Chapter 136: Chapter 136 - The Capital(Part 4)

Point-of-View: Argent Stryker

———————————————————————————

"There it is, the castle...there’s definitely more guards that usual, but the sides of the building aren’t guarded, they’re only around the front entrance," Remarked Gior, as we got within sight of the Royal castle.

It was just past midnight now, the 23rd of December, 2015, and we were putting our plan into action, for each of our respective goals. My goal of rescuing my father, Izzy’s goal of having a good fight, and the other two’s goal of killing the Crown Prince and as many other of the members of the Royal Family as they could.

There aren’t any buildings around to hide behind, it’s a clear, open area for about a hundred meter radius around the castle, likely for this very purpose, to make sneak attacks more difficult.

But it’s not a problem for us...Gior has the Invisibility Field Skill, a Skill that casts a spherical barrier with a radius of five meters around him, and anyone within that range also turns invisible.

The only downside to it is that if someone else happens to step into that range, they’ll turn invisible too, and will be able to see everyone else who’s within the range of the barrier, so we’ll have to keep a safe distance from any enemies to avoid detection.

Too bad I don’t have the Intangibility Field Skill, then I could make the others intangible too. Well, no point in lamenting what I don’t have, I’m better off focusing on what I do have and can do.

Additionally, Phyurio has the Life Detect Skill, which lets him sense all living creatures within a one kilometer radius. My Area Detect has a much larger radial range at five kilometers, but his Skill is better for detecting specific targets. Plus, I still can’t control the full range of Area Detect, it overwhelms my mind...I can just about manage upto three kilometers, but it’s more around two and a half kilometers that I can comfortably control.

"There aren’t as many guards inside the entrance, two right inside, and then two more further down the corridor from the entrance," He informed us.

"Yeah, I can sense them too...there are more people further in, but they’re moving around a lot, so they’re probably not guards. Maybe maids or slaves," I surmised with a nod.

"Alright, then, we’ll sneak around to the side of the building until you two sense a spot where there’s no one around at. Argent, you’ll then use your Intangibility Skill to go in through the wall, head in as deep as you can into the castle and then drop down through the floor, into the dungeon. Once you’re in the castle, Izzozon will attack the guards outside, while the two of us will look to sneak into the castle once we have an opening," Gior briefly recapped the plan.

"Mhm, got it," I nodded affirmatively.

"Alright, make sure to move as quietly as possible, and match your pace to mine so that you don’t accidentally leave the range of my Invisibility Field. Let’s begin," Suggested Gior, before we began moving towards the castle.

Izzy looked like she was brimming with excitement, raring to go. I really hope she doesn’t jump the gun, but I don’t think she will, she agreed not to act before I’m inside the castle, and she always keeps her word.

This Invisibility Field Skill is super useful, it must be how the two of them have been evading the Knights and staying safe in the capital for all this time. It also likely means that there probably aren’t any Knights with a sensory Skill...I’ve been focusing my Area Detect on the guards, to feel for any movements or reactions.

And from the feel of them, none of them have noticed we’re here...so, at the very least, none of these guards have a sensory Skill. Well, sensory Skills are pretty rare, so we’re damn lucky to have two of the most powerful ones between us.

Man, this castle is absolutely massive, it’ll take a few minutes to go around it and get to the side of the building.

"If they were smart, they’d litter this area with dry twigs and stuff...but because it’s so clean, sneaking around quietly is easy," Whispered Phyurio with a grin.

"Can’t we move any faster than this?" Inquired Izzy quietly.

"Just be patient, you’ll be able to go on the attack in just a few minutes...the longer you wait, the more satisfying it’ll be when the moment does come," I responded as I patted her head.

"Yeah, okay."

It wasn’t much longer before we reached a spot at the side of the building behind which there weren’t any people...we’re well out of sight of any of the guards as well, even without the Invisibility Field.

"Alright, I’m going on. Good luck, everyone," I whispered, as I stepped out towards the wall.

"Good luck to you too, I hope you find your father," Responded Gior as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks, I hope so too."

"See you in a bit," Izzy waved at me.

"Mhm, see you...thanks for being so patient. Now, go out there and enjoy yourself to your heart’s content," I smiled at her, as I gave her a quick stroke on her head, before turning back towards the wall and heading towards it.

I walked in through the wall, stepping into the castle and looking around warily. Good, the coast is clear...yeah, I could already sense as much, but there are some Skills that can block detection, so I was still pretty cautious in case someone like that was in the building.

Alright, here goes...I can sense my surroundings, the ground below me isn’t hollow, but I can feel that there’s a space below the floor a bit further up ahead.

The range of my Area Detect takes a spherical shape, so I can sense upto five kilometers underground as well. Though, like I said, I can’t use that full range just yet without overwhelming my senses, but the two and a half kilometers or so which I can control is more than enough right now.

Hm? I’m hearing loud crashes faintly echoing out from outside...sounds like Izzy has begun rampaging. Wow, she really didn’t waste any time, did she? She must have flown straight towards the entrance the moment I entered the castle.

I then made my way forward through the building, keeping an eye out...I don’t sense anyone nearby, but I can feel some people moving around underground. There are probably guards down in the underground dungeon.

Should I avoid them...or make use of them instead? According to Gior and Phyurio, the dungeon is pretty vast, and deep too, with five levels extending further and further down underground.

The more dangerous an apprehended criminal is, the deeper down they’re locked up. Searching every cell on every floor would take far too long...but with a guide, it should be much faster.

I can sense a lot of other people down there who aren’t moving as much, individuals that are evenly spaced away from each other...must be the prisoners.

Alright, I’m right over where I’m sensing what I’m assuming are the guards...I then got down on the floor and let my upper body phase through the floor, keeping my feet tangible so that I was hanging upside down through the ground, aiming to launch a sneak attack down at them from above.

At least, that was the plan...but the floor is too thick, I can’t see anything, which means I haven’t emerged into the space below...no choice then, I’ll just have to drop right down.

I turned myself fully intangible to fall through, and after a few seconds, it came into sight, the vast underground space of the dungeon...and sure enough, the guards were down below, playing a game of cards with bored looks on their faces.

It’s a bit dim down here, with just the bare minimum amount of lighting. Let’s add a bit of illumination, shall we?

Elemental Flame: Double Mega Fire Blast!

As the area got brightly lit up, they all sprang to their feet in alarm, scattering. But two of them were slow to react, failing to get out of the way. They let out brief cries of pain as my fire blasts struck them, their screams dying down as they burnt to death in seconds.

Elemental Flame: Jet Soles!

I halted my descent by bursting out flame jets from the bottom of my feet to cancel out my falling momentum and then floated down, as the remaining three guards stared at me in bewilderment, before springing into action...

"Manifest Soul Weapon: Crescent!"

"M-Manifest Soul Weapon: S-Spike Shield!"

"Manifest Soul Weapon: Rapid-fire!"

Looks like I’ve found my guide, the one who chanted second...he seems like he’ll be the easiest one to break. As for the other two...I’ll kill them.

The first one manifested a crescent-shaped weapon, it looks pretty sharp and doesn’t have a handle or anything, he’ll probably use it like a boomerang.

The second one manifested a shield on his right forearm that had several spikes on it, and the third one manifested a large gun with a long, narrow barrel.

Alright, then, let’s do this...Manifest Soul Weapon: Dragon Fangs!

_____________________________________________

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this Chapter! Don’t forget to vote, and feel free to leave a comment, I appreciate any and all feedback and criticism!

Also, check out my Instagram account @aimdaqs for posts relating to this book.

Join the Discord server, I plan to tease upcoming Chapters and future story arcs here, and you can also discuss or ask me any questions about the story and characters. Use the invite link to join:

https://discord.gg/sRbx9VbTVP