Chapter 73

Several days later. In the laboratory of the side keep of Baron Leo's castle, Tuku was reporting to Richard.

After a long pause, Tuku let out a sigh and concluded, "Master Richard, everything is nearly set. The news was released yesterday, and we've paid close attention to the suspicious individuals. If there are no surprises, they should have received the message by now."

Richard, his back to Tuku, was bent over a large workbench, writing quickly on a papyrus scroll. After a few moments, he stopped, set down his quill, and spoke calmly, "So, they should be preparing by now. If everything goes according to plan, they'll likely be within the territory in two or three days."

"Indeed," Tuku nodded.

"Good. Then let's proceed with the plan. Start sending the gifts I've prepared," Richard instructed.

"Understood," Tuku replied with a firm nod, turning to leave the laboratory and make the necessary arrangements.

Richard, still standing at the bench, picked up his quill and resumed writing.

Nearly ten minutes later, Richard finished his work, carefully blew on the ink to dry it, and then rolled the papyrus scroll up. He walked to a nearby shelf and opened a wooden box. Inside, neatly arranged, were more than a dozen scrolls—this was the compiled collection of information Richard had gathered over the past ten years. Richard slid the newly completed scroll into the box, then, almost instinctively, picked up a small glass vial from the corner of the box.

The vial was no larger than a thumb in diameter, made of mediocre glass. At the tip, there was a small protrusion, much like a rubber nipple—a container for storing special potions, or in this case, an ampoule. But instead of a potion, the vial contained a small piece of golden, slightly pale metal.

Richard gazed at the metal, narrowing his eyes. "Let's hope this final gift reaches its destination. It's taken me a long time to refine all of this. Don't disappoint me…"

Six days later.

A large caravan was making its way along the road, over six hundred strong.

More than four hundred of them were elite soldiers of Count William, with another two hundred from Lord Lanster's "special support" forces. Ten more were the loyal confidants Edward had carefully cultivated over the years.

Count William rode at the head of the group, while Edward purposefully lagged half a horse-length behind, walking alongside the Count. The two conversed casually.

Suddenly, Count William furrowed his brow and asked, "It hath been nigh four days since we did enter thy father's lands. Why hath thy brother, the one who is to inherit the title, not yet dared to show his countenance? At this pace, we shall reach thy father's castle within a day's time. Doth thy 'sorcerer' brother intend to trust in the feeble, crumbling walls of the stronghold which thy father did fashion to withstand me?"

"Who can say? Forsooth, mine brother is a peculiar sort. No one doth truly know what occupies his thoughts. Mayhap, witnessing such a multitude gathering to assail, he is become too afeard to make a move. Or perchance he is so enmeshed in his strange experiments that he hath not even perceived our coming," Edward replied, his tone nonchalant.

"No," Count William said firmly, his voice serious. "Thou art mistaken, Edward."

"Ah?" Edward blinked, surprised, and turned to look at William, only to find no mockery in the Count's expression—only a deep, unspoken gravity.

"Notwithstanding the peculiarities of thy brother, he is no fool. A man who can drive thee from thine own lands for over a decade and thwart thine assassination attempts is undeniably powerful. Take heed, Edward; to conquer an opponent, thou must not belittle them. Approach them with due respect, lest thou find thyself vanquished in a grievous manner."

Edward felt a slight disdain rise within him. After all these years, he'd heard William's old-fashioned advice countless times—almost to the point where he could recite it by heart. But, as always, he was forced to bite his tongue and adopt an obedient expression. He nodded repeatedly, saying, "I understand, Uncle. It's my fault."

"It's all right. In my youth, I too was full of confidence, blind to my own limits. Yet, as the years go by, thou shalt come to understand that what I say holds wisdom."

William said with a slight chuckle, patting Edward's shoulder. Then, his tone turned serious as he gave orders, "All, be on thy guard. We desire not any surprises."

"Yes, lord!" The command was quickly passed down, and the entire group tightened their vigilance as they continued on their way.

They traveled safely through the day, but when night fell, no ambush had been encountered. The soldiers, on edge from the constant vigilance, began to grow paranoid, causing small disturbances among the ranks.

As the caravan stopped to set up camp for the night, many whispered complaints about Count William's caution. Edward, hearing this, couldn't help but smirk. Count William, however, frowned but said nothing as he retreated to his personal tent.

Later that night...

In the thick, darkened night, behind a small hill on the open field, a small group of ten riders lay in wait.

Silent, they made no noise, their weapons gleaming faintly in the darkness. Their horses, their eyes covered, were equipped with bridles to prevent any sound or sudden movements. Thick linen cloths were wrapped around their hooves to reduce any noise from their galloping.

This small unit waited patiently, ready for an attack that would catch the enemy completely by surprise.

After some time, a shadow emerged from the darkness, scanning the group. A voice whispered low, "Is everything ready?"

"Ready," they answered in unison, their voices hushed but clear.

"Good," Richard said, nodding. He gave his final, serious instruction, "Remember, thy mission is not to slay. It is to sow chaos. Thy weapons are not the blades in thy hands, but the fear of the unknown. If thou canst bring about the greatest panic in the briefest time, thy mission shall be deemed a success. If not... failure."

"Understood." They answered again in unison.

With a slight pause, Richard raised his hand high.

The entire team of the First Guard tensed, taking a deep breath.

"Move out!" Richard commanded.

In an instant, the First Guard members darted forward like silent black arrows, heading toward the massive camp a kilometer away.

To maintain secrecy, Tuku and the others had positioned themselves far from the target camp before starting the operation. It would take them nearly two miles to reach it, which was a long distance to cover without exhausting the horses.

At the five-hundred-meter mark, they began to increase their speed, their bodies low to avoid detection.

When they reached two hundred meters, they accelerated to full speed.

The charge began.窗体底端