Rise of the White Dragon

Chapter 450: Festival of Distraction

In a dark tavern on the outskirts of the city, four hooded figures gathered around a table, their faces dimly lit by the flickering light of a candle. They were thieves, not just any thieves, but the most cunning and skilled in the region. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"So, everyone knows the plan, right?" murmured the leader, a middle-aged man known as Corvus. He was famous for his intelligence and ability to disable any security mechanism.

"Of course, Corvus," replied a woman named Lyra, an expert in acrobatics and disguises. "Most of the guards will be at the festival. It will be the perfect moment."

Beside her was Argus, a silent giant whose strength was legendary. He nodded in agreement, his arms crossed and his serious face hidden in the shadow.

The last member of the group was Eko, a young mage specializing in illusions and magical camouflages. "I've already prepared the necessary spells. They won't see what hit them."

Corvus unrolled a scroll on the table, showing the layout of the City Lord's vault. "The vault is located here, below the mansion. Lyra, you and Eko will enter disguised. Argus and I will follow through the underground tunnels."

"Once inside, Eko will use his illusions to keep us hidden while Argus and I deal with the vault," Corvus continued.

Lyra nodded, "And I'll take care of any unwanted surprises. We'll make sure no one suspects anything until it's too late."

The four stood up, sharing looks of determination. "Tonight, the City Lord's vault will be ours," Corvus said confidently.

At night, while the city was wrapped in the celebration of the Celestial Colors Day, the group put their plan into action. Lyra and Eko, disguised, easily blended among the revelers, while Corvus and Argus moved in the shadows, approaching the City Lord's mansion.

As Lyra distracted the few remaining guards with an acrobatic performance, Eko cast a veil of illusion, making Corvus and Argus invisible to the eyes of the bystanders. They quickly reached the secret entrance to the tunnels leading to the vault.

Inside the mansion, Argus used his brute strength to open blocked passages, while Corvus disarmed traps and deciphered complex locks. Eko, always alert, maintained the illusion, ensuring their progress remained unnoticed.

Finally, they reached the vault. Corvus worked meticulously on the security mechanism while Argus watched the entrance. Lyra and Eko, still at the festival, were ready to act in case something went wrong.

With a final click, the vault opened, revealing its valuable contents. Corvus smiled. "We've got the treasure."

Quickly, they gathered what they could and prepared to retreat. The plan had been a success, and the city, distracted by the festival, would never know what had hit them.

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On a pleasant afternoon in the square, Luan and Nora enjoyed skewers of meat, comfortably seated on a bench. The atmosphere was tranquil, with the sun gently setting in the background, casting a golden light over the scene.

Nora, with a thoughtful look, turned to Luan and proposed, in a soft but intent-laden tone: "Luan, how about we suggest to Lenore that she take a trip to Earth?" Her voice reflected a mix of hope and care.

Luan pondered the idea, chewing his skewer thoughtfully before responding. "I think it would be a good idea," he said, with a slight smile. "On Earth, the little turbulence that Ingrid and I faced has already been resolved. Moreover, Lenore would have the chance to be closer to her aunts and grandmother."

Nora smiled, agreeing. She saw in this suggestion a dual opportunity: not only would it benefit Lenore, but it would also give them a chance to enjoy more intimate and private moments, something she secretly longed for.

Meanwhile, Luan sighed, contemplating another matter. "If I could get the materials for the dungeons earlier..." he murmured, more to himself than to Nora. Although he wasn't under immediate pressure, he knew the sooner he resolved this, the better.

Nora nodded, sharing Luan's sense of urgency, but at the same time, she cherished the adventures and time they spent together. It was a sweet dilemma, the kind one wishes to see end, but at the same time, hopes lasts forever.

Later, they met Lenore. The young girl, with her arms crossed, asked in a light teasing tone: "So, you want me to go to Earth, don't you?" Noticing her parents' conflicted expressions, she laughed. "Actually, I was already thinking about it, I just didn't want to upset you."

Nora, relieved and happy, hugged Lenore affectionately and kissed her cheek. "Have a good trip, dear, and take care," she said tenderly.

Lenore returned the hug and kiss, smiling. "I'll miss you, but remember, Earth dad is still there," she joked.

"That's true," Nora replied, laughing.

As the night progressed, and while the group of thieves escaped through the city's shadows, the atmosphere in the square where Luan and Nora were with Lenore remained serene and warm. After bidding farewell to Lenore, the couple walked slowly through the streets.

Meanwhile, in a remote corner of the city, Corvus and his group counted their stolen treasure, amazed at their feat. Eko, with a mischievous smile, joked, "I think this was the easiest heist ever!"

Argus, who rarely spoke, agreed with a nod, while Lyra organized the spoils. "We have to be quick now. The City Lord will soon realize what happened," she warned.

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After spending at least half an hour exploring the vibrant city, Luan and Nora decided to leave. The ancient architecture blended with new buildings, creating an almost magical scene. However, no sooner had they left the city behind, a shrill alarm echoed through the streets, shattering the calm of the late afternoon.

Nora looked back, frowning in confusion. "What could have happened?" she wondered aloud, her voice tinged with concern. Her red eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of what could have triggered such an uproar.

Luan, with his thoughtful expression, stroked his chin. "Mm... We didn't hear any battle explosions, so it's likely been a theft," he deduced, his voice calm in contrast to the moment's tension. He was always insightful, capable of reading between the lines of any situation.

Nora nodded in agreement, her scarlet hair gently swaying with the movement. "We should quicken our pace, then," she suggested, her voice taking on a determined tone. She knew that any delay could drag them into a whirlwind of unwanted complications.

"Yes," Luan agreed, seriousness painting his face. With a fluid motion, he summoned a pair of magnificent and imposing white dragon wings, which unfolded with a soft noise.

Beside him, Nora focused and, in the blink of an eye, a pair of mercury red bat wings sprouted on her back. The wings had a metallic sheen, reflecting light in a mesmerizing way.

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Do you want to know the appearance of each of the girls that have been introduced? I have created some images with their appearance, and you can access these images by joining my Discord: discord.gg/rK69edsWyt