Chapter 37: The Successful Infiltration

Tyler and Dyna didn't take any chances and dispatched a spy to verify the authenticity of the message. They suspected it could be a ploy to deceive them. The spy came back with crucial information: the majority of Hammer's army had withdrawn, leaving only a small contingent behind. It seemed that they were biding their time, possibly waiting to support Hammer should he launch another assault on the fortress.

"I guess the message was correct," Tyler said with a sense of relief, gingerly wiping the beads of sweat off his forehead. "We could rest easy for a while."

"We should still not let our guard down," cautioned Dyna. "He might return sooner than we expect."

"I think we should deal a blow now that we have a chance," Tyler schemed.

"How would we do that?"

"The majority of Hammer's army had already gone away, and only a small portion of it remains. I am sure they are there to keep a check on our movements and assist him as soon as he returns for us," Tyler explained, crossing his arms. A sly smile formed on his lips. "What if we get rid of them?"

Dyna, too, smiled at the clever idea. "We should be hurrying before Hammer changes his mind."

Tyler stood on a raised platform, the wind gently brushing his hair as he addressed his weary soldiers. He spoke of the temporary retreat of their adversary, Hammer, to his capital, granting them a brief respite. However, Tyler's eyes held a steely determination as he urged his men to remain vigilant, to fortify their defenses, and to never let their guard down. As his words washed over the tired ranks of soldiers, a collective sigh of relief permeated the air, a brief moment of calm in the midst of turmoil.

Tyler gave orders to the soldiers to continue digging the trench and set up more traps along the enemy's path. Once he was off the raised platform, Dyna inquired about the timing of their plan.

Tyler responded, "As soon as your lover and our other allies send their troops."

His remark was met with an elbow from Dyna, causing him to wince. "What the hell was that?" he exclaimed.

"You know why I did that," Dyna replied casually before diverting back to the topic at hand, "The forces will be here sooner than we expect."

"We will launch the ambush under the cover of night, making it challenging for them to anticipate our movements," Tyler stated, as he gazed at the setting sun and let out a hopeful sigh. "I hope the princes are alright. Everything depends on the success of their mission."

***

Colt moved with lightning speed, deftly seizing the sword from the waist of a nearby man and swiftly raising it to block the attack over his head, the clash resonating with a sharp clank. With a powerful motion, he forced the enemy away, then gracefully leaped a few steps back, ensuring a safe distance between them. Every movement was executed with precision and controlled intensity, creating a tense and riveting scene.

To gain Virgil's trust, Colt shouted with the utmost sincerity, "I am not an enemy. You have got it wrong."

"Shut your mouth," said Virgil, and he assaulted him again.

Colt swiftly dodged Virgil's horizontal swing by hopping back and blocked a diagonal swing aimed at his shoulder. He then pushed himself against Virgil with all his strength. 'While he looks rusty, he still has good skills in sword-fight. I guess he must be a retired soldier, or have been a part of some mercenary group,' he thought. 

"You have some truly impressive fighting skills, despite being a peasant," remarked Virgil, exerting all his strength to push against Colt. "It makes me even more suspicious of you than before."

"There is nothing to be suspicious of," Colt replied calmly, unwavering in his defense. "My natural affinity for swordsmanship caught the eye of a retired soldier from my village, who took me under his wing and trained me."

"I must commend you for your exceptional storytelling," Virgil remarked sarcastically.

The two men separated, creating a distance between them, both brandishing their swords and fixing their unwavering gazes upon each other.

Colt's mind swirled with relentless unease as he pondered, 'What now? Would this go on until we kill each other?' His face tightened with the weight of the situation, and he searched the faces of the group members, noting how fervently they goaded their leader to end his life.

"Kill him, boss!"

"Show him hell!"

Resigned to his fate, Colt finally made a decision. With a determined thought, he acknowledged, 'I guess I have no choice. I wonder if this would work, but there is no other way.'

Just as Virgil made another aggressive move with his sword, to everyone's astonishment, Colt didn't attempt to defend or dodge the attack. Instead, he discarded his weapon and stood with his eyes shut.

Virgil hesitated, taken aback by Colt's unexpected action. "Are you daft?" he bellowed. "Why did you throw away your sword?"

"I am prepared to sacrifice myself for my cause, boss," Colt responded as he opened his eyes. "If shedding my blood is what it takes to prove my loyalty and innocence, then I am willing to do so without hesitation." Anger and resentment clouded his expression. "They ravaged my village—committed atrocities against innocent women, destroyed our homes, and mercilessly slaughtered those who resisted," he exclaimed, his voice rising. "Did we deserve such a fate? I refuse to accept that. That's why I am ready to fight for your cause. And if you still doubt my allegiance, I am more than willing to prove my unwavering loyalty."

After a tense moment of stunned silence from those around them, Virgil opted to sheathe his sword. "Very well," he conceded. "You have proven yourself."

Colt couldn't believe his luck, as his daring plan actually worked. As he grappled with the unexpected turn of events, a rush of confusion washed over him. "What do you mean?" he questioned, trying to make sense of the situation.

A voice from behind revealed, "You're one of us now. The boss wanted to test if you were resilient enough to join our ranks." The weight of those words sunk in as Colt turned to face the speaker, Virgil, who was wearing a knowing smile. "Did I really...?" Colt trailed off, seeking confirmation.

Virgil nodded. "Yes, but my trust in you is still lacking. You'll need to demonstrate your loyalty. And if you fail, you're aware of the consequences."

The gravity of Virgil's words hit Colt hard, leaving him with a sense of foreboding. "Understood, boss," he managed to utter, his apprehension palpable.

Despite his triumphant infiltration into the organization, Colt couldn't shake the feeling of unease. He knew that trust was something he had yet to earn. There could be more traps waiting for him, a strategic ploy to lower his guard and expose his true identity. He resolved to remain vigilant at all times, working tirelessly to garner the trust and acceptance of the group. With Hammer's next move shrouded in mystery, there was no room for complacency.

***

Rozerd took deliberate steps along the secluded pathway, the fiery glow of the torch in his hand casting dramatic, dancing shadows on the ancient, weathered stones. With unwavering focus, he systematically swept away the silken veils of spiderwebs and any other pesky obstacles that dared to impede his progress.

"Hangaz, you scheming dastard," he muttered under his breath, his voice edged with quiet disdain. "One should learn from you how to artfully exploit a situation."

Commissioned with a clandestine task by King Hangaz, the success of this mission held the potential to cultivate a profound sense of trust between them. The very fate of the kingdom's allegiance hinged upon the favorable outcome of this covert endeavor.

With the royal palace of Wild already on high alert due to the purported escape of the princes, Rozerd knew that he had to navigate the treacherous terrain without drawing attention to himself. Evading capture was paramount to the success of his mission.

After forging ahead through the narrow path, he encountered a dead end, a formidable wall blocking his path. Raising the fire-torch above his head, he searched for any sign of an exit and was relieved to discover a wooden door. With swift agility, he opened it and ascended to the next level.

Upon emerging from the secret pathway, he found himself amidst bags of food and grain. "I seem to have stumbled upon a storage room," he mused, taking in the surroundings with a keen eye.

He had breached the fortress of Wild undetected, but the real challenge lay ahead. His mission was clear - to eliminate certain individuals within the palace while evading capture. "I fear this shall prove to be the most daunting task I have ever faced," he admitted, the weight of the impending danger clear on his face.

Suddenly, a woman wearing an apron entered the room and caught sight of him. She appeared on the brink of screaming.

"Sh*t."