Chapter 698: +25 Bonus

Rafael had infiltrated Harmony Palace but hadn't yet reached the dungeon. Harmony Palace's dungeon, built by long-dead and silenced craftsmen, had four entrances. However, Jacob had obtained blueprints from the foreman's son, revealing its layout.

Roughly half the size of the palace, the dungeon was dug deep into the ground. Brick walls divided the space into four cell blocks: north, south, east, and west. Each entrance corresponded to a cell block; the eastern block was accessed through the western courtyard. The southern and eastern blocks, large underground chambers according to the blueprints, weren't designed for imprisonment. In contrast, the northern and western blocks were, each containing one large cell and several smaller ones. The four blocks were completely isolated.

Unsure whether Daniel's family was in the northern or western block, Rafael chose the latter, as the entrances were close. Harmony Palace's extravagance was evident in its numerous lamps, which likely consumed vast amounts of oil nightly. However, Rafael's agility and the palace's many buildings and trees allowed him to remain hidden.

The western cell block's entrance wasn't in the western courtyard, but the eastern one—a poorly executed attempt at concealment. Eleanor's undiscovered status and the lack of any fear of her rendered the complex design ineffective. The palace's vast size, numerous courtyards, side halls, and landscaped gardens masked the dungeon's existence. No one would suspect the faux mountain in the eastern courtyard concealed the entrance to the western cell block.

After a patrol passed, Rafael slipped into the dungeon. Following the descending wall, he heard a child crying, confirming he was on the right track. His infiltration was proceeding smoothly.

Although dimly lit, lamps illuminated the cell block, which was unguarded. Rafael quickly opened an empty cell, hid inside, and secured the door. Each cell was sealed tight, with only a tiny opening in the iron door. He wrapped a wire around the latch to simulate a locked door, ensuring his concealment unless someone examined it closely.