A cry cut through the ambient noise.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEpYjfNbjt
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High and sharp. Terror in it. A woman’s voice, coming from somewhere off the path.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkZiaW0XXw
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The group froze for a heartbeat. Then bodies moved, training overriding confusion. Students summoned their weapons. Villagers raised whatever tools they carried. Everyone converging on the sound’s source.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmypthq4gIB
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The forest pressed close on both sides. Undergrowth grabbed at ankles, slowing progress. Someone stumbled, caught themselves. The cry had cut off, leaving only the thunder of footsteps and labored breathing to fill the space it had occupied.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3SdsJ4e5f
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Then the trees opened.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwynsFXTLh
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And what came into view wasn’t a creature at all.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX27vNF1B6r
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Two men stood perhaps fifteen steps ahead. The mercenaries from the morning - leather reinforced with metal studs, swords at their belts.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5NFvJmBOy
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The crowd stumbled to a halt. Confusion rippled through the gathered people, weapons still raised, bodies still tensed for combat that suddenly made no sense.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40kNul5pYX
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Opposite one of the mercenaries stood Lior.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMxUyr6ugD
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Sky-blue eyes wide with something beyond fear. His dagger gripped in both hands, pointed toward the man with shaking determination.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHPZh8DULe
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And behind him, held by the second mercenary, was his mother.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuPXSPNqLx
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The man’s arm wrapped around her waist from behind, pinning her against his chest. His other hand gripped her wrist, twisting it at an angle that made struggle painful. She fought anyway - body writhing, feet kicking back uselessly, her wheat-blond hair tangled across her face. The herb basket lay discarded perhaps three steps away, its contents spilled across the ground.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtVAj3M308
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Heat flooded Cel’s chest. Not the careful, controlled response he’d learned to maintain. Something hotter. More immediate.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0shRpEIO7
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‘They dare..’97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUfnSxgspg
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Silent Moon manifested in his grip. Three moon phases lit along the spine - small crescents glowing with pale light. The blade hummed slightly in his grip, steel responding to whatever it read from him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCYRqnsG2a
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His feet moved. Heavy steps that carried him forward with the kind of deliberate speed that gave targets time to recognize their mistake97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5FCGoH0Ae
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Lior’s father had already started forward, his weathered face transformed into something dangerous despite carrying no weapon. Cel fell in step behind him, both of them closing on the mercenaries with the particular inevitability of violence about to occur.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5bK0gypEc
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Then suddenly, Theron emerged from the tree line.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCseKkRBJCQ
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Brown hair slightly disheveled, armor gleaming in patches of late afternoon light. His group appeared behind him - Sylvaine’s composed neutrality, Owen’s mountain-solid presence, Cordelia’s visible unease, Percival’s readiness. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEngWCYgEPW
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“What is going on here?” Theron’s voice carried across the space with absolute clarity. His gaze fixed on the mercenary holding Lior’s mother. “Release her. Now.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7phv7LWQmf
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The mercenary’s grip loosened. His arm unwrapped from her waist, hand releasing her wrist. She stumbled forward immediately, legs barely holding her weight.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG5yjIcdx6
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And ran.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1Zc9XeYJG
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Straight into her husband’s arms. He caught her, wrapped himself around her with desperate protectiveness. Her face buried against his chest, body shaking with sobs she’d been holding back through sheer will.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhCH9ZGs0w
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Lior retreated too. Moved backward until he stood beside his parents, dagger still gripped in both hands.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURa1nGsFHV
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The two mercenaries turned their full attention to Theron. The one who’d been facing Lior spat to the side, expression carrying contempt that went deeper than simple rudeness.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIZvvIX2bj
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“The fuck do you want, boy? This doesn’t concern you.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DHAro2pZl
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“Doesn’t concern me?” Theron’s tone sharpened. “Assaulting an innocent woman doesn’t concern me? You will apologize to her. And you will swear that nothing like this will ever happen again.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Gn6AFZZg
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The second man laughed. Sharp and ugly. “Swear? To who, exactly? You?” He looked Theron up and down with visible disdain. “You’re what, sixteen? Seventeen? Playing hero in your shiny armor?”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRCmgQTzMl
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“I am not playing.” Theron’s voice dropped lower. “These people are under my protection. You will treat them with respect or face consequences.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4JuYZUXiM
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“Consequences…” The first mercenary drew the word out, making it sound absurd. “From a kid who probably got his first blessing last month?” He turned to his companion. “Should we be scared?”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni9Bg3H1cO
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“Terrified,” the other agreed. “Absolutely shaking. We should—”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡennPrM2GkV
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“Enough.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumCdWkBkqV
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Sylvaine’s voice cut across the standoff. She stepped forward, past Theron, positioning herself before him. Her posture remained relaxed despite the tension saturating the air.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeIsK0YIPC
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“I am Sylvaine Grovethorn, Heir to House Grovethorn of the Life Clan.” The words emerged with clinical precision. “Whatever you were doing here ends now. You will apologize to this woman and you will swear that nothing like this will occur ever again.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoAEM5cgHG
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Silence followed.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFks10YXGy4
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The mercenaries exchanged glances. Something passed between them - calculation, reassessment, the particular look of men who’d just realized the situation had changed in ways they hadn’t anticipated.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwRnYpBbhS
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The silent exchange dragged on.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1bVdRyOZa
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Eventually one of them turned back. His expression had hardened into something resentful, but the open contempt had faded. “Fine. We won’t do it again.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DnWVS8f5R
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The words came reluctant. Forced.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXw076stPA
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Theron’s face brightened immediately. “Great. I’m glad we could resolve this peacefully.” He nodded toward the mercenaries with genuine satisfaction. “You may go.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe82vNEZLx
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They didn’t need to be told twice. They turned and simply walked away.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabsKuIX5Sb
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Relief washed across the assembled crowd. Conversations started up - quiet voices processing what had just happened. Several people moved toward Lior’s mother, offering comfort and checking that she was unharmed.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZPG3v18ls
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Cel stood frozen.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCkdAzydHU
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He watched the mercenaries' backs recede into the treeline. Watched the crowd's shoulders loosen, watched relief spread across faces that should have been demanding blood. Watched Theron accept a grateful nod from Lior's father as though something had actually been settled.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VZHSUbb7k
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‘That's it?’97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxnzGlBaIK
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A few words, forced through gritted teeth, and everyone simply… moved on. As if an apology was enough.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5uvAGyNdD
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It wasn't enough. Words weren't enough. He'd learned that a long time ago, in a cell, from a man who'd promised things too. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjpkKHKz0i
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His grip on Silent Moon tightened, knuckles turning white.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KzwydvQ1w
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They would do it again. Without hesitation. Without remorse.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUds29ltBlG
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His feet moved. One step. Then another. Silent Moon remained manifested, violet steel catching the late afternoon light.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t527t1eyD
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An arm appeared before him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRwQ3jzRo9
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Cel stopped. Turned his head.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMviBWf3Hyv
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Hestia blocked his path. Crimson eyes met his, steady and unyielding.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSfVOJkZwV
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“Not now,” she said quietly.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVL52jgZq6
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“Why are you stopping me?” The words came flat. Controlled only through tremendous effort. “They deserve it.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnNjiCPF71
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“Yes. But did you see their hesitation? Even after Sylvaine revealed her title?”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqgKFVDW7C
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Cel had seen it. The glances. The calculation. The way they’d looked at each other like weighing options that should have been obvious.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUBzim4Ao9
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“Someone is backing them,” Hestia continued. “Someone with power equal to or greater than House Grovethorn. Otherwise they would have apologized immediately and run.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ3OwMFzOg
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The logic was flawless. Hated, but flawless.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpXHDrboar
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Cel’s jaw worked, grinding teeth together. His hand tightened further on Silent Moon’s hilt, the desire to ignore everything she’d said and chase those men down nearly overwhelmed him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAQ9dW7dFR
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He forced himself to breathe. Once. Twice. Let the rage cycle through his body without acting on it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8saI96fad
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Then Silent Moon dissolved, fading back into nothingness.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIz0bk83mo
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Hestia lowered her arm. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6nGnLRdkr
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The crowd dispersed gradually. Workers returning to gather their abandoned tools, preparing to continue the interrupted journey back to the village. Lior’s family remained clustered together - his mother still pressed against his father’s chest, Lior standing guard beside them with his dagger finally lowered.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJgWg7WVqt
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They walked back in near silence. The earlier conversations had died, replaced by the particular quiet that followed violence narrowly avoided.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWprMGuUBJj
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The village gates appeared ahead. Familiar wooden walls. The well at the center. Houses arranged along intersecting roads.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9vkUtydwr
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The day concluded without further conflict.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Ism5ZrgI
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Dinner passed in subdued quiet. Lior’s mother barely touched her food, hands trembling slightly whenever they moved. His father maintained careful watch, gaze cutting toward the door periodically like expecting intrusion. Lior sat pressed close to his mother’s side, the earlier joy from their new home purchase buried under fresh anxiety.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0iJSs8Rgk
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Then darkness fell. Proper and complete.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbPlQVKjTX
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Lior’s family retreated to their sleeping room. Curtain pulled across the entrance. Quiet voices giving way to breathing that gradually deepened into sleep.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1u2Unfo4e
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Cel sat alone at the table.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvmyobpRc9
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Again.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dJ01NWSZx
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He stared at nothing. At the darkness filling the space around him. At shapes his eyes couldn’t quite perceive.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbVu2ZuUQF
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Hestia’s words circled through his thoughts. Someone backing the mercenaries. Someone with power.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATg8tzRXFL
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But who would back thugs like them? Who would give mercenaries enough confidence to hesitate even when facing a Great Clan heir?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtZ7AMcMbj
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Only one person came to mind.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMTC6AUulj
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Kyros.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRQUUvfkHy
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The same person who’d made tormenting Moon Chosen his personal mission. Who’d spent months making Lior’s life hell at the Academy. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkkZwysJLt
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And who’d been conspicuously absent during the journey so far.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge9jJD3vEm
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Anger flared. Not the instant rage from earlier. Something colder. More deliberate.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt9REAHhNo
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Because if it was Kyros, then today’s happenings weren't random. They were deliberate. Calculated. An attack designed to hurt Lior through the people he loved, in a location where Academy rules didn’t exist.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmlzRn77nG
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The fury built. Pressure accumulating behind his ribs, in his jaw, in hands that wanted something to destroy.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8UfcgOlEr
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Then he stopped.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy9hQhQtRX
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Looked around. At the darkness. At the stillness. At nobody.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jSKoRfP58
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Hestia had prevented him from getting into trouble again earlier.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjP4TrIgHA
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But now... now was night. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6YLBUHciZ
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Nobody would notice.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK6FHKKNMZ
1234 copyright protection93ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw4wyj1N3X 尼

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