To conceal their tracks, Hobart, Xue, and Fors got off the carriage early, left the main road, and crossed the fields to the opposite side of Aputon's country villa.
Xue found a good surveillance spot. The three hid around it while Hobart raised his binoculars and looked toward the villa.
A man in his forties was chopping firewood in the yard. He was probably Aputon's male servant. Through the window, they could see a figure moving about in a room on the second floor. That was likely Aputon himself.
Yet after watching for quite some time, they saw no sign of Aputon coming out.
Hobart took out his pocket watch and checked the time. It was only around four in the afternoon. He said quietly, "We'll act after dark."
Fors took the binoculars and replaced Hobart in watching the distant farmhouse. "Life here is so peaceful. I dream of having a life like this. If not for..."
If not for the whispers of the full moon, she would definitely save up enough money to buy a little courtyard like this and spend every summer peacefully there.
Hobart smiled. "Dreams are only precious when they remain dreams."
Fors sighed. "What Emperor Rosell said makes sense, but that's only because all his dreams came true before he said it. I still don't know what it feels like when a dream comes true."
Hobart twitched his lips. "All right, all right. Every famous saying came from Emperor Rosell."
As the three chatted idly, the sun gradually set and night descended upon the land.
They waited until after seven, ate a simple meal in the wilderness, and Hobart handed Xue and Fors the masks he had prepared. "Don't reveal your voices, habitual movements, or any other identifying information. Aputon might be connected to some