Cavalry: Hurry! Don't let them slip away!
A swift squad of knights races through the streets, their torches illuminating the night.
Cavalry: Stay indoors, everyone! Not one step out!
Cavalry: This time, we will catch them!
The clash of metal armor and loud commands echoed through the streets.
The town square, in the heart of the city, was in disarray, with no one to be seen.
Until the distant bells chimed.
As if declaring or beckoning:
???: Come one, come all.
At the far end of the street, a clown with exaggerated makeup appeared, clutching a torch.
The Fool: Congratulations! You've captured us poor souls, who've suffered so unjustly.
Cavalry: You...you're that outlaw from the wanted posters!
The Fool: Wanted?
The Fool: What a laugh! Who gives meaning to those useless scraps of paper?
Cavalry: They are the Duke's command! No one dares disobey!
Charlie: And who gave him the power to give these commands?
A performer in elegant attire emerged on the opposite side of the street, coolly observing the multitude of knights.
Cavalry: What nonsense are you spouting?
Charlie: Why, it's the people.
Charlie: They gave him that power.
Charlie: But then he violated their trust, and he lost the power they gave him.
Charlie: And tyrants quake at its happening—
Charlie: Just as King John feared Arthur, Claudius feared Hamlet, and Macbeth feared Malcolm.
Charlie: The usurper fears the true wielder of his power.
Charlie: He fears us—fears the true holders of that power.
Cavalry: Enough! Stop this deceitful talk! Seize them all!
Charlie: But first, let us savor our final act.
Once more, the distant bells rang out.
Charlie: That is your cue, Mr. Fool.
The Fool: As you wish.
The clown raised his torch and flung it aside.
Flames swiftly spread from the torch to the buildings lining both sides of the street.
The fire escalated rapidly, transforming the street into an impassable wall of flames.
Cavalry: What are you doing... have you all lost your minds?!
Cavalry: Quick! On my mark, turn back and retreat!
Soldier: Captain! The way back is blocked!
The cavalry captain turned in shock.
Suddenly, a large crowd gathered around Charlie.
Silent and unmoving, they stood like an impenetrable wall.
Charlie: You thugs, did I not warn you? This is the final act—but not ours, yours.
Charlie: Savor your last gasp of fear, for on its tail quickly comes...the anger of the people!
Soldier: Captain! There's nobody on the other side of the street. We can break through there!
Soldier: Wait...are they forcing us to break through ahead?
Cavalry: These blasted troublemakers...
Soldier: I see it now!
Soldier: They fear the Duke's might!
Soldier: They won't dare kill us! They fear the Duke's retaliation, so they're forcing us out through another gate!
Cavalry: What a despicable lot, daring to turn against their betters!
Soldier: Captain, if we don't run now, it'll be too late!
As the fear heightened the cavalry leader seemed to remember something.
Cavalry: No, no! I won't fall for this!
A confident smile spread across his face.
Cavalry: Hah, your performance was compelling. It almost fooled me!
Cavalry: But alas, arcanist, your act lacked a certain spark.
Charlie: What are you babbling on about, you up-jumped stable boy!
Cavalry: I've heard of you and your arcane illusions. This is all your trick, isn't it?
Charlie: An interesting conclusion...
Cavalry: Hah, these flames, this crowd... They are mere illusions you created!
Cavalry: You're just making a blustering show of bravado, but your nothing more than fools!
Charlie: ...
Despite delivering a pinnacle performance, Charlie's expression momentarily wavered.
The cavalryman revealed a smug smile, convinced he'd spotted his adversary's weakness.
Charlie: See for yourself whether it's real or an illusion.
Cavalry: Still want to play the braggadocio, eh? Get her!
Cavalry: You dare to resist the Duke's power with cheap illusions...
Cavalry: Honestly, your actions are as laughable as your sorcery.
Cavalry: Get her! Take her away!
Suddenly, the bells chimed again, but this time, they sounded unusually long, ringing out a different tune.
The echoes of the bells faded, replaced by a different sound.
The sound of footsteps.
A vast thunder of steps approached from all directions, and soon, flickering torchlights dotted every alley of the street.
With this new crowd converged behind Charlie.
Charlie: ...!
Jeffrey: Stop! I am Jeffrey from the City Council!
Jeffrey: Your actions are hereby condemned by the Council! On behalf of the City Council of Autonoma, we order you to leave now!
Charlie: What's this...?!
Cavalry: City Council?! Do you even know who we are?!
Old Man: Nothing more than henchmen of a tyrant, get out!
Vendor: You're not welcome here!
Resident: Leave! Leave now!
As the furious crowd gathered behind Charlie, the flames on both sides of the street roared higher.
The temperature rose, and beads of sweat formed on the henchmens' foreheads.
Soldier: C-Captain, t-this doesn't look like an illusion anymore!
Soldier: I've never heard of any arcanist creating something like this...
Cavalry: It's all an illusion, you cowards! Here, let me show you...
The captain of the cavalry gritted his teeth and charged into the burning flames.
Cavalry: Damn it! It's scorching! It's- it's real fire?!
Charlie: Indeed! And it burns with the people's rage.
Charlie: And should you trample on the people, then they'll reclaim their power.
Charlie: That which rightfully belongs with them.
Charlie: Respect a just ruler, but ever resist a tyrant—
Charlie: This is the reckoning of the people.
Charlie: Still think these angry crowds are just an illusion?
Cavalry: You dare—
The cavalryman's words were cut off by a rotten egg thrown from the crowd.
Though it bounced harmlessly from his heavy armor, the humiliation pierced him deeper than any bolt or arrow.
Charlie: Still think this is just a trick?
The bells...
The bells rang louder and more fervently.
They sounded like they were urging a final judgment.
The captain's spirit finally crumbled.
Cavalry: Madmen... a bunch of madmen!
Cavalry: How dare you rabble defy the Duke's—
His muttered words were consumed by the crowd's condemnation.
Charlie: Don't say I didn't warn you. Leave now while you still can.
Charlie: ...Or face the fury of the people.
She raised a hand, and the crowd parted, creating a path behind her.
Cavalry: Damn it... let's go... let's go! Retreat, retreat!
The soldiers meekly sheathed their weapons and retreated towards the city gate.
Old Man: That's it! Don't show your faces here again!
Laughter erupted among the crowd.
The soldiers' arrogance had given way to dejection, in stark contrast to their previous bravado.
