At night, I begin my mission as to infiltrate the castle. My target is either the prince or the queen, maybe even both. The King might also be worth targeting but I reckon he will have more personal surrounding him, so it might not be the wisest of idea to do so. Still, I wonder how Khamishah manages to get all this info? She doesn't look like some noble born person, alas she knew the layout of this castle as if she was here multiple times.

(Could it be, just like How Diana forces me to do her job, she was the same back in her day?) [Ash]

If so, no wonder that brute of an adventure knows it well. She did say she once trained here under the supervision of the "sick" guild master, so it makes sense.

But still, I hope she can infiltrate the castle by herself though, not relying on me, but I guess it make sense. She's clearly more adapt in battle than I do, and I can't see her as the type to stealth around for a long time (maybe she can, if the target is a monster). Alaric will be better suites for this job though, but as someone who is stronger than him, it's better to send me even though I can't sneak around as good as he is. As for my role here, I guess I might be considered as a jack of all trade master of none

(There's the castle wall) [Ash]

Using my mirage magic back then, I illustrated the castle layout (with Khamishah telling me the layout) and save it inside of a spare magic core in my item box. At first glance, it outer layer almost resembles that of the Estel and Malsia castle, but inside, it's quite a straight path as compared to the maze like layout in Estel.

(Well, time to deactivate the fortress defense magic surrounding the castle) [Ash]

Since the fortress defense magic made by them required several magicians as well as several magic tools, you might expect that it will be better than Housey. In certain aspects, that might be the case, but the result of it would be some inequilibrium in magic outflow as they're all having different Mitral organnelles, and thus it influences the fortress defense magic as well. This inequilibrium is what I will be targeting to infiltrate the castle

(And done) [Ash]

I must said, this one is better made as compared to the one that Malsia head magician showed me before. There are sign of it being newly reinforced, but by what? I can't recognize the material

(I do know Goddess Achalasia doesn't give me all the knowledge when she blessed me, but this sincerely makes me worried) [Ash]

Better take note of it

Now that I have infiltrate the castle, I should cover myself with darkness magic and sneak around. I have to use the shadow and avoid any bright area

(This sincerely feels like I'm in video games, only difference, if I'm caught, I can say goodbye to my peaceful life) [Ash]

Well, better head to the resting chamber here. Khamishah did say sick royal will be quarantine there.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

As I sneaked around and try to sneak in through one of the windows, I can see what I presume to be the prince (based on his attire as well as the fact that other around him keep on following him) and some peoples with church attire. From the look of it, they must have finish a long and important discussion.

As much as I would like to hear it, I have to give up on it, he's heavily guarded now and I don't think I can sneak in unnoticed. Alaric might be able to do just that with one of the advanced spell of Vampire clan, shadow dive and by extension so do I, but sadly, I don't think my darkness magic affinity is high enough for me to perform it as efficient as he is

(Better move my ass quickly) [Ash]

As I ascend upward to the second floor of the castle, I can see the maid are all walking around, they might be going back to their room to rest for tonight. Maybe I can steal one of the maid uniform and change myself into one

.

.

.

(Maybe, maybe not) [Ash]

Even maids have their own specific and designated job if I'm not mistaken, and should I take any uniform and walk around at the area that they're supposed not to, it will only lead to my own demise. Well, take the guard uniform then maybe? Surely they are the same, but...

(On a second thought, no as well) [Ash]

Sure there might be plenty of guard here, but I'm sure they recognize each other, or at least recognize that I'm someone who is out of place. Plus, night shift worker tend to know each other better. Not to mention, should I "patrol" outside the area and wonder around, the result will be the same as me taking and wearing the maid uniform

(Guess I'll just sneak around like this) [Ash]

As I walk around, heading towards the chamber, I activate my scan magic, but I do have to be careful as well, since I'm sure the knight and especially the magician can detect it. So I have to make the wave of mana sent out be as thin as possible. Not to mention, some of the fortress defense magic magic core that I didn't interfere with might catch my scan magic

As I keep on making my way to the chamber, I can hear the castle worker keep on gossiping with each other, some about the prince, some about the head church, but nothing useful so far. I mean, maybe one or two of it like how the prince sent out some marriage proposal to Diana and Haliza, but I'm sure the two of them rejected it

"Poor prince, keep on sending the marriage proposal" [Maid A]

"He is handsome, but his reputation isn't that good. I'm sure the only way he can make them his wives is by conquering their countries" [Maid B]

"True, but..." [Maid C]

"Let just hope that won't happen" [Maid D]

Huh, interesting. Not the rejection part, but the sudden pause part, looks like they're talking about some taboo topics

Again, another mental note, plus the chamber is up ahead, should just hurry

.

.

.

(So, two guards station just outside the door. Hmm... how should I approach this?) [Ash]

Make them sleep? Not a bright idea, someone might come around to check them and should they found them asleep, they will just barge through the door to make sure the Queen is safe.

Blind them? No, they will make ruckus

Illusion. Good. But of what...

(Should I combine invisibility magic with illusion? Cast an invisibility spell on myself and use illusion magic on them so that they will not see nor hear me open up the door) [Ash]

That seem like a great idea, let do just that

As I cast the invisibility spell on myself, I thought

(Why didn't I used this spell on the first place...) [Ash]

Well...

Moving on, I walk towards them and quickly applies the Illusion spell on the two guards simultaneously, the illusion of nothing is currently happening, and everything is going fine.

(Well, moment of truth...) [Ash]

As I open up the door, the guard didn't even bulge, guess the illusion spell turn out fine, and there's the sleeping Queen, and...

(Curse? This somehow reminds me of the guy who fell from the sky back in open field dungeon, albeit this one is far weaker...) [Ash]

Well, never mind that. I should just dive and see from her memories

I should put my hand to her forehead, when suddenly

"Who's there?" [Queen]

"!?" [Ash]