Billy stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching the fires flicker in the distance. The Crimson Vanguard had vanished, leaving nothing but bodies and unanswered questions. His grip on the chaos blade tightened. Reinhardt Vale had played him, and the cost had been blood.

  Kaela approached, her expression grim. "Scouts tracked them moving east, but they’re fast. Too fast."

  Aelric crossed his arms. "They knew we'd come after them. Reinhardt is baiting us."

  Billy exhaled, forcing down the frustration. "Then we don’t chase like fools. We make him come to us."

  Soria raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do we do that?"

  Billy turned, his gaze cold. "We take the one thing he values more than gold—his reputation."

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  The officers exchanged looks, understanding dawning. Mercenaries thrived on fear and contracts. If Billy made it known that Reinhardt had betrayed a lord mid-war, no one would ever trust him again.

  A slow, ruthless smile touched Billy’s lips. "We make him a target."

  By morning, word had spread. Every major faction within the war-torn lands would hear of Reinhardt’s treachery. Bounties were placed. Messages were sent. It wouldn’t be long before bounty hunters, rival mercenaries, and desperate soldiers came sniffing for the Crimson Vanguard.

  But Billy knew Reinhardt wouldn’t run forever. The man was too proud. He’d strike back. The only question was when.

  As he studied the map of their next conquest, the whispers of the chaos blade crept into his mind.

  He will come. And when he does, strike first. Make him bleed.

  Billy closed his eyes for a moment, shutting out the voice. He had no intention of waiting passively.

  Reinhardt Vale had chosen his fate.

  Billy was going to make sure he regretted it.

  End of Chapter 81.