The Water Magician

As the key activated and softly glowed, it was inserted into the keyhole, and with a click, the door before them opened.

At the same time, multiple clicking sounds could be heard from the depths of the corridor, suggesting that other locks had also been opened somewhere out of sight.

"Alright, let’s go."

With Master McGrath's words, the infiltration team, led by adventurers, began to advance through the elf's underground passage.

Under the command of Master McGrath, elite adventurers passed through the underground passage to enter the royal capital and open the castle gate.

However, there was information that during the last attack, the Empire disguised themselves as the defense force and seized the castle gate, so a considerable amount of military strength had been assigned to defend each castle gate to avoid repeating the same mistake.

This was precisely why the elite adventurer team was organized.

They planned to carry out this attack in cooperation with the rebels within the royal capital.

The royal capital has enormous castle gates in all four directions, but there are also several smaller gates.

This time, because the Southern Army was advancing from the south, the maximum defense was allocated to the South Gate... and next was the North Gate, which was closer to the royal castle.

Thus, the infiltration team's target was the West Gate, avoiding both the North and South gates.

The exit of the elf's underground passage within the royal capital, of course, was at the autonomous bureau.

Since the autonomous bureau is located in the northwest part of the royal capital, the West Gate was not far away.

In the royal capital, where martial law had been declared, and especially at night, a group of adventurers moving around would inevitably draw attention.

It was natural to want to keep the movement from the autonomous bureau as brief as possible.

While Master McGrath led the infiltration team, there were others assigned a different mission.

The infiltration team toward the royal castle was led by Donthan, a former royal knight squad captain who is now the aide to Marquis Heinlein.

Their objective was to secure the safety of Stafford IV, Abel's father.

Information had already reached Abel that he was captured during the fall of the royal capital and was being used by the Imperial Army to open the "Chamber of Heroes."

It seemed there had been some failure in the plan.

However, there had been no information about what happened afterward.

In the worst case, he might have died, but either way, he was one of the most effective hostages to use... along with the other members of the royalty.

The difference between him and the others was that if it were declared by "Stafford IV's orders," troublesome things would arise.

Although Abel indeed ascended to the throne, it was not based on the intent of handing over Stafford IV’s throne.

Moreover, the Three Sacred Treasures were not by his side.

Depending on the situation, it could be said to be usurpation.

If Stafford IV were to declare that he "does not recognize the ascension," it could lead to various troublesome situations.

Abel, King Raymond, and Stafford IV... with three kings in a stand-off, the authority of the king would surely plummet.

For the sake of preventing such a foolish situation, it was necessary to secure Stafford IV's safety.

Moreover, Ryo, who would become unnecessary after opening the underground passage, was also incorporated into the infiltration team.

This was also a wish from Abel.

"Is that you, Zack and Scotty? Are you our guides?"

"Oh? Captain Donthan?"

The infiltration team, having passed through the elf's underground passage, encountered the rebels of the royal capital outside the autonomous bureau.

Donthan, leading the infiltration team, was surprised to see the faces of the "rebels" who would infiltrate the royal castle with him.

It was a familiar face—Zack and Scotty, members of the Royal Knight Order, who had fought together during the escort of the delegation to Twilight Land.

For Zack and Scotty, it was surprising that their former captain, Donthan, was leading a seemingly reckless infiltration team into the royal castle.