While the South Seraph Restoration Army and the West Wind Knight Regiment were locked in a melee beneath Mostarburg, Hughes had already leaped onto the city wall. His direct-command Restoration Army troops cast grappling hooks and climbed the undefended walls into Mostarburg.
When seventy to eighty percent of his troops had made it onto the battlements, a combat squad of several hundred led by two young women appeared below. Hughes merely gave them a cold glance before leading his men toward Grand Duchess Joseph, who was watching the battle from atop the castle. He paid no attention to the subordinates below fighting Belisa and Anastasia.
Archpriest Augsladin sensed the South Seraph forces scaling the walls. Just as he took to the air, a streak of fire flew toward him. Vigo, South Seraph's Saint Rank, made his move and intercepted the Archpriest before he could join the battle. Radiance and flame tangled around the two as they fought farther and farther away. Clearly, neither could provide support to the troops below.
Hughes led from the front, slaughtering every noble watching from the battlements. He cut straight through the "audience" and charged before Grand Duchess Joseph.
This Grand Duchess had only recently assumed her position. Not long ago, the Duchy of Behemoth had still belonged to Grand Duke Ferdinand and his wife. Terrified out of her wits, she cried, "Don't kill me!"
Hughes said flatly, "Madam, may I borrow your head?"
With one stroke, he severed the Imperial Duchess's neck. He seized her head, turned, and left without the slightest pause.
Baron Filer witnessed the scene and was so frightened that he jumped straight from the battlements, screaming, "Charlotte, save me!"
But no one paid him any attention. Hughes had attacked the city solely to kill the Grand Duchess; Baron Filer had