I didnt quite plan on making a scene, quite frankly

Maximilian took in his surroundings with just moving his eyes.

He saw Clara at Guins mercy, Batt bloodied and laying still, and of course, the knife at his own throat.

Well, arent you calm. I can slit your throat anytime I want, buddy.

Kuku I suppose you think you have the upper hand now. Sad to say, I dont quite see it like that.

You aint makin sense.

My only concern is how much of my power I should reveal to you lot. Id sincerely wanted to end this maintaining the face of a minor villain.

The face of a minor villain? Wait, so youre involved with them the real Evil lurking in the shadows?

Zack took a quick glance at the black haired boy laying propped up a side wall.

Ho Zack, you seem to know something you shouldnt how unfortunate.

Unfortunate?

Yes, indeed very unfortunate since now I must kill everyone here.

WHAT!?

Suddenly, Maximilian had vanished. Having lost sight of his mortal foe, Zacks knife was now stuck in thin air.

The next instant, snow flurried upwards and blood rained down.

Gahhh!!

Multiple bodies fell to the white ground, dying it red.

At the center of them stood Maximilian with a sinister smile. He flicked his sword to shed off the blood.

Y-you cut your own allies? Clara uttered in shock.

The ones that Maximilian had cut down were indeed the guards and other member of the Doem Camp.

Indeed. They were closer as well as complacent. If I must kill everyone other than you, then the order matters not much.

Maximilian said easily with a shrug of his shoulders.

What, in the blazes! Im on your si!

Youre no exception, Guin.

Guins head flew.

Warm blood spray hit Claras face, and the sword at her own neck clattered to the ground.

Slowly, Guins headless body fell backwards.

N-no Guin

Clara fell on her arse trying to move away.

Just when they were supposed to be at a standstill, the situation had changed instantly and dramatically.

Prisoner and guard alike had been cut down without distinction as if their lives held no value whatsoever.

Theyd fallen powerlessly all by the hand of one man.

W-what kind of monster are you

Me a monster? Surely Im but a simple criminal, put here as punishment for my crimes. Just your average prisoner.

T-theres no way youre no prisoner

Kukuku whatever do you mean?

Maximilian looked down gleefully at Clara.

Fuckin ell. Yer Highness, please run!!

Zack picked up the sword Guin had dropped.

And without delay, he charged at Maximilian.

I plan to leave you for last.

!

Maximilians form blurred, and Zacks blade struck only air.

Then,

Gahh!!

Zack was knocked off his feet.

Blood sprayed from his back.

Z-Zack!! Clara screamed.

Zack fell on the snow in agony.

Yes, I will kill you last. Writhe in agony and watch. I will now begin culling all your comrades. I will bring you Royalists true despair

Claras retainers stood before her.

L-Lady Clara, you must escape

Their trembling swords told all too well their fear.

All of them knew they wouldnt survive Maximilians slaughter.

Right suppose I shall take my time with this. Come out now, OWL. The more you hide, so much more will they die. Come out if you wish to save them. If you can defeat me, that is

Maximilian looked over each of Claras people one by one.

Clara was shaking in the knees, desperate to escape.

As for Zack

He, despite his carved back, was crawling along the snow.

He sought only one thing.

To go where he lay at one corner of courtyard, the black haired boy.

P-please

Even as blood dripped out from his mouth, Zack clawed the snow with trembling fingers so as to approach the boy.

Please youre our last, hope

As for the boy, he was already half covered in snow.

Just, do something whatever your goals are just help us, for now

Finally, Zack reached where the boy lay.

Im beggin ya, just save Her High

He swiped away the snow covering the boy.

And saw,

Huh?

Only a lump of black slime taking his shape.

A vast burst of mana shook the earth.