Chapter 73
At Gale’s Mansion
The rescue of Gale’s wife, Yukari, and their daughter, Rin—who had been taken hostage—was set in motion. Using Lil’s space-time magic, we warped directly in front of the mansion.
We silently infiltrated after stealthily subduing the lookouts to avoid raising alarms. In the grand hall, Yukari and Rin were surrounded by a group cloaked in black robes. Their limbs were bound, and they appeared unconscious, unmoving.
"Yuka, how’s it look? Can you do it?"
"It’s possible. All we need is a single moment to divert their attention."
"Got it. Then we’ll handle the distraction. Yuka, grab Yukari and Rin and get out."
"Understood."
Using the telepathic link granted by my familiar bond, I coordinated with Lord Albert. This ability—inaudible to anyone but us and impossible for outsiders to detect—proved incredibly useful.
BOOM! BOOM!!
Explosions erupted nearby. No doubt Lord Albert’s work. Some of the black-hooded figures rushed toward the noise to investigate, leaving only five behind. Then, the mansion’s lights cut out. The hooded men panicked. Lord Albert’s voice echoed in my mind again.
"Yuka, I’ve cut the lights. The rest is up to you."
"Thank you. Moving now."
Grateful, I prepared. This was our chance.
(“Luca, go.”)
(“Kyuu!”)
At my whispered command, Luca extended thread-like tentacles from her body, coiling them around Yukari and Rin. Slowly, carefully, she pulled them toward us, unnoticed by the remaining cultists. Success. Now, all that remained was escape.
"Rescue complete. Proceeding to extraction."
"Roger. Regroup later."
Hiding in the shadows, I saw light flare—not from the mansion, but from the cultists’ magic. Realizing their hostages were gone, they scrambled. One barked orders, sending the others scattering through the building.
Luka’s tentacles restrained the lone leader while I charmed him for good measure. His eyes glazed over, body slack.
“Call your subordinates back.”
“As you wish.”
He nodded obediently and returned to his post, seemingly issuing commands. Seizing the opportunity, we moved. Down the long hallway we crept, soundless, with Luka’s telekinesis carrying Yukari and Rin.
The cultists who’d rushed off earlier now returned. We ducked into a nearby room, waiting as their footsteps faded. Once clear, we resumed.
We were almost out—when a new presence entered the mansion. Hiding behind a pillar, I spotted a green-haired man.
(Who… is that?)
A Supreme Demon cultist? Or one of Gale’s associates? Only two possibilities came to mind. As I observed, wary of my surroundings—
"Ugh, useless subordinates are such a pain. Maybe I’ll chop ’em all up later."
"…!"
Without warning, he unleashed blades of wind. The pillar shielding us split in two. Dodging low, I watched the slash cleave a nearby statue clean in half.
"C’mon out, Albert’s familiar. Let’s have a little death match~."
His lazy tone dripped with amusement as his gaze locked onto us. So much for stealth. So close… Fine. After hiding Yukari and Rin safely, I readied for combat.
"Heh, so you’re Albert’s familiar? Damn, you’re a real looker. Like, totally my type. Wanna be my wife? I’ll spoil you rotten."
"…Regrettably, I’m already engaged. I’ll have to decline."
"Ouch, rejected. Then die."
A barrage of wind blades shot forth. I deflected them, countering with lightning. A direct hit—yet he stood unscathed, his clothes barely singed.
"Not bad. Without my wind barrier, that’d have killed me. A beauty and strong? Yeah, I want you even more now. Wife it is."
"I refuse."
"Cold, huh? Eh, whatever. I’ll just take you by force."
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