The guard stood atop the city wall, staring out at the pitch-black forest and road, and instinctively tucked his head into his shoulders.
Although summer was almost here, the nights were still cold. Even so, they had to stand watch here.
Thinking of everyone eating and drinking inside only made the guard more miserable. But what could he do? This was his job... At that thought, he turned and unconsciously glanced at the brightly lit Opera House nearby-only to spot a man in a guard's uniform approaching him.
"What's up, buddy? Time to change shifts?"
The guard looked at the newcomer and asked curiously. The man raised his head and grinned at him. At the sight of his face, the guard froze.
"Wait, you're..."
Before the guard could finish, the man suddenly raised his hand and drove a dagger straight into his throat. The guard's eyes widened. Before he could react, his attacker placed a hand on his shoulder and slowly lowered him to the ground, then pulled out the dagger and flicked it to one side.
Several more men in guard uniforms approached.
"Sir, the gate is completely under our control."
"Good."
The man nodded, then removed his cap, revealing Anthony's face and its rakish smile.
"Secret passages really do make things easier. Ah, if only we had one for every mission."
The other agents beside Anthony chuckled along with him. Everyone knew he was only joking. After all, where would they find such luck...
"But sir, do we really need to kill all these guards?"
Another agent soon spoke up in puzzlement.
"They're all members of the city guard... Is this really all right?"
"On an ordinary day, that might be debatable. Today, it's definitely fine."
Dagger in hand, Anthony patted him on the shoulder.
"Think about it.