Save 12 Lives

The marketplace suddenly burst into flames like something had doused everything in gas first. However, there was no smell of gas, only burning cloths and wood. The smoke coming from the place had gone so thick that only a few people could safely navigate the burning district.

The soldiers keeping an eye on the demonstrators quickly dispersed and ran to help the people living around the marketplace. That district normally housed the families of those who trade their items for coins. That would mean most families in the central city of Ellis Plains.

Fear quickly spread throughout the eyes of the demonstrators. They were the ones burning effigies in the city plaza, and the marketplace was meters away from them. Even if the wind was not strong enough to cause embers to fly to the market, they were still scared of being accused of arson.

'The archduke will have our heads...'

That was a common thought shared by all the demonstrators. However, some of them still hoped the archduke—who had never incarcerated any protester before—would be wise enough not to hold them accountable. Then again, what if he was pissed off by the continuous demonstrations?

"T-The archduke! It's the archduke!"

No one knew who yelled, but everyone felt a dip in the atmosphere of the place. It was as if Death was stretching over everyone's necks and claimed them over and over again. Perhaps like what happened to Polieus, their heads would leave their shoulders without a drop of blood on their executioner.

The city plaza was the first place someone would pass if they came from the castle and would head to the other districts and villages of the plains. If Larkin did head to the marketplace, he would meet these ingrates first. That was why everyone felt like they were about to die.

Larkin's figure in his dark clothes faded into their sights. His coming was like a separate point in time; everything just seemed to slow down the moment Kodiak's hooves echoed on the stone paths of the plaza. Moreover, Larkin's prominent silver eyes regarded the demonstrators with frost.

"If you are critical enough to protest, must I still remind you to start collections for the evacuees?"

His words floated out of his mouth as he passed by the dazed demonstrators. He came as fast as he went, but his words remained in their heads like it was a chant. When the image of the archduke vanished, the demonstrators realized what was being asked of them.

If they were not going to dive into the fire to rescue people, then they should at least provide for those who had lost their homes!

The lead demonstrator then chewed on his lip. He then directed his co-demonstrators. "Put out the flames! Destroy the effigies and cook food for the people. Those who could run to their homes to bring blankets and clothes, hurry!"

…

"It's the archduke!" One of the soldiers yelled, running towards Larkin to report. "Your Grace, we have rescued most of the people, but some seemed to have fallen due to the smoke. The fire has grown too fierce; we will burn along with the wood if we force our entry."

Larkin glanced at the roaring flames growing bigger and bigger by the minute. "Move the people to the plaza and wait for the knights to arrive. I will save the rest."

The soldier was shocked. The archduke would be the one diving through the flames and rescue the people?! No, it's the soldiers' job to save lives. He then pressed a hand on his chest. "Y-Your Grace! L-Let us help! We will follow you into the fire!"

"...don't follow too close. My magic will make you perish." Larkin thought for a moment before riding away. He couldn't stop the soldiers, but he should at least make sure it's safe for them, too.

Artie was impressed. Just a few words from the archduke had strewn courage inside the soldiers who heard him. More so when he actually didn't stop and jump into the fire without reservations.

Larkin held his left hand out, and black mist swirled around him like a dome keeping him safe. Within the dome, the air felt like it suddenly had gone thinner. The rat felt shortness in her breath, knowing that whatever the dome was doing was also affecting her.

Everything the dome touched would change as if time had touched them. The burning wood would decay and the flames would run out of oxygen to keep themselves burning. It was like an absolution that killed whatever was entering its area of effect.

Artie felt like another kind of mist was shrouding her, helping her escape the grip of the absolution dome. Her eyes quivered as she looked up at the changing red sky, the archduke piercing through the flames and putting out some of it.

["Sweet Ellie, I have failed you. I have been a useless husband; I cannot save you…"]

The angel began hearing the whispers of someone nearby. Suddenly, four markers spread around her as if marking the places where she must go. Moreover, they must be connected to her random event.

[Random event commencing! Save 12 lives (0/12). Remaining citizens: 12]

Artie's eyes widened again. She needed to make sure all these twelve lives would be saved! It's true that she hadn't opened her parameters just yet, but that didn't mean she could ignore people burning to their deaths. Besides, she could just follow the markers to find them all.

The rat jumped off of the archduke's shoulder, trusting him that she would not be killed by his magic. She then ran in a direction, hoping to find the house where the citizens were. As expected, the black mist around her made her unaffected by the dome, and she evaded the flames overhead.

In the direction of the marker, she could already hear the voices of people screaming from inside a house. The braces of their store stand had collapsed on their door that they couldn't force it open.

"Help! Please help!" It was the same voice who was whispering to his wife.

"I'm coming!" Artie said so, but she had no idea how to help out. What could a rat do in a situation like this?

Whip! A long black whip extended overhead the rat, from behind. It stuck to the door and pulled on it roughly, breaking the door into pieces. Needless to say, the father inside was shocked; even Artie was both surprised and grateful since she didn't get hit by any of the shards.

Larkin had canceled his black dome and yelled, "Out of the house!"

Behind him came the soldiers who were shocked by the sudden explosion of the door. The father then helped his ailing wife and two children out of the burning house and towards the soldiers that guided them to the plaza. Some soldiers continued to follow the archduke for more survivors.

"What a quick save!" Artie laughed out and raced to the next location, hoping nothing would go wrong.