CHAPTER 45: THE BATTLE OF INVICTUS (9)

Deep within the fortress, a one-eyed enforcer—his left eye torn out by an old grandmother—was walking slowly, torch in hand, guided by a voice.

"Keep going straight, then turn at the end of the hallway. There, you’ll see a crack in the wall. That’s where you must go to find the star."

"Major, are you sure that old legend is true?"

"Executed, soldier. Your mission is not to ask questions, but to obey," the voice snapped sternly.

"Yes, sir."

"And without that star, we won’t be able to save the innocent civilians trapped under this crude illusion. For your comrades still fighting above, you must act fast."

"Understood, Major. My bad."

Of course, if an outsider had witnessed the scene, they would’ve been shocked to see the man talking to himself... And why did he seem to be answering the Major, when the latter was still fighting outside?

Regardless, the young enforcer picked up his pace, more determined than ever to complete his mission, no matter the cost.

---

Meanwhile, Sirius was scanning old blueprints as fast as he could while Lucy and Iris chatted about what had happened outside. Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, he raised an old map like a trophy.

"I found it! The fortress was built above the crater, and normally, it would have been architecturally impossible to build such a massive structure over empty space. To make it work, they must have—"

"Timeout, little genius. Get to the point before you go full bingo on us."

Sirius looked briefly disappointed to be interrupted mid-flow, then cleared his throat and explained:

"I found a route that I think... if we follow it, we should reach the center of the crater—where the star is."

"Alright. I’ve already taken anything of value. Let’s move."

---

So, the three of them set off, using Iris’s eyes and the map Sirius had found, unaware that hidden within the belly of a giant serpent, someone had just uncovered their plan... and wasn’t happy about it.

"Good thing I kept an eye on that human girl.

Once? Funny.

Twice? Entertaining.

But there won’t be a third time. Still... it’s not yet time for me to step in personally.

If I recall correctly, I still have a pawn ready to play a new role."

---

Rear courtyard of Invictus.

While the battle raged on, Grégoire was on his knees, a sharp pain gripping his heart. But this time it was different. It wasn’t guilt tearing him apart, nor regret—it was a deeply human emotion: rage.

He was furious at those who had abandoned the fight, fooled by a mere child. The same child he had taken under his wing, the one he had even planned to adopt once all this was over—had revealed herself to be a witch. A cursed child born of the devil.

"Iris... you’ll pay for this," he growled. His rage was boiling.

He refused to accept a reality in which everything he had fought for was just a mirage.

His fury gave him conviction, sweeping away every doubt. He now had only one thought: revenge. Yes, he would take revenge on her.

As the word "revenge" repeated over and over in his mind, a familiar voice pulled him out of his spiral.

"Soldier, what are you doing on the ground?"

He looked up from the dirt.

"Major?"

"I’ve never known you to be someone who gives up. Remember every battle you’ve fought, the fire that burns in you. As long as this fortress stands, we are invincible. For we are Invictus—the shield of the people, of the Empire. Now get up, and fight."

"Yes, sir. I’ll show the traitors what it costs to challenge Her Majesty’s land. I’ll find the one responsible and take her head."

"Well said, soldier. Go deep into the fortress. There, you’ll find her... and her accomplices."

"Yes, sir."

And so, while chaos still reigned outside, Captain Grégoire set off on a new mission. His absence was noticed too late by Captain Bernard, who believed his dear comrade to be out of action.

---

The corridors grew darker and darker as Sirius and the others descended to the lower levels of the fortress. Dust, spiderwebs, and long-dead light bulbs revealed this area was rarely—if ever—used by the enforcers. A cold wind blew when they reached a hidden room in the basement. A gaping hole split the wall.

Sirius was the first to stick his head through, and what he saw took his breath away—a panoramic view of the crater. There, he spotted an old bridge connecting both sides. And across the way, a winding staircase descending into the crater’s heart.

"I think we’ve found it," he said, turning back. Then, seeing Iris’s expression, he asked:

"Something wrong?"

"Yeah. Get ready to fight. He’s coming... fast."

"Who are you talking about?" asked Lucy.

But before Iris could answer, the wall exploded, sending all three of them flying onto the bridge.

Grégoire, cloaked in lightning, stood ready for battle.

"There you are, you filthy traitors."

---

Stereos Sword

Sirius didn’t waste time talking, nor did he wait for the enemy to strike first. His ring morphed into a solid sword. He charged Grégoire head-on while Lucy and Iris flanked him, ready to support at any moment.

Sword in hand, Sirius tightened his grip. As he neared his opponent, he raised the weapon to strike... or so it seemed. At the last moment, it was a feint. Spinning on his heel, he vanished behind Grégoire, aiming this time to take his head.

But in the blink of an eye, Sirius’s eyes widened.

Grégoire had caught the blade barehanded.

"Tsk," Sirius muttered, trying to break free. But Grégoire held the sword firmly, preventing his retreat. With his left hand, he threw a punch charged with lightning—its force rivaling a cannonball.

Nephele Burst

An explosion echoed through the air. Sirius crashed onto his back, face contorted in pain.

"Oh? You survived?" Grégoire smirked, spotting him on the ground.

Sirius had reacted just in time, detonating his sword using Nephele Burst to blast himself backward, narrowly dodging Grégoire’s punch. However, the shockwave alone had fractured one of his ribs.

That brief clash was enough for Sirius to understand:

"Just one blow... One hit from this guy would be enough to kill me."

For the first time, Sirius came face to face with the horrifying truth:

the gap between an Initiate and an Intermediate was colossal.