Ulric and his n lay behind a towering ridge.
It provided the perfect cover from the front. Behind them was a dense grove that camouflaged their presence from the back.
The sun was about to set beyond the horizon, and the evening skies were dyed in shades of orange and red. A gentle breeze blew through the terrain, making for a very comfortable atmosphere.
If it weren't for a bloody war raging through the lands, the n would much prefer to drink so wine and enjoy the sunset.
But instead, they planned for what seed to be their final mission deep within enemy lines.
A map lay sprawled on the ground, while Ulric and the n surrounded it. This was a map of the town in the distance, a military outpost that was ho to food and grain warehouses. As the sun set over the horizon, it cast Ulric's shadow across the map of the town.
"Alright, lads." He stroked his beard as he studied the map. "I believe we should be able to pull this off before we board the Red Wind."
The Dark King had made his strategy clear to every Magus under his command. Strike fast. Strike deep. And never hold ground longer than necessary.
Ulric followed that rule without exception, not only because it was an order from his Commander, but also because he saw clear rits in it.
By the ti more and more enemies figured out his pattern, it was wise to pull back. He knew that he and his n had already done enough. Many supply lines were broken, routes were destroyed, and entire fronts were weakening because of their actions.
Staying longer would only turn success into risk. So he made the call. It was ti to leave. They had caused enough damage. They had achieved what they were sent to do.
"This will be our last mission," he said in a grim voice as he scanned the faces of his n. "I'll work my spell on a few of those fools. We go in as Haynam Magi. No noise, no mistake. While they sleep, we burn their supplies, then leave. You know the drill, aye?"
"Aye!" the n replied in unison.
At the start, these n hadn't thought much of him. A wandering Magus with no ties, no academy backing him, no known faction, it didn't inspire confidence. So had doubted him quietly, and a few had even looked down on him.
But that didn't last. One victory turned into another. Plans that looked simple at first proved precise and effective. Every move had purpose, every risk was asured.
Ulric never wasted lives, and he never lost control of the situation.
The n saw how he thought, how he adapted, and how he struck where it mattered the most.
Gradually, they ca to respect the man. By the ti they stood here, ready for the final mission, they didn't question him anymore. They understood clearly why the Dark King had chosen him.
Ulric hadn't proven it with words. He had proven it with tangible results.
While they were hamring out the details of the night raid, the skies above them slowly darkened. Ulric looked upward and saw the rainclouds gathering. His lips curled into a faint smile.
"Looks like even the heavens are with us tonight," he said with mirth.
"But General..." A Magus awkwardly called out. "Won't the rain douse the fires?"
Ulric's lips twitched. He cleared his throat and said, "No matter. We'll poison the stock."
He and his n waited several more hours until the night was darkest. The clouds above grew darker and darker, whispering the promise of heavy rainfall. Muffled thunder streaked across the sea of clouds, faintly illuminating the lands below.
At midnight, the Dark King's n began their assault.
***
A guard at the Mana Liquefaction Rank yawned lazily as he walked along the top of the town walls.
The walls were taller than most towns would have, but this wasn't a normal town. It was a military outpost, built to hold and defend.
Tourches burned at intervals, lighting the path as he made his rounds. He wasn't alone. Dozens of other n were stationed along the wall, each covering their own section. So stood still at watch posts, while others moved like him, walking their routes with wariness.
As he made his round, the guard's eyes caught a small movent near the base of the wall.
The hidden service entrance, ant for maids and servants, suddenly creaked open slowly. That alone was wrong, for all such entrances weren't to be used
after curfew.
Before he could react, a dozen or so n slipped in through it, dressed in the armor and capes of the Haynam Empire's Magi. They moved quickly but quietly, as if they belonged there.
For a mont, he just stared, unsure of whether to call out or let it pass. Just as he was hesitating, a dark silhouette appeared behind him out of nowhere. Then, it whispered in his ears:
"n returning from their scouting mission. Nothing to worry about.
Everything's fine. Everything's fine..."
The guard's eyes turned glassy for a mont or two, his shoulders loosening. He exhaled a heavy breath and nodded. "Right, everything's fine," he murmured.
Before long, he continued his patrol along the top of the wall, as if nothing had
happened.
anwhile, Ulrich returned to his n on the ground. They hid in a dark alley between two buildings. He scanned everyone's expressions and instructed in a
hushed voice:
"You all know what to do. Lay down explosives as well as the poison at the marked locations on the map. After that, gather at the rendezvous point within
thirty minutes. Understood?"
The Magi solemnly nodded.
"Good," Ulric said in a solemn voice. "Go now!"
With that, he and his n scattered. They moved in silence. No one ran, and no one certainly spoke. They simply acted as the Empire's Magi would in this town. They split off in different directions, each man already knowing his path.
Cloaked by the night and the steady drizzle, they slipped through the town like
living shadows.
Supply stores, water sources, and key structures, those were their targets.
But they didn't realize it...
They had already walked straight into the enemy's trap!
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