Chapter 83.1

Northern Counterattack (2)

“So this is the rumored headquarters of the Arad Trading Company.”

It was a dark and cold night, with thick clouds blanketing the moonlight in an oppressive pitch-black sky.

The harsh weather made it an unforgiving time for those moving covertly.

However, the factory complex stood brightly illuminated despite the frigid night.

“Lighting magic stones in the extreme north… something you’d expect only in the Magic Tower or the Imperial Palace.”

The spaces between the factory buildings and streets were lit with embedded luminous magic stones that shone throughout the night.

“And this… feels like madness.”

Between the glowing streets and walls, portraits of Arina Rune Renslet, the Northern Grand Duchess, and Arad Jin were prominently displayed. Their exaggerated presence lent an eerie, obsessive air to the surroundings.

“This is truly another world. I guess you’d have to be mad to create all those strange devices.”

Astra, former head of the Imperial Intelligence Division Sigma and a seasoned spy, had successfully infiltrated the Arad Factory complex with a team of 20.

The infiltration unit consisted of Sigma knights and dark sorcerers from the Devil’s Den, who split into groups of one to three and dispersed throughout the compound.

‘Aside from the soldiers and knights, this place is deserted.’n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Astra surveyed the area, his internal mana keeping him warm against the northern cold.

The factory’s interior felt desolate, with no employees in sight. Only patrolling soldiers and knights occasionally crossed his field of vision.

[Arad has been located. He’s at the site called the Primary Factory.]

A dark sorcerer who had succeeded in reconnaissance via a familiar conveyed the message telepathically into Astra’s mind.

The sorcerer used Telepathy, a 6th Circle spell, signaling their status as a high-ranking officer from the Devil’s Den.

‘They’re cooperative to an impressive degree, at least regarding House Renslet. How deep is their grudge against the High Tower?’

Astra resolved to avoid making enemies of these dark sorcerers if he could help it.

The telepathic message wasn’t exclusive to Astra.

The entire infiltration unit, spread throughout the factory complex, began moving simultaneously.

The elite unit, composed of 15 high-ranking Sigma knights and 5 senior dark sorcerers, converged toward a single location.

[Wait! A message from Lord Isaac!]

The same dark sorcerer hastily transmitted a new telepathic communication.

[The operation at the High Tower has failed. The Northern Grand Duchess was not there.]

The moving unit froze briefly in response.

[Arad! The Northern Grand Duchess is with Arad! Balzac, Sun, and Isabelle remain at the High Tower.]

“!!”

[This means there is currently not a single Swordmaster-level combatant near the Northern Grand Duchess!]

The moment the message concluded, the unit resumed its advance, this time with renewed urgency.

At the entrance to the Primary Factory, the 20 members of the infiltration unit regrouped for the first time since entering the factory complex.

They made no attempt to conceal themselves.

The Sigma agents carried magical artifacts issued by the Magic Tower, while the dark sorcerers from the Devil’s Den carried their own sinister tools.

“Remember, Arad Jin must not be killed. He must be captured alive. If he must die, it will be by our hands.”

“And the Northern Grand Duchess?”

“Do with her as you please.”

“Didn’t the Empire also target the Northern Grand Duchess?”

“Our mission does not include her.”

“Good.”

The Sigma agents and dark sorcerers conducted a final check of their weapons and the plan.

‘This time, we will succeed!’

Astra scrutinized the Primary Factory building they were about to breach.

In an instant, he mapped the infiltration routes and identified the defensive measures in place.

‘They’ve put some thought into this.’

The guards—soldiers and knights—were competent but not exceptional.

Their numbers seemed fewer than during earlier reconnaissance, as though most of the forces had been concentrated at the High Tower.

‘This must be the real target.’

The faint traces of the Frost Knights around the Primary Factory confirmed his suspicion.

Even though Balzac and Sun were absent, the senior knights stationed here would still be formidable.

‘At times like this, a direct assault is the most effective strategy.’

If there had been a Swordmaster-level opponent present, splitting their forces might have been prudent. But under the current circumstances, it was better to attack en masse.

“We’ll charge in together.”

“Let’s finish this before Balzac and Sun return.”

“Agreed.”

The dark sorcerers from the Devil’s Den nodded, quickly adjusting to the revised plan.

“Everyone, drink your potions!” Astra commanded.

Without hesitation, the Sigma agents retrieved vials from their belongings and downed the contents.

Gulp.

“Ahhh…”

Astra drank from his own vial, letting the black liquid flow down his throat. Within a minute, the potion’s effects surged through their bodies.

“Strength… overwhelming,” one whispered.

Their aura sharpened dramatically. For a limited time, they had reached a power level equivalent to a high-ranking northern knight.

“Attack!”

Empowered by their stimulants, the unit launched an overt assault on the Primary Factory.

Their confidence shattered the moment they entered.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The first thing to greet them was a series of white smoke explosions near the entrance.

“Gahhh! What is this?!”

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

“My eyes! My eyes are burning!”

“I can’t breathe!”

For the first time in their lives, the intruders experienced an excruciating, stinging pain that attacked their eyes, noses, and throats.

Even a brief inhalation rendered them incapable of coherent thought.

[Disperse!]

[Cleanse it now!]

The dark sorcerers quickly cast purification spells, narrowly preventing the entire unit from being captured at the outset. Without their physical enhancements from the stimulant, they might have suffocated outright.

“Something’s wrong! The cloaks—!”

“Is it because of that smoke?”