Jared’s eyes hardened, was a breath from igniting his own blood essence when a cool voice drifted from above. “Drystan, bullying the weak, does that title still sound noble in your ears?!”

Before Drystan’s threat could finish echoing through the square, a flash of white streaked past like a startled swan.

Isabel’s cane snapped upward, spilling a storm of silver strands that rained down as razors. The seemingly soft filaments sliced through the golden-armored formation, flinging four guards across the flagstones and leaving them sprawled, unconscious and bleeding.

Drystan’s pupils contracted. He stared at the unexpected woman in plain robes and blurted, “Isabel? What in heaven’s name are you doing here?”

Isabel stepped in front of Jared. The crescent-shaped jade at waist caught the sun with a gentle gleam.

She spared the fallen guards a chilly glance, then fixed icy eyes on Drystan. “By order of the Fourth Hall’s Commander, I am here to safeguard Mr. Chance. You, Drystan, have ignored that order and led Golden Armor Guards to murder him. Are you trying to ignite a civil war?!”

Drystan barked a laugh as though had told a Joke. Pointing at Jared, roared. “He killed our people, shattered our prestige! You must be brainwashed to shield a traitor!”