Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 162: Assassination on Strong Hammer Military Base (I)

Chapter 162: Assassination on Strong Hammer Military Base (I)

After completing the dagger, Jormungandr carefully stored it in his space ring. He then proceeded towards his alchemy laboratory, where his next project awaited. This task, unlike the previous one, didn’t demand an extensive amount of energy for refinement and melting, sparing the Xaos Tower’s energy pool.

Mitchel, Cazan, Clasius, Roman, and Frank stood in awe as Jormungandr disappeared behind the alchemy laboratory walls. The small yellow cat’s abilities were terrific, and the man could not help but hope to have one of his creations. It was clear to all that there was a compelling reason why he held the second position in the entire kingdom.

The five men then remained silent, waiting for the women’s bloodline matrix to be completed. Standing and waiting was something any soldier was used to doing.

An hour after Jormungandr finished with the dagger, the door of the rune laboratory opened, revealing Amara and Mirena. The two women displayed radiant smiles as powerful bloodline matrices covered their bodies.

Vlad soon emerged from the rune laboratory, his face pale due to exhaustion and energy drain. However, his endurance and stamina had significantly improved over the past months, so he would be fine in a couple of hours.

Not wanting to waste time, Vlad waved his hand, ensuring all seven powerful masters of the Xaos Kingdom stood in formation before him, which they immediately did.

Vlad glanced at the group, a broad smile appearing as he saw their rising power, but soon, sharpness returned to his eyes. He took a deep breath and focused on the only one who was not a Royal Guard. "Brigadier General Mitchel, step forward."

Mitchel might be young but was already a seasoned soldier, having faced all sorts of dangers, and stepped forward with a firm military stance, his eyes sharp and full of focus.

"You will take a squad of 30 soldiers and unite with Grand Marshal Anglius’ forces, supporting them in their advance toward Nagan Mountain." Vlad’s eyes were sharp as he took the Tower Key, opening the stair to the surface, "Leave now and choose the soldiers you will take. You have two days to depart."

The brigadier general’s devotion and admiration toward the Xaos King were so great that as soon as he heard that order, he bowed and shouted, "As you wish, Your Highness."

Mitchel was smart enough to understand he was being sent out of the Xaos Tower’s underground level, but he was wise and understood that there were things he did not need to know. So, he silently left for the surface, his eyes full of focus as he search for seasoned soldiers.

After Mitchel exited the underground level, Vlad closed the door to the surface before turning his eyes toward the Royal Guards. The Guards’ eyes were focused and determined, ready to embark on any mission.

Vlad nodded as he saw the focus and determination in the Royal Guards’ eyes, and his face grew solemn as he stated their new goal: "We will go after the Strong Hammer Military Base."

The Royal Guards felt the mission’s gravity as they heard Vlad’s words, reflected in the solemn light that emerged in their eyes. Their next target was the Strong Hammer Military Base, the only obstacle preventing the Xaos Kingdom from gaining full control over Inkmetal City.

The six members of the Royal Guard knew they needed to handle the Strong Hammer Military Base, but the problem was that it was under the control of Orion. The woman was not only extremely powerful and had a contingent of angels helping her, but she also had General Omar and all the human soldiers of the base under her command.

Although it was unpleasant, the members of the Royal Guards were ready to take down the human soldiers in the enemy base if needed. After all, they had already killed many humans during the last few months as they took down warlords and rebels.

The true problem lay with the civilians inside the Strong Hammer Military Base. The Royal Guards did not doubt Orion would hesitate to use them as human shields if the full might of the Xaos Kingdom came down on them.

Vlad could see the hesitation in the eyes of the Royal Guards, and he did not blame them as he was also not ready to butcher thousands of men, women, and children forced into the frontlines, which was why he had made a plan.

"There is a way we can take down the angel without having to massacre the people of Strong Hammer Military Base, but it will not be easy." Vlad’s voice was somber, showing the danger of his plan, and his eyes soon turned toward the Royal Guard, which specialized in assassination. "Amara, you will play an extremely important role in this next mission."

Amara’s eyes narrowed for a second as she heard those words, her resolve shining through. "I am ready to do what must be done for the Xaos Kingdom," she declared, her voice filled with determination and bravery.

Vlad stared directly into the young woman’s eyes and nodded as he saw her conviction. He then took a deep breath, ordered his thoughts, and shared the plan with the Royal Guards.

Cazan, Mirena, Clasius, Roman, Frank, and Amara paid attention to every word that came out of the Xaos King’s mouth, their eyes glowing with awe and wonder at his ingenuity. Yet, after they finished hearing the plan, the group could not help but turn their eyes toward Amara. They understood the immense danger she would face, which might very well cost her life.

Amara’s conviction and resolve did not falter for even a second despite her understanding of the immense danger she would face. She had no doubt that this mission might cost her life, but she was a soldier, and she believed in what she fought for.

Vlad knew the woman was ready, and he was determined to use all his power to help her succeed in her mission and return alive. His eyes then turned toward the rest of the Royal Guards before opening the gate to the surface. "You five will choose your best 19 soldiers. Chief Councilor Aloz will then interrogate them, and if he determines they are worthy, I will grant them a bloodline."

Cazan, Mirena, Clasius, Roman, and Frank adopted solemn expressions as they heard those words, knowing the decision would not be easy. If they chose someone whose merits were not high enough, not only would Chief Councilor Aloz reject that person, but they would also embarrass themselves in front of the Xaos King.

The five members of the Royal Guard bowed toward Vlad and gave a profound nod to Amara before leaving the underground level. Their eyes were full of focus as they prepared to deliberate who among the hundreds of soldiers who had accompanied them over the last months would get the bloodlines.

Once they were all alone, Vlad and Amara glanced at each other before the young man spoke. "For the next two weeks, I will train you in assassination techniques, allowing you to conceal your presence to the point that even a powerful Champion could not detect you and teaching you how to attack vital points without flaw."

Amara nodded as she heard those words, her eyes burning with excitement. She knew that the Xaos King was a melee warrior, but he was capable of all sorts of wonders and miracles, and she was sure that the techniques she would learn from him could very well be the difference between surviving or not the next mission.

"Before leaving for training, let’s take your equipment," Vlad told Amara as he guided her into the alchemy laboratory, where Jormungandr was finishing his last work.

After a few minutes, the duo emerged from the laboratory. The young woman was now clad in leather armor that perfectly blended with her form and held a dagger in her right hand.

Amara’s face was covered by armor, and she had a special breathing device in her mouth so her exhalation would not disturb the air. She also had unique goggles that could enhance her vision and allow her to see beyond darkness and fog.

Vlad was very pleased with Jormungandr’s work, as it would make it much easier for the Royal Guard to conceal her presence. He knew that was not the only thing the armor could do. It was, by all measures, a superb stealth suit, and with the Dagger of Sin’s Whisper, it transformed Amara into an extremely powerful and dangerous assassin.

"Let’s go," Vlad said nothing else before guiding the Royal Guard out of the underground level of the Xaos Tower.

The sun had already set, but that was perfect for their training as Amara would perform her mission in the middle of the night. The duo soon left the Silent Wind Military Base, following the signs of demonic hordes, which would be the practice targets for the Royal Guard.