The next day. The entire nation was peaceful. Snow fell as people walked to their work, carriages wheeled through the streets, guards patrolled the whole city, the marketplace remained busy as usual. It did not even feel like one of the core members of the Rebellion was brutally killed and blatantly displayed to everyone.

But that would not be the case for long.

Night fell.

The central parts of the city went to sleep while the red light districts, entertainment districts and marketplaces were busy as usual. There were more guards patrolling the entire city. Despite what it looked like at the surface, everyone knew there were terrifying undercurrents surging below the city.

But doubling the guards barely did anything.

Suddenly, screams were heard across the city, along with the ferocious battle cries of men. Fires surged in different offices and homes. Water circles activated and began to spray water on the hotspots. But they barely made a dent on the fires created from a special potion- an original recipe of the Elixir Pioneer herself.

Institutions and homes of lower nobles who even had an iota of record of atrocities against the commoners were set on fire. Tens of lower nobles were assassinated inside their own homes; even some families were not spared.

One moment, the entire city was calm and peaceful like any other night and the next moment, a portion of the city was on fire, with sounds of shrieks and shouts reverberating though the atmosphere.

The whole outer circle of the city was the victim. The authorities had no idea how to dispatch forces everywhere. All sides needed reinforcements. This was clearly a premeditated move, carefully planned and executed to perfection.

The inner parts of the city, on the other hand, was peaceful- relatively. The atmosphere remained tense nonetheless. Those who had been sleeping had already waken up, not daring to close their eyes again.

Every circlers prepared for battle. They knew they would be the next target. And unlike their lowers brethren, they would not be fighting against sleeper cells or guerrillas. Full fledged circlers would invade their premises.

Adrian and Isabella were standing on the roof of a building on the borders of the central district, just behind Jonathon Berkeley, the acting leader of the Rebellion. All of their eyes locked on a big mansion a quarter kilometres away.

“Are you sure you can take one by yourselves?” The bald man frowned.

Irene stepped forward, standing on the same level as that of the man’s. Her eyes were fixed on the mansion. “Why do you think Mister Baker give us the scroll?”

The bald man widened his eyes, as if he suddenly remembered something. But he composed himself fast. “So, it was you?” The authoritative tone in his voice lowered. “But will you be fine? That day, they were sleeping. Today, they will be prepared.”

“If you can do your job properly.” She said. “I don’t want anyone to interfere.”

“You can rest well. All of the supreme levels of the organisation are veterans. As long as the generals from the Citadel don’t arrive, taking care of some Count houses and restraining a Marquess house is not that difficult.”

Irene nodded.

“Good luck.” The man jumped down the roof, he stepped on some of the windowsills and landed softly on the road before dashing away.

Only Adrian and Irene were left at the scene.

“Is it necessary?” She asked. “We already started a war.”

“If you see the world burning, what do you do?” Adrian turned to her.

Irene shrugged. She had answered many of such questions before and every time- it was wrong. If she had learned anything from her previous actions, it was not to answer and wait for his.

“You pour oil on it and watch.”

******

The Synder House. It was one of the seven- now six Count families stationed inside the capital city of Uropolis. Unlike the Carsons who had strong connections to the Imperial family itself, the Synders were known for their terrifying battle strength. They were capable of taking on circlers a level stronger than them.

The only reason they were not able to create strong connections to the absolute higher ups was due to the interference from the other Count families of the city. They pulled all possible strings to make sure they don’t get any stronger. Even the Marquess had their hands on the scheme.

If they got any stronger than they currently was, they would easily ascend and become a Marquess household. That would deter the power balance in the city, giving the Marquesses an additional competitor and thus snatching their lands and resources.

Hence, the Synders had been known as the strongest Count family in the nation, with a battle power that exceeds many of the Marquess houses.

Count Synder was sitting in the main hall, wiping his sword with utmost attention. The clear steel of the blade reflected his black hair, black eyes and chiselled face.

There was a woman sitting opposite him, her eyes locked on the middle aged man. “Are they coming here?”

“Hopefully.”

She sighed. “I have no problems with your love for battles. But I really hate that you put our children’s lives in jeopardy.”

“Does it matter if I want them to come here or not?” He asked, his gaze still fixed on the sword. “If they come, I will fight with all my might- protecting you and the family. I can promise you one thing…” He finally turned to his wife. “The first to die from our family will be me.”

She looked down and sighed again, shaking her head.

“It’s getting late.” He said. “Go up. Stay close to father. His sense is the best among us.”

She got up and walked close to him. “You better join me in bed once it’s clear.” She cupped the man’s face and gave him a peck on the lips before walking away. She gave him one last glance before walking up the stairs.

“What a heartwarming scene.” An unfamiliar but charming voice sounded out. “If you wish, I can drop your body on the bed- beside hers that is.”