Inside Yarvis's residence, when the figures of Paul and the others suddenly vanished, the faces of the six Iron Guard turned instantly pale.
They rubbed their eyes hard and repeatedly, but their training instantly forced them to admit that Lord Paul Greiman, the people around him, and the witch who had launched the attack had indeed vanished right where they stood.
The lead guard captain snatched up the fragments of ice left on the ground-a power that felt ominous still lingered upon them.
"Split up!" he ordered with a hoarse voice, "Four stay to secure the scene, you..." he pointed at a team member, "immediately return with me to the Lord's Manor to report!"
The sound of horse hooves tore through the night like thunder, and Old Ford, who had just finished dinner and received word that an emergency had occurred, hurried over, walking quickly through the gates of the Lord's Manor, whereupon even more urgent footsteps sounded behind him; Chief Steward Ford looked back to see Schroeder the Chief of Staff.
The two had no time for greetings, signaling each other with their eyes as they walked side by side into the hall, where two people were already waiting for them.
Victor, the lord's captain of the guard, was pacing anxiously, while Butler Philip stood with his eyes closed in prayer.
"Lord Chief Steward, Lord Chief of Staff, you've finally arrived!" The tall captain of the guard wore an expression at that moment as helpless as a child abandoned by its parents.
"What did you say?!" A minute later, the white-haired chief steward grabbed the captain of the guard by the collar, "The Marquis... and the ladies have been assassinated? What do you mean they... vanished?"
"They just vanished, right in front of six people they were gone in