Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World - Chapter 201

Chapter 201: The First Mission
“The walls are not very high, and they are poorly maintained. And there’s no one patrolling. Their defenses are pitiful.” – Henry observed as he studied the fortification protecting Drathla, the capital of Luak.

The city sprawled across a large plain, its stone walls bordered by the cold forests of the north. The walls were barely a third of the size of those surrounding Stahl’s capital, and riddled with holes and crumbling sections where the parapets were missing. Henry scanned the perimeter again, confirming that not a single soldier was stationed on the wall. It was the capital of a kingdom, and yet its security was almost non-existent. It was as if no danger ever befell this city.

“They must not have spotted us yet,” Henry said. As they approached Drathla, he had led his troops through the cover of the trees, using the shadows and canopy to conceal their movements. With eight hundred cavalry units under his command and the Snowfire Horses’ distinctive fur, it was crucial to avoid being seen. Their blood-red fur would have made them easy targets for any guards posted along the walls, if there had been any.

“What’s the plan, my liege?” Leier asked, her blue eyes fixed on him, ready to accomplish any and all of his commands. Henry’s lips curled into a smile.

“Remember when we reclaimed Mirante from Codicia’s hands?” He asked. Leier’s gaze grew distant as she recalled that night, years ago, during the Stahl civil war. It had been her first mission for the king, sneaking through the sewers to infiltrate the city of Mirante and unlock the gates for Henry’s army. It was also the night Luther had executed his former disciple, Codicia, the only noble who had dared to aim for the throne for himself, believing she could save it, rather than abandon it.

Leier straightened in her saddle. “Do you want me to find a sewer entrance to infiltrate the city, my liege?” Her eyes scanned the walls, searching for any indication of an opening.

Henry shook his head. “No need for that. The walls are empty, and they are riddled with gaps. It won’t be difficult to climb.” He gestured at the broken sections and cracks running along the stone wall. “With no guards around, you should be able to scale it easily.”

She studied the wall again, noticing the numerous gaps and cracks. They provided easy handholds, making the climb simple enough, especially with no one to watch for intruders. With her tribal tattoo, the Inverno Owl, she could amplify her speed and agility while turning herself invisible and undetected. Though activating the tattoo would drain a third of her mana and last only a minute. It was more than enough time to get in and open the gates.

“It will be done,” Leier said confidently, her hand resting on the hilt of her short sword. She felt the familiar thrill of a mission, her mind already running through the steps ahead, planning each step until she entered the capital.

“The sun will set soon,” Henry said, glancing at the horizon. “We will move under the cover of darkness. You will infiltrate the city tonight and open the gates for the rest of us.”

The plan was simple. When night fell, and the guards or patrol teams, already lax and oblivious, were at their least alert, Leier would slip in and open the gates. It was a simple, effective strategy that would minimize risk and casualties. A frontal assault, though possible, would be reckless and wasteful. Henry had no interest in risking the lives of his men or squandering resources needlessly.

As the shadows lengthened and the sky darkened, Henry’s eyes remained fixed on Drathla. “We strike when they’re least prepared,” he said, his voice low and determined. “Tonight, we take the capital.”

Leier nodded once, determination set in her eyes. She tightened her grip on her sword and slipped from her horse, vanishing into the shadows of the forest. She moved swiftly through the dark forest. Her heart beat steadily, a rhythm she had learned to control over years of training.

The capital’s defenses were as poor as Henry had analyzed. The walls, cracked and crumbling, offered ample handholds. It almost felt like an invitation, as if the city had long since forgotten the touch of war and the scent of battle. She crouched behind a tree, waiting for the last sliver of light to disappear and the entire world was swallowed by darkness. Then, she activated her Inverno Owl tattoo.

The mana surged through her, cold and sharp, spreading from her shoulder down her arm. For a moment, her skin began to be colored by different colors, and then she vanished, her form blending seamlessly with the shadows. She had one minute.

She kicked the ground, exiting from her hiding spot, her movements fluid and precise, as she made her way to the base of the wall. Reaching it, she leaped up, her hands finding the first of many cracks. Her fingers easily got a grip, and with an effortless pull, she lifted herself higher. The damaged wall worked in her favor, allowing easy foothold, her boots sliding into the crevices as she climbed.

The city’s silence was absolute. The only sounds were the distant murmur of the night wind and the soft rustle of leaves from the trees below. She wanted to stay there and appreciate this silence, but she had to accomplish her mission.

When she reached the parapet she paused, flattening herself against the wall as she scanned the it. Her eyes adjusted to the dark, and she could see the flicker of torches far down the wall, where a small patrol was stationed. They were too distant to spot her; her path remained clear.

In seconds, she reached the top of the wall and crouched low, pressing herself against the cool stone as she scanned the surroundings. No one there, only a patrol team down the walls and inside the city.