Chapter 275: The Wolf Duke (3) The Infiltration
The night air was thick with tension as Lyan, Erich, Julius, Vilgira, and Borton approached the castle walls. The group moved with practiced stealth, their movements almost imperceptible as they slipped through the shadows. The moonlight cast a silvery glow on the stone walls, and the silence was broken only by the distant sounds of the encamped army maintaining their ruse of retreat.
Lyan led the way, his senses honed by years of experience. They encountered their first obstacle—a pair of guards patrolling a side entrance. With swift, silent precision, Lyan dispatched one guard with a quick slice of his dagger while Julius took out the other, muffling his target’s final gasp. The bodies were hidden in the underbrush, and the group continued forward.
Inside the castle walls, they encountered more guards. Vilgira moved ahead, his agility and speed allowing him to neutralize enemies before they could raise an alarm. She signaled for the others to follow, and they moved through the corridors, taking down guards and securing key positions.
They reached the main gate controls, and set to work sabotaging the mechanisms. With careful, deliberate actions, they ensured that the gate would be stuck open when the time came, making it easier for the main army to enter.
"There’s an alarm system here connected to that bell. We need to disable the alarm systems next," Lyan whispered, his eyes scanning the corridor ahead.
Borton nodded, his large frame moving surprisingly quietly as they made their way to the alarm room. Inside, they found several guards and technicians. Julius and Vilgira took point, quickly and efficiently taking down the guards while Lyan and Borton handled the technicians. Within moments, the alarm systems were disabled, wires cut and mechanisms broken.
The drawbridge controls are next," Erich said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
The team pressed deeper into the heart of the castle, each step fraught with increasing resistance. The guards in this part of the fortress were more alert, their eyes scanning for intruders. However, the group’s tight coordination and exceptional skills allowed them to slip past undetected or swiftly neutralize any threats.
Erich led the way, his eyes constantly scanning for signs of danger. Lyan, right behind him, kept his glaive at the ready, while Julius and Borton flanked them, their weapons drawn. The corridors were narrow, the stone walls pressing in with the weight of centuries of secrets. The air felt thicker here, heavy with history and the Duke’s most guarded mysteries. Every step was taken with caution, for they knew the Duke’s most trusted advisors and elite soldiers would be near.
Their first hurdle came when they reached a T-junction. Erich raised his hand, signaling for the group to halt. He peered around the corner and saw a pair of guards patrolling the corridor. They were heavily armed and seemed more alert than the others they had encountered.
"We can’t take them head-on," Erich whispered. "We need to find another way."