The wind off the lake carried a fishy scent as it stirred Leo's apprentice robes.
For the fifth time, he stepped out of the tent and looked toward the water.
Five days.
The lord had been down there for five whole days.
He knew the underground world was vast, but wasn't five days a little too long?
Lord Veylin was the most enlightened, wisest noble he had ever met.
Rather than a lord, he seemed more like a magic tutor who treated his students kindly.
Leo dared not dwell on the worst possibilities.
All he could do was quietly keep watch by the lake, waiting for a message that might arrive at any moment.
Suddenly, a thought rang out in his mind without warning.
[Leo, can you hear me?]
It was the lord!
Leo sprang to his feet, excitement sending blood rushing to his head, but he immediately suppressed his emotions and focused on responding.
[Yes, my lord! You...]
[Get ready to receive us. Bring the Alchemist and stretchers. We need to rest and recover.]
[Yes, my lord!]
Leo turned and sprinted toward the nearest patrol.
Ten minutes later, ripples spread across the center of the still lake.
Veylin was the first to surface. He drew a deep breath and wiped the water from his face.
Kale, Barrett, Ola, and Sarah surfaced in succession, supporting one another as they swam toward shore, their movements heavy with exhaustion.
Ola carried a soaking-wet "bundle" in one hand. The Succubus lay motionless, with no telling whether she was alive or dead.
Leo was already waiting on the shore with the others.
Seeing the bedraggled state of the lord and his party, the guards cast concerned looks their way.
Veylin nodded to everyone, then headed toward the Lord's Manor, removing the [Hive Terminal] from