If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 225

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

“About seventy percent of the preparations are complete. If we can hold out safely until tomorrow afternoon, we should be able to depart without issue.”

“But judging by Sir Karon’s face when he came to my room just now… it seems unlikely we’ll remain safe.”

Agatha’s observation was accurate.

If the bandits’ demands weren’t truly threatening, Karon would have quietly handled things without letting Agatha know.

But the fact that he eliminated every sign of presence in her room and kept her hidden from view meant that the threat was indeed serious.

“…Do you think we can stay safe until departure?”

“If they really make a move, we intend to meet force with force. A ragtag band of mercenaries is nothing more than leaves scattered before the Kristin Knights. However, since we don’t know their exact numbers, unexpected complications might delay our departure. Also, being outnumbered could lead to some clashes, so we’ll try to avoid confrontation as much as possible.”

“What if we just pay them the toll they want?”

“Well…”

“Is it an unreasonable amount?”

“They’ve demanded all of our food supplies and valuables.”

“That’s an impossible demand. So the best option is to quietly endure until departure time, and the next best…”

“Is to minimize casualties while engaging in combat if necessary.”

“Understood, sir. You’re in charge of the knights, so I trust you’ll handle it well.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

She now fully understood the situation outside. There were just over twenty hours left until the carriage would be safely repaired. Surely the mercenaries wouldn’t dare storm in demanding their price before then. But if something did happen…

“I’ll draw the curtains, Miss.”

Charlotte interrupted, apparently thinking her conversation with Karon was over. Even sitting far from the window, she still seemed uneasy. When Agatha nodded, Charlotte and Liana quickly covered all the bedroom windows with cloth.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Agatha woke again about three hours after she had lain down, struggling unsuccessfully to fall asleep.

A thunderous roar shook the entire residence. She hurriedly sat up. Liana, who had been dozing in a nearby chair, startled and stood as well.

“Did you hear that too?”

“Yes, Miss. P-please come this way.”

Rubens had instructed Liana on several escape routes just in case something happened at this late hour.

“Put on my coat quickly.”

They knew that threats were most effective when the highest-ranking person in the group was taken hostage, so Agatha’s safety was their top priority.

Liana wrapped her worn coat over Agatha’s nightgown and immediately took her by the wrist, moving toward the direction Rubens had indicated.

“They said bandits wouldn’t come this far in. Has something gone wrong?”

“I’m not sure. Sir Karon said earlier that if we get overwhelmed by numbers, this kind of thing could happen… Ah!”

Bang!

Another loud noise rang out. At the sound, Liana immediately stretched out her arms, covering Agatha from head to toe, trembling as she pulled her along.

“But it’s alright, Miss. There’s a passage to the basement here. If we hide there for a while, the knights will come and drive them off.”

“How can they fight back when outnumbered?”

“Well, some of the knights went to call the security, so the remaining knights will hold off the attackers until reinforcements arrive.”

“Security? There are security?”

“Yes. Until they return with the constables, the remaining knights will protect us, so you must hide quickly.”

They moved quickly but cautiously. Step by step, Agatha and Liana finally reached the basement level.

“Smoke…!”

The earlier noise had been an explosion. Agatha pulled her sleeve over her nose and mouth. They must have even used explosives to flush out those inside who wouldn’t come outside. These were ruthless people who wouldn’t hesitate to do anything for money.

Agatha bit her lip, struggling to suppress a cough.

Strangers rushed through the entrance broken by the explosion. From the hallway’s end, Agatha saw the doorway quickly fill with people. Except for the knights who went to summon the security, the rest were fighting the bandits at the entrance. Judging by their actions, they seemed to be trying to lure the attackers away from Agatha as far as possible.

In that case, hiding quickly in the basement with Liana was the best option. Agatha turned and hurried toward their original destination.

Reaching a dead end, Liana felt along the floor and found a handle. Pulling it with effort revealed a square door previously hidden beneath a carpet.

“Be careful.”

They opened the door to find a long, steep staircase leading downward. Dust hung thickly in the air, and a sharp smell of alcohol hinted it was once used as a wine cellar.

Agatha carefully stepped down, doing her best not to slip on the near-vertical stairs.