It was midnight at the harbor, deep into the night.
"Changing the guard!" As the two squads of soldiers exchanged duties, an officer removed his metal helmet and spoke.
Rain hammered down on the docks.
Both squads of uniformed soldiers belonged to the territory's guard. Most looked young, but every trace of boyish innocence had vanished from their faces, replaced by a grim severity.
Once the handover was complete, the two squads said their farewells and passed each other.
The departing soldiers gradually disappeared into the curtain of rain.
"They really do look like elite soldiers hardened by the Demon Calamity. Their commanding officer is fourth level. Are Fourth-Level Warriors really that common now?"
A knight spoke softly, effectively making a report.
Rain rolled off the edge of his hood and down his cheeks. Standing on the deck, Mage Pudet shivered, then steadied himself. Instead of answering, he asked, "What have you learned about the Mage Tower's scans?"
"We've established the pattern. It performs a routine scan every three hours. We cast concealment spells after entering the harbor, so those scans won't notice us," a mage answered quietly.
He was the mage from Mishuna's party.
The docks lay in darkness. Most people aboard the ships had gone to sleep. Only the patter of rain and the slap of waves remained, masking other sounds.
Half an hour later, Pudet made a gesture.
Four dark figures slipped off the ship into the darkness, gradually approaching the patrolling soldiers. Halfway there, the air seemed to ripple, and the figures vanished.
"Huh?" The officer sheltering from the rain in the guard shed suddenly stood up.
"What's wrong, Captain?" a soldier asked at once.
"Something feels wrong!" Frowning, the officer scanned his surroundings.
"Captain, we'll take a look." Two soldiers stood up.
"Keep your eyes