And with that she lunged forward, her fading divine armor scattering glimmering gold in her wake, spearpoint poised to impale the commander's face clean through. Yet all was a feint, for at the last moment the broad spearhead pivoted to cleave along the shaft of his warhammer and take off his fingers in one clean sweep.

The Commander, surprisingly agile for his size bent his neck to dodge the incoming jab. He was astounded when the spear veered downward and slithered along the shaft, which seemed to be intended to injure his gripping fingers. The blade of Mireille's spear crowbarred into his grip, but rather than move his hands away, he smiled at the shallow tear on his palm, and the opportunity to clutch the spear with his iron grip.

He would not let go. The Captain tightened his grip, both on his adversary's weapon and on the shaft of his war hammer. The blade of the spear bit the skin, but barely blood could be seen, as if under that normal-looking epidermis were bones made of steel and sinews made of metal. With a rowdy strength, he yanked the spear toward him and at the same time shoved the protruding end of his Warhammer toward Mirielle's midsection.

"Uraaaahhh!"

****

Carmen was still desperately trying to overcome the excruciating pain on his forehead. To him, the world was upside down and drowned in the ringing noise that added to the burning sensation in his brain. He tried to breathe, and only by then he could get rid of the ringing and start hearing something else.

"Carmen! Get ahold of yourself, your work is not done yet!"

Ah yes, Mirielle. He could sense her presence and sense her zeal radiating in the air. Carmen still couldn't open both of his eyes, it was unnaturally warm, and felt like his own blood could sear his eyeballs.

Gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, Carmen reached for his sword, trying with all of his might to open his eyes again. He raised his shield, trying to make sense of where the shot was fired from, he could see a glint of fire, broken walls, and panicking soldiers.

"Mirielle! We have to get out of here!"

The initial exchange revealed that Mirielle was utterly outmatched, at least when it comes to strength and durability. Her strike impacted what felt like iron bars, the jarring rattle spreading up her arms, and the spear was caught before it even had the chance to slide off with the momentum. Even though she draw first blood it didn't even felt like a win with how the easterner seemingly ignored the wound.

Fucking physical enhancers.

Carmen said something, but she was a bit too busy not getting smeared on the ground to properly pay attention. Much less replying. In a not unexpected but still entirely unwelcome feat of strength her foe yanked at her weapon, intent on dragging her straight toward an incoming blow. She loosened her grip at her spear, footwork rapidly shifting as the engraved shaft scraped and heated her gloves from the friction, grabbing and twisting herself at the last second to swirl out of the hammerhead trajectory. Her hair fluttered from the crackling shockwave of the maul's passing, leaving no illusion that had it been a direct hit it would've knocked her halfway into the grave, armor be damned.

Fucking physical enhancers.

Hobnailed boots dug furrows into the ground, the ex-inquisitor still holding onto the spear locked in place by tyrranical might. In a few seconds the commander will reset his stance at which point she had to let go or suffer dire consequences, but Mirielle loathe to give up on her symbol of justice. Her evasion had brought her a short respite for one last ditch effort. It'll have to do.

Divine energy pulsed from her dwindling reserve, leaving just about a quarter after the miracles expended through the day. It coursed from her core into her arms, entering the spear which immediately set aglow with blazing gold. An illusory spear overlaid the material, its radiant warmth resembling a midday sun to all but the garrison commander who should suffer the full wrath of the sun's fury.

Mirielle disengaged backward as the holy lance discharged, retrieving her spear with her if her foe let go from the heat. The divine projectile seemingly launched into the distance at first, but it'll curve up before coming back to crash onto the commander from above. A smiting well-deserved, and let none ever say otherwise.

Carnatia watched as she successfully dispatched the targets, before activating her mirror image spell, as eight copies of Carnatia appeared around her. Outnumbered in such a chaotic environment, Carnatia was not sure that she could dodge all attacks even with her prescient defence, and so, Carnatia intended to increase her chance of avoiding attacks coming at her.

She then watched as Carmen fell to the ground, before Mirielle's words allowed him to regain his bearings. Carmen then called for a retreat. While Carnatia agreed with the decision to retreat, it was not as if there was a clear escape path just yet. Carnatia determined that the best course of action was to help Mirielle take out the commander. The best case—albeit admittedly unlikely—scenario, it would demoralize his soldiers to stop fighting. But even in the worst-case scenario, it should disrupt the chains of command and help them to escape.

Taking advantage of the commander being locked in a contest of strength with Mirielle, as well as the blinding discharge from Mirielle's lance, Carnatia circled behind the commander, striking at his blind spot. Her copies moved with her, all attacking at different angles, though they could not actually harm the commander, Carnatia intended them to confound, as she moved to strike at his neck.

The commander would indeed reset and adjust his stance. Still gripping the spear, he extended his right foot forward, pushing the polearm toward Mirielle so her arm would no longer be outstretched. All to gain some distance, and he did; with one hand his hammer dived diagonally before returning up and brought down to smash Mireille's shoulder.

But the inquisitor disengaged her hold on the spear, leaving an enchantment so the contested weapon would emit a golden light. The searing light caused Melnik to drop the spear to the grass. Hammerhead landed harmlessly on the ground. As he bent forth, the spear turned upward and orbited for a second before coming down.

Melnik tried to dodge by taking a step backward but was unable to sufficiently predict the strike because of the spear's blinding light. The glowing lance impaled him on his left thigh.

____

Meanwhile, Amaris made her move, leaving the injured soldier at frightening speed after outstretching her chains to intimidate the incoming and surviving foes. But they were still far and would take a while to get here, and we had the carriage lined up between us and them.

So, taking down the commander would be the first priority. Amaris made a turn to attack the commander from behind. Chains fired when a holy lance struck him from above, but while the lance managed to pierce through his lightly protected leg, Amaris's chains could only dent the commander's steel breastplate.

___

Melnik turned, his wound was starting to sizzle but he still managed to muster a will to stand on his ground. Realizing that he had been flanked, his attention turned to Amaris and Carnathia. A lot of Carnathia, because what he saw now was nine carrotheads charging forth. He readied his hammer and swung at the incoming octuplets but his attack was for naught. Staggered as the seemingly invincible enemies were just a hair's breadth away from overpowering him, his fear was short-lived when the real Carnathia emerged from her mirror image and lunged forth, thrusting her rapier into the Commander's neck and cutting it sideways.

Blood sprayed the young baron's face when the commander stumbled backward, his hammer dropped, and his right hand pointed at Carnathia, eyes bulging as he looked at her in the eyes. After spinning and failing to keep his balance he fell, expiring on the ground.

____

Meanwhile, Carmen managed to stand upright. Either because of his fellow's inquisitor miracle or adrenaline, the captain could see the world clearer now; the rows of tents by the north had started burning and the closest path to reach them was by walking through a narrow passage between the fire and parked wagon.

He walked forth, unholstered his gun, and at the end of the front carriage, he aimed and shot. A soldier dead. Holstering his pistol back, he slid the shield back into his grip. The following soldier tried to attack him, but he deflected with his shield and buried his sword deep into the soldier's stomach.

"Stop forcing our hands, you heathens!"

In front of him, beside the wagons, two soldiers with a crossbow, and two with muskets aimed at him. The arbalests fired and Carmen raised his shield. Bolts bounced, and he spun to the side and leaned against the carriage. His sabre was ready, and the next bastard who tried to walk through this chokepoint would have his head cut open.

They had to get out of here, and when he was thinking about it, he witnessed the commander of the garrison fall with his throat sliced open.

---

As the watch towers have an attention towards the party inside.

Linceleste lead the way and goes out the edge of the tree-line to the east. Once she saw the edge part of the wall as they out of the tree-line, she rush to cross the road, will drop ice bomb to enemies when they respond to chase her down carefully as she was aware with her companion. Upon reaching the east wall, implanting the fire bomb to breach, will go to the safe distance and start the detonation.