The guards gave them little time to linger, ushering them straight into the castle and up to the banquet hall on the third floor.
A young figure sat in the seat of honor, his presence as calm as still water.
This was Louis, younger and more handsome than they had imagined.
A flicker of jealousy and malice crossed Vera's eyes, but his face wore a broad smile as he prepared to exchange pleasantries.
Before he could speak, however, he heard a guard say, "Move!"
Almost simultaneously, more than a dozen Elite Knights of the Red Tide Knights burst out from within the hall, the roof, and every direction, moving like beasts that had long been poised to strike.
The female leader's heart lurched, and she instinctively reached for the dagger hidden at her waist.
But just as her hand touched the hilt, pain shot through her left wrist!
A short sword had flashed in the cold light, striking her wrist joint with pinpoint accuracy and numbing her entire arm.
At the same time, three Elite Knights rushed her from either side, driving their knees hard into the backs of hers. She lost her balance and was slammed to the floor.
The other member of the Snow Oath refused to yield either, struggling with a low growl. But the moment he moved, a chop struck the back of his neck, and he collapsed limply to the floor.
As for Vera, he never even got a chance to speak. His wrists were twisted until they cracked, and he was pinned against the cold flagstones, unable to move.
In just three seconds, all three had been completely subdued and forced to their knees before Louis.
Pinned firmly to the floor, Vera gritted his teeth and shouted angrily, **"Lord Louis! I came to bring