Chapter 391 - 387: Sneak Attack
It was a dark and windy night.
A dark cloud crept over the moon, casting the land into shadow.
Ever since the last conflict between Viscount Freddy and Duke Eldrin, Sentry Town had fallen into the hands of the Scorching Wind Territory.
The one now stationed here was Knight Beckett, one of Freddy’s men, a Celestial Tier Warrior who had been famous for years.
The Starfall Islands were about to be attacked, yet Viscount Freddy hadn’t recalled Beckett to the Scorching Wind Territory. On the contrary, he had sent more men to Sentry Town, along with a significant supply of provisions.
It was as if a battle would soon break out in this very direction.
As a commander stationed on the front lines, Beckett knew nothing of the agreement between Freddy and Duane, but recent rumors had left him deeply unsettled.
His informant in Star Sea City had sent word that many people were now discussing how Viscount Freddy had ignored the proposal of Duke Blazing Sun, Howard, and refused to help Duke Eldrin fend off the enemy.
Some even said that Viscount Freddy had already surrendered in secret, which was why the enemy was only attacking the Duke’s Territory and had given up on the weaker Scorching Wind Territory.
However, Beckett had also received information from the Scorching Wind Territory that was the complete opposite of what he had heard from Star Sea City—
Duke Eldrin had secretly reached an agreement with the enemy. As long as the enemy attacked the Scorching Wind Territory first, the Star Sea Clan would not only refuse to send a single soldier in aid but would also cede some of its cities to the enemy in exchange for peace.
"This is a conspiracy!"
Beckett sensed keenly. ’This must be the enemy spreading rumors in both territories to destroy the trust between the Scorching Wind Territory and the Duke’s Territory.’
But he couldn’t be certain of this guess. After all, judging by the current situation, the Lord Viscount showed not the slightest intention of assisting Duke Eldrin.
He hadn’t even received any orders to defend or attack. He could only remain stationed in Sentry Town, making his rounds on horseback each day with a heavy heart.
Deep in the night, Beckett stood at his window, gazing at the moon shrouded by dark clouds.
For some reason, he had been tossing and turning, unable to sleep tonight, a faint sense of unease nagging at his heart.
Meanwhile, in a courtyard within Sentry Town, the ten-man team from Mountain Village lay in wait.
This team was formidable, composed of the Celestial Tier Warrior Lune, the Earth Tier Warrior Conrad, and the Human Tier Warrior Ross, along with two Advanced Warriors and five Middle Level Warriors.
However, they remembered Duane’s orders: this operation was not about killing the enemy but about creating chaos and framing Duke Eldrin.
"Sentry Town is on the border of the Scorching Wind Territory and the Duke’s Territory, but the two sides haven’t fought for years, so no castle was built here. I did a quick survey during the day. Beckett is hoarding some of the provisions inside the garrison, but another portion is stored separately in the warehouse of the town’s mill."
The speaker was Knight Brisson. He had escorted a merchant caravan from Sharp Stone Castle to Sentry Town to do business, and Lune’s group had snuck in disguised as ordinary Guards.
As a fellow Knight, Brisson had paid a visit to Beckett, learning some details about the garrison and even drawing a simple map of the area.
Lune said, "Ross, you take your men and raid the mill and the granary. Remember to make full use of the Spell Scrolls the Lord left for us. Use Stealth to get in, set fire to the granary, and then retreat immediately!"
"Yes!"
Lune continued, "Conrad and I will lie in wait near the garrison. Once news of your attack reaches them, if that Beckett leaves in a hurry, we’ll raid his garrison."
Finally, he added, "Regardless of whether you succeed in burning the granary, you must retreat immediately after the operation!"
The men all acknowledged the order in low voices.
The corners of Brisson’s mouth turned up slightly as he said with a smile, "The residence I chose is quite remote. Shake off any pursuers and come here at once. Then you can join me in feigning support for Knight Beckett."
"Alright!"
The group discussed the details a bit more in hushed tones, then changed into clothing prepared by Sharp Stone Castle that bore the emblem of the Star Sea Clan before melting into the night.
Sentry Town had Guards on watch at night, but they were almost all positioned on the main roads outside of town or stationed at important areas like the granary. The streets inside the town itself were virtually unpatrolled.
Because of this, Lune and his men only needed to avoid the eyes of a few scattered residents to sneak to the granary’s location.
"Lord Ross, what are your orders?" an Advanced Warrior asked in a low voice.
Ross scanned the mill ahead. There were at least seven or eight soldiers standing guard outside, and there were definitely more Warriors inside.
"Giles, you circle around to that side and wait for the right moment. Wick and the rest of you, you’ll sneak in with me. We’ll kill a few of them to create a diversion and lure them away."
Ross looked at the Advanced Warrior to his left. "Giles, you’ll take that opportunity to set the fire. Use several Flame Technique scrolls. Make sure the mill catches fire. Don’t hold back."
"Understood!"
It was now the middle of the night, and the Guards on watch were not at their sharpest. They were so drowsy they didn’t even hear the faint footsteps.
When the cold Longsword was pressed against his neck, he jolted, but it was too late.
SHLICK!
A single slice to the throat, and his life was snuffed out in an instant.
"Who’s there?"
The sound of the Longsword cutting through flesh immediately alerted the others nearby, who only then realized someone had approached.
Just then, Ross and his men lunged forward, killing several more sentries.
"Enemy attack!"
"Enemy attack!"
Someone immediately began to shout at the top of their lungs.
"Go!"
Ross casually stabbed a sentry and ordered an immediate retreat.
At the same time, torches lit up inside the mill, and a Warrior rushed out, not even having had time to get properly dressed.
As Ross engaged the opponent, the clash of their weapons pierced the night sky, and both sides instantly gauged each other’s strength.
"Silver Star and Sea Waves... you’re from the Duke’s Territory?" The Guard Captain guarding the mill recognized the emblem on Ross’s Armor.
Ross gave a dry laugh and used the force of the blow to retreat, leading his men away.
Like assassins, they retreated the moment their strike was met.
"Trying to run?"
The Guard Captain roared, "Everyone, after them!"
Giles, hiding in the shadows, couldn’t help but chuckle. ’They really... didn’t leave a single person behind.’
He slipped directly into the mill and used five Flame Skill Scrolls to set fire to everything inside—the cellar, the warehouse, the wooden floors, and all the rest.
’That should do it!’
Even though Giles was an Advanced Warrior, his Spirit began to tire after using five Level 1 Spell Scrolls at once.
After doing all this, he immediately slipped out, melting into the night like a dark shadow.
His part of the mission was complete.
On the other side, seeing the fire erupt, Ross couldn’t help but slow his pace. He swung his Sword back, unleashing a Fighting Qi Slash, and laughed heartily. "Still chasing? Why don’t you look behind you!"
The Guard Captain glanced back, and his heart instantly sank into an icy pit. "Quick, get back and put out the fire!"
They chased when they saw the enemy and rushed back to defend when they saw their base was under attack. They were completely unprepared for this kind of scenario.
Ross let out a loud laugh and led the others into the darkness of the night.
Meanwhile, Lune and Conrad were hidden in the distance, watching Beckett’s garrison.
Soon, they saw the flicker of fire in the sky, and at the same time, two fast horses galloped toward the garrison camp.
The two exchanged a look and couldn’t help but smile. It seemed things on the other side were going very smoothly.
Soon, Beckett rushed out of the garrison with a squad of cavalry, heading toward the flickering glow of the burning mill.
Lune’s gaze turned steely. "I’ll lead the attack. You set the fires. After you’re done, we’ll kill a few of them before we leave."
With Beckett gone, there were few people left here who could stop Lune and Conrad from escaping.
"Alright!"