Chapter 10

The very next day the taverns were filled with rumors of a hundred-magician squad to be led to the fortress by Knight Blood. Alexander himself only shook his head and was silently amused, listening to the retelling of such nonsense.

- Is that how you understand the decision not to interfere in the affairs of the locals?

- And we're not going anywhere, - the knight calmly answered, understanding Eugene's mood perfectly well, after he reported about another crisis in the locals. - It won't cost me anything if I help the baron with the organization, and we'll watch the road for a while, it's not clear what the strange rebellion is in Zalon, so we can expect an army from there. And it's our only duty to warn if anyone wants to attack Savoyardi. In fact, the baron can be thanked for warning us so quickly, but he doesn't expect troops from us.

- I think we should also hire a couple hundred mercenaries, - Konstantin raised his voice. - Preferably five or six mages, and we can send this squad instead of ourselves. We have the money. Let them fight.

- That's a good idea, - Alexander rejoiced. - I can choose the best from those who are in the city. And we'll send Gennady to Kas, let him look for someone there.

- I'll go to Kas myself, - said the triumvir, - It's interesting to see the city with my own eyes. How much money can we spare?

- Five hundred gold pieces. Try to hire more mages. Trophies and reputation are at stake.

Gennady, who heard how much money they wanted to take out of the treasury, at first twitched, but when he caught several interested looks, he calmed down and didn't say anything.

The "Fire Spear" literally tore the man to shreds. A very young girl wearing clothes that made her look like a mage shrieked at this and ran away. Ten meters later, two men caught up with her and threw her to the ground, drinking her blood. The victim's desperate cries of pain attracted the attention of a gray-haired man in lats and carrying a sword.

He changed his route and attempted to help the magess. The attempt to pierce one of the attackers ended in failure, he left the girl's body alone and dodged to intercept the warrior's arm and pulled him forward. The inertia of the blow and the extra force it imparted forced the fighter to take a few steps forward to avoid falling.

The creatures behind him took advantage of this and threw him to the ground, but did not tear his body, instead one pinned him to the sidewalk, while the other bit into his palm and poured a few drops of blood into the warrior's mouth. As the body twisted in spasms, it was immediately released and the ghouls continued their meal.

Similar scenes were happening all over the city. The attackers who had stormed the streets early in the night had sown panic and chaos. By morning, several city blocks had been completely cleared of residents. The barriers of guards and militia posted in the streets were unable to hold off the attackers.

By afternoon, the city authorities controlled only the citadel and a couple of central quarters. It wasn't their fault; the attackers had no idea of discipline and organization, so they ran around the city in a chaotic fashion instead of mopping it up.

- What are those things? - The Master's voice treacherously trembled.

As he surveyed the space in front of the wall, he occasionally resorted to magical vision, but he couldn't figure out what kind of creatures had caused the carnage tonight and this morning. Several attackers appeared from behind the house and wanted to cross the square to another street. The magess standing next to the magister held out her hand and "lightning bolts" snapped from her fingers. Three of the creatures were struck by them and burned in spasms, while the fourth was enveloped in a shield and quickly retreated, hiding again behind the corner of the house.

- Any personal magic? - The woman turned to the master.

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