Chapter 505 – Sneaking In.

‘This is fucking crazy. Did I get infected by some virus? Getting Robert out of that carriage was one thing… but this is just…’

Roland had freed his brother from house arrest, and it had been surprisingly easy. The guards and Wentworth hadn’t anticipated any complications, and they didn’t have the manpower to spare. His father had taken the official royal troops on a detour to rescue his son but couldn’t do the same when returning to his estate. Instead, he had left behind one of his elite units, which Roland neutralized with a few well-placed sleeping bombs. It wasn’t overly difficult, and he made sure not to trigger any hidden beacons that might alert others to his presence.

Most people wouldn’t believe someone could take down thirty knights without killing a single one, so he had at least some time before they woke up. Once they did, they would likely inform Wentworth, and possibly the count. His father might eventually question the count about Robert’s escape, or perhaps he had a mole somewhere who would relay the information. Either way, Roland knew he didn’t have much time to complete this reckless mission – it was now or never.

‘Maybe I should grab Robert and return in a month or two instead?’

He thought, starting to get cold feet. This estate had far more variables, making the situation tricky but possible. He had run countless calculations in his head, and while his victory seemed plausible, it wasn’t within a range that allowed him to feel safe. He wondered why his approach to these situations had begun to change. He was still largely cold and calculating, but emotions were creeping in more than before. He wasn’t alone anymore, and perhaps deep down, he no longer wanted to be.

‘Am I just turning into an old geezer? I would probably be forty-seven by now…’

His true age was much greater than people assumed, and he wondered if he was simply becoming more emotional as he grew older. At times, he felt more like an older sibling or even an uncle to those around him. Logically, it might be better to let Lucille return to the tower. Even if she married someone in the coming months, they could likely sneak in and rescue her later. However, his brother would probably object to such a plan, and Roland himself had doubts about Graham’s mental stability.

While Graham didn’t seem to be involved with any cults Roland knew of, he was uncomfortably at ease with using blood crystals. Graham would undoubtedly know that Robert was still out there, likely plotting to take his daughter away. This could push him to do something vile to keep her under control – a very real possibility. Striking now seemed like the best course of action, as no one would expect someone like him to be reckless enough to try.

“Is this really necessary? Won’t they know it’s us?”

Roland sighed at the question but quickly replied.

“They might suspect, but they won’t have proof. That’s what matters.”

“Okay… but what are you doing?”

“What does it look like?”

“You’re making a small hole with magic… but why?”

Robert returned from behind a bush, wearing an odd outfit: chainmail armor concealed beneath a heavy, dark-orange robe. His head was still uncovered, but Roland handed him a helmet that would cover his entire face. Unlike the goblin mask Roland used, this one resembled the evolved goblin form and once worn, would even disguise his brother’s voice. Even if they were discovered, no one could prove it was them.

“Yes, it’s a hole. Did you know some magical barriers extend underground?”

“Uh… sure?”

“But did you know they’re much weaker if you go deep enough?”

Roland added, focusing on the ground. Runes glowed on his metallic glove as he created a small circular hole, no wider than a gold coin. He fed a cable through the hole, extending it from his spatial rune, slowly snaking it downward and then upward until it surfaced a few meters away.

Robert, watching this unfold, was puzzled by the long wire emerging on the other side. He knew there was some kind of invisible magical barrier in front of the bush where they were hiding, but he wasn’t sure what the point of all this was. Then, he noticed a small mechanical creature resembling a spider crawling toward the cable. It connected to a tiny port at the creature’s rear.

“There we go, we’re connected.”

Roland nodded, finally standing up. But his brother only had more questions.

“Connected… to what?”

“I suppose you could call it the runic web. We don’t have time for me to explain this but this connection is essential to reach Lucille without being detected. We need to let her know about the plan, or she’ll think we’re some villains trying to abduct her in the middle of the night.”

“I see, that does make sense…”

Robert had already spoken to Lucille through holograms before, so this wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to him. Roland, however, was doing this for a more important reason – to confirm whether Lucille was truly willing to go through with this. He assumed she wanted to leave, but he needed to make sure she fully understood the gravity of the situation and what it would mean for both her and his brother’s future. The path they would take would make them live like commoners and he wasn’t sure if she would be fine with abandoning it all.

“There we go…”

As before, Lucille used the golem that had snuck into her tower to communicate. Time was running out, so Roland decided against activating the holographic projector and instead stuck to just using their voices. He used his own armor and the back of his wrists as a microphone.

“Lucille, can you hear me?”

“Yes? Sir Roland, is that you? Are you alright? My father won’t tell me anything, and there’s been some kind of commotion…”

“I’m fine. More importantly, I have Robert with me, and we’ve come to take you away from here.”

“Robert is with you? You want to take me away?”

Lucille’s voice grew louder when Roland mentioned Robert and their plan to take her. Before he could explain further, his brother couldn’t resist jumping in.

“Yes, Lucille, I’m here! I’m fine, and don’t worry – we’ll get you out of there.”

“Get me out? W-what do you mean? What about my father? What’s happening?”

Roland quickly placed his hand over Robert’s face, shoving him aside from the communication rune. He knew that if these two started talking too much, they’d never get anywhere. While Lucille and Robert had spoken before about possibly running away together, they hadn’t made any firm commitment to follow through. Lucille was clearly confused, and she might be afraid that Robert would just end up getting captured again after being freed. She might refuse them in an attempt to protect them both – something they would have to accept, no matter how difficult.

“Listen closely. I can tell that you’re still in the same tower. We’ll make our way to you and get you out through the window – if that’s what you want.”

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“If she wants?”

Robert reacted, confused at first, but he quickly understood what Roland was getting at.

“I want you to fully understand the situation. If you come with us now, your life as a noble may be over – at least for a while. I know you and Robert want to be together, and I can help you both settle on Dragnis Island, in Valerian territory. I can get you new identities, new work. But you likely won’t be able to return home for some time… maybe not ever. Are you prepared for that?”

Roland paused, giving her a moment to absorb the gravity of the decision. All he could offer was a fresh start in Albrook, working with Arthur’s people. Robert could become a knight there, and Lucille, who had attained the class of rune mage, could either work at Roland’s shop or take on a role similar to Arion’s, working with the dwarven craftsmen from the Union. It was a new life, but it would come at the cost of their old ones. They would need to abandon all the previous relationships, their old friends and family members included.

Count Graham would undoubtedly leave no stone unturned in his search for his daughter. The only place that could shield them from his influence was Valerian territory, which belonged to a rival faction – The powerful Aristocats. Even if Graham discovered where they were, his authority wouldn’t extend there, and he wouldn’t be able to send official forces to retrieve her. However, there was a possibility that the Duke could make a deal with him, so giving them new identities was a must.

“Never… return home?”

She whispered, her voice barely audible.