At the Grand Palace, in the open space between the Hall of Nineteen Couches and the Golden Banquet Hall, in the gardens and along the corridors, the slaughter continued.
The defenders' lines were steadily retreating. Their morale had nearly fallen below the breaking point, but the Wild Hunt Army, descending like divine soldiers from the heavens, saved the day.
A Rider of the Wild Hunt charged through the monster horde. Its skeletal horse, clad in barding and wearing a horned helm, sent monsters flying, but more and more fearless creatures surged forward and dragged the rider from its saddle.
They piled atop the Wild Hunt rider in layers, overturning its armor, tearing off its arm, and making the cold flame within its skull flicker violently.
Bang—
With a deafening explosion, the Rider of the Wild Hunt's remains burst into a cloud of frost, freezing all the nearby monsters in place.
Immediately afterward, the legendary witcher wielding the Lady of the Lake's Sword leaped into the air. He formed the Sign known as Aard, and the surging shockwave shattered the frozen monsters into pieces.
He landed atop the mount left behind by the Rider of the Wild Hunt, turned its head, and charged toward another battlefield.
Eve said in surprise, "What an incredible close-combat mage. Just how many trump cards have you been hiding?"
Curled up in Fringilla's arms, she flew through the air with her. They had just arrived from the Grand Library and were greeted by this brutal sight.
Fringilla muttered unhappily, "You Imperial people are far too unreliable. My lord had to leave a banquet halfway through just to clean up your mess."
"This aura..."
Eve suddenly struggled. "Quick, put me down. I have a way to hypnotize these plague hosts."
"Plague hosts?"
"They're the infected. Their consciousness