All of Lavilette Manor descended into chaos.
"What's going on? What happened?"
"Why did I hear gunshots?"
"Did those shots come from the head table?"
"What happened at the head table?"
"I saw it! General Dennitz suddenly shot Her Highness the Regent, then the duke!"
"What?"
The main banquet hall below erupted into confusion. The lavishly dressed guests, who had been basking in the festivities, rose from their seats. Some hurried toward the doors in panic, others stood to look on in curiosity, and a few even tried to rush up to protect the Princess and Duke Caspar.
"Erich!" the Bane Godspawn cried, his face draining of color.
The succession of lightning-fast reversals finally shattered Mannacorn's composure and elegance. He tried to restrain his adjutant, roaring demands to know what was going on.
"Don't move!"
Knight Protector Fiolena suddenly tore open her evening gown, revealing the armor underneath. Drawing her ceremonial longsword, she shouted, "Stop! Everyone, stop!"
"This is so we can survive! All of this is so we can survive!" Dennitz was still roaring. The naval general struggled incessantly, as though possessed. "My lord, only you! Only you can save this country!"
His voice was raw with desperation. It did not sound like an act.
Aaron rose at the same time, meeting Mannacorn's gaze.
The Bane Godspawn's eyes were filled with shock, panic, and disbelief. He clung desperately to Dennitz, preventing his deputy from continuing his rampage.
Aaron, meanwhile, looked grave, with only a hint of urgency.
Everything was proceeding according to plan. The Princess had suffered only a minor injury. All that remained was to arrest Duke Caspar and Mannacorn, and the Bane Godspawn's defeat would be assured!
"Your Highness, please authorize me to arrest His Highness Caspar and Mannacorn!" Aaron drew the Sword of the Dark Moon