CHAPTER 419: CHAPTER 419: THE BOARD SET

The Inverted Cup had returned to its elegant facade, but beneath the polished surface, Veylith’s consciousness spread across the capital like a spider’s web. She sat at her usual table, wine untouched, her eyes unfocused as information flowed through dozens of puppet perspectives.

David entered precisely at the appointed time, his measured steps betraying none of the physical strain she could sense radiating from him.

"The military withdrawal has begun," Veylith reported without preamble. "Half the palace guard received reassignment orders this morning. By tomorrow night, security will be at its weakest point in decades."

David took his seat, relief evident despite his controlled expression. "And the secret entrance?"

"Confirmed and clear. My puppets among the princess’s servants use it regularly for meal deliveries." Veylith’s lips curved in a small smile. "The passage bypasses most magical detection systems, it was designed for servants, not intruders, so the builders prioritized discretion over security."

"What about the princess herself?" David asked. "Will she be a problem?"

Veylith’s expression grew thoughtful. "She’s... an enigma. Blind since birth, never allowed to leave her chambers. The Sun Empress treats her like precious crystal, protected but isolated." She paused, accessing information from her servant puppets. "My people say she sometimes speaks of things that haven’t happened yet, but whether that’s prophecy or madness, no one knows."

David filed that information away. Seers were dangerous variables in any plan, and the novel had mentioned myths about a true seer existing before the coven and realm wars. He wondered if she might be the real deal. The irony wasn’t lost on him that he often faked being a seer himself to avoid explaining that this world was the contents of a novel to him.

"The chambers are close to the likely prison areas," Veylith continued. "Perfect positioning for what you need to accomplish."

"And Salomonis?"

"Lower levels, heavily warded sections. But with the reduced guard presence and Seraphina’s new abilities..." Veylith shrugged elegantly. "Challenging but achievable."

David nodded, already running through contingency plans. Everything was falling into place, but he’d learned long ago that no plan survived contact with reality unchanged

****

The main meeting room of the safe house felt charged with tension as David addressed his assembled team. Maps, intelligence reports, and equipment lay scattered across the central table like the pieces of an elaborate puzzle.

"Two objectives, two teams," David began without preamble. "Whoever’s behind these assassinations has a clear pattern. They’re eliminating anyone who could organize resistance or ask inconvenient questions. Commander Tallix is definitely on the list, along with several other key military and political figures."

He gestured to the first group. "Elara, Seraphina, Vivian, Shay, your mission is to locate and protect these officials before they can be eliminated."

Elara’s jaw tightened. "I should be the one going after Salomonis. He’s my responsibility, I should be the one to save him."

"Which is exactly why you can’t," David replied firmly. "If we encounter whoever tried to assassinate you in the palace, I need you alive and safe. Besides, these officials trust you, they’ll listen when you warn them."

"You’re asking me to hide while someone else risks their life for my friend?" Elara’s voice carried the heat of genuine anger.

"I’m asking you to save lives that matter just as much," David countered. "The officials won’t believe my shadow maidens, but they’ll believe the Archon. And if something goes wrong during my infiltration, your team becomes the backup plan for Salomonis."

Elara stared at him for a long moment, conflict warring across her features. Finally, she nodded curtly. "Fine. But if Salomonis dies because I wasn’t there to protect him..."

"He won’t," David promised. "I give you my word. And you’ll be saving lives that matter just as much."

The room fell silent as the weight of their respective missions settled over everyone present.

****

Evening brought a flurry of final preparations throughout the safe house. David methodically checked his infiltration gear, magical detection devices, emergency escape routes carefully memorized. Luna and Vespera, as his Aetenus, required no physical equipment, but their supernatural abilities would be his greatest assets in the palace.

Vivian and Shay approached him as he secured his equipment, worry evident in their young faces.

"Master," Vivian said hesitantly, "are you sure you don’t need more support for the palace infiltration?"

Shay nodded earnestly. "Just the three of you seems... risky."

David paused his preparations and gently patted both girls on the head, his touch warm and reassuring. "I’m okay on my own with Luna and Vespera. You two should focus on your own mission, protecting those officials is just as important and just as dangerous."

Meanwhile, Elara’s team reviewed intelligence on their targets: Commander Tallix, Lord Veralis, and several other key Sun faction leaders who possessed either the authority or integrity to organize meaningful resistance. The timing would be crucial, they needed to reach each target before the assassins struck.

Seraphina practiced her newfound abilities in quiet corners, deconstructing and rebuilding practice barriers with increasing speed and confidence. Each successful transformation brought a small smile to her lips, the joy of discovery mixing with grim determination.

Time pressure weighed on everyone like a physical force. The military departure was set for dawn in two days. Palace security changes would be implemented immediately after. The faction warfare continued to escalate, making movement through the city increasingly dangerous. And David’s power suppression grew more taxing with each passing hour.

Alone in his room, David fought another wave of headaches as his suppressed abilities clawed at his mental barriers. He studied his reflection in the mirror, noting the strain lines around his eyes, the slight tremor in his hands. Every hour of suppression felt like holding back a flood with his bare hands.

Every hour was harder than the last, he thought grimly. But rushing had destroyed him before. This time, he would build his foundation properly, no matter the cost.

****

Deep night settled over the capital like a heavy blanket, muffling the sounds of distant conflict as faction loyalists clashed in shadowed alleyways. David crouched on a rooftop overlooking the Sun Palace, the golden walls gleaming with their own inner light despite the late hour. Luna remained within his shadow, her presence a comforting darkness at his feet, while Vespera floated silently above him, her ethereal form barely visible against the star-studded sky.

"Final confirmation from the servants," came Veylith’s voice through the communication crystal. "The secret entrance is clear, and the princess is in her chambers."

David studied the palace’s imposing structure, noting guard positions, magical aura patterns, and potential escape routes. The building was a fortress designed to keep threats out, but every fortress had weaknesses for those who knew where to look.

"We go in silent," he murmured to his Aetenus, "extract Salomonis without raising alarms, and get out before the Sun Empress realizes what’s happening. Meanwhile, Elara’s team warns and protects the officials who are next on the assassin’s list."

Luna’s voice emerged from his shadow, soft but concerned. "And if we encounter heavy resistance in the palace?"

David’s expression hardened. "Then we adapt. Salomonis is the key to understanding the full scope of the demonic infiltration."

Vespera’s ethereal form shimmered as she spoke. "The magical defenses around the prison areas will be stronger, but Seraphina’s technique should work on the access barriers. Most palace magic follows standard solar patterns, powerful but predictable."

David rose from his crouch, checking his equipment one final time. Below them, the capital continued its descent into chaos, faction warriors hunting shadows, innocent civilians fleeing their homes, political figures dying in carefully orchestrated "accidents." But tonight, they would begin to turn the tide.

He began his approach, moving silently across rooftops toward the secret entrance. Luna traveled within his shadow, moving seamlessly with him like a second skin of darkness, while Vespera floated behind him like a silent specter of winter wind.

The demons are about to rejoice, David thought as he navigated the treacherous path between buildings, thinking their plan is working perfectly. The Duke will march on Lysora, the factions will tear each other apart, and their key obstacles will be eliminated one by one. But they don’t know the true demons are coming for them. Tonight, we save the pieces they’re trying to remove from the board.

The Sun Palace loomed larger with each rooftop crossed, its golden walls promising either salvation or destruction. In a few hours, Commander Tallix and the other marked officials would face assassins in the dark. Salomonis would either be rescued or die in his cell. The carefully laid plans of demons and manipulators would meet the cold reality of David’s determination.

The board was set. The pieces were in motion. And in the shadows between buildings, a man who had learned the price of failure moved toward his next gamble with the fate of a kingdom.

Time to see who played the better game.