By the early hours of the morning, the rain had lessened to a gentle drizzle, leaving the air cooler and the night more serene. The quiet respite lulled many into a deeper, more peaceful sleep.
Seven or eight shadowy figures darted through the curfewed city, their movements light and swift. They barely left a trace as they touched down on rooftops, their steps silent.
They arrived at the Capital Guard headquarters. The outer guards had already retreated for the night, leaving only Carissa and her companions waiting in the main hall, tense and alert.
With a quick exchange of glances, the group gripped their weapons.
The assassins had arrived!
The dim light of the hall flickered, and as the black-clad figures descended, a gust of wind extinguished the lamps. Darkness enveloped the room, plunging it into an impenetrable black where even an outstretched hand became invisible.
Amid the darkness, the faint sound of breathing and the subtle rhythm of movements became the only clues to the assassins' positions.noveldrama
Nicholas led the charge, his inner force leagues ahead of the others. His sword moved with deadly precision, cutting through the air in a sharp arc toward Carissa's neck.
Carissa leaped, her foot landing on the flat of the blade as she evaded the attack. Twisting midair, she landed gracefully, her Rose Spear sweeping forward to clear the immediate danger. Guided by instinct and the faint scent of Violet's presence, she moved to stand back-to-back with her, their weapons raised to meet the incoming assault.
The battle in the pitch-black night was intense, with only the sounds of blades, spears, and swords clashing.
Carissa and the others felt a heavy weight in their hearts. When experts fought, just a few moves could reveal each other's skill level. These people were highly skilled, especially the one who kept attacking Carissa, whose abilities seemed to be beyond measure.
The realization struck the group like a cold wind: Nicholas himself was likely among the attackers. If they could take him down, it would be a monumental victory.
However, before the battle reached its peak, they had already taken turns getting injured, and they hadn't even exchanged a hundred moves yet. Everyone was shocked.
Forget capturing Nicholas just surviving the fight would already be considered a blessing!
Thankfully, they had strong resolve. Any other group would have crumbled by now.
Huddled together, they fought as a unit, minimizing the risk of being separated in the chaotic darkness. Their eyes began to adjust, faintly discerning shadows. The occasional glint of the sword guided their movements, helping them narrowly avoid lethal blows.
Carissa's Rose Spear, a custom-made weapon, had an adjustable length. She retracted it, ready to extend it in a sudden thrust aimed at her opponent's heart if an opening presented itself.
Yet, the opportunity never came. Her opponent's strikes were relentless and airtight, forcing her into a desperate defense. Every move she made was a struggle, leaving no room to counterattack.
Compared to their struggles, Nicholas and his group moved with ease. However, they didn't slow their attack or mock them-their only goal was to quickly take them down.
In fact, Nicholas was somewhat surprised. He had expected Carissa to fall within fifty moves. Yet here ะต they were, over a hundred moves in, and she had sustained only minor injuries. It seemed Adrian's training had been more thorough than he had anticipated.
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Still, taking them down wouldn't be difficult. Nicholas had chosen to lead this mission personally to ensure there would be no unforeseen complications.
Refocusing his efforts, he aimed all
his strikes at Carissa's vital points, seeking to end her with one decisive blow. His relentless targeting of her neck and heart, while ignoring her limbs, allowed her to move more freely in defense. She used this to her advantage, narrowly escaping several deadly attacks.
What was already a difficult defense became even harder. Among everyone present, Carissa and Kyle had the best martial skills. With several people already wounded, continuing the fight would only lead to certain death.
But the enemy's attacks were relentless, leaving them no room to escape, forcing them to face the battle head-on.
Just as Nicholas and his men headed towards the Capital Guard headquarters, someone from the nearby Russell Estate had already infiltrated Willowbrook Estate. They pushed open the door to Hayden's room. The Shadow Guard swiftly appeared, and the tip of a sword pierced through the guard's flesh. After a muffled grunt, blood began to pour out.
A small brocade box flew over and landed in front of Hayden.
In return, Hayden threw his emblem towards the man. "Go. Quickly!"
Adrian nodded. "Thank you!"
Without further delay, Adrian disappeared into the night. The token was entrusted to Everett, who was to head for Nerovia at first light. Adrian himself, armed with a six-barreled matchlock, set off for the Capital Guard headquarters.
Hayden glanced down at the body, now sprawled lifeless on his floor. The man was one of the Shadow Guards who had monitored his every move.
Chaya stepped forward, pulling a cloth over the corpse. She picked up the fallen sword and looked at Hayden, her voice low and steady. "Is it time?"
Hayden shook his head. "Not yet."
"They'll act tonight," Chaya said,
resting the blade against her neck, testing for the spot where it would cut quickest. "If we don't die now, it's only a a matter of time before we're tortured to death-or worse, paraded as a puppet king, carrying the infamy ofa traitor and usurper."
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