Breaking Out

In a dark room dimly illuminated by lamps…

A magic circle made of blood could be seen on the ground, encompassing the whole floor.

Located at the center was a platform where a simple table with four candles each at the corners of it stood on top.

Upon a closer look, one could see that a figure was seemingly laying down on it.

The figure was covered with white cloth, making it impossible to determine who it was. But from the outline of the figure's body, it was apparent that the figure was a woman.

At this moment, the door creaked as a man entered with heavy footsteps.

The dim light provided by the lamps illuminated his eyes, revealing a face that would have been recognized by Regis and Pandora had they been here.

It was the face of Count Orpheus.

However, the dignity it was radiating earlier was now nowhere to be seen.

Replacing it was a look of utter lost, as if all the life in his eyes was taken away the moment he laid it upon the woman on top of the table.

"Dolores…"

A whisper echoed in the dark room as tears welled up in Count Orpheus's eyes.

He walked up the platform and reached to the end of the white cloth.

However, before his hand reached the white cloth that covered the part where the figure's head was laid in, he sensed something.

"Aura fluctuations?"

A frown appeared on Count Orpheus's face as he lightly kissed the figure's head that was covered in white cloth.

"Just wait for a little longer, okay? I promise that we'll be together once again…"

He whispered before leaving hurriedly.

***

"Get them!"

"Arghhh! This fucking fog is in the way!!"

"It's fine! We just need to stall for time until the Count arrives!"

"Just watch out for when the door opens!"

…

The guards shouted as their vision was extremely hindered by the fog.

They were currently guarding the entrance to the dungeon upon hearing the commotion and receiving reports of children breaking out.

It should have been an easy endeavor as there was only one way to get it and exit the dungeon.

However, the thick fog in the surroundings made it difficult for them.

At this moment, they all had their eyes stuck on the closed door of the dungeon, albeit with much difficulty.

Bang—!

"Attack!"

Woosh— Woosh— Woosh—

The guards stabbed their spears towards the entrance to the dungeon the second it opened.

However, they felt no resistance or any indication that their spears had hit something.

With an alert expression, a guard approached the door to the dungeon, "Huh? There doesn't seem to be anyo—"

Thud!

A soft sound of something hitting the ground lightly echoed.

"What were you saying?"

"Hey! Do you hear us!?"

"Why did you suddenly stopped talki-"

Thud! Thud!

More soft sounds resounded, cutting the guard's words off.

"Who's there!?"

The guard shouted, his nervousness apparent in his trembling voice.

What made it worse was the fact that he received no reply, only being drowned by the unsettling silence.

"Ahhhh!"

The guard inadvertently shouted as he felt a kick on his leg, making him fall to the ground.

Before he could recover, he felt an arm wrap around his neck as something sharp was pressed on his neck.

"Don't move."

The guard followed subconsciously as he gulped anxiously.

Although he could hear the childishness in the voice, he didn't dare take it unseriously as he understood that his life was at stake.

"Tell me where the Count goes every evening? What is he up to?"

Regis's blood-red eyes shone lightly behind the guard as he interrogated him.

However, he was surprised by the guard's sudden change in attitude, "I don't know anything! I am loyal to the Cou— Arghhh!!!"

"If you don't answer me properly, I will take another finger. You have nine chances remaining. I repeat, what is the Count up to every night?"

"I already told you that I don't know anythi— ARGHHH!!!"

"You have eight more chances…"

'What the hell!? Is this really a child…!?' 

The guard thought inwardly as he felt the boiling murderous intent that lingered at the back of his neck.

'Still, I can't betray the Count!' Determination shone in his eyes as he once again spoke, "I- ARGHHHH!"

However, another of his finger was cut before he could even start speaking.

"I felt that what you're going to say is nonsense. So I got a little annoyed…"

'A demon- No, he's a devil!'

Chills went down the guard's spine as he felt the craziness of the child behind him.

At this moment, Regis's voice sounded once again, "Let me change the question. Why did the Count lock up children in the dungeon?"

"I.. don't know!"

However, the slight pause between his words was enough for Regis.

"Then, let me take a guess. Is he perhaps looking to contract a demon?"

"..."

The boiling murderous intent, the unbearable pain on his finger, and the sudden question did not even give the guard time to think of anything.

"I won't tell you—"

"That's enough for me. Thank you."

Shuikkkkk—

A cold glint shone in Regis's eyes as he smoothly slashed the guard's neck with his shortsword.

"Meh, this is quite worn out already…" He muttered softly as he threw his weapon to the side.

Looking at the entrance of the dungeon that was filled with fog, Regis called out, "You can come out now."

At this moment, a figure was faintly seen coming from within the fog.

The figure turned out to be a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes with a surprised expression on his face.

"Just who the hell are you?" Killian asked in wonder as he looked at Regis.

However, the latter only smiled, "Just someone who went through some things… Anyways, let's go. I think what you told me earlier was plausible based on the guard's reaction."

"What do you mean?"

"I meant that there's a high chance that Count Orpheus is dealing with demonic practices…"

"But the guard didn't even say anything…?"

Killian was confused as he was aware of everything that happened.

He also heard the guard's response and knew that he did not divulge any kind of useful information.

Therefore, he was curious as to where Regis got his assumptions from.

However, the person in question only looked at him with a smile and replied, "Just a hunch."