Betrayal

Barry Croft and his entourage left the Terra palace and returned to the Golden City with smiles of satisfaction. As he thought over the situation, he realized this was the best possible outcome. He had managed to retrieve the Nephilim noble without any casualties or the need to kill anyone. Feeling a sense of victory, he mentally celebrated his successful plan.

However, his celebratory mood was abruptly interrupted. Just minutes after exiting the portal gates, he and his group were halted by a large number of enforcers. Leading them was Barty Grouch, the stern and imposing Magus Alliance minister.

A flicker of anxiety crossed Barry Croft's face as he stepped forward, trying to mask his concern with a confident tone. "Minister Grouch! What brings you here? Did that Terra brat report that we were causing trouble? I assure you, we have done no such thing." His voice carried a mix of surprise and a hint of defensiveness, as he tried to gauge the minister's intentions.