Shadow Among Us

The Infiltrator

Aven's gaze was locked onto Leo as he spoke earnestly, his tone steady yet persuasive.

"Duke Leo, we've been in contact for quite some time now. You turned down our offer before, and I understand why. Back then, the Radiant Church held the upper hand on the battlefield, and you had your concerns—anyone in your position would have. But now, the tides have shifted. The Radiant Church is in full retreat, while we, the Luminous Church, are advancing like an unstoppable force. This is your final chance. If you hesitate any longer, you might lose the opportunity of a lifetime."

He paused briefly, then leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering to a near whisper.

"Think about it—how has the Loran Royal Family treated you? You once commanded vast armies and won countless victories for the crown. And what was your reward? Three years ago, they stripped you of your military power without a shred of mercy. They reduced you from a mighty general to nothing more than a glorified gatekeeper. Can you truly swallow that humiliation?"

Leo's expression twisted with a mix of pain and resentment. His heart churned with conflicting emotions, as if a storm had been unleashed within him. His fists clenched tightly as he grappled with the weight of the decision before him. This was a gamble of the highest stakes—if he lost, his entire family would be doomed.

After a long silence, he finally looked up, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

"Can you guarantee my family's safety? This isn't a trivial matter—I have to consider their lives."

Aven straightened his posture, his voice filled with unwavering confidence.

"Duke Leo, rest assured. His Holiness is a man of vision and wisdom. He has already promised that not only will your family remain unharmed, but he will also grant you a position of great power once the war is won. Your name will once again command respect, and your house will rise to prominence."

Leo's brow furrowed. Doubt still lingered in his gaze.

"But this is treason. I would be betraying the Radiant Church. Can His Holiness truly trust a man like me?"

Aven chuckled, his voice laced with reassurance.

"Duke Leo, this is not treason—it is justice. It was the Loran Royal Family that wronged you first. They discarded you like a broken tool. Why should you remain loyal to them? Besides, His Holiness has long been aware of your situation. He has made it clear—if you stand with us, all past grievances will be forgotten, and you will be honored as one of our own."

Leo remained silent, his mind racing as he weighed the risks and rewards. Finally, he took a deep breath, his resolve hardening.

"Fine. I'll do it. What do you need from me?"

Aven's heart soared, though he maintained his composed demeanor.

"Three days from now, when our forces launch the assault, you will open the southern gate. That is all we need from you. Leave the rest to us."

Leo inhaled sharply before nodding.

"Consider it done."

With their agreement sealed, Aven wasted no time. He rose swiftly, bid the duke farewell, and departed the mansion. The moment he stepped outside, he released a messenger bird into the night sky.

In times of war, the skies above Loran City were filled with hundreds of messenger birds, carrying intelligence to and from various factions. Aven's bird was just another among the flock—undetectable, unnoticed.

—---

The Luminous Camp

Rowan sat in his tent when the bird arrived. Unfurling the tiny parchment tied to its leg, he scanned the message. A long-held tension within him finally eased.

Without delay, he summoned Black.

"Tomorrow, we begin the siege on Loran City. I want all four gates attacked simultaneously. However, if you encounter strong resistance, withdraw immediately. Do not engage in prolonged battle."

Black's brows furrowed. The order puzzled him. Why attack only to retreat? It made little sense.

Still, he bowed and responded dutifully.

"Understood. Fortunately, an additional ten thousand infantry will arrive by dawn. This will give us greater flexibility in deployment. I will make the necessary preparations."

Rowan nodded approvingly, then added,

"The Knight Order will also participate in this siege."

Black's eyes widened in surprise. The knights were not suited for siege warfare—this was an unusual decision. However, Rowan was a man of unparalleled strategy. If he had chosen not to reveal his full plan, it was for a reason. Black knew better than to question him.

"As you command, Your Holiness."

—---

The Siege of Loran Begins

At dawn, the Luminous Church's army launched a full-scale assault.

From all four directions, soldiers stormed the city's walls, their battle cries shaking the heavens. The thunder of hooves and the clash of steel echoed across the battlefield.

The defenders of Loran City scrambled into position, their hearts pounding as they braced for the attack.

Yet, something was strange.

The moment the Luminous Church suffered minor casualties, they pulled back, retreating without pressing forward.

The Loran soldiers were baffled. Their initial fear quickly faded, replaced by growing confidence.

"Ha! They're not as fearsome as we thought!" one soldier jeered.

"Looks like we can hold the city without much trouble!" another cheered.

For three consecutive days, the pattern repeated itself. Each attack was fierce but brief, and the Luminous forces withdrew at the first sign of difficulty.

Slowly, the defenders began to lower their guard. Even General Soro, known for his caution, started paying less attention to the enemy's maneuvers.

And that was exactly what Rowan had planned.

—---

The Fourth Day: The Betrayal

Rowan summoned Black once more, his expression solemn.

"Today, you will lead the Knight Order in a full-force assault on the southern gate. I will accompany you personally."

Black's heart pounded with excitement.

"Understood! So the plan is finally coming together…" he thought, admiration for Rowan growing even stronger.

"Someone inside the city will open the gate for us," Rowan continued. "This is the day we take Loran City."

Meanwhile, within Loran City itself, Duke Leo stood before the southern gate.

His son, Saul, was startled to see him arrive in person.

"Father? What are you doing here?" Saul asked, stepping forward respectfully.

Leo's expression was grave as he leaned in and spoke quietly.

"When the enemy attacks, you will open the southern gate. Do not hesitate."

Saul's breath caught in his throat.

"Father… this…?"

The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. His father was committing treason.

But instead of panicking, Saul steadied himself. He knew better than to question his father's orders.

Lowering his voice, he responded, "Understood. The soldiers here are loyal to our house. They will follow my command."

Leo nodded, his voice firm.

"Good. This must go flawlessly. I will remain here to oversee everything. You must personally lead your men to open the gate. Do you understand?"

Saul clenched his fists, then nodded.

"I won't fail."

As he turned to carry out his orders, the distant sound of war drums began to echo.

The final assault on Loran City had begun.