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While Krieg is recuperating in Ebera, is he surprised to be approached by Milady. After
some small talk, she tells him that Kazuo, who has been a concern of hers for some time, has run away from the Ebene Stronghold
and is seeking refuge in the Phoenix House from some assassins out for his blood. She says that Kazuo is no longer fit
to run the Ebene army, and she has already extracted enough information from him about the Phoenix Fighters. Krieg begins
to grow impatient and Milady finally reveals the reason she’s come by asking Krieg to join her in leading the Ebene.
She admits to him that although she has a complete grasp of everything outside the Phoenix House, she needs someone who understands
the Phoenix Fighters to work with her.
Krieg asks her if she knows about his history with leadership, namely his habit of killing those he works with, and
she says that she does. She mentions an old Ebene spell called a blood bond. Two individuals exchange blood and
perform a spell, becoming intertwined. With this spell, Krieg would not be able to harm her and she would not be able
to harm him. Although intrigued, he tells Milady that he will need some time to consider the offer.
The next day, the two of them talk again and Krieg agrees to perform the blood bond and join Milady in leading the
Ebene army. In a moment of solidarity, she tells him that she’s been the power behind the Ebene invasion long
before Kazuo killed Lord Zelazny.
Milady returns to Shaldani and travels to the Phoenix House, where she finds Kazuo recovering from an attack in the
courtyard, afraid to go inside as he has spotted his two younger brothers, Tyler and Sonoma, who have joined up with Inigo
and the Phoenix Fighters. She informs Kazuo that he’s dismissed from his position, but he seems to only be
concerned with finding out if Milady is responsible for the assassins that have been repeatedly attempting to kill him.
She says she is not, but he remains skeptical as she leaves. He runs into the House and goes up to Aden and Adriana’s
room, determined to tell them about Krieg joining forces with Milady. In a moment of rage, Aden uses black magik to
blast Kazuo across the room before the both of them go unconscious. Adriana screams, and Valero, Amorette, Ariadne,
and Philip come running. Aden is taken down to Casey and Kazuo is tied up and put in the office.
The next day, while Aden is being observed, Adriana and Kazuo have a conversation in the office. Kazuo confesses
to Adriana that he has wanted out of the Ebene for some time, but is worried he will be killed. When he says that he
wants back into the House, Adriana is decidedly unsympathetic and reminds him of all the bad he’s done. While
both of them are upset, Casey comes into the office and tells Adriana that Aden’s relapse was unintentional and must
have been triggered by an event that made him lose control. Casey confides that Aden will never be able to completely
escape the black magik addiction. When Casey leaves, Kazuo again begs for another chance with the House, and Adriana
grudgingly says she’ll bring it up before the House and allow them to decide.
That evening, the House gathers for a meeting and Adriana informs them of the situation with Krieg and Kazuo.
While Kazuo is out of the room, Adriana turns surprisingly passionate and reminds the House of all the reasons they should
give him another chance. Casey brings up the possibility of implanting Kazuo with a chip that will leave him unable
to harm others without reciprocal pain. With the exception of Sonoma and Tranns, the entire House votes on allowing
Kazuo back in. The House is filled with a looming uncertainty of what is to come.
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