Prelude to the Final Battle: The Tear Knight Governor and the Blood Clan Noble

The Holy Blade Knight had barely lost half a beat to the grotesque laughter of the face in the creature's chest when the Werewolf struck from the flank.

It no longer charged the shield wall. It picked out gaps in the line, knocked one shield aside with a swipe, and sent its bearer to his knees in the Frozen Tundra. The knight could not raise his shield again.

A Holy Silver Lancer immediately moved to fill the gap, but the Werewolf turned and swept through his knee armor, dragging sparks across the ground.

A Guardian Knight came forward to pull him back. The Werewolf retreated half a step and left the opening to the Flesh-Stitched Colossus.

Grayblood Veins shot from the Colossus's chest, wrapped around the knight, and dragged him inward.

The Guardian Knight grabbed his shoulder armor and hacked at the veins with a short sword.

Several faces in the creature's chest whispered, "Don't let go—come back—we're still here—"

The lancer faltered. Grayblood Veins slipped through a seam in his armor and burrowed beneath his ribs.

The Werewolf drove back the knight trying to rescue him. The lancer was dragged into the creature's chest, and the Grayblood Flesh Membrane closed over him, leaving only half his face exposed.

"Save me—" The young voice soon merged with the other whispers.

Someone tried to rush out and save him, but Bernard stopped the knight. He raised the banner pole and ordered, "Hold your positions."

The knight stopped, his sword shaking violently in his hand.

His comrade was still alive—his face sewn into the monster's chest, still trying to call out his name.

If he took just two more steps, he might be able to pull him free.

But those two steps would open a gap in the outer ring around the