The mont Adam's words echoed in the air, the guards' expressions shifted. So were stunned, unable to believe what they'd just heard. While others... their faces twisted into a dark scowl, and they imdiately reached for their weapons.
No matter the propaganda the Imperial Court spread, how could these proud people of Ravenfell accept it so easily?
The great betrayal of the Deceitful One was etched deep in their hearts. It had beco more than a story. It was wound they carried together.
No decree from the capital, no official bulletin nailed in a city square, could simply erase that mory.
To them, the truth had already been decided.
And the man standing before their gates bore the na they had cursed for decades!
So when Adam Constantine announced himself, silence fell over the guards. And then, they radiated utter hostility.
While so of them reeled in from the shock of the Deceitful One's sudden appearance, others quickly stepped forward and pointed their weapons at him. "The Deceitful One!"
"How dare you co here?!"
"Vile traitor!"
"Raise your hands!"
"Surrender yourself!"
Out of the dozens of guards stationed at the southern gates, half were
overco by rage and hatred. While the other half watched everything unfold in unease and confusion.
The forr were survivors of the Battle of Ravenfell, after all. And so, their reactions were justified.
While the second group was the young Magi who were born and raised in the years following the infamous battle.
--
They had never witnessed those events themselves. All they knew were the stories passed down to them, tales of how Ravenfell had once produced a brilliant star, soone the people loved and admired.
And yet, the sa star had beco the one who shattered their trust.
To see the infamous Magus in person was a surreal experience for them. It was as if a dark legend of old had co to life before their very eyes.
Seeing the weapons aid at them, Anna's ruby eyes flashed with utter contempt. Her lips parted, and she coldly said, "How dare you..."
But midway through her sentence, her voice gradually faded when she saw her little brother raise an arm in a bid to stop her. She intently studied Adam's back, his straight posture, and his calm deanor.
In the end, she snorted in displeasure, but remained quiet nonetheless. Adam calmly scanned the crests on the guards' armor and robes. None of them belonged to the Black Legion. In fact, it was a crest he was unfamiliar with.
A new faction of city guards must have arisen in my absence, he thought to himself.
He raised his hands in a show of surrender and said with a faint smile, "I co bearing no ill will. I request an audience with the Lord Marshall. And if possible... the Headmaster of Saratoga."
"The audacity!" The leader of the guards, a burly man at the Mana Vortex Rank, ca forward and grabbed Adam by his cape. "Who do you think you—" "Now, now." Adam turned to the man, his eyes narrowing. "I'm still a Count of this great city. You'll do well to show the proper decorum, Magus."
When the guard leader saw the Deceitful One's cold gaze, he imdiately stiffened. He involuntarily took a few steps back, his grip around the sword tightening. "B-Bastard!"
Seeing a mighty Mana Vortex Magus getting intimidated by the re gaze of the raven-haired youth, the other guards were thunderstruck.
The rumors were true!
The Deceitful One had indeed achieved the legendary station of the Mana Core Rank!
Several communication artifacts at the gate flared to life. The guards did not try to hide it. They were reporting him.
Travelers waiting along the road quickly noticed the sudden activity. rchants slowed their carts, caravan guards turned their heads, and people whispered among themselves as they tried to understand what was happening.
Sothing important was unfolding.
Within minutes, the signals had spread beyond the walls. Towers across
Ravenfell answered the call, their own communication artifacts lighting in response. Word traveled through the city faster than any ssenger could run.
The ssage was simple...
The Deceitful One had returned.
***
Council Keep, Downtown Quarter.
The seven Councilors of Ravenfell imdiately gathered in the eting chamber the mont news of Adam's arrival reached them.
While the Deceitful one was being detained at the Western Gates, these Mana Vortex Magi moved quickly to discuss safety asures. The situation demanded caution. Not only was Adam still regarded as a wanted criminal in the city, but he had also advanced to the Mana Core Rank.
The sudden arrival of a Mana Core Magus was reason enough to raise the city's defenses.
Halbert Dawson, the leader of the Herbalist's Guild, had a pale look on his face as he quickly said, "We must not allow that great deceiver to enter our city! The last ti he was here, half the city was razed to the ground. Who knows what he's going to do this ti?!"
Elysande Flynn, the Matriarch of the Flynn House, turned to Halbert with a light frown. "That's hardly the response we should have toward a Mana Core Magus. Besides, have you forgotten, Councilor Dawson? He is still a noble
Count of Ravenfell."
Dawson turned to the newly appointed Councilor and almost blurted out.
Foolish girl! If only you knew that man killed your father, would you still act the
sa way?!
If it wasn't for the serpent's curse Adam had put on him, Halbert Dawson would have told the whole world that Adam had murdered Brigham Flynn!
"I don't care what you think!" he slamd his hands on the table. "The Deceitful One must not be allowed entry to our great city-"
The doors to the chamber slamd open, and a ssenger arrived, looking
pale and frightened.
"Councilors!" he cried in apanicked voice. "The Lord Marshall, he... he has arrived at the Southern Gates to confront the Deceitful One!"
The chamber fell silent.
For a mont, the Councilors simply stared at the ssenger, stunned by the
news. Then the room erupted into hurried discussion.
Orders were issued at once, defensive formations across the city were activated, and additional Magi were dispatched to key positions along the walls
and major intersections.
Once the essential asures were set in place, the seven Councilors wasted no more ti. One after another, they rushed out of Council Keep, heading toward
the sa destination.
***
At the southern gates of Ravenfell, a tense and nervous atmosphere perated
the air.
The Lord Marshall of Ravenfell, Daniel Ranzenberg, stood face to face with the Deceitful One, Adam Constantine!!
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