In the Shadow of War

Chapter 24: In the Shadow of War

The battlefield was stirred by the first clashes that erupted immediately after the silence. Camille’s eyes subtly scanned the losses she had left behind and the approaching threats, focusing on the chaos of the war. As a leader, she had to ensure that every moment, every loss, was meaningful. But at that moment, it was not just about survival; it was about understanding the spirit of the war.

The army advanced like a river, but every flow resulted in a loss. Camille knew that victory would not come easily. The real war was a difficult path to victory, filled with losses on one side. With every step, she was reckoning with both the enemy and herself, along with her leadership. Behind her, new soldiers moved forward with eyes full of hesitation. But while encouraging them, Camille hid the storm inside her. As she believed the enemy could see weakness, she was going to approach them. And that was part of the plan.

The early losses in the war reminded her of her strategy: retreat, draw the enemy in deeper, and trap them unexpectedly. But every loss shook Camille’s morale, every wound raised another question for her. What would victory cost?

Every step forward brought her closer to the enemy lines. Camille’s plan had not been formed by thinking only about the present, but by deeply analyzing the enemy’s positions. And now, with perfect timing, she was ready to strike. Everything was waiting for the right place and the right moment.

Luca was far from the frontlines but silently moved forward with Camille with every step. He was quietly moving to provide her with the greatest support, to grow closer and gain more trust with every death. Camille’s victory on the battlefield was being merged with the rapid implementation of her plans. But Luca had another plan in mind. In the background, eliminating Magnus's key businessmen one by one would eventually create an even bigger impact. Each businessman killed weakened Magnus’s power a little more, and with every step, Luca focused more on his inner conflicts.

For Luca, the war wasn’t just an external battle. Among the enemies, his greatest battle was being fought within his own soul. Loyalty to Camille or hatred for Magnus? Both promised him different things. While Camille’s plan promised him victory, his hatred for Magnus was the reason for his existence. But this choice was dragging Luca down a path that would make him lose no matter what. With every step, there was an emptiness; with every businessman killed, a memory; with every inner questioning, another loss.

In those moments, Luca fixed his gaze on Camille’s soldiers, those who had fallen. He knew what they had sacrificed for victory. But there was something even more important to him: inner tension. A danger was watching him. A shadow was appearing around him at every moment. Sarah. Sarah was a reminder of the past and a lost trust. In that moment, Luca realized that everything he thought was being tested by Sarah’s eyes. Now she was an enemy who had come to define herself as a threat and was confronting him with the past.

Luca felt a crack in his heart. Everything was changing. As he looked at Sarah, moments from their time together once flashed before his eyes. But now, at this stage of the war, they had once again come face to face. As Sarah approached like a shadow, Luca’s heartbeat quickened. He didn’t have much time; he had to eliminate Sarah quickly and go after the bigger target. He made a swift move and attacked Sarah, but Sarah managed to dodge. His attacks were ineffective and weak. Luca realized his own weakness. Spending time with these people had softened him.

Luca withdrew. He looked at the dagger in his hand and the weapons he carried. And slowly, he began to laugh. The slow laugh turned into a loud burst of laughter that echoed through the entire building. Then Luca’s eyes changed. His posture changed. There was no innocence left in his gaze, and he attacked Sarah once more, even faster than before.

First, he attacked Sarah’s legs and knees, then her arms. Sarah didn’t know what to do. Though she managed to block his attacks, Luca was too fast. If he wanted, he could kill Sarah instantly, but he was having fun with her. He was treating her like a toy. Then Luca grew bored with Sarah. His attacks stopped, and he began walking slowly. Thinking it was a moment of weakness, Sarah prepared to attack, but Luca disappeared from her sight. In that brief moment of vanishing, Luca had decapitated Sarah.

Luca, due to his thoughtless movements and loud laughter, had revealed his position. That’s why he took Sarah’s head and returned. Through his earpiece, he communicated with Selena and Camille. Selena guided him to help him escape the building. Meanwhile, Camille and Selene Myr were preparing traps. Aldric Veil was at the very front of the army.

Aldric’s sword clashed with Valen Oryn’s sword. Valen’s sword had no power left.

"Since you don’t want to fight for that traitor, then join our side. Don’t you see? Even your soldiers fight because you gave the orders. None of them want to kill innocent people. You’re killing innocent people fighting for survival and to not be poisoned by that scoundrel Magnus. A man of honor like you shouldn’t be doing this, Valen!" Aldric’s voice was angry. To win the war, they needed to pull Valen to their side.

Valen Oryn no longer wanted to fight. He stopped and shouted loudly.

"My soldiers and comrades. We are retreating."

The soldiers pulled back. Both sides took cover. Valen continued his speech.

"These innocent people are only fighting to protect their lives. We’ve all seen what Magnus has done. Will we continue to fight for that murderer? I, who was Magnus’s greatest commander and hero of justice, refuse to slaughter innocent lives on a whim. In this war, I support the rebels. I ask you, are you with me?"

Valen spoke with the authority of a commander. Most of the soldiers agreed with Valen and joined Camille’s side, the rebels.

Some, however, quietly conspired among themselves to betray their commander. One soldier made a move toward Valen’s throat with his sword, but at that moment, Valen cut off the traitor’s arm with his sword, "PeaceMaker." Thanks to the uranium-made special sword, radioactive poison spread from the traitor’s arm through his entire body, slowly decaying it in excruciating pain.

As this traitor attacked Valen, the other soldiers who had conspired began attacking the rebels, but they all fell into Camille’s trap. In a single second, 18 soldiers fell into the trap and died. The remaining 20 who had planned the betrayal looked at the bodies of their fallen comrades in horror. Trembling in fear, they realized what had just happened. Then, from behind, Valen came and with one swift strike, decapitated the twenty traitors.

Now, Valen was with the rebels. Camille was about to get her answer to the question of what victory would cost. She had drawn the enemy deep into her lines. Each loss only reinforced her strategy. But now, the hardest part was here. As the enemy went deeper, Camille paused for a moment before delivering the final blow. Every loss she and her army had suffered had led her to this point. Yet, knowing what victory would cost her made her pause for a moment. Was victory an end? A beginning?

In the middle of the war, everything could change unexpectedly. The enemy lines were weakening. Camille had already pulled her last ally to her side. And now, she was ready for her final move. Everything had gone exactly as planned. However, she paused to think once again about the losses victory would bring her. Was this really what she wanted? What would be left in the end?

These questions deepened Camille’s inner conflict as the war quickly moved toward its conclusion. The enemy lines were loosening. Finally, Camille was poised to strike the decisive blow with perfect timing. But something was missing. Something was giving her the courage to take a great step forward. But inside, there was a feeling gnawing at Camille.

And at that moment, the fate of the war began to take shape in full.