Chapter 381
"So, what is our plan? Do we remain here and wait until their sacrificial ritual is truly carried out? Or… is there another step more worthy for us to take?"
Of course, Aldraya immediately responded to Theo's silence with a question.
Her face remained flat and monotonous, without the slightest crease of confusion or concern that could be read.
Her voice emerged in the same even tone, as though she were asking about dinner plans rather than discussing a rescue from a sacrificial ritual.
She asked for Theo's opinion.
The options she presented were clear and direct, reflecting her efficient and straightforward mindset.
First, should they continue to remain here, within this disguise, observing and waiting until the Bathee family's plan of sacrifice was truly executed.
Or second, was there another plan, an alternative strategy that would be more worthy and more effective for them to undertake.
"Do not worry. This place is not a prison for us."
Fhooooh!
"When the clock strikes ten at night, we will step out, head to the nearest station, and return to Star Academy."
Hearing Aldraya's question, which though delivered flatly seemed to Theo tinged with uncertainty about their next move, Theo gave an unexpected response.
Instead of offering a long strategic analysis, he simply extended his hand.
With a movement that was somewhat gentle, not too firm, he pinched both of Aldraya's cheeks.
They felt soft, supple, and uniquely elastic, a contrast to her porcelain-like expression.
The gesture was intimate and reassuring, Theo's way of saying that Aldraya did not need to worry about the condition of the two of them.
His message was clear—there was no need to fear what might happen to them if they became entangled in the complexities of the Bathee family's affairs.
Further, Theo informed her, his voice perhaps lower and more convincing.
He conveyed a decision he had already made.
They would not remain much longer in the Bathee residence.
Their reconnaissance mission had reached a point where the collected data was sufficient, or the situation had grown too dangerous to prolong their stay.
Theo provided a specific timeline.
In a few hours, precisely at ten at night, they would leave.
They would depart from this grand house, shed their masks as leader and vice leader, and vanish into the darkness.
The plan was to run toward the nearest train station.
From there, they would promptly return to Star Academy, their place of origin, which might now feel like a headquarters or at least a more familiar territory amid this chaos.
"Now, please pack the belongings you wish to bring back to the academy.
After that, carry out your duties as usual, according to the Bathee family's instructions.
I will ensure that my role as guard continues normally.
We must not let them grow suspicious."
Thus, in a firm yet unhurried tone, Theo urged Aldraya.
He instructed her to immediately pack her belongings, whatever items or equipment she wished to take back to Star Academy.
The order was given before she resumed her disguised role as vice leader, who still had to perform her duties as instructed by the Bathee family until the time of departure arrived.
Theo understood the importance of maintaining normal appearances until the very last second, so as not to arouse suspicion.
Meanwhile, Theo himself would ensure that his duty as the chief guard, the false leader, continued properly.
He would continue to patrol, perhaps give a few final routine commands, or simply stand at his post with fabricated authority.
Every movement would be measured, every gaze sharp and commanding, concealing the fact that within a few hours he would disappear like mist.
This was the final act of their performance, a perfect closing to an infiltration operation that had granted them deep insight into their enemy.
'All tasks that were part of this disguise are complete.'
Following the instruction with perfect discipline, Aldraya and Theo continued to work.
They showed no signs of restlessness or haste.
On the contrary, they carried out their roles with full conviction.
Theo acted as the cold and authoritative leader, while Aldraya played the efficient and unreadable vice leader.
Every interaction, every command, every glance they cast was part of the performance that had to be maintained until the very last moment.
Beginning at five in the afternoon, when the twilight light began to fade, they commenced their final guard routine.
Theo patrolled the perimeter of the house, checked the guard posts, or simply stood at strategic points while observing.
Aldraya, on the other hand, completed reports, ensured shift rotations were arranged, or supervised the activities of the other subordinates.
They moved like two gears in a well-oiled machine, without unnecessary noise.
Time continued to roll forward, and seven in the evening arrived.
The night deepened, and activity within the Bathee residence likely began to subside.
Yet the guard duties continued.
Theo and Aldraya remained at their posts, perhaps now more silent and observant.
They ensured there were no gaps in surveillance, that everything appeared normal, while within their hearts they counted down toward ten.
Each passing second was a step closer to freedom from this disguise.
Then, nine in the evening arrived.
Only one hour remained before the appointed time.
At this point, all tasks that were officially required of a leader and vice leader within the Bathee family's security structure had been completed.
Reports had been submitted, shifts arranged, and night surveillance activated.
They had become part of the furniture of that family's authority perfectly, leaving no trace that they were infiltrators.
'Where are they? The leader and vice leader who are usually always together here are nowhere to be seen.'
Sssshh!
'I have searched every place they usually occupy. But nothing.'
Then, precisely at ten at night, when the clock hands completed their rotation and the night reached its deepest stillness, Erietta decided to calm herself.
She stepped out of her room, walking slowly while inhaling the cold night air around the vast Bathee estate.
Her steps carried her through corridors she had already memorized, including the specific corridor that often bore silent witness to a peculiar sight.
It was the corridor where she usually found the leader and vice leader together, in an intimacy that always made her wonder.
But this time the corridor felt different.
The space that usually carried a certain energy of their presence appeared empty, silent, and hollow.
There was no tall figure wrapped in a black coat, nor the silhouette of a woman standing too close.
Erietta halted her steps, her eyes sweeping the surroundings.
She did not find them in the place where they were always supposed to be at such hours.
A small peculiarity began to prick at her mind, disturbing the calm she sought.
That curiosity grew, transforming into an urge to search.
Erietta began looking around.
She moved from one place to another, visiting every corner and crevice where she had once, or was accustomed to, finding the leader and vice leader together.
She checked the garden area where the leader often stood guard, the corridor near their chambers, even approaching the main guard room.
Each step was accompanied by hope of seeing a familiar silhouette, yet each time that hope was shattered by emptiness.
The result was nothing.
To be continued…