Infiltrating Capim Villa went far more smoothly than Lorne had expected.
"Even Danitz knew to set up a few mystical traps as an early warning, but there's absolutely nothing around this house."
"They're that confident, huh-"
This abnormal laxity hinted at a disturbingly solid source of confidence.
Taking advantage of the chaos inside the villa, Lorne effortlessly dealt with two perimeter guards and slipped soundlessly into the backyard.
"Judging by the layout, the trouble should be in the dining room-"
"Definitely Beyonders fighting."
"-"
"Rescue them first." Having made up his mind, Lorne decisively steered clear of the dining room, where his Calamity Premonition was strongest.
He took a short rod he had prepared beforehand from inside his coat and used divination to locate where the abducted children were being held.
"The basement-just as I thought."
"Something seems to have happened-"
Berris, who sported a full beard, had been monitoring changes in a certain kind of order, but he dared not abandon his post.
He feared this was a diversion. If he left, the intruder's accomplices could seize the opportunity to break into the dungeon.
"Who's there!"
Suddenly, in the dim light of the gas lamps, Berris spotted a long, slanting silhouette flash past a nearby bend in the passage.
Rather than answer his challenge, the figure swiftly retreated.
"An intruder!"
Berris tensed and quickly raised the enormous High-Pressure Steam Rifle in his hands, aiming at that spot.
Bang!
The moment the silhouette appeared again, he pulled the trigger without hesitation!
A thick cloud of white mist burst from the barrel, and a sharp, pale-gold bullet shot forward at astonishing speed!
Bang!
The answer was a web coated in a peculiar mucus.
Since the web bullet traveled relatively slowly, Berris easily sidestepped it.
Tap, tap, tap.
Listening to the measured