Chapter 71: The Gates OpenDraven's order hung in the air as he watched the four guards standing in the courtyard. Then he raised two fingers, signaling his veterans to move, leading the first pair through the storeroom doorway.The nearest guard turned when he heard a faint sound but before he could reach for his rifle, one veteran seized him from behind and covered his mouth while Draven struck him hard across the side of the head. The man collapsed without a shout, and the second guard barely had time to stand before another soldier drove him against the wall and knocked him unconscious.The remaining two guards reached for their weapons, but Draven's men were already upon them. A brief struggle followed beside the winch, with boots scraping against the stones and a wooden stool crashing to the ground. Within seconds, both guards were disarmed and lying motionless beside their companions."Check them and secure the courtyard," Draven ordered quietly. He watched his men bind the gu

Chapter 73: The Inner WallIn the alley, Draven Mercer moved silently along the wall, his right hand resting on the grip of his pistol.Five paces behind him, Marcus followed with his rifle raised, watching the windows and rooftops for signs of danger. Six Mercer veterans brought up the rear, moving in a tight line without speaking. They had left the Gatehouse to examine the enemy's defenses, hoping to find a way through the wall without losing any soldiers.At the end of the alley, the narrow passage opened onto another path leading to the central administrative district.Two hundred yards away, several military vehicles stood across the road in two solid lines. Their heavy frames had been positioned to block the avenue, while sandbag defenses behind them provided cover for the soldiers waiting to fire.Above them, riflemen lined the parapet, but unlike Viktor's guards, these men did not shout or wave their rifles but waited in complete silence."Look at those barricades," Marcus whi

Chapter 75: Raymond's TrapDeep under the central square, massive granite arches supported the streets above, while thick iron pipes ran along the ceilings toward the river channels. Cold air filled the underground passage, carrying the steady sound of dripping water through the darkness.Raymond Cross stood on a narrow iron walkway above the primary sluice basin, holding a brass lantern in his left hand. Its pale light revealed the enormous turning wheel fixed into the wall, along with the thick chains connected to the river gate. Behind him, six elite guards watched the passage while two senior engineers worked beside the machinery."Is the primary pressure valve secured?" Raymond asked. The lead engineer wiped sweat and grease from his forehead before turning toward him. "Yes, my Lord, the overflow channels leading to the upper residential district have been sealed, so the water will flow into the lower drainage tunnels."Raymond approached the iron railing and looked down into t

Chapter 77: The Overflow DrainDraven stood beside the overflow drain minutes later. he had exchanged his soaked clothes for a dry jacket. "This is the overflow pipe," he explained, opening the map he had gotten from Alessia before they came to the Gate. He traced a narrow line running beneath the wall. "It was built years ago during the city's expansion, and because it sits higher than the main river, Alaric's engineers probably never thought to seal it.""Where does it come out?" Marcus asked, leaning closer to study the map.Draven pointed toward the tower. "The pipe empties into the courtyard, behind the enemy's defense line." Then he handed the map to another soldier and stepped toward the opening. The pipe measured roughly four feet across, with a shallow stream running along its bottom. Beyond the entrance, darkness swallowed the passage, leaving no way to tell what dangers might be waiting farther inside."The space is tight," Draven said, examining the tunnel before turning

Chapter 79: The Double StrikeMarcus and two soldiers finished bolting the swivel guns on the frame of the tower's balcony. The two barrels were angled downward, aimed directly at the rear of Alaric’s wall barricades two hundred yards away."Swivel positions loaded and primed," Marcus reported, adjusting the iron aiming screw on the right gun. "We have a clear line of sight over their barricades."Draven stood watching them, In his right hand, he held an iron flare launcher. Then he stepped forward to the balcony, raised the flare launcher toward the dark sky and pulled the trigger.A bright light shot out from the launcher, straight upward through the dark night.For three seconds, absolute silence hung over the capital.Then, from the market square near the Gate, a thunderous roar erupted.Brutus led forty Mercer veterans across the plaza, firing their rifles simultaneously. Thick white smoke filled the air, hiding parts of their formation as they pushed toward the wall barricades.