Soulbound: Dual Cult Chapter 482: Infiltrating the station

Chapter 482: Infiltrating the station

The room gradually shifted from tense discussion into quiet, deliberate movement as everyone began preparing in their own way, but beneath the surface, the weight of Lucas’ last words still lingered, because even though he had pushed those thoughts aside, the implication remained clear to all of them that they were stepping into something far more dangerous than a simple rescue mission. Lucas adjusted the straps on his gear with calm precision, his expression composed, yet his mind sharp and alert as he mentally reviewed every detail of the plan, every route Lady Cecilia had shown them, and every possible outcome that could unfold once they stepped into enemy territory.

Patrick moved closer as he tightened his gauntlets, glancing at Lucas before saying, "You’ve gone quiet again, don’t tell me you’re already planning ten steps ahead," his tone light, but there was a trace of seriousness beneath it, and Lucas responded without looking at him as he said, "Not ten, just enough to keep us alive," which earned a faint smirk from Patrick, though it quickly faded as the reality of what lay ahead settled back in.

Darmian approached shortly after, his movements steady, his earlier surprise at being chosen now replaced by firm resolve as he asked, "When do we move," and Lucas finally looked up, his eyes focused as he replied, "Soon, but not blindly, we wait until patrol rotations thin out, we take advantage of the gaps, and we strike clean," his voice measured, every word carrying intent.

Across the room, Tom was speaking quietly with the remaining three men, ensuring they understood their role and what was expected of them once Lucas returned, while Lady Cecilia stood near the table, her gaze resting briefly on the sketch she had drawn before she turned to Flora and Gwen, giving them calm but firm instructions on what to gather and what to leave behind, her composure unwavering despite the circumstances.

After a short while, Lucas stepped forward again, drawing the attention of Darmian and Patrick as he said, "It’s time," his voice low but decisive, and both men immediately straightened, their focus sharpening as they moved toward him without hesitation.

Tom walked over, his expression serious as he said, "Be careful in there, if things go wrong, don’t try to be heroes," and Lucas met his gaze briefly before replying, "We’re not going in to fight, we’re going in to finish this quickly," his tone calm, yet firm enough to carry reassurance.

Lady Cecilia stepped closer then, her eyes locking onto Lucas as she said, "The servant entrance will be your safest entry point, but once you’re inside, trust nothing to remain as it was, they may have altered parts of the estate," and Lucas gave a slight nod as he answered, "Understood, we adapt as needed," before turning his attention back to Darmian and Patrick.

He looked between them and said, "From this point on, no unnecessary talking, no hesitation, we move together and we move fast, the moment something feels off, we adjust, and if we encounter resistance, we deal with it quietly," and both men nodded in agreement, their expressions fully focused now.

Without another word, the three of them slipped out, their movements silent as they disappeared into the dimly lit streets, the town far quieter than it should have been, yet filled with an underlying tension that made every shadow feel heavier. They moved carefully, sticking to the darker paths and avoiding open areas, their pace controlled as they navigated through the town while keeping a close eye on patrol movements, and after several minutes of precise movement, they spotted their opportunity.

Three guards.

Positioned along a less crowded route near the outer section of the estate, their formation loose, their attention divided just enough to create an opening.

Lucas raised a hand slightly, signaling the others to stop, his eyes narrowing as he observed their movements for a few seconds before leaning slightly toward Darmian and Patrick as he whispered, "Those three, we take them down clean, no noise, no mess," and both men gave a faint nod, their bodies tensing slightly in preparation.

Lucas exhaled once, then moved.

He closed the distance like a shadow, his steps silent, his presence barely noticeable until it was already too late, and in one swift motion, he struck the first guard from behind, cutting off any chance of a sound escaping as the man collapsed instantly. At the same time, Darmian and Patrick moved in sync, each targeting one of the remaining guards, their attacks precise and controlled, ensuring there was no struggle, no cry for help, and within moments, all three guards were down.

For a brief second, the night returned to stillness.

Lucas crouched beside one of the bodies, quickly removing the armor as he said in a low voice, "Move fast, we don’t have long before someone notices they’re missing," and the others followed suit, stripping the guards of their uniforms and equipping them without hesitation, adjusting the fit just enough to pass at a glance.

Once done, Lucas stood, his expression calm but focused as he glanced toward the estate in the distance, its structure looming ahead, now no longer just a target, but the beginning of their real test.

He looked at Darmian and Patrick and said quietly, "From here on, we are no longer ourselves," before turning and beginning to walk toward the estate with steady, confident steps, his posture matching that of a guard, his presence controlled, and without another word, the three of them advanced toward the enemy’s stronghold, stepping directly into the heart of danger.

The three bodies were quickly dragged into the shadows and concealed behind a collapsed section of wall, their presence hidden just enough to delay discovery, and without wasting a second, Lucas, Darmian, and Patrick finished adjusting the stolen armor, making sure every strap was tight and every piece sat naturally on their bodies, because even the smallest inconsistency could draw suspicion in a place like this. The weight of the armor settled over them, unfamiliar but manageable, and once Lucas was satisfied, he glanced at the two men beside him, his expression calm but sharp as he gave a slight nod, signaling that it was time.

They stepped out from the shadows and moved toward the fenced station with measured, confident strides, their posture shifting subtly to match that of ordinary patrol soldiers, their movements neither too stiff nor too relaxed, striking that careful balance that would not attract attention. The station itself loomed ahead, enclosed by high fencing reinforced with wooden and metal supports, with torchlights burning steadily along the perimeter, casting flickering shadows that danced across the ground, while guards patrolled in steady rotations, their presence forming a living barrier around the estate that now served as the usurpers’ stronghold.

As they approached, Lucas kept his gaze forward, his pace steady, resisting the urge to scan too much, because trained eyes would notice that, and instead, he relied on his senses to track movement around him, while Darmian and Patrick flanked him naturally, the three of them blending into the rhythm of the patrols as though they belonged there. One of the stationed guards near the entrance glanced in their direction briefly, his eyes sweeping over them with mild disinterest before he looked away, clearly seeing nothing out of place, and that alone confirmed that their disguises were holding.

Without breaking stride, Lucas gave a subtle shift of his fingers at his side, a small signal that only Darmian and Patrick were meant to catch, and from the corner of his vision, he saw their faint responses, a slight tilt of the head from Darmian and a barely noticeable adjustment in Patrick’s posture, their silent communication flowing smoothly without drawing any attention. No words were needed, because at this point, even the smallest sound could be the difference between success and exposure.

They reached the entrance point and passed through the fenced station as if they had done it a hundred times before, their steps in sync with the movement of other guards coming and going, and once inside, the atmosphere shifted immediately, the density of guards increasing, the structure of the estate more imposing up close, and the tension in the air thicker than before. Torches lined the inner pathways, illuminating sections of the compound while leaving others in shadow, creating pockets of visibility and concealment that Lucas immediately began mapping in his mind.

As they walked further in, Lucas gave another subtle glance to his left, his eyes briefly meeting Darmian’s before shifting forward again, a silent confirmation to stay sharp, while Patrick, walking on his other side, gave the slightest nod without looking directly at him, maintaining the illusion of normalcy. Around them, other guards moved about, some speaking in low tones, others standing at posts, and a few passing by without a second glance, the routine of the place working in their favor as long as they did not disrupt it.

They continued deeper into the compound, their pace steady, their presence unremarkable, yet beneath that calm exterior, every sense was heightened, every movement calculated, because they all knew that one mistake, one wrong step, one moment of hesitation, could shatter the illusion they were relying on and turn the entire stronghold against them in an instant.