They met as planned at the northern checkpoint, where Kana gave Thomas a quick rundown of their meeting with Sir Allison Lapland.

Meeting with Otto’s acquaintances produced little of note, though several did give them references, so they could seek help from trade unions and merchant communities if needed.

Then they headed to a small restaurant for some dinner, before retreating to Thomas’ room at an inn to discuss the plan for tomorrow’s infiltration.

The Royal Palace is a maze of corridors and chambers, with guards at almost every intersection. It was specifically built to prevent espionage and attacks, so even for assassins like them, infiltrating such a place would be very difficult.

Rose has previously received several contracts at high-security places, and all were completed without trouble. But that was with almost full participation from all members of Rose, some hundred members strong. To do the same with just nine people would be next to impossible. Perhaps they really are getting desperate, to try something so dangerous.

“We can’t make entry through any windows or skylights, every opening in the building is intertwined with magic, and sentry modules located on every floor continuously monitors this magical field. Any break or interruption will be immediately reported,” Thomas explained.

“Technically there are ways to bypass this security system,” said Kana. “We have developed equipment which allows a user to stabilize the magical field, though we have neither the equipment nor the expertise with us.”

“Right, so we’ll have to go through the main entrance,” Thomas continued. “Our best bet is to blend in with the crowd, then slip past the guards.”

On the table is a detailed map of the Royal Palace, one which Thomas grabbed from the vast collection of maps and documentation kept at Rose. Though slightly outdated, it is still mostly accurate.

“This right here,” said Bruno, pointing to a large room in the underground section of the palace. “This is the library, where all important documents are stored. It is guarded, so we’ll likely need to incapacitate the guards before we enter.”

“How?” Nina asked.

“A mix of paralyzing agents and anesthetics,” Thomas answered, holding up a vial of clear fluid. “Dip your weapons in here before we go in. And remember, no fatal wounds.”

Earlier they had decided to change the objective from finding Gracie Letterman, to one of finding documentation and anything which might give them a clue on who is behind the attacks.

An operation of this scale would require a vastly powerful organization, and the government seems like a possible candidate. Though not hostile towards Rose, the Royal Family has not been particularly friendly either.

That being said, the modus operandi of the perpetrator seems unlikely to be one of the government's. But nonetheless, it is still a possible lead.

“Otto, as usual, will be running logistics and overwatch. Nina and Raina will be taking lead, since we’ll likely be using a lot of telepathy to mask our movement. Bruno and Idris, you two will be using your shadows to hide us and blind guards if necessary. When we get in to the library, the four apprentices will hold perimeter, while the rest of us search the documents. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“Right, go get some rest. We meet at dawn.”

They got up to leave, all tired from the long day. It had taken Thomas’ group a fair while to find somewhere to leave their wagons and a place they could stay. Kingston’s inns and wagon keepers are always packed with visitors, diplomatic and civilian.

“Wait, one more thing,” said Thomas, pointing to several leather boxes in the corner of his room. “Sir Allison Lapland gave us several boxes of tea today, apparently it has magical properties which can help…”

“I want it!” Saya yelped.

“…I didn’t even finish…”

“Oh… can I not… have it?” Saya mumbled, dejectedly pointing her fingers together.

“Yeah you can,” Thomas said with a sigh, a slight smile on his face. “I was about to ask if anyone in particular wanted it. Don’t forget to share some with us.”

“Hehe, thanks,” Saya giggled like an idiot, happily carrying away the many boxes of mana-replenishing tea. She’d do anything for her big mana reserves.

*****

It was still dark when Bruno opened his eyes. Though tired, he felt not a single hint of sleepiness.

The other bed in the double room, belonging to Thomas, was empty, who he presumed was sleepless too.

So he got out of bed, lit a candle, and took a walk through the quiet hallways.

Without realizing it he arrived at the upstairs balcony, where a lone figure was leaning against the wooden railing, looking up at the stars.

“Hi Thomas,” said Bruno, walking up to stand next to him. “I figured you’d be here.”

“Hmm? Yeah…”

“Sleepless?”

“Yeah… a little…”

Bruno carefully set down the candle on the railing, letting the flickering orange light illuminate Thomas’ face.

“What are you thinking about?” Asked Bruno.

“A lot of things…”

“Yeah…” Bruno nodded.

Thomas has been hiding his pain for a long time, they all have. But no one knows the pain better than Thomas, perhaps except for Otto.

“What’s troubling you so?”

“I miss her, Bruno…” said Thomas with a sigh. “I still blame myself. I was just there, right next to her, but I could do nothing…”

Bruno didn't speak, instead simply wrapped his arm around Thomas’ shoulder.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

"Our enemies are still ahead, and we’re still playing catch up. Are we even making progress? It feels like we’re just running around for no reason,” Thomas muttered dejectedly.

“Of course we’re making progress. We know where to go now and who to look for now. In those northern mountains is where our answers should be. Hopefully tomorrow will yield something too…”

“Yeah… hopefully…” Thomas whispered.

There were footsteps coming up the stairs towards the balcony. Bruno turned to see Otto walking towards them, a glowing gemstone in hand.

“Otto?”

“Hey Bruno, Thomas. I supposed we’re all sleepless,” Otto said with a smile.

“Yeah…” Thomas mumbled. “Otto… I’m sorry…”

“Why?”

“I…”

“It’s not your fault, Thomas,” said Otto. “You’ve made her life happier and more worth it than I could ever imagine. You must be in a lot of pain, and so am I. But it isn’t your fault, Thomas.”

“No! Otto…” argued Thomas. “She stepped in front of me, Otto, she blocked me behind her… I should have been the one… not her…”

“Well… then I suppose she lived without regrets,” Otto replied, smiling warmly at Thomas. “She’s watching over you, Thomas, and she would be very sad if her sacrifice was in vain.”

“I know…”

“Then stop moping about, Thomas, and get to work. We’re infiltrating the Royal Palace tomorrow right? Then we’ll be heading to the northern mountains,” Otto continued. “Our enemies are bound to strike again, and if it happens, more lives will be lost, I’m sure of it.”

Thomas nodded.

“But I have faith, I know we’ll hold fast against these mysterious tides.”

“Me too,” Bruno added.

Thomas looked up at the two standing in front of him, his eyes watery in the candlelight.

He sighed, then smiled weakly. “Yeah… me too…”

The stars above them shimmered and flickered, dimming down then flaring up. But one star remained bright, brighter than all the others.

*****

“There’s two guards at the bottom of the stairs, then four more in front of the library,” Thomas whispered, scouting ahead with his clairvoyance. “Raina, Nina, you two stay and keep the first two guards controlled while we search the library, we’ll collect you on the way out.”

“Understood.”

The Royal Palace is crowded with workers and citizens, here to do paperwork and other official documentation.

Idris walked next to Bruno, who was looking around at the their environment, noting anything of concern.

They followed the people towards the staircase, blending in seamlessly.

As they arrived at an intersection, one leading upstairs towards more offices, the other leading downstairs towards the library, they simply split off from the crowd and walked down the staircase, the moving people too busy to notice them.

Two guards stood at the bottom of the stairs, who raised their weapons as soon as Raina turned the corner.

“Hey!” One called out. “This is a restricted area. Please head back upstairs. If you are lost…”

The guard’s words were cut short by Nina and Raina’s mind control, his eyes staring off into the distance, unfocused and locked open.

“Go,” Nina whispered, ushering the other members past the frozen guards.

They hurried past them, Nina and Raina staying behind to keep the guards controlled.

There were four more guards in front of the entrance to the library, who also immediately raised their as the group came into view.

“Stay back!” They called out. “This is a restricted area!”

Thomas withdrew two throwing knives from the back of his belt, both dipped in a healthy amount of the paralyzing agent. He looked over at Bruno, also holding two knives behind waist, who nodded to him.

They drew their arms back, then quickly swung them forwards with a flick of the wrist.

At the same time, Idris mustered up his magic, two spears of shadows darted along the ground, up the guards' bodies, and over their eyes, blinding them completely.

The four blades whistled through the air, each headed straight for one of the guards. With little time to react, all but one were struck in the leg, quickly slumping over and falling still from the paralyzing agents.

The last guard managed to deflect the blade with his sword, sparks flying as the little knife slipped past a hair’s width from him. Though blinded, he had simply acted on instinct and got lucky.

Seeing this, Saya immediately held out her hand, locking the guard in place with her powerful telekinesis. The man writhed and struggled, unable to break free from the magic as Thomas drew another throwing knife and buried it in the man’s leg.

In a moment all four guards were unmoving on the ground. Their eyes shut and their chests rising and falling slowly with each breath.

Saya breathed a sigh of relief. "Now I'm feeling hungry again..."

They walked up to the large double doors, held shut by an intricate system of locks.

“Saya? Can you force these locks?” Thomas asked.

Saya knelt down in front of the lock, gently touching it with her fingers. “It’ll take a while.”

“How long?”

“Quarter of an hour?”

“That’s too long… Anything else?”

“Hmm…” Saya thought for a moment, feeling the door with her fingers. “I can try to break the locking pins with my telekinesis. I’ll need all of you to ram it as hard as possible though, my power alone isn’t enough.”

“Sure.”

Saya closed her eyes and pressed both of her hands against the door. Metal creaked and screeched as she focused as much of her power as possible into the little metal pins holding the doors shut. For an apprentice, Saya’s telekinesis is extremely powerful, even more than Bruno’s.

“Get ready…” whispered Saya through gritted teeth.

They all took a step back.

“Now!”

She let out a little grunt as they slammed their shoulders into the door. With a loud metallic crunch the locking pins came apart, sending the doors flying open and everyone stumbling into the chamber.

Idris used his power to part the shadows as Andrei shone a beam of light into the depths of the room, revealing many rows of old scrolls and files, all stamped with the mark of the Royal Family.

They were about to proceed further into the dark chamber, but commotion from behind caused them to stop.

There was the sound of metal clashing against metal, and Idris could feel rapid disturbances in the free mana.

They’ve been found.

He reached out for Saya, pulling her close to him as Thomas and Bruno ran towards the staircase.

“We’re going,” Thomas ordered.

But before he could get far, Raina and Nina backed around the corner, their weapons dancing through the air, barely deflecting the rapid blows that came at them. A swing got through, catching Nina across her left arm.

With a yelp she dropped her dagger, grabbing the wound with her other hand. Blood seeped through the fabric of her shirt, blotting it red.

“Nina!” Saya screamed, ready to leap forwards.

Another strong strike disarmed Raina too, and a powerful kick sent them both flying into Thomas and Bruno, who managed to catch them and gently set them down on the ground.

As the dust settled, Idris could see a lone figure standing before them, clad in a pristine white uniform, his long, golden hair framing a handsome face. He held a longsword in one hand, the tip pointed at the ground. Two blue sapphires adorned the hand guard and a brilliant ruby crowned the pommel.

Kana gasped from besides him. “It’s the Royal Guardian…” She whispered.

“Halt, intruders!” The man boomed in his deep, commanding voice, perhaps even more so than Julius’. “I am Reiner Winston Von Schwertman, general of the Royal Army and the current Royal Guardian. State your intentions and surrender your weapons.”