The Extra's Reincarnation

Chapter 104: The Chief (3)

Julian weighed his options, the moonlight casting eerie shadows across his half-masked face.

"This is madness," he whispered, more to himself than to Vykekard.

"There are too many of them. Even if I could get past the outer guards, who knows how many more are waiting inside?"

He observed the patrol patterns again, noting the precision with which they moved. These weren’t ordinary bandits or thieves.

Their movements spoke of military training, of discipline forged in the heat of battle.

"I could try to create a diversion, perhaps a controlled fire at the edge of the forest? Or a series of mana explosions to draw their attention away from the western entrance?"

WAHAHA!

Vykekard’s laughter resonated in Julian’s mind, startling a nearby nocturnal creature that scurried away through the underbrush.

"Sometimes, my boy, the most effective approach is also the most direct!"

Julian frowned, his brow furrowing beneath his mask.

"What are you suggesting? That I simply walk up to the front door and knock?"

"Why not?" Vykekard replied, his voice carrying that particular tone that Julian had come to recognize as his ’teaching moment’ voice.

"Consider this: they’ve gone to extraordinary lengths to bring you here. The letter, the kidnapping of your subordinates, this excessive display of force—all designed to ensure your presence."

Julian remained silent, his gaze fixed on the temple as he processed Vykekard’s words.

"They want you… Not dead in the forest, not bleeding out from a sneak attack gone wrong. They want you inside that temple, face to face. Otherwise, why send the letter at all? Why not simply ambush you in Silverleaf City?"

"So you’re suggesting I just... surrender? Walk right into their hands?"

"I’m suggesting you give them exactly what they expect—what they want—while maintaining the element of surprise through your willingness to do so."

Julian considered this, his fingers absently tracing the intricate patterns on Vykekard’s helmet. The metal was cool to the touch, despite the warmth of the summer night.

"It goes against every instinct I have, every strategy I’ve ever learned."

"The most effective tactics often do. The greatest generals in history were those who could set aside conventional wisdom when the situation demanded it."

"If I do this," Julian said slowly, "if I walk up to those guards and surrender myself, what’s to stop them from killing me on the spot?"

"The same thing that compelled them to send that letter—the same reason they kidnapped your subordinates rather than simply killing them. They want something from you, Julian. Something more valuable than your death."

Julian took a moment to gather all his thoughts and finally…

"Okay, I’ll go with your plan."

"I hope you’re right about this," he muttered, adjusting the half-mask that concealed his lower face.

"When have I ever steered you wrong, my boy?" Vykekard’s voice held a hint of mischief that Julian found both reassuring and maddening.

"Do you want the complete list, or just the highlights from the past decade?"

"WAHAHA! Such disrespect to your mentor! In my day, apprentice knights would—"

"Yes, yes, they’d walk barefoot through snowstorms just to polish your armor," Julian finished with a wry smile. "Let’s focus on not dying tonight, shall we?"

With one final glance at the temple’s imposing silhouette, Julian stepped out from behind the fallen tree trunk.

THUD!

"…!"

"HALT!"

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The shout came from multiple directions as guards turned up from the mist like wraiths, weapons drawn and pointed directly at Julian’s heart.

Moonlight gleamed off drawn blades and the crystalline tips of mana-infused arrows, creating a deadly constellation around him.

Julian remained perfectly still, his breathing measured, his posture relaxed despite the dozen or more weapons trained on his vital points.

"I’m here by invitation. I believe your boss is expecting me."

The guards exchanged wary glances, their formation tightening around him.

An elven woman with a jagged scar bisecting her left cheek stepped forward, her curved blade hovering mere inches from Julian’s throat.

"

"For three years, I’ve rebuilt from nothing. Gathered new allies. Created a new network. And now… the new plan begins…"

The man threw his head back, laughter erupting from his throat like a geyser of madness.

"And now, finally, I have you."

After he finished his speech, the temple fell silent.

Julian stood motionless, his red eyes reflecting the sickly green glow from below. The mana-suppressing cuffs bit into his wrists, but he showed no sign of discomfort.

"Whatever you do. Let the two of them leave here. If you want me as your prisoner, then so be it."

The man’s expression shifted, surprise giving way to amusement, then to a calculating smile that never reached his eyes.

"It seems we think alike, Chief of Operations," He said, signaling to the guards with a languid wave of his hand.

"Lower them."

The chains began to move, grinding against ancient pulleys as the platform slowly descended—not toward the bubbling cauldron, but to the stone floor beside it. Mel and Fletra watched Julian with wide, disbelieving eyes as guards moved forward to cut their bonds.

"Chief, you can’t!" Fletra protested, struggling against the guard who was now untying her from the chair.

"He’ll kill you!"

"I-I-I’m so sorry," Mel sobbed, tears streaming down his face as he was freed from his restraints.

His legs, numb from hours of restricted circulation, buckled beneath him, and he would have fallen if not for Fletra’s quick reflexes.

"You came, Chief... I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I should have—"

Julian raised a hand, cutting off Mel’s stream of self-recrimination.

His gaze never left the silver-haired man, even as he addressed his subordinates.

"Report to Lady Ophelia. Tell her the mission was compromised."

"But—" Mel began.

"That’s an order," Julian said, his tone brooking no argument.

"One more condition," he said, his voice deceptively calm.

"These two leave the building. Now. I’ll remain your prisoner, but only after I’ve confirmed they’re safely outside."