The Extra's Rise-Chapter 484: Aurora Knights (2)

The chamber had fallen into a stunned silence. I could feel the weight of every gaze—surprised, calculating, envious, fearful. Good. Let them stare. Let them wonder. The Aurora Knights’ arrival had changed the game entirely, shifting the balance of power in a way even the most obstinate Eastern patriarchs couldn’t ignore.

Lilith’s presence alone would have been enough. My cousin had carved her reputation with blood and brilliance across a dozen battlefields before I’d even picked up my first training sword. But she hadn’t come alone. She’d brought enough firepower to level a small country.

Father never did believe in half measures.

I turned to Deia, who stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. The Eastern families had been ready to throw her to the wolves moments ago—to punish her for crimes she hadn’t committed, for blood she hadn’t spilled. Now, they wouldn’t dare touch her.

But staying here, surrounded by those who had called for her head, wasn’t an option. She deserved better than grudging tolerance bought through fear.

I extended my hand to her, aware of every eye tracking the movement. "Princess Deia," I said, keeping my voice formal despite the intimacy of the gesture, "the Windward family would be honored if you would accept our protection and hospitality during this difficult time."

Her eyes met mine, confusion giving way to understanding. I wasn’t just offering her safety—I was offering her a chance to escape the weight of her father’s shadow, to be judged on her own merits rather than her lineage.

"I..." Her voice faltered, and I saw tears beginning to form in her eyes. "I couldn’t possibly impose—"

"It would be no imposition," I assured her. "In fact, I insist."

She hesitated, looking around at the assembled Eastern leaders. Many had averted their gazes, suddenly finding the architectural details of the chamber fascinating. Others made no effort to hide their displeasure, but none dared voice it now.

"Thank you," she said finally, placing her hand in mine. Her fingers trembled slightly, but her grip was firm. "I accept your generous offer, Lord Windward."

I nodded, allowing myself a small smile of satisfaction. Then I turned to the others—my friends, my colleagues, my reluctant allies in the chaos we’d survived together.

"The invitation extends to all of you," I said. "The Northern continent is far from this conflict—for now, at least. The Windward estate can offer safety and resources while you decide your next steps."

Cecilia snorted, tossing her hair with characteristic defiance. "And miss the fight? Not bloody likely."

Rose shook her head. "I’ll be more useful here."

"I’m staying," Arthur said simply, his expression set in that stubborn determination I’d come to recognize all too well. Always the hero, that one.

I turned to Seol-ah, whose eyes had never left the window since we’d entered the chamber. She was looking east—toward Hwaeryun, toward her family’s ancestral lands, toward everything she’d lost.

"Seol-ah?"

She turned to face me, her expression carefully composed once more. "My continent is burning," she said quietly. "My family is fighting. My place is here."

I nodded, understanding without agreeing. Part of me wanted to insist, to bundle her onto a Windward ship bound for safety. But I knew better than most the weight of family duty.

"The Moyong techniques were designed for survival," I said, echoing my words from earlier. "Use them well."

A ghost of a smile touched her lips. "I will."

"Actually," Lilith interjected, stepping forward with the precise timing that had made her such a formidable battlefield commander, "there is one exception."

She turned to Rachel, her expression softening slightly. "Lady Rachel Creighton, your father has issued a direct order for your return. King Creighton has specifically requested his daughter’s immediate evacuation from the conflict zone."

Rachel’s face went pale. "I don’t—"

"It’s non-negotiable, I’m afraid," Lilith said, her tone gentle but firm. "The request comes directly from King Creighton to King Windward. Given their long-standing friendship, my uncle agreed immediately."

The weight of royalty. Even I felt it, and my family ruled our own section of the Northern continent. Rachel’s father wasn’t just her parent—he was a king, and one of the North’s most powerful rulers. His word wasn’t request; it was law.

Rachel looked to Arthur, raw emotion breaking through her usual composed demeanor. "I can’t just leave," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "Not now. Not when—" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"Your father needs you safe," Arthur finished for her, stepping forward. "And we need allies who understand what we’re facing."

They stood there, the space between them charged with everything they weren’t saying. I looked away, feeling like an intruder witnessing something private.

"I’ll come back," Rachel said finally, her voice steadying with resolve. "Once I’ve convinced my father of what’s at stake, I’ll return with reinforcements."

Arthur nodded, managing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I’m counting on it."

Rachel moved to him then, embracing him with a fierceness that surprised even me. Arthur hesitated only a moment before returning the embrace, his eyes closing briefly.

"Don’t do anything stupid until I get back," she whispered, just loud enough for those of us nearby to hear.

"Define stupid," he replied, and I caught the hint of a smile in his voice.

She pulled back, composing herself with visible effort, then turned to the rest of us. "Take care of each other," she said, her eyes lingering on each face in turn. "I’ll see you all soon."

I watched as she said her goodbyes to the others, noting how Cecilia’s usual sharpness softened, how Seraphina’s formal reserve gave way to a genuine embrace, how even Rose seemed affected by the parting.

Mo had remained silent throughout the exchange, his calculating gaze missing nothing. Now he stepped forward, addressing me directly.

"You’ve placed us in an interesting position, young Windward," he said, voice low enough that only I could hear. "Not quite an ally, not quite an occupying force."

I met his gaze evenly. "Consider it insurance. For all our sakes."

He nodded once, then turned to address the assembled leaders. "We will reconvene in three hours to discuss strategic deployment. Until then, see to your people’s needs."

The dismissal was clear. The Eastern leaders filed out, their expressions ranging from thoughtful to thunderous. Lilith barked a few crisp orders to the Aurora Knights, who moved with mechanical precision to secure the exits and establish a perimeter.

"We’ll depart within the hour," she informed me. "The flagship is waiting at the northern landing pad."

I nodded, then turned to Deia, who still stood beside me, her hand still in mine. I’d almost forgotten I was holding it.

"Pack whatever you brought with you," I told her gently. "The hypersonic transport will have us back in Northern territory within hours."

She nodded, seeming unable to find words. I released her hand, and she followed one of the knights who would escort her to gather her belongings.

As the chamber emptied, I found myself standing with Arthur, Seol-ah, and the others who had chosen to stay.

"This isn’t goodbye," I said, feeling the need to fill the sudden silence. "Just a strategic redistribution of resources."

"Fancy way of saying you’re running away," Cecilia quipped, but there was no real heat in her voice.

"The North won’t stay neutral for long," I replied. "We’re just choosing the battlefield."

Arthur nodded, understanding the strategy even if he didn’t agree with it. "Keep her safe," he said, and I knew he meant Deia.

"I will," I promised.

Seol-ah stepped forward then, her composure firmly back in place. "Tell your father thank you," she said. "For sending the Knights. They’ll make a difference here."

"Tell him yourself when this is over," I replied. "The Moyong family will always have a place at the Windward table."

We clasped forearms, warrior to warrior, friend to friend. No more needed to be said.

The Northern landing pad was a hive of activity as preparations for departure were finalized. Deia had already boarded the flagship, escorted by two Aurora Knights who would guard her with their lives if necessary. Rachel was speaking with the ship’s captain, her royal status earning her a private cabin despite the hasty nature of our evacuation.

I stood at the edge of the pad, taking a last look at Mount Hua—at the East. The sky was darkening to the east, unnaturally so. Whatever the vampires had started at Starcrest was spreading.

"Quite the power play, cousin," Lilith’s voice came from behind me, the formality of the council chamber replaced by the familiar teasing tone I’d grown up with. "Uncle would be proud."

I turned to find her leaning against a cargo container, her helmet tucked under one arm, a knowing smile playing at her lips.

"It was necessary," I said with a shrug.

"Mmm." She nodded, her smile widening. "Particularly necessary for the pretty princess with the golden eyes, I noticed. And that rather intense farewell with the Moyong girl... My, my, little Luci, you’ve been busy at school."

I felt heat rising to my face and cursed inwardly. Seven years my senior and she could still make me blush like a child.

"It’s not like that," I muttered. "Deia needed protection. Seol-ah is a valuable ally."

"Of course," Lilith agreed, her tone making it clear she believed nothing of the sort. "And I’m just here because I missed your charming company."

I shot her a look. "Why are you here, Lil? Father could have sent anyone to lead the Knights."

Her teasing smile faded, replaced by something more serious. "Because this isn’t a simple border skirmish or trade dispute, Luci. This is the beginning of something bigger. Much bigger." She gestured toward the eastern horizon, where darkness continued to gather. "Uncle wanted someone he could trust absolutely to assess the situation. And to keep you safe."

"I don’t need a babysitter," I bristled.

"No," she agreed. "But you might need a sister. Especially with what’s coming."

Before I could ask what she meant, a signal flare lit up the sky—the departure warning.

"Time to go," Lilith said, straightening. Her teasing smile returned as she clapped me on the shoulder. "Don’t worry, I won’t tell Uncle about your little harem situation. Though I can’t promise not to tease you mercilessly during the journey home."

"They’re not—" I began, but she was already walking toward the ship, her laughter floating back to me on the mountain breeze.

I sighed and followed, wondering not for the first time how someone as deadly as Lilith Windward could also be so infuriatingly childish when it came to tormenting her younger cousin.

As I boarded the flagship, I cast one final glance at Mount Hua—at Arthur, Seol-ah, and the others we were leaving behind. A strange heaviness settled in my chest, a feeling I wasn’t accustomed to.

Worry. For them. For what they would face.

"Stay alive," I murmured, too quietly for anyone to hear. "Just stay alive until I return."

The ship’s engines roared to life, and the East began to fall away beneath us.