The False Victory

"..."

Sia watched as the battle started.

She had no illusions about the Black Star Lord's emotions—if he even had any.

The so-called 'daughters' he kept were nothing more than constructs, puppets woven from his dark will. They were disposable. Yet, for some reason, he had chosen to shape them into the role of his 'children' instead of ordinary subordinates or citizens like others.

And just now, her suspicions had been confirmed.

There was a reason.

She didn't know what it was—not yet—but she knew enough to press forward.

Still, unease curled in her chest like a coiled serpent.

Despite the battlefield tilting in their favor, despite the countermeasures they had spent years perfecting, she knew better than to celebrate.