Supreme Warlock System : From Zero to Ultimate With My Wives

Warlock Ch 212. Assassination Plan

Damian and Cassius each took a ring from the pile of magical artifacts laid out on the table. The rings, while appearing mundane, were imbued with similar enchantments, enabling them to communicate across distances with a mere thought.

"Additionally," Evelyn continued, pulling out two small crystals, "I've prepared these escape crystals. If things go south, crush these. They'll transport you back to a predetermined safe location here in the castle."

Damian rolled the crystal between his fingers, its cool surface belying the powerful magic contained within. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he muttered, though he pocketed the crystal with a nod of appreciation.

Cassius leaned over the map spread out on the table, his finger tracing the serpentine pathways that led through the Crimson Veil—a sprawling, fog-shrouded territory notorious for its secrecy and the dangerous types who found refuge within its borders.

"Alright, here's the plan," Cassius began, his voice low and steady. "Seraphis and his troops will hit the front gates here, causing enough noise and chaos to pull Varak's guards out. That's our window. We sneak in through the back, using the old smuggler's path here." His finger stopped at a narrow, almost forgotten trail marked on the old parchment.

Damian, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, nodded slowly. "Sounds like my kind of operation—quiet, quick, and deadly."

Evelyn, seated at the other end of the table, her brow furrowed as she considered the layout. "And once we're inside? We need to be prepared for close combat. Those blood mages won't go down without a fight."

Damian straightened up, the light catching the sharp angles of his face. "That's why we play this like assassins, not mages. Stealth is key. We get in, find Varak, and get out before they even realize he's gone."

Cassius looked between his two companions, a grim smile tugging at his lips. "Sounds like your specialty, Damian."

"Yeah," Damian replied with a half-smirk. "Let's just hope it goes as smoothly as it sounds."

Evelyn rolled up another map, this one detailing the interior of Varak's manor. "Here's the layout of the inside. Varak's quarters are here, heavily guarded of course. We'll need to bypass the main hall, which will be the trickiest part, given that it's likely to be full of his soldiers and mages."

Damian took the map from her, scanning it quickly. "There's a series of hidden passages that run behind the walls—servants' routes, mostly forgotten. If we can access those, we can move around without being seen."

"Good," Cassius said, nodding approvingly. "I'll take point, Damian, you cover our rear. Evelyn, you're in the middle. Keep an eye on the magical defenses. We can't afford any surprises."

Evelyn's eyes sparkled with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. "I've prepared a few tricks of my own," she said, pulling out a small bag from her side. She placed several small, rune-inscribed stones on the table. "These are silence stones. Activate them, and they'll dampen all sound in a radius of ten feet. Perfect for moving undetected."

Damian picked one up, examining the intricate carvings. "Nice work, Eve. These could really give us the edge."

They refined every detail of their approach, leaving nothing to chance. By the time they wrapped up, the candles had burned low, casting the room into deeper shadows.

Cassius stood, stretching his back. "We should prepare ourselves."

Damian and Evelyn nodded, gathering up the maps and tools. As they prepared to leave, Damian paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He looked back at the map, his finger tracing the path they would soon take. The reality of what they were about to do settled in. He wasn't just fighting for Victoria or to take down a tyrant; he was fighting to prove himself.

Outside the room, the corridors were silent, the air heavy with the coming conflict. Damian walked alongside Evelyn, his mind racing with strategies and contingencies.

"You okay?" Evelyn asked, noticing his distant expression.

Damian glanced at her, offering a brief, reassuring smile. "Yeah, I just… don't know," Damian finally admitted, his voice a murmur barely louder than the whisper of the wind through the cracks. "Handling the mission with both of you feels weird."

Evelyn leaned against the wall, arms folded, her gaze sharp yet understanding. "You've moved as a lone wolf for too long," she pointed out, her tone gentle but blunt. "This teamwork thing—it's new, but it's not bad. Just different."

Damian chuckled softly, the sound tinged with irony. "I guess…" he trailed off, his gaze drifting down the corridor as if he could see through the walls to the challenges awaiting them.

They walked the last few steps to their quarters in silence.

"Later," Damian said as he stopped at his door, hand resting on the handle.

She nodded, her expression softening. "Later, and don't be late," she quipped with a wry smile, trying to lift the mood.

Damian smiled back, a genuine if fleeting grin, and pushed the door open. "Wouldn't dream of it." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The door closed behind him. But instead of the comfort it usually provided, it felt suffocating, constrictive. He sighed, dropping his guard for a moment as he leaned back against the door.

His eyes immediately fell on the bed, the sheets a tangled mess. Victoria wasn't there anymore, but the disarray left behind was proof enough that what had happened was real, tangible.

Damian walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair. It had been… intense.

He stood up abruptly, unable to sit still, his mind racing. The mission was at dusk, only hours away now. They needed to be sharp, focused. Yet here he was, caught up in the aftermath of a night that had blurred lines he hadn't even realized were drawn.

-----

A few hours later, Damian paced the room. He grabbed his gear and felt the warrior within awakening.

The knock at the door came just as he was fastening the last strap of his armor. Evelyn's voice, clear and steady, called from the other side. "Time to go."

"Coming," Damian called back, taking a deep breath as he opened the door to face her. Evelyn stood there, her face set in a mask of determination.

They walked together down the corridor to where Cassius was waiting, his expression grim but resolute.

"As ready as we'll ever be," Cassius said, clapping Damian on the shoulder.

The contact was brief but grounding.