Chapter 343 - 342. Edging Towards The Dawn (1)
The invisibility spell worked flawlessly as I soared through the vast, moonlit sky, Nox gliding beside me with silent grace. The cool night air rushed past, crisp and clean, carrying the faint scent of earth and the lingering warmth of the day.
Below, the kingdom stretched out in a tapestry of lights and shadows. Even from this height, I could tell how much had changed in the past four years. The streets were no longer as tense, the people no longer burdened by the weight of fear. The purge of the corrupt religious order had brought about a visible transformation—buildings repaired, markets bustling even in the late hours, and an air of cautious prosperity settling over the land. It wasn’t perfect, not yet, but it was better.
But my attention soon shifted to my true destination—the palace.
It loomed ahead, a grand structure of marble and stone, its high towers reaching for the heavens, bathed in the soft glow of torchlight and the occasional flickering lantern. From this distance, I could make out the patrol routes of the knights and guards stationed along the palace walls. Their movements were calculated, disciplined. Clearly, the man inside was well-protected.
But it wouldn’t matter.
A few more yards and I was upon it. I tilted my wings downward, descending swiftly through the night, the wind ruffling my clothes and hair as I approached the palace’s intricate balconies. The guards stood firm at their posts, their eyes scanning the darkness for the slightest hint of danger. Yet, they saw nothing—not me, nor Nox, who mirrored my movements with predatory precision.
Like a whisper lost in the wind, I maneuvered past the numerous windows and terraces, my sharp gaze seeking out the one I needed. And then—I found it.
The chamber beyond was dimly lit, the flickering glow of candles casting long shadows across the polished floor. The man I sought was inside.
With one final, silent dive, I landed smoothly on the balcony railing, my cloak settling around me like a phantom’s embrace. Nox followed suit, perching lightly beside me.
The guards below remained unaware.
I exhaled slowly, my sapphire eyes narrowing as I reached for the handle.