The fires of victory still burned in the hearts of the rebels, but Juri Winkler knew that their latest triumph would only buy them time. The nobles’ three-pronged attack had tested the rebellion’s limits, and though they had emerged victorious, the cracks were beginning to show.

Inside the war room of Blackspire Keep, the air was tense. Maps were spread across the table, marked with fresh pins and notes detailing the nobles’ troop movements. Juri’s sharp blue eyes scanned every detail, while the core leadership gathered around him.

“We’ve hit them hard,” Halrick said, leaning on the table. “But they’re not going to sit back and lick their wounds for long.”

“No, they won’t,” Juri agreed. “Which is why we’re not waiting for them to regroup. We’re taking the fight deeper into their territory.”

The room fell silent.

“Deeper?” Kira asked, raising an eyebrow. “How much deeper are we talking?”

Juri pointed to the map, his finger landing on Ironclad Bastion, a heavily fortified noble stronghold nestled in the hills to the south. “This is our next target.”

Garrick’s brow furrowed. “Ironclad? That’s one of their largest fortresses. Hitting that isn’t just risky—it’s suicidal.”

Juri met his gaze, his voice steady. “It’s also their central command hub for this entire region. If we take it, we cripple their ability to launch large-scale attacks and gain access to their resources.”

“And how exactly do you plan to take a fortress like that?” Kira asked.

“With help,” Juri said.

Juri’s plan relied on forging an alliance with a group of discontented nobles who had grown tired of the ruling class’s oppressive tactics. Over the past few months, whispers of rebellion had spread even among the nobility, and one name had surfaced repeatedly: Countess Valeria Eldryn, a sharp-witted noblewoman with a penchant for strategy and a grudge against the council.

“She’s the key,” Juri explained to the others. “Her forces are small, but they’re well-trained and well-equipped. If we convince her to join us, we’ll have the manpower we need to breach Ironclad.”

Halrick smirked. “And how do we convince a noble to side with a bunch of rebels?”

“By showing her that she stands to gain more with us than against us,” Juri replied.

Under the cover of night, Juri, Kira, and a small team traveled to a secluded estate on the outskirts of noble-controlled territory. The sprawling manor was surrounded by high walls and guarded by soldiers bearing the crest of House Eldryn—a golden hawk on a field of black.

As they approached the gates, a guard stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword. “State your business.”

“We’re here to see Countess Eldryn,” Juri said calmly.

The guard frowned. “She’s not taking visitors.”

“Tell her Juri Winkler is here,” Juri replied, his sharp blue eyes gleaming. “And that I have a proposition she won’t want to ignore.”

The guard hesitated, then disappeared into the manor. Minutes later, the gates opened, and the rebels were escorted inside.

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Countess Valeria Eldryn awaited them in a grand hall adorned with banners and polished armor. She was a tall, elegant woman with piercing green eyes and auburn hair pulled back into a braid. Despite her regal demeanor, there was a sharpness in her gaze that hinted at a mind constantly at work.

“So,” Valeria said, her voice smooth but edged with curiosity. “The infamous Juri Winkler graces my halls. To what do I owe the honor?”

Juri stepped forward, his tone calm and measured. “You know why I’m here. The nobles’ power is crumbling, and they’re dragging everyone down with them. I’m offering you a chance to be part of the future—not as their pawn, but as an equal partner in what comes next.”

Valeria arched an eyebrow. “And what, exactly, is this future you’re building?”

“A world where power isn’t hoarded by a few, but shared by those willing to fight for it,” Juri said. “Join us, and together, we can bring the nobles to their knees.”

The room fell silent as Valeria studied him, her expression unreadable. Finally, she smiled faintly. “You’re bold, Winkler. I’ll give you that.”

“Is that a yes?” Juri asked.

Valeria’s smile widened. “It’s an interest. Prove that you can deliver on your promises, and we’ll talk.”

Back at Blackspire, the rebels prepared for their most ambitious mission yet. With Valeria’s forces tentatively on board, Juri outlined the plan to assault Ironclad Bastion.

“The fortress is nearly impenetrable,” Juri said, pointing to a detailed schematic of the stronghold. “Its walls are reinforced with enchanted steel, and it’s defended by both soldiers and heavy artillery. A frontal assault would be suicide.”

“So we don’t attack from the front,” Kira said, her tone sharp.

“Exactly,” Juri replied. “We’ll create a diversion at the main gate while a smaller team infiltrates through the old supply tunnels beneath the fortress. Once inside, we disable their defenses and open the gates for the main force.”

Halrick grinned. “Sounds simple enough.”

“Simple doesn’t mean easy,” Juri warned. “The tunnels are likely trapped, and the moment they realize we’re inside, they’ll send everything they have to stop us.”

“And what about the nobles’ forces outside the fortress?” Garrick asked.

“They’ll have to deal with Valeria’s troops,” Juri said. “She’ll lead the diversionary attack, giving us the time we need to complete the mission.”

The mission began under the cover of darkness. While Valeria’s forces launched a feint at the main gate, Juri, Kira, Halrick, and a small team of engineers and fighters slipped into the tunnels beneath the fortress.

The air was damp and heavy, the walls lined with ancient runes that flickered faintly in the torchlight.

“Stay sharp,” Juri said, his voice low. “They’ll have traps waiting for us.”

As they moved deeper into the tunnels, the rebels encountered a series of magical wards designed to deter intruders. Eren Vas worked quickly to disable the traps, his knowledge of runes proving invaluable.

“Almost... got it,” Eren muttered as he deactivated a particularly complex ward. The runes flickered and died, allowing the team to pass.

When they reached the end of the tunnel, Juri signaled for silence. Above them was a hidden access hatch leading into the fortress’s central courtyard.

“Once we’re inside, we split up,” Juri whispered. “Kira, take your team to the artillery station and disable their weapons. Halrick, secure the barracks and prevent reinforcements from reaching the gate. I’ll head for the control room and lower the defenses.”

As the rebels emerged into the fortress, chaos erupted. Kira’s team moved swiftly, planting explosives on the artillery cannons and disabling their mechanisms. Halrick led a brutal assault on the barracks, his sword flashing as he cut down surprised soldiers.

Juri navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the fortress, his sharp blue eyes scanning for threats. He encountered resistance along the way—elite guards armed with enchanted weapons—but his quick thinking and the Dominion’s remote support allowed him to press forward.

When he reached the control room, Juri activated the mechanism that lowered the fortress’s magical barriers and opened the gates.

The sound of horns blared through the fortress as Valeria’s forces surged inside, their swords clashing with the nobles’ remaining defenders.

By dawn, Ironclad Bastion was in rebel hands. The fortress’s defenders had been overwhelmed, its weapons destroyed, and its walls breached.

Valeria entered the central courtyard, her green eyes gleaming with triumph. She approached Juri, who stood amidst the wreckage, his coat streaked with soot.

“Well, Winkler,” she said, a faint smile on her lips. “You’ve impressed me.”

“Does that mean you’re on board?” Juri asked.

Valeria extended her hand. “Consider this the beginning of a partnership.”

Juri shook her hand, his sharp blue eyes gleaming with determination. “Then let’s make history.”