After a grueling three-day journey through dense forests and rocky paths, Kaelion, Lira, and his three bandit subordinates finally arrived at the outskirts of Valtherion City. This city stood as one of the primary trade fortresses in the Aglarion Empire. Towering walls encircled the city, adorned with statues of knights symbolizing the strength and glory of the empire.
Lira stood beside Kaelion, gazing at the imposing walls in awe. "The city's defense system is impressive," she murmured.
Kaelion gave a slight nod. "This city is formidable, but every great wall has its small cracks waiting to be exploited."
Below them, the bandits disguised as merchants had already begun infiltrating the city to gather information. Meanwhile, Kaelion and Lira opted for a subtler approach.
"We'll slip in tonight," Kaelion declared.
"How?" Lira asked.
Kaelion offered a faint smile. "Trust me. But first, we need to find a way to monitor the night guards along the walls. We can't afford to make any reckless moves."
---
The Night Infiltration
When night fell, Kaelion and Lira made their move. With information from Orik, one of the bandits, they found a hidden passage used by smugglers to enter the city. The passage was a narrow tunnel concealed beneath an old bridge at the city's edge.
"This is so cramped," Lira complained, crawling behind Kaelion.
"You've lived in the forest. A little tunnel like this bothers you already?" Kaelion replied with a teasing tone.
Lira sighed but didn't retort. She knew that, despite Kaelion's sarcastic demeanor, he never acted without careful calculation.
After several minutes of crawling in darkness, they emerged in the slums at the city's outskirts. The air was thick with a foul stench, and ramshackle houses lined the area.
"Valtherion doesn't look so grand from this angle," Lira commented.
"Every city has its dark side," Kaelion replied. "And this is where we'll begin."
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Gathering Intel
In the slums, Kaelion sought out someone important: an informant named Grath, who had an extensive network throughout Valtherion. Using his manipulative skills, Kaelion successfully extracted crucial information about an ancient artifact he was searching for.
"The artifact is stored inside Astra Temple," Grath explained, trembling under Kaelion's cold gaze. "The temple is located in the city's center, guarded by elite knights and holy priests."
Kaelion nodded, his expression unreadable. "Lira, make note of this. We'll devise a strategy to infiltrate the temple."
Grath hesitated, as if reluctant to speak further.
"Do you have something else to add, Grath?" Kaelion asked, his voice low but laced with menace.
Grath swallowed hard. "The artifact… it's no ordinary object. Rumors say a dormant dark power resides within it."
Kaelion's eyes narrowed. "That makes it even more intriguing. I'll see it for myself."
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Kaelion's Plan
That night, Kaelion gathered his group in an abandoned building in the slums. Using the details provided by Grath, he began laying out a plan to infiltrate Astra Temple.
"We'll wait until the next night," he said. "That's when the temple guards rotate shifts, leaving security slightly more relaxed."
Lira listened intently but couldn't hold back her question any longer. "Kaelion, why are you so certain this artifact will help you?"
Kaelion stared at Lira with sharp eyes. "Because I know my former power isn't entirely gone. If this artifact truly originates from the Age of Darkness, then it's a part of my strength. And I'll reclaim it, no matter the cost."
Lira fell silent. There was something in Kaelion's voice that compelled her to believe, even if she didn't fully understand why she continued to follow him.
---
Kaelion's Reflection
When everyone else had gone to sleep, Kaelion stayed awake, sitting in a corner of the room, contemplating his next move. He knew the journey ahead would be long. His current body was far from strong enough to face the greatest threats, but he also understood that time was his greatest ally.
He held a small dagger in his hand, gazing at his reflection in the blade. Staring back at him was the face of a young man, only 21 years old—a far cry from the immortal King of Darkness, Raviel Arcadia, he once was.
But beneath his youthful and seemingly frail appearance, his burning desire for vengeance remained unchanged.
"Age is just a number," he muttered to himself. "In the end, power is all that matters. And I'll reclaim it, no matter how long it takes."
That night, Kaelion swore once more: he would not only dominate the world but also destroy those who had betrayed him.