Chapter 27……………………………………………….
The carriage sent by Madam Odilon was parked a short distance away from the back gate of the mansion.
Looking at the shabby freight wagon, I nodded in satisfaction.
“Infiltration is all about staying unnoticed.”
If I rode in a carriage that stood out even a little, it would only attract unnecessary attention.
In that case, using a cargo wagon you could see anywhere was far more advantageous.
“I’ll see you safely there, miss.”
“Thank you.”
After greeting the driver, I climbed straight into the carriage. To make it easy to hide, several crates were arranged inside along with bundles of straw. As I moved deeper inside, I spotted a sofa tucked into the far corner and let out a small chuckle.
I was secretly grateful for the thoughtful preparation that would let me travel in comfort.
“And the driver who came along is originally a knight, right?”
They’d said they deliberately sent a knight disguised as a driver, just in case something happened.
“I should reward them separately later.”
Though our alliance was built on mutual benefit, they’d gone to this length for me, so it felt right to repay that consideration.
“Alright, then…”
I took out the Frenhold Theater blueprint I’d prepared in advance.
“Good thing it’s still around.”
When the theater was first built, part of the funding and materials had been provided by Renesti. Because of that, the original blueprints and business plans were still stored in the archives.
“It’s a bit outdated, though.”
The place had risen quickly—and collapsed just as fast—so they likely wouldn’t have had time to add many new traps.
At most, maybe something underground.
“Still, just in case.”
It would be good to scout out the general routes beforehand.
The theater was a large building with four floors. The auction was being held on the second floor, in the Grand Opera Hall.
Fortunately, there was only one hall per floor, so there was no need to search around blindly.
The problem was that sneaking in meant entering through a rat hole and passing through the basement…
“Well, getting inside isn’t the issue.”
I folded the blueprint back up.
“I already have a plan.”
“….”
At the same time.
From the moment she left, Matthias hadn’t moved from his spot by the window.
Sofia, tidying up the reception room, smiled faintly as she watched him stare blankly outside.
“At this rate, you’ll bore a hole through the window.”
“…When will she be back?”
“Well. Once she finishes everything, she’ll probably return before dawn.”
As he listened, Matthias asked quietly,
“Aren’t you worried?”
“Of course I am.”
Sofia had served her for more than half her life, so her unease was no different from his.
“But she’s our young lady. I believe she’ll handle it just fine.”
Her personality had changed a bit along the way, but her reliability hadn’t.
If anything, the confident person she was now looked far better than the suppressed version she used to be.
“My job is to take care of everything else perfectly so she can focus on her work.”
Aria kept working through ledgers until dawn. Even when told to sleep, she wouldn’t put the documents down until the very last moment.
Sofia had witnessed firsthand just how hard she worked—for the family and for the servants.
“Whew!”
After finishing folding the blankets scattered over the sofa, she put her hands on her hips.
“So don’t worry too much. When our young lady sets her mind to something, she always sees it through.”
“…I know.”
Sofia wasn’t the only one who had watched Aria closely. He, too, had seen with his own eyes how much effort she put in. Even someone nearly ignorant of this kind of operation, like himself, could tell how meticulously she prepared.
Just as the maid said, Aria would surely return safely.
But still…
Infiltrating such a dangerous place alone. Having seen firsthand how cruel those people could be, it was only natural for Matthias to worry.
No matter how thorough the preparations, there were always unforeseen variables.
And if something happened halfway through—if she were to get hurt…
I’ll kill them.
Aria would hate hearing him say that, but he meant it.
If anything happened to her, he would wipe them out without leaving even a speck of dust behind.
The fact that they dared lay a hand on the person who saved him was reason enough to die.
“…Ah.”
Or rather, since they planned to arrest the slave traders anyway, wouldn’t it be fine to ask for mercy just this once? To let him kill Xavier with his own hands?
“Aria would probably allow that.”
The real goal was, of course, to eliminate the bastard who had tormented and exploited her for so long. But to be honest, he already knew she wouldn’t approve.
Still, if he said it was revenge… that much, soft-hearted as she was, she might understand.
The others didn’t matter.
“At least that one.”
He would deal with him personally.
Looking up at the darkening sky, Matthias parted his lips slightly.
Truthfully, he felt like chasing after her right away.
“But she’d get angry.”
For now, all he could do was trust her and wait, just as Sofia said. Leaving now would be no different from saying he didn’t believe in her.
And that would be disrespectful to Aria, who had prepared so diligently.
So instead of easing his anxiety, Matthias chose to remain a well-behaved beast, patiently waiting.
No matter what happened, he wouldn’t move without her orders.
—P-Please, fetch Sir Enoch…! Call the physician immediately!
…Until the moment he held that blood-soaked body in his arms, he had truly believed he could keep that promise.
Creak, creak—
The theater, located some distance from the capital, took a long carriage ride to reach.
“You may get down now.”
The driver parked the carriage in a deserted back alley and didn’t lower his guard until I stepped out.
After confirming I was safe, he spoke in the lowest voice possible.
“Madam will be inside the theater, on the fourth floor side room, at the eleven o’clock position. She’ll be carrying a red peacock-feather fan, decorated on the outside with a lavish rose embroidered in green thread. Please keep that in mind.”
“Got it.”
“And Madam asked me to give you this as well.”
The driver pulled a small whistle and a tranquilizer gun from his pocket.
“If you find yourself in danger, blow this. It’s a personal defense signal.”
“If I blow it, other knights will come?”
“Yes. Imperial Palace knights will be stationed within a 500-meter radius, so the sound will reach them as well.”
“T-That far?”
Impressive.
Thanks to that, it didn’t look like I’d die screaming all alone. Hanging the whistle neatly around my neck, I looked over the building I was about to infiltrate.
“First, I need to meet the marchioness.”
It was time to reclaim what was mine.
After thanking the driver, I headed toward the theater step by step. He offered to accompany me, but I declined.
I’d be going inside soon anyway… and his mission was only to get me here safely.
Parting ways with the driver, I moved forward without hesitation. I’d already memorized the blueprint long ago.
Instead of heading straight for the back door, I rounded the corner beside it.
There, nearby, stood a massive iron gate. It was an exit used to dispose of trash after burning it.
Standing before the gate, I rolled up my sleeves.
“When it comes to sneaking in…”
Nothing beats a hole just big enough for a rat.
Unlock soon!~