While the spectral massacre was being carried out in the Constantine Estate, the rest of the city was undergoing a bloody and drastic change as well.

Out in the coastal waters, the fleet of the Twilight Brotherhood clashed violently with the Cult's armada. Spells and cannonballs tore through the air, streaking over the waves and leaving behind only shattered timber, torn flesh, and blood-stained foam.

Kenelm Bowman, the Mana Vortex Magus from Europa, seemed to be doing a decent job at leading the Brotherhood's fleet. He led his people with impressive precision and control.

So far, their battle had reached a deadlock, with neither side gaining ground, and the sea itself littered with wreckage and ruin.

It seemed their stalemate might hold… until someone broke it.

And if the two organizations' long history had proven anything, it was that the cultists never hesitated to take drastic measures.

Meanwhile, throughout the cobblestone streets of the city, the armed forces of Ravenfell were fighting a desperate battle against the evil cultists, who seemed to have no end to their numbers.

Even now, the city officials were completely clueless as to how these outsiders had managed to infiltrate the city in the first place.

Not only that, they also had no idea for how long the cultists had been planning this siege right underneath their nose. For all they knew, the cultists could have been hiding in the shadows of Ravenfell for months, years, maybe even decades!

As for the countless ravens that had previously made a move when the Cult's four Mana Cour Magi had summoned a meteor upon the arena… they were nowhere to be seen.

It was as if they had exhausted all their power to destroy the enormous meteor. Whether or not they would return to help the citizens in need, no one could tell.

As for the man who could control these ravens—the Headmaster of Saratoga—he, along with the Emperor Emeritus, had disappeared behind the mountains to the north of the city.

They were locked in a violent battle with the four cultists. From time to time, entire sections of the mountain range were obliterated, and blinding light lit up the darkness, followed by thunderous blasts that echoed through the peaks, triggering massive avalanches that surged down the slopes.

A battle between Mana Core Magi was, quite literally, earth-shattering. Each exchange had the power to scar the lands, reshaping the very topography of the region.

That was precisely why Headmaster Blackwood and the Emperor Emeritus had dragged their enemies away from the city. Had they continued their battle in the skies above Ravenfell, the city would have already been reduced to rubble.

No one knew the status of their battle. It was far beyond the perception of lesser Magi. Their movements were far too fast for these people to follow.

Worse still, the Headmaster and the second Emperor were outnumbered two to one. How their fight would unfold… no one could say.

But one thing that the forces of Ravenfell were immensely grateful for was the fact that these two mighty, heroic Magi had drawn the wrath of the Cult's Mana Core Magi away from the city—even if only for a little while.

This single act had given them precious breathing room, just enough to focus on the cultists who had infiltrated from below.

The odds were slim, the hope faint… but there was still a fighting chance.

Little did they know that in the heart of the city, there was yet another Mana Core Magus from the Cult, who was in the process of shattering the chains around his neck and achieving freedom.

***

Within the towering spire of the Downtown Quarter, the heart of Ravenfell's governance, Council Keep, the city's most influential Magi had assembled.

Their faces were ashen and their eyes wide with panic as the weight of impending doom pressed from all sides.

A large part of the Magi gathered here consisted of the upper echelons of the city, namely the noble aristocrats, the rich merchants, and, of course, the powerful Magi.

The Council of Seven was also present. Or rather, four of them were. The others were… missing.

Hammon McLeod, the patriarch of the McLeod Family, stood at the round table, glancing at everyone present with a dark scowl on his face.

"Where the hell is Sabrina?" He roared.

But behind the mask of fury, there was deep fear and nervousness. Never in his long life had he expected the mighty city of Ravenfell to fall.

And the fact that intruders had been right under their nose all this while caused him to feel deep fear. He already knew what this meant… that there was a traitor in their midst.

But who? Though he had a suspicion, he couldn't bring himself to say it. The situation was already very dire, and pointing fingers would only make things worse.

However, the newly appointed Councilor, Halbert Dawson, did not share the same sentiment. In fact, he was perhaps the most nervous out of everyone gathered.

Not only was he apprehensive of direct battle—since he was a Herbalist with barely any combat experience—but he was also scared of what Adam might do to him in the chaos currently ensuing.

The raven-haired youth had put some sort of curse on him, and if he wanted to kill Dawson… this was the best opportunity!

In his moment of sheer panic, he couldn't help but blurt out, "Wasn't Sabrina responsible for the Ravenfell's security?! Y-yes, she always has been! That means she knows the ins and outs of every little nook and cranny in this city! If there's a traitor… it's got to be her!"

Everyone turned to look at the elderly Herbalist with varied expressions. Some couldn't believe that he would be so quick to point fingers. Some of them threw disdainful looks at the newest Councilor, while others… their faces were shadowed by grim thoughtfulness.

"Watch your mouth, Dawson!" Hammon McLeod growled. "Do not question Benton's loyalty to the city and to Saratoga!"

The elderly Herbalist's teeth couldn't stop clattering. His robes were already drenched in cold sweat from the sheer panic and fear gripping his heart.

"Who else if not her?!" He muttered nervously. "How else do you explain those intruders' presence underneath the city for so long? You think the guards wouldn't have noticed their presence? Of course, they fucking would! I'm telling you, Sabrina and her guards are in on this! Her entire family is in on this!"

As the two old men went back and forth, Taron Norwood, one of the Councilors of Ravenfell and the only other elf apart from Nylian Feno, suddenly looked toward the cold and stoic Daniel Ranzenberg.

The two exchanged glances and the latter nodded his head ever so slightly.

Norwood's lips curled into a wicked smile. He reached out for the dagger concealed within his robes, then silently stepped towards the panic-stricken Halbert Dawson.

Meanwhile, Daniel Ranzenberg moved just as quietly… approaching Hammon McLeod from behind like a shadow.

At last, the traitors of Ravenfell were stepping out from the darkness.

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