Chapter 29: War Part 20 - Vorn Cain
The messenger did exactly what Darfin said he would do.
A young beastkin boy, barely more than a teenager, stepped into the tent, his fur damp with sweat and nerves. His wide eyes darted face to face, terrified by the weight of divine and monstrous power gathered before him: a god, four generals, and Lucy, who felt like an out-of-place ghost among titans.
The boy swallowed hard, his voice trembling as he began to speak. "A-a proposal... from General Vorn Cain... on behalf of Lord Ithriel..."
He stumbled through the words, hands shaking as he unrolled the parchment. Lucy watched in a strange, detached daze. Even with everything hanging in the balance, he felt a flicker of pity for the poor kid. How he fumbled and flinched made Lucy want to reach out and help, but he couldn't.
And then came the terms.
First, the duel would take place tomorrow morning, giving everyone enough time to heal, prepare, and strategize.
Second: Just as Darfin predicted, it would be a five-on-five match—their strongest versus ours.
And third...
The beastkin boy's voice shook harder. His gaze dipped to the parchment like it might bite him. "At no point may Goddess Seraphine or Lord Ithriel interfere. No participants may be teleported or withdrawn until the match is decided."
A deathmatch.
Lucy's heart didn't just sink—it crashed into the floor, shattered, and kept falling.