My life as a king

Chapter 10: "Shadows in the Night"

The grand chambers of the Marquess, lit by flickering candlelight, held a tense atmosphere. Seated around a polished oak table were the three key conspirators: the Prime Minister, the Duke, and the Marquess. The air was heavy with the weight of their decision, the culmination of weeks of careful plotting. Before them lay an intricate map of the royal palace, marked with red circles and lines detailing every corridor, entrance, and choke point.

"We have no room for failure," the Prime Minister began, his tone steely. "Roman has fortified himself well, and his new troops are unlike anything we've dealt with before. But no man is invincible. Tonight, we end this farce of a king."

The Duke, a stout man with a thick mustache and a perpetual scowl, leaned forward. "What about Luke? That four-star Zora Swordsman is the real issue. As long as he stands, Roman's palace is impenetrable."

The Marquess, a wiry man with calculating eyes, nodded. "We've accounted for that. The 3-star Zora Swordsman, 'The Phantom Blade,' will deal with him. He's capable of holding Luke long enough for the rest of the team to execute the plan."

The Prime Minister gestured to the map. "Exactly. Here's how it will go: The Phantom Blade, along with the three 2-star Zora Swordsmen, will focus entirely on neutralizing Luke. They must keep him occupied, no matter the cost. Meanwhile, the ten 1-star Zora Swordsmen and the mercenaries will divide into three teams. Each team will approach the king's quarters from a different direction. The rest of the assassins—spies and guards—will serve as diversions, creating chaos and drawing attention away from the main strike teams."

The Duke furrowed his brow. "And if the alarm is raised?"

The Marquess smirked. "It won't matter. By the time the guards realize what's happening, it will be too late. Roman will be dead, and his precious soldiers will have no leader to rally behind."

A brief silence followed as the weight of their plan settled over the room. Finally, the Prime Minister stood, his voice firm. "This is our only chance. We've spent a fortune assembling this team. Failure is not an option. Move out."

---

The assassins moved like shadows through the night, their movements precise and calculated. Each member of the team had been handpicked for their skill and loyalty to the conspirators. The Phantom Blade led the vanguard, his presence imposing even in the darkness. Behind him were the three 2-star Zora Swordsmen, their blades glinting faintly in the moonlight.

The 1-star Zora Swordsmen and mercenaries, divided into three groups, trailed behind, their expressions tense but resolute. These were seasoned killers, yet even they couldn't ignore the growing unease among their ranks. The royal palace loomed ahead, its high walls and fortified gates a stark reminder of the challenge they faced.

As they approached the perimeter, the Phantom Blade signaled for the teams to halt. In hushed whispers, he gave his final instructions. "Luke is the key. Without him, the king is vulnerable. We strike hard and fast. Team Alpha with me—we'll engage Luke and keep him occupied. Teams Beta, Gamma, and Delta, you have your targets. Remember, no hesitation. The alarm must not be raised until it's too late for them to respond. Move out."

The teams dispersed, each slipping into the shadows like wraiths.

---

Inside the palace, Luke stood on the training grounds, overseeing a midnight drill with a small contingent of elite soldiers. Though the hour was late, his instincts told him something was amiss. The recent increase in security had created a sense of unease among the palace guards.

One of his lieutenants approached, saluting sharply. "Sir, all patrols report clear. No signs of unusual activity."

Luke nodded, his gaze scanning the walls. "Keep your men alert. I don't trust the quiet tonight."

---

The first group of assassins reached the outer wall of the palace. Using grappling hooks and ropes, they scaled the stone barrier with practiced ease. Once inside, they moved swiftly, avoiding the patrols and slipping into the shadows of the inner courtyard.

Team Beta was the first to encounter resistance. A pair of palace guards spotted their movement and raised their voices in alarm. Steel clashed as the assassins struck quickly, silencing the guards before they could raise a full alarm. But the brief skirmish had not gone unnoticed.

A distant horn sounded, its mournful note cutting through the still night. Luke's head snapped up at the sound, his expression hardening. "To arms!" he barked, drawing his blade. "We're under attack!"

The palace erupted into chaos as soldiers scrambled to their positions. Torches were lit, illuminating the grounds as the guards mobilized.

The Phantom Blade cursed under his breath as the alarm echoed through the palace. "We've been discovered. No matter. Stick to the plan!" he snarled, leading his team toward the heart of the palace where Luke's contingent was stationed.

The clash was inevitable. Luke met the assassins head-on, his blade a blur of motion as he engaged the Phantom Blade and the 2-star Zora Swordsmen. Sparks flew as steel met steel, the air thick with the sound of battle.

Luke's voice rang out above the fray. "Hold the line! Protect the king at all costs!"

Meanwhile, Teams Gamma and Delta pressed deeper into the palace, cutting down any guards who stood in their way. Blood stained the polished floors as the assassins carved a path toward the king's chambers. But the resistance was fiercer than they had anticipated.

Roman's soldiers, though outnumbered in some skirmishes, fought with a tenacity that unnerved the attackers. These were not ordinary guards—they were system troops, unwavering in their loyalty and discipline.

---

The palace corridors became a battlefield, the air filled with the sounds of clashing blades and shouts of defiance. The conspirators had underestimated the strength and resolve of Roman's forces.

In the heart of the palace, Roman stood in his chambers, fully armored and flanked by his bodyguards—four 1-star Aura Swordsmen. His expression was calm, his mind sharp as he issued orders through a messenger. "Seal the inner gates. Hold the choke points. Do not let them reach me."

The stage was set for a night of bloodshed and betrayal, the first clash marking the beginning of a battle that would shape the future of the kingdom.