ch13

days gone by, I buried myself in the library.

Reading books whenever I get the chance to.

I always went home late due to me reading. I was unable to tell what time it was.

Ms. Luan came to me and called my name.

She tapped my shoulder and surprised me.

Ah! i was... i...

"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you. i've been calling your name but you're not responding so... anyway, are you alright? you seem to be making yourself busy these days. is there anything troubling you Adrienne?" Ms Luan asked.

I suddenly realized that I was not okay. It is my defense mechanism, where I make myself busy just so I won't feel sad.

"Thank you for your concern, Ms. Luan. I can manage." I thank Ms. Luan with a smile.

"Alright. if you can't handle it, just come to me. you'll feel better if there's someone who listens to you, you know. It's been a year since that incident happened, so I understand. You should take a break tomorrow," she replies.

"Is it okay for me to do that?" I said.

"Of course. you're diligent. you deserve some rest. I'll give you two weeks. Go on a vacation or visit your hometown. Maybe you'll feel better," she said.

"I'll take care of your paperwork, so just go home for now," she added.

.

Indeed, it's my mom and grandpa Beard's death anniversary.

It's not that I am sad.

I'm just feeling empty...

I don't have the motivation to do anything, which is why I'm forcing my way through.

i keep on working myself up, because maybe. Just maybe I can find something though im not done with my plans yet...

.

I thanked Ms. Luan, then I went home and slept my ass off.

.

In the morning, I packed my things and left the capital.

I went to Elvia City. it is a bit farther than Wallux Town.

Elvia City is the place managed by Count Langdon. Herbert Langdon, accomplice of Count Nelson Emmett and Marquis Lloyd Nicholson.

From what I know, all three of them are under the First Prince Theodore Amir von Argentine.

Maybe the prince is also rotten, based on his followers. But still, I can't judge the book by its cover.

.

I stayed in an inn. The city is bigger than I thought, and it has a huge lake on the eastern part of it.

No wonder business here is booming. They can be self-sufficient.

I scanned the whole place for the day and went back to the inn to rest.

Monitoring the whole city took a lot of time. It took me four days to find a loophole in the count's mansion.Those manhwas I read before made this look easy, but it is harder than It looks.

though i have the information of people inside the manor. their schedule has changed due to count Nelson Emmett's death.

This bastard is probably on guard right now. I can't be careless.

.

When night came, I sneaked into the count's mansion.

Good thing the moon is not that bright.

The security is not that tight. It's on the same level as that auction house, but they still failed to protect their customers.

I guess they're letting their guard down since a few months have already passed.

I managed to get inside and sneakily went for the Lord's room. There's nothing much, but there seem to be a lot of people inside the Lord's room.

Are all of those his guards? Based on what I sensed, they're not strong and sleeping.

What the heck?! Don't tell me...

I went inside through the window. I saw a bunch of women sleeping together with the count.

I observed those women, they look like slaves. They have chains on their feet.

There are even elves and a beastwoman among them.

This bastard!

The beastwoman sensed me. I signaled for her to be quiet.

"Shh, I'll free you guys, so come with me, okay?" She agreed and made way for me.

I froze the count and broke him into pieces.

The beast woman wakes the ten girls with her. She told them our plan. It is to escape into the forest.

"Alright, it's time for us to go. what are your names, by the way?" I asked.

"I am Netti," said the beastwoman, "and she's Aina," while she pointed at the elf.

Since your contractor died, that slave contract should be useless now. Let me remove your chains.

The other girls just followed after us.

.

Carefully and stealthily, we walked through the halls.

But when we reached the gate, a guard noticed us and notified the other guards.

I have no choice but to fight.

"Netti! you lead the girls and run away from here. I'll hold them up. Here is some money, use it once you leave here" i said.

Netti and the others hurriedly ran towards the forest at the back of the city, while I stayed inside the manor.

.

Shit! Their numbers are increasing...

But it's a good thing they are weaker than me.

Do I really have to use this here? What a waste.

I cast "Throne of Ice." An ice throne emerged from the ground, and the whole manor was covered in a dome of ice. It is a spell of the domain type where, inside, the caster is invincible.

.

Ugh! This is too mana-consuming. I have to end this fast. I said while I staggered and sat on the throne.

"Permafrost" was cast and the whole place was frozen, including the mansion. then I cast "Hailstorm" afterwards. It's like frozen meteors come down raining inside the dome.

Due to the spell Throne of Ice, the effect was doubled as I razed the whole place into ruins.

I cancelled the casting of the throne of ice and hurriedly ran away.

I caught too much attention. damnit! I have to go back now there's a commotion.

While I was running away, something caught my attention.

I saw The Hive's shop and went there.

Pretending to buy something, I showed my golden badge, and the cashier came to my aid right away.

"do you have a room i can use?" i muttered while feeling weak as I'm drained of mana.

The cashier escorted me upstairs and finally reached the room.

"you may stay here dear customer." she said

"thank you, you may go back now. and please dont let anyone disturb me" i said.

After locking the door, i fainted right where i was standing.

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