Fire Mage-Chapter 681: Royal Palace

Chapter 681: Royal Palace

Charles opened the game interface and checked his status.

...

[Status: Charles Nightwind]

Health Status: Normal

Race: Cloner

Main Class: Rank-6 Fire Mage [Legend Rank]

Sub-Class: Rank-5 Cloner [Pseudo-Legend Rank]

Physical Body Rank: Saint Knight Level

Soul: Demi-God (Mutated+1)

Title: Chaos Maker, Savior, Flame Demon, Fire Angel

Health Points: 1130/1130

Wisdom Points: 0

Attributes:

Strength: 32.0

Dexterity: 32.0

Constitution: 32.0

Wisdom: 954

Charisma: 14

Class Spells:

Curse of the Overlord (Peak Rank-5, Completed)

Chaos Eye (Peak Rank-6, Incomplete) [650 Chaos Fire Essence]

Rebirth Domain (Rank-6, Completed) [15 Fire Laws]

Ignis Sanctuary (Rank-6, Incomplete) [700 Lawful Fire Essences]

Purple Word (Peak Rank-5, Completed)

Soul Shock (Peak Rank-5, Completed)

False Field (Peak Rank-5, Completed)

Sub-Class Skills:

Hand of Wonders: 730 (Rank-5)

Cloning: 626 (Rank-5)

Eye of the Faceless: 1201 (Rank-6)

Unique Skills:

Sage’s Eye – Casualty Manipulation (Rank-6)

Shadow Stealth – Advanced (Rank-3)

Dark Vision – 50 (Rank-1)

Swordsmanship of Madness – Advanced (Rank-3)

Sharpshooting – 50 (Rank-1)

Accelerated Thoughts – 700 (Rank-5)

Elemental Affinities:

Sword: Intermediate

Fire: Divine

Darkness: Genius

Time: Low

...

I’ve improved a lot. But it’s still not enough to reach Peak Legend. I need to refine my subclass skills and push to Legend Rank. He nodded to himself and checked the time.

Only a few minutes passed in the real world? After a moment of thought, he lay back down and drifted into a nap.

...

The next two days passed with him either resting or practicing swordsmanship.

On the third morning, at 9 A.M., Charles returned to 42D El Road and met Hunt and Charlotte.

"This is the blood of the Fourth Prince—Ricardo Ver Lockwood," Hunt said, handing over a vial filled with blood. Then, he pulled out another and gave it to Charles.

"This one’s Cyrus’s blood. He’s in the Royal Palace right now, but he’ll be heading out this afternoon to deliver a letter from the Crown Prince to Duke Eldrakar’s granddaughter, Hallie. That will be your chance. After delivering the letter, return to his chamber and take on the identity of the Fourth Prince. Begin your plan from there."

Charles narrowed his eyes.

"You’ve already considered shapeshifting, haven’t you?" he said, reading between the lines. "Impressive, Mr. Hunt."

"But won’t it be suspicious if I just waltz into the Royal Treasury?"

"Don’t worry. Our spies inside the palace will handle it. We’ve already used the Fourth Prince’s name and swapped the real Royal Seal with a fake. Here." Hunt passed him a golden badge inscribed with a bow and arrow.

Charles nodded as he accepted the badge. "That makes things easier. You and the other spies should get moving."

"Most of them are already on their way out of the city," Charlotte said. "But those in the palace... they’ll stay behind as sacrifices. I know you might want to save them, but if they suddenly disappear, the mission becomes impossible. Once you have the artifact, don’t play hero. Just leave."

So she thinks I’d sacrifice myself for the spies? The corner of his mouth twitched.

In truth, their lives didn’t matter much to him.

Still... it’s nice to be seen in a good light. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"I won’t do anything reckless, Lady Charlotte," he said solemnly.

He took a final look at the vials of blood in his hands.

"I’ll move out this afternoon—after Cyrus delivers the letter. You two should leave immediately."

Hunt nodded. "We’ll exit through the southern gate within the hour. Focus on retrieving the artifact and escaping safely."

"Then I’ll meet you both in Riverdale City," Charles said, then turned and disappeared down the street.

Charles spent the morning preparing for the mission. He began by heading to Central Borough and purchasing a luxurious outfit—one fit for royalty or high-class nobles. Then, using his Shape-shifting ability, he absorbed a drop of blood and transformed into Cyrus. Every detail mattered—from the voice tone to the gait—even though he had never met Cyrus in person. Deception was his finest weapon.

He now appeared about 175 cm tall, with a rugged face, slightly tanned skin, silvery eyes, and straight black hair. He looked around thirty-five and wore a black hooded robe over a formal black suit, casting a naturally shady appearance.

As afternoon approached, Charles—disguised as Cyrus—stood calmly by the Central Borough’s main roadside, eyes scanning the carriages passing by.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a golden-curtained luxurious carriage bearing a bow and arrow flag on its roof.

The Royal Family’s carriage. He stepped forward without hesitation and moved toward it.

He spotted the coachman and immediately recognized him. Jay. A former soldier, now a personal driver for the Crown Prince.

As the horses drew closer, they suddenly reared up, frightened by Charles’s presence, and neighed loudly.

Jay struggled to regain control, but the steeds fought the reins in panic.

Fortunately, he was no amateur.

Tugging hard on the reins, he tapped their thighs, calming them gradually before steering the carriage safely to the roadside.

He then glanced around to find the hooded figure responsible.

But the street was empty.

"Where did he go?" he muttered.

"What happened, Jay?" came a voice from within the carriage.

Jay turned quickly.

"Nothing serious, Sir Cyrus. The horses got startled by a thief on the road, but I’ve taken care of it."

As he spoke, he caught sight of a similar hooded figure crossing to the other side of the street and pointed.

"There he is, Sir Cyrus!"

"It’s getting late, Jay. Forget him. Drive faster."

The curt voice from inside made Jay blink in confusion.

Why does Sir Cyrus sound so irritated? He frowned, then shook his head.

"Understood, Sir Cyrus." He snapped the reins and resumed the journey toward the Royal Palace.

Inside the enclosed carriage, Charles—posing as Cyrus—leaned back, pulling down his hood with a faint smile.

The wheels clattered over cobbled streets, the cityscape gradually shifting behind him as the carriage neared the palace. Inside, Charles took a moment to appreciate the luxurious interior: plush upholstery, golden inlays, and rich velvet curtains that screamed opulence.

His mind remained calm and focused. The success of the impersonation was only the beginning.

According to the intel Hunt provided, I can get close to the Royal Treasury with the authority of the Fourth Prince. But I’ll need to outsmart the two pseudo-Legendary guards—and be wary of the Elder guarding the vault.

Charles retrieved another vial from his space ring, let a drop of blood fall onto his palm, and absorbed it.

Instantly, the identity imprint of the Fourth Prince formed in his mind—his appearance, mannerisms, and behavioral cues all included.

The Royal Palace is massive—larger than a street. Each prince lives in a mansion-like wing, most of them detached from politics or wealth. Pampered, idle nobles... If the Fourth Prince suddenly visits the Royal Treasury, it’ll raise suspicion.

His lips curled faintly.

But that earlier carriage incident gives me an excuse. I’ll say I need a powerful defensive artifact so I won’t get injured again.

Just then, the carriage came to a sudden halt, still outside the palace’s main gates.

Alert, Charles tucked the vial away and waited.

The door creaked open, and a royal guard peeked in, meeting Charles’s gaze.

"Why have we stopped?" Charles asked, adopting Cyrus’s cool, detached tone.

"There’s an inspection at the gate, Sir Cyrus. It won’t take long," the guard replied.

Charles nodded slightly. "Make it quick. I have urgent business."

The guards scanned the carriage interior and eyed the sword at Charles’s waist.

Hmm? Didn’t Sir Cyrus favor the spear? I heard he’s been practicing swordsmanship with the Crown Prince lately... Must be a new weapon, the guard thought, dismissing the detail with a nod. He shut the door and signaled for Jay to continue.

The carriage rolled past the gates and into the palace courtyard, a wonderland of blooming flowers and ornate trees.

Charles pulled aside the curtain and gazed at the golden palace rising before him—its towers shimmering under the sunlight, spires gleaming like blades of light.

At the next checkpoint, guards in gleaming armor conducted another brief inspection. Charles remained impassive and calm. Satisfied, they waved the carriage through.

But Charles knew this was just the beginning. The real test would be navigating the corridors that led to the Crown Prince’s study—and the Royal Treasury.

He hadn’t chosen Cyrus at random. The Fourth Prince’s chambers were conveniently close to his true target.

The carriage rolled into the inner courtyard, past marble fountains and artistic sculptures, closing in on the palace’s core. Despite the grandeur around him, Charles’s thoughts were precise and calculated.

Finally, the carriage came to a stop near a grand entrance. A palace guard approached with reverence.

"Sir Cyrus, His Highness awaits you in the study," the guard informed, bowing.

Charles gave a composed nod. "I shall be there shortly."

As the carriage door shut behind him, he stepped into a lavish hallway adorned with historical tapestries and ancestral portraits. Incense hung in the air, lending a sacred stillness.

Keeping his gaze low, Charles moved quickly through the corridors, careful not to meet anyone’s eyes.

Soon, he stopped in front of a tall wooden door, raised his hand, and knocked twice.

It swung open to reveal the Crown Prince’s study—walls lined with scrolls and books, antique artifacts glittering in display cases. Behind the desk sat the Crown Prince himself, pen in hand.

He looked around thirty, with combed black hair, a thick mustache, and striking white eyes.