NOVPUB
Chapter 139: 139:Infiltration[II]
Entering inside, Kael saw a man draped in saggy black clothes looking at the map who looked at him.
"What’s the news?"
Kael stood across from the man, his expression carefully measured.
The room was dim, the air thick with the scent of old parchment and metal. Around them, Serpent Fang members moved with silent efficiency, sharpening blades and adjusting their gear. Every action was deliberate, controlled.
They weren’t just a group of criminals, rather they were like soldiers operating under a strict command.
He leaned in slightly, voice low but firm. "The knight scouts showed up near the perimeter," he reported. "Gerat tried to intercept them. He fought, but they overwhelmed him. We barely got away." He let the words sit, letting the weight of the loss settle in.
The man’s expression darkened. His fingers tapped against the wooden table. "So they’re probing our defenses."
Kael nodded. "It won’t be long before they make another move. What’s our next step,Sir?"
His tone carried just enough urgency to make it seem like he was merely concerned with their cause. "Do we wait, or do we strike first?"
The man frowned, deep in thought. Then, his gaze sharpened. "We attack at midnight," he said. "When their guard is down—when they think they’re safe."
Kael gave a slow nod, his mind already working through the implications. The Serpent Fangs were planning an offensive.
Kael kept his expression neutral, nodding along as if he fully agreed. But inside, his mind raced. Midnight.
That meant they had only a few hours before chaos erupted. He needed to get word out—but first, he had to learn more.
He leaned back slightly, lowering his voice. "Midnight is smart. The knights won’t expect it." He glanced at the other men in the room, reading their reactions. Some looked eager, others cautious. "What’s the plan,Sir? A direct assault, or do we lure them in first?"
The man across from him, likely one of the higher-ups, smirked. "A bit of both. The Ice Titans will create a distraction outside the camp, force the knights to focus their attention there. Once they’re stretched thin, our forces will strike from within."
He gestured at a rough map spread on the table. "We’ve already weakened their supply lines. Once they lose their footing, it’s over."
Kael’s eyes flicked to the map. He took in every detail—the positioning of the Titans, the entry points, the retreat paths. Every piece of information could be used later. "It is a smart tactics. The one who came up with it might be a genius," he said, keeping his tone even. "And the mines? What’s happening with the crystals?"
The man gave him a sharp look but then shrugged. "Same as always. The monsters guard the core, but we control them. As long as the Titans stand, no one’s getting near that mana source." He narrowed his eyes. "Why? Worried about the operation?"
Kael shook his head. "Just making sure everything runs smooth. If the knights get too close, they might try something desperate." He exhaled as if in relief, then gave a confident nod. "Midnight, then."
The leader smirked and clapped him on the shoulder. "Hmm!. Stay sharp."
Kael gave a slight smirk back, hiding the storm brewing in his mind. Now, he had everything he needed. He just had to find a way to warn the others, before it was too late.
"Then we will depart and guard the periphery. Hail The Lord of Eternal Abyss," Kael added in a speech.
Something he picked up from the murmurs.
"Hail The Lord of Eternal Abyss!"The man gave a brief nod.
"Go on!"
.......
Kael, Handel, and Vic stepped out of the base into the cold, biting wind. Snowflakes drifted down lazily, covering the worn-out cottages and the cracked stone pathways of the desolate town. Cloaked figures moved in and out of dark alleys, whispering in hushed tones, their eyes darting around cautiously.
As they walked, another group of cloaked men approached them. One of them, taller than the rest, slowed down and gave them a knowing look. The others walked past, but one man stopped, eyes narrowing beneath his mask.
"Who are you? I don’t remember seeing you" he asked, his voice low but sharp.
The air around them tensed.
Kael didn’t react immediately. He simply paused, letting the silence drag. Handel and Vic stiffened, their instincts screaming danger. Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads despite the freezing air.
Then Kael spoke, his voice calm, steady. "Hail the Lord of the Eternal Abyss."
The man stared for a moment, then nodded.
"Hail The Lord of The Eternal Abyss!"
The rest of the group repeated the greeting in unison before moving on.
Kael smirked, turning back to Handel and Vic. "See? I told you. They don’t know shit."
"But how?" Vic asked, still uneasy.
Kael let out a small chuckle, the kind that sent shivers down spines. "All these cults have their little quirks. The lower-ranked ones always wear masks and robes. They use secret symbols and chants to recognize each other. But only the big shots actually know who’s who."
Handel nodded thoughtfully while Vic scoffed, crossing his arms.
"No one gives a damn about nobodies," Kael continued, smirking. "As long as you wear the right thing, say the right words, and act like you belong, you can slip right in."
Handel gave Kael a long, careful look. "You seem to know a lot about this, my Lord."
Kael grinned. "Oh, I’ve had fun dealing with groups like this before."
"Where?" Vic asked, narrowing his eyes.
Kael coughed, turning away. "Astross City."
Handel nodded in understanding. Vic didn’t look convinced but didn’t push further.
They turned their attention ahead. The entrance to the mines loomed before them, a massive stone archway carved into the icy cliffs.
Unlike the outer town, which was left to rot, this area was heavily guarded. Men in thick armor, their cloaks bearing the mark of the Serpent Fang, stood in formation. No monsters here—only ruthless men with sharp eyes and sharper blades.
Beyond the gate, the mines stretched into dark tunnels, the walls lined with glowing blue mana crystals. Workers, some prisoners, and some hired hands, moved in and out, carrying heavy sacks and crates. The air was thick with dust and the scent of damp stone.
Kael clicked his tongue. "Security’s tight. This won’t be easy."
"Do we have any messenger birds or something to send word to the knights?" he asked.
Handel shook his head. "The Red Knights might have some, but we aren’t linked to them."
Kael scowled. "That’s a damn problem. How do we warn them?" 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓅𝓊𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Vic crossed his arms. "Why don’t we just leave? We got the info. We’re not safe here."
Kael frowned, thinking deeply. His eyes scanned the area, reading every movement, every weak point. Then his lips curled into a slow, dangerous grin.
"We have a golden opportunity today," he said.
Handel tilted his head. "What do you mean, my Lord?"
Kael looked back at the heavily guarded mine entrance. "Since they’re planning a full-scale attack, their top guys will move out. That means security inside will be weaker."
Vic took a step back. "No. No. I see where this is going. Hell no."
Kael turned to him, his grin widening. "Vic, you’re delivering the message. You need to get to the fortress and make sure it doesn’t fall."
Vic scowled. "Why me? Why not Handel?"
Kael patted his shoulder mockingly. "Because I trust you to run fast. Also, you are Handel makes me comfortable unlike you."
Vic cursed under his breath, but Kael had already turned away, eyes fixed on the mine. The storm was coming, and he was ready to walk right into it.
