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?"