The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 336 Female Knights' Silent Infiltration (End)

Cerys gritted her teeth. They had no time to fight, and the corridor offered little cover. She exchanged a glance with Vyrelda. The knight's jaw clenched—she was prepared to strike, but they both knew a full confrontation might trigger alarms.

With a swift, improvised motion, Vyrelda removed a small device from her belt—a mini disruptor Mikhailis had given them. She tossed it gently down the corridor. It landed near the sentinel with a soft clink, causing the machine to swivel in curiosity. A second later, the disruptor activated, sending a localized burst of interference that scrambled the sentinel's sensors.

The device whined, the lens flickering. In the confusion, the sentinel twitched and rotated wildly, trying to recalibrate. Cerys took that moment to slip forward, Vyrelda at her side. They darted past, each footstep careful not to slam on the floor. The sentinel whirred again, but by the time it could see clearly, they were already gone.

A few more paces and they emerged into the outer corridor, the swirling city mist meeting them like a silent greeting. Slipping into the half-lit street, they finally breathed.

Cerys exhaled, running a hand over her ponytail to tighten it. Her muscles quivered from the tension of the infiltration, but she clung to composure. "We have it," she murmured. "The data. That line... about the Serewyn system." The words tasted bitter.

Vyrelda's eyes flicked around, making sure no immediate threat lingered. Then she nodded, voice hushed. "If the Serewyn system reawakens, Luthadel falls."

Cerys and Vyrelda moved through the darkened corridors of the Technomancer data vault with swift, silent steps. The very air smelled charged—like a mix of old metal, arcane residue, and that distinct tang of potions left too long in dusty vials. Dim lights flickered along the walls, tracing runic patterns that pulsed faintly, as though the vault itself was alive and breathing.

Cerys, the Lone Wolf whose red ponytail swept over her shoulder, kept to the lead. Her gaze was keen, scanning each corner for potential threats. She wore an expression that was at once detached and focused, her green eyes every bit as sharp as the blade at her hip. Over the years, she'd perfected the art of stealth and efficiency in combat, having spent her formative years in knightly training after surviving the horrors that stole her family from her. She chose solitude, she chose the path of minimal bonds—yet here she was, risking herself for a cause she still didn't fully understand.

Vyrelda followed close behind. With sleek movements, she nearly mirrored Cerys's vigilance, each muscle primed for a sudden strike if needed. As a childhood friend and loyal knight to Queen Elowen, she shared her queen's strength and sharpness. She was protective, especially regarding anything that might threaten Silvarion Thalor's interests. And given that Mikhailis was part of those interests, she had reluctantly stepped into this chaotic puzzle he'd stirred.

They came upon a narrow hallway blocked by a single Technomancer guard, his obsidian breastplate reflecting a faint neon glow from embedded runic strips. Without missing a beat, Cerys rushed forward, locking an arm around his throat. Before the startled guard could shout, she jabbed a precise blow to his nerve cluster. He crumpled wordlessly into her arms. She dragged his limp body into the shadows, her heart thumping with a familiar rush.

"Check him," Cerys muttered under her breath, pressing her back to the wall. She eyed the corner vigilantly as Vyrelda knelt to search the guard's pockets for any data keys or alarms.@@@@

"Cover me," Vyrelda said quietly. There was a small note of tension in her voice, but also determination.

Cerys stood at the threshold, sword at the ready, her posture radiating a fierce kind of calm. If anything moved that wasn't Vyrelda or a harmless object, it would meet swift retaliation. She listened to the faint hum of the data slabs, the soft beep of the console as Vyrelda typed in commands. Outside, the corridor remained silent for now.

Time stretched uncomfortably. This was the vulnerable phase: infiltration always had that delicate moment where half the team was busy hacking or searching, and the other half had to hold off any threats. Cerys's heart pounded with the tension. Each second felt longer than it was.

Finally, Vyrelda gasped softly. "I found something," she whispered.

Cerys glanced back, sparing her a look while keeping the corridor in her peripheral vision. "What is it?"

Vyrelda's brow furrowed as lines of text scrolled across the console. "Records from about a century ago. Failed experiments with 'mist-born constructs.' Something about attempts to harness the old Serewyn system. They... they called it 'Project Aegis,' an effort to forcibly integrate the city's original infrastructure with Technomancer augmentation." She skimmed further. "It ended in meltdown events—mass casualties, entire blocks lost to uncontrollable fog expansions."

Cerys felt a chill run through her. "So they tried to do exactly what the Crownless House might be attempting now?"

"Perhaps," Vyrelda replied, biting her lip. The runes on the console glowed a murky green as she navigated deeper into the files. "Wait, here's a summary." Her eyes raced across the text. "'Designation: Mist-Born Entities... partial success... meltdown... discontinued... sealed data...'"

Then, she froze, color draining from her cheeks. "Oh no."

Cerys's knuckles tightened on the hilt of her sword. "What?"

Vyrelda turned to her, voice low and urgent. "There's a direct warning." She inhaled, reading verbatim: "'If the Serewyn system reawakens, Luthadel falls.'"