Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 63: Conflict

The God of Shadows and Secrets, Shalath, revered by all thieves and assassins, not only bestowed upon them the dexterous and ruthless skills necessary for their craft but also granted them the ability to conceal themselves within the shadows and traverse the darkness.

Although ancient texts record that the God of Shadows and Secrets fell during the protracted wars between gods and demons, perishing in the malevolent hell that claimed countless divine and demonic lives, and was entombed in the ceaseless bloodshed of the abyss, the innate talents conferred upon human thieves and assassins by this enigmatic deity have endured through the ages, becoming ever more refined.

In contrast to the powerful mages of the Isilia continent, whose invisibility spells require immense magical energy, the stealth techniques of thieves and assassins do not necessitate such power. Instead, they rely on the astute manipulation of obstacles, shadows, light, and the regulation of their own bodies and muscles to achieve the goal of vanishing from sight.

Of course, in the absence of suitable shadows or other conditions, formidable thieves and assassins can still generate their own invisibility using their fighting spirit. However, this method does affect their movements significantly. Nevertheless, compared to the mages' invisibility spells, the stealth techniques of thieves and assassins are remarkably convenient.

Dahn had long been aware of this extraordinary skill possessed by thieves and assassins. He knew that under his father's command, within the ranks of the Bylins army, many thieves were tasked with gathering intelligence on enemy nations, while assassins were responsible for eliminating dangerous foes. Yet, it was only today that Dahn witnessed the process of a thief becoming invisible for the first time.

What astonished Dahn was not the dazzling brilliance of the magical technique but rather the revelation that a girl, who appeared harmless and delicate as a flower in need of care, possessed not only third-tier martial skills but was also a devotee of the God of Shadows and Secrets, Shalath. This realization left Dahn both astonished and shaken.

Even more perplexing and troubling for Dahn was the sudden emergence of a memory from the depths of his mind, triggered when he could no longer see the girl's figure or detect any trace of her presence. It was a recollection of how he had inexplicably transitioned from the soft bed of a luxurious inn to the cold, hard ground at the entrance of a military camp.

Could all of this be related to Lilith? This thought surged uncontrollably in Dahn's mind, refusing to dissipate. Although he understood that, based on Lilith's demonstrated abilities, the petite and frail girl could not possibly be responsible for the events he had experienced.

Yet, when Dahn recalled the time and place of his abduction, noting that his misfortunes began just a day after his first encounter with Lilith, he felt a compelling connection between that mysterious kidnapping and her.

Perhaps it was Lilith's teacher or her fellow disciples who were involved? Dahn dismissed the possibility of the girl being directly responsible, but as he considered Lilith's kind-hearted nature and the fact that he had not done anything excessively wrong, he found himself wavering in his judgment.

Lilith was merely a commoner, and her teacher likely held no noble status either. Thus, even if Lilith or her teacher sought to take revenge on him, they could not possibly produce an official document from the Bylins Kingdom, especially one that clearly bore his name!

Thoughts surged and were swiftly overturned, as memories long forgotten in the heat of battle replayed in Dahn's mind, while the deepening fog of confusion only served to amplify his bewilderment.

Who could it be? What could be the motive behind such an elaborate scheme to ensnare him within the Ditlan military camp? Was this entire affair a cruel jest or a sinister plot? Dahn pondered deeply, lost in thought, until a voice filled with resentment broke through his contemplation.