Celestia City’s south gate fell behind as the escort pressed on toward the distant territory governed by the Third Hall. Nearly two hours later, jagged cliffs narrowed into the throat of Soulless Valley, Ieuan’s chosen stage.
Stone walls soared on either side, leaving only a ribbon of sky overhead and a single winding path below, a perfect bottleneck. Ieuan reined in his horse, catching his deputy’s eye with a subtle nod.
The deputy drew a deep breath, then barked, “Caution! Valley passage ahead! Possible ambush! Shields up, eyes open!”
Steel hissed free of scabbards. Lances rose. The escort tightened ranks, every soldier scanning the cliffs.
Ieuan edged toward the carriage and spoke with paternal concern, “Princess Lorraine, Soulless Valley is treacherous. Please remain inside and avoid looking out.”
“Your vigilance honors me, Prime Minister,” Lorraine answered, voice serene though suspicion rippled beneath.
I’ve heard that Soulless Valley is dangerous but barren of bandits… Why, then, his sudden alarm?
A sharp clatter of wooden clappers exploded from the heights. Black-robed cultivators plunged from the cliffs like a living avalanche, blades gleaming as they descended upon the royal guard.
Their auras struck the air with crushing force-each attacker at least Earthly Immortal Realm Level Eight, and the leaders at Level Nine, equal to Yuliana herself, an overwhelming storm aimed straight at the princess’s coach.
A panicked cry out through the clamor. “Bad news! Those men belong to the Malevolent Path Hall!”
Feigning alarm, Ieuan threw back his cloak and bellowed, “Protect the princess! Push the raiders back! Now!”
At once, the Guardian Army surged forward. Steel rang against steel while bursts of blinding spirit-light sheared the misty air.
Blades flashed, sigils flared, and the whole valley reverberated with thunderous collisions.
The black-robed cultivators had come prepared, their ferocity overwhelming the disciplined ranks. One by one, crimson splashes darkened the trampled grass.
The deputy general, armor already notched, shouted over the din, “Sir, their power is too great! We can’t hold!”
Ieuan’s face hardened. With a subtle glance, signaled his most trusted aides, then growled, “Guard Princess Lorraine. I’II delay the enemy myself!”
As spoke, spiritual energy roared through his meridians. A brilliant aura, Human Immortal Realm Level One, exploded outward as hurled himself toward the enemy’s captain.
While the melee raged, those confidants slipped to the gilded carriage. Under the cover of chaos, they smashed the lacquered door from its hinges.
Realizing the situation, Lorraine gasped. Reaching for communication charm, felt a rough hand clamp over mouth. In the next breath, was dragged from the litter and spirited toward the shadowed heart of the gorge.
“The princess has been taken!” a soldier screamed, terror slicing through the ranks.
Hearing the cry, Ieuan pretended outrage. After a few staged exchanges, exposed an opening, took a crushing palm to the shoulder, and staggered back, crimson tracing the corner of his mouth.
“Curse them!” roared, clutching his wound. “After them! Bring Princess Lorraine back alive!”
However, the black-robed attackers snarled and locked blades with every soldier who tried to break away, sealing the pursuit before it began.
Their captain spat a cold laugh. “Mr. Chapman, save your strength. We’re taking the princess. If you want her, have King Aurelius ransom with the Ritual Manual!”
With a final feint, the raiders vanished among the trees, their dark silhouettes swallowed by the deeper valley beyond. A glimmer of secret triumph flickered in Ieuan’s eyes before replaced it with frantic concern.
“Clear the field!” ordered hoarsely. “We march for Celestia at once and report to His Majesty!”
The troops obeyed without hesitation, gathering wreckage, lifting the wounded, and forming a battered column behind the prime minister.
All the way back, Ieuan limped, coughed, and dabbed carefully at Imaginary blood, each falter reinforcing the Illusion of grievous injury.
***
Meanwhile, Lorraine was hauled into a narrow, torch-lit cave hidden deep within the mountains. The hand left lips.
“Who are you?!” demanded, voice shaking yet defiant. “Are you truly from Malevolent Path Hall?!”
