Chapter 66: The Meeting in the Underground

The moon was high, bathing the city in a pale light as the old man, the mage, and Athos prepared to enter the underground where the conspirators were gathered. The old man had a heavy feeling in his chest, as if he were about to cross a threshold from which there would be no return.

They moved carefully through the deserted streets, keeping to the shadows, alert for any movement. The mage led the way, his hands ready to cast protective spells if necessary. Athos, ever vigilant, kept a firm grip on the hilt of his sword.

The old man, for his part, focused on the mission at hand. He knew that to secure peace, they must confront these men before their plans could come to fruition. The stakes were too high, and failure was not an option.

They reached an inconspicuous entrance that led to the city's ancient sewer system, where the conspirators had set up their temporary headquarters. The mage used a lighting spell to create a small sphere of light, enough to guide the way without attracting attention.

As they descended the damp stairs, the smell of mold and stagnant water filled the air, and the silence was broken only by the sound of careful footsteps. The old man felt a shiver run down his spine—the place held an aura of decay and danger.

Finally, they reached a large underground hall, where the low voices of the conspirators echoed off the stone walls. The old man motioned for them to stop and observe before acting. In the distance, he could see the officer of Azaroth arguing with other men, while a detailed map of the city was spread out on a makeshift table.

"The attack will be on the night of the festival," the officer said, his voice firm and full of malice. "While everyone is distracted, we will infiltrate our men into the strategic positions. The city will fall before they realize what is happening."

The old man felt the urgency of the situation growing within him. There was no time for hesitation. He exchanged a glance with the mage and Athos, and with a nod, the operation began. Athos was the first to act, advancing with surprising speed for a man his age, sword in hand. He disarmed the first conspirator with a fluid, precise movement, while the mage conjured a magical barrier around them, preventing their enemies from escaping or attacking back. The old man, in turn, advanced directly towards the officer of Azaroth. "You will not destroy this city," he declared, his voice deep and full of authority. The officer took a step back, surprised by their presence, but quickly regained his composure, drawing a dagger. "Do you think you can stop the inevitable, old man? Chaos is the nature of things, and war... war is eternal." "Not as long as there are those willing to fight for peace," the old man replied, before disarming him with a quick, precise blow. The dagger fell to the ground with a clang, and the officer was quickly subdued by Athos.

The other conspirators, seeing that they were surrounded and had no chance of victory, surrendered without a fight. The wizard kept them trapped with restraining spells, while the old man made sure that none escaped.

With the conspirators detained, they began to gather evidence—the maps, the incriminating documents, everything they could use to expose the conspiracy to the people of the city. They knew that, in order to consolidate peace, it was essential to show everyone that there were still forces trying to sabotage it.

When they emerged from the sewers with the prisoners, the first light of morning was beginning to illuminate the city. The old man took a deep breath, feeling the weight of duty fulfilled, but aware that the battle for peace was far from over.

The wizard, at his side, placed a hand on his shoulder. "You made a difference today. The city has a chance to live in peace thanks to you."

The old man nodded, but he knew that this was only a beginning. The real test would come in the following days, when they would have to convince the people and the city leaders to unite against the forces that still wanted war. But for now, at least for this brief moment, they had won a crucial battle in the fight for peace.