to be eliminated.”

The tension in the air became suffocating. Dennis and the others fell in line as the march began, the sound of armored boots echoing through the capital as citizens moved out of the way.

“What’s going on?” a passerby asked, peering at the intimidating group as they made their way toward the Mage Tower. When they arrived, the guards at the entrance went pale, and the mages who approached in confusion froze as the Royal Knights revealed their orders.

“There is evidence that dark magic has been studied in secret, deceiving the royal court.”

The reaction was instant, and silence fell over the mages. One elderly mage stepped forward, his voice trembling as he demanded proof. But the Commander’s response was swift.

“Arrest everyone standing in our way.”

The clatter of metal filled the air as the knights drew their swords in unison. The mages tried to reason with them, but the soldiers grabbed them and dragged them out of the way, the old mage among them, sputtering in disbelief.

“You have no idea what you’re doing! The Mage Tower has supported the kingdom, and now you’re treating us like this?”

Ignoring his protests, the Commander ordered the search to begin. The knights fanned out, tearing through the tower in search of incriminating evidence.

The old mage broke into a crazed laugh, shouting accusations at the soldiers. “The Mage Tower has always backed Count Benning! Don’t you realize what you’re doing? You fools!”

A knight raised his visor, revealing his face to the old mage. Recognition flickered in the mage’s eyes as he tried to plead with the knight to report to the Count.

“We’re just doing our duty,” the knight replied coldly, brushing off the mage’s words. “Count Benning himself ordered this investigation. He’s outraged by your deceit.”

The mage’s face crumpled, and he staggered back, mumbling incoherently. “He’s just using us… all along, it was a trap…”

The knight gave a short laugh, walking away as the mage cursed his fate. The sound of chains filled the air as he and the other mages were led out to waiting wagons. The knight watched for a moment, then spoke to a nearby soldier, instructing him to search the dungeons for any other secrets the mages might have hidden.

==

Maxime moved silently through the streets, his mind focused on his goal. He reached the alleyway where he and Adeline had escaped from the dungeon just two days prior. The entrance they’d carved was still visible, but he hesitated to go in.

“What are you doing here?”

Maxime turned to find Adeline standing behind him, her sword drawn. Her hair was tousled, and the cold air had brought a flush to her pale cheeks. She looked at him with that same inscrutable expression, though her voice trembled slightly.

“I’m here on the Count’s orders,” she said, her tone betraying a hint of reluctance. Maxime could see the strain in her eyes.

“And did he order you to kill me?”

Adeline didn’t answer, but the silence was enough. Maxime sighed, resisting the urge to draw his sword. Instead, he spoke the truth he’d been holding back.

“Adeline, your memories… the Count took them from you.”

She cut him off. “I thought about it, too. There were times when I wondered if it was possible.” Her voice quivered with genuine emotion.

“But I can’t go against his orders. My body won’t let me,” she whispered, her grip on the sword tightening.

Maxime could feel the weight of her resolve, even as she stood there, looking as if she’d rather be anywhere else. “I don’t want to fight you,” he said quietly. But he knew it was useless; her mind was set.

She lunged, her sword slicing through the air. With a heavy heart, Maxime drew his own weapon, meeting her attack. Their swords clashed in the cold winter air, the silence of the dawn shattered by the echo of steel.