The Crimson Vanguard · Chapter 21

Mission start· beat 1

Lord Commander Valerius

BROADCAST: Mercenary. You have burned my forge, stolen my fire, and refused my hand. So I offer the only honor left between us: single combat, before both our armies. The Crimson Knight against your best. Winner writes the future of the clans.

"Nail"

It's a trap wrapped in a duel wrapped in theater. But here's the thing about theater — his whole EMPIRE runs on it. Beat him in front of everyone, and the spell breaks with him.

PILOT

Then we accept. Center stage, heart of his fortress, every Wolf watching. Let's give the clans a better story.

Authored floor 25 marker· beat 2

This conversation uses an older floor number than the current mission length. It is included here for story reference; its original timing may differ from your playthrough.

Lord Commander Valerius

STATIC: ...The Knight is broken. I am broken. Do it, then. The clans respect a clean ending.

PILOT

No. You wanted to give the Wolves a future — that part was true. So live in it. As one of them. No thrones.

Lord Commander Valerius

Mercy. In front of my whole army. You cruel, brilliant creature — a corpse becomes a martyr, but THIS makes me merely a man. You didn't beat me. You UNMADE me.

"Nail"

And the crowd goes... very, very quiet. Kid, I've seen a hundred warlords die. First time I've watched one get retired. New respect. Terrified respect.