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Step! Step! Step!

His strides were firm and steady, majestic befitting his nobility rank.

The survivor's eyes widened in shock and recognition. "Professor Draven..." he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.

Draven stepped into the moonlight, his expression cold and his eyes sharp as daggers. There was no warmth in his gaze, only a chilling indifference. The survivor's mind raced, connecting the dots. The hints, the false leads—it had all been orchestrated by this man. The realization hit him like a hammer.

There is no way that the Deadly Hollows could suddenly judge them as traitors without someone sowing the conspiracy.

Draven was the one who had fed information to the Deadly Hollows, leading to the massacre at the department.

"Why?" the survivor managed to choke out, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and betrayal.

Draven's lips curled into a sinister chuckle. "Congratulations on figuring it out," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "But I'm afraid it's too late for you."

With a wave of his hand, Draven summoned a floating pen that shimmered with a dark, malevolent aura. The pen hovered in the air, its tip pointing towards the survivor. Shadows coalesced around it, forming a dense, swirling cloud of darkness. The man tried to back away, but his legs felt like lead.

"W-W-Why!? W-Was it because we belittle, Lady Icevern!? We don't have any means to offend her or you, my lord! P-Please!" The cloud enveloped him, seeping into his skin, and he felt his life force being drained away, his strength ebbing into the void.

Draven watched, his eyes glinting with satisfaction as the man's life force flowed into him, bolstering his power.

"The reason is simple. You're a tumor of society, a hindrance to my plan," Dravon crouched, looking at the man's eyes filled with fear of death as he stared at him.

"And yes. I guess your belittling towards her annoys me a little bit," His tone is cold and stings to the soul.

Draven felt a surge of energy, a slight but noticeable increase in his mana pool. "This is interesting," he murmured to himself, relishing the sensation.

The survivor's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless and empty. Draven turned away without a second glance, disappearing into the night with a newfound spring in his step.

"This would be the end of phase two, and the start of the third phase,"

___

The royal knight meeting room was a hive of activity, voices clashing in a heated debate. Sophie sat at the head of the table, her adjutant Sharon by her side, as they tried to make sense of the information they had gathered. The room was filled with knights and advisors, each vying to make their voice heard.

"We need to act now!" one knight shouted, slamming his fist on the table. Sir Graham, known for his fiery temper and uncompromising nature, glared at his fellow knights. "The Deadly Hollows are a direct threat to the kingdom, and we can't afford to wait!"

Sir Alden, a knight with a reputation for caution and meticulous planning, shook his head. "But we don't even know their full strength," he argued, his tone measured but firm. "Rushing in blindly could lead to more casualties. We need to be strategic."

Sophie raised a hand, calling for order. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the passionate faces of her knights. "We must find a balance," she said, her voice commanding attention. "The attack on the Underground Investigation Department has shown us that the Deadly Hollows are not to be underestimated. But we cannot let fear dictate our actions."

Sharon nodded in agreement, her expression serious. "We need a plan that minimizes risk but also ensures we strike effectively. Our intelligence suggests that the Deadly Hollows are preparing for another attack. If we can predict their next move, we might gain the upper hand."

Sir Bannon, a grizzled veteran with a scar running down his cheek, leaned forward. His voice was rough but carried the weight of experience. "Their next target is likely to be us. The Royal Knights represent the greatest threat to their operations. If we fortify our defenses and prepare for an imminent assault, we might be able to catch them off guard."

Liam, the youngest knight in the room but renowned for her sharp mind and quick reflexes, interjected. "And what if we're wrong? What if they target the civilians while we're holed up here waiting? We need to consider all possibilities, not just the ones that fit our narrative."

Graham slammed his fist on the table again, his frustration palpable. "Enough with the caution, Alden! Every moment we waste debating is another moment the Deadly Hollows grow stronger. We need to hit them hard and fast before they have a chance to regroup. How many houses would you wait to burn until we act first!?"

Alden's eyes flashed with defiance. "And every rash move we make could play right into their hands, Graham. We've lost too many already. I won't send more knights to their deaths without a solid plan."

Sophie stood her presence immediately commanding silence. "Both of you are right," she said, her tone brokering no argument. "We need to act, but we need to act wisely. This is not a game of chance; it's a matter of life and death. Sharon, continue."

Sharon stepped forward, unfurling a map of the city and pointing to key locations. "We need to gather more intelligence. Our scouts will monitor the movements of the Deadly Hollows while we strengthen our defenses here. We'll set up checkpoints and increase patrols to protect the civilians.

At the same time, we'll prepare a strike team ready to move at a moment's notice once we have actionable information."

Sir Lucan, a knight known for his loyalty and bravery, spoke up. "We should also consider setting a trap. If we can lure them into a position of our choosing, we can dictate the terms of the battle."

Sir Elise, whose analytical mind had often saved them in the past, nodded thoughtfully. "And we need to be ready for deception. The Deadly Hollows have already proven they're masters of misdirection. We must anticipate their moves and be ready to counter them."

The door to the meeting room burst open, and a young informant rushed in, his face flushed with urgency. "Lady Icevern, we have new information," he panted, holding up a hastily scribbled note. "One of our scouts has discovered the whereabouts of the Deadly Hollows. They're holed up in an abandoned church on the outskirts of the capital."

The room buzzed with renewed energy. Sophie took the note, reading it quickly. "This could be our chance," she said, looking around at her knights. "If we move swiftly, we can surround them and strike before they have a chance to react."

Sharon stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "We should split into teams to cover all exits. We need to ensure none of them escape. This is our best shot at crippling their organization."

Sophie nodded, her mind already racing through the logistics. "Agreed. We'll need a detailed plan of the church and the surrounding area. We move at dawn."

The knights dispersed, each one preparing for the upcoming battle. Sophie and Sharon stayed behind, poring over maps and discussing strategy late into the night. They knew this mission could be the turning point in their fight against the Deadly Hollows.

As dawn approached, the knights gathered in the courtyard, their armor gleaming in the first light of day. Sophie addressed them, her voice steady and resolute. "Today, we strike at the heart of the Deadly Hollows. They have sown chaos and fear in our kingdom, but we will show them that we are not to be trifled with. Stay sharp, stay together, and we will prevail."

The knights mounted their horses, a sense of purpose driving them forward. They rode through the streets, the city waking up to another day, unaware of the battle about to unfold. The abandoned church loomed ahead, its once-majestic spires now crumbling and overgrown with ivy.

Sophie signaled for her knights to dismount and spread out, surrounding the perimeter of the church. They moved silently, their movements precise and coordinated. She could feel the tension in the air, a palpable anticipation of the fight to come.

Taking a deep breath, Sophie drew her sword, the steel glinting in the morning light. She looked around at her knights, seeing the same determination reflected in their eyes. This was their moment, their chance to strike a decisive blow against the darkness that threatened their kingdom.

With a final nod to Sharon, Sophie led her knights forward, slipping into the shadows as they prepared to infiltrate the church. The battle was about to begin.