Leda's Sacred Sword blazed with dazzling light as seven figures shot toward the gates of Caria Manor like arrows loosed from a bow.
The gate guards never even got a clear look at their attackers-Redmane Freya's greatsword swept through them, cleaving two Carian soldiers in half, armor and all. Blood splashed across the ancient flagstones.
"Enemy attack-!"
The shrill alarm finally rang out, but it was already too late.
Kachacha the Hornsent slipped in from the flank like a phantom. His bone blade flashed, and three more soldiers fell. His movements were brutal and efficient, every slash aimed at a vital point, every strike accompanied by the dull crunch of breaking bone.
"Too slow! Too slow!" Kachacha laughed wildly, licking blood from his lips. "So this is Caria? Worthless compared to the Hornsent! A pack of trash!"
Thiollier the Perfumer waved a hand gently, and pale yellow smoke billowed from his sleeves. Wherever it spread, archers on the walls fainted and toppled from the battlements. Moore, the heavily armored warrior, advanced steadily behind his tower shield, blocking every stray arrow and spell.
"Don't fight them head-on! Cover the civilians' retreat!" a Carian commander shouted hoarsely. His helmet was damaged, and blood streamed from his temple. "Fall back toward the Magic Tower! Request aid from the Academy!"
The soldiers fought as they withdrew. Though caught off guard, not one fled. They formed a defensive line with their bodies, shielding the terrified poor behind them.
An old woman stumbled and nearly fell. A young soldier immediately helped her up and pushed her toward the rear. "Go! Get to the Magic Tower!"
Leda watched it all coldly and flicked her Sacred Sword. A silver-white crescent of sword energy swept past, killing both the soldier and the old woman instantly.
"Stop resisting." The Gold