85 Sleeping Beauty (1/2)
”According to the note, our target is the so-called Rosamond Mansion,” Iten began a meeting to decide the group's course of action.
”I say that's hella nice. We've been there once,” Nene declared loudly, eyeing Iten with a proud smile plastered over her face as if expecting to be praised for such an achievement.
”This is great news, thank you,” he played along, knowing well his ex-ex-girlfriend. ”If we are to trust this information, the mansion isn't that well-guarded unless the Supreme Commander is visiting. Usually, it's only several servants and guards. That aside, there is an alarm system that covers all the exterior.”
”Well, we already know a person who can handle this, I suppose,” Onuki muttered absentmindedly.
”We do?” asked Marina.
”Mhm, her name is Toatre. She is, well, an oddball. In a good sense, of course, but she is still in her own world. She helped us a lot during the initial escape.”
”Yes, Toatre is a perfect candidate. We need to secure her aid swiftly and plan the rest of the operation with her being present. She should be a great addition to the team.”
”Why would she help you out again?” Shou asked, trying his hardest to look bored.
”She will. I believe in her,” Onuki said, and Iten supported her with a firm nod. She eyed him for a moment, then chuckled and added: ”I'm surprised you are so eager to head a burglary with a possibility of kidnapping.”
”We are only setting things straight. There is nothing illicit in saving a person and fixing what's wrong.”
”Must be nice being so self-righteous,” Onuki snorted and left to her room.
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Three days later, a small team of four people prepared to infiltrate the Rosamond Mansion. Iten, Onuki, Nana, Toatre were hiding in the bushes, clad in black clothes, their faces covered by masks.
Previously, they had had a heated discussion over the composition of the infiltration force. Everyone agreed on making it as small as possible, but they couldn't find the best setup. Toatre and Iten were mandatory members, and in the end, they decided to take Onuki as their best medic, and Nana to provide combat support. Her sister, to Nene's own outrage, was ruled out due to her inability to stay quiet and hidden. Marina was vetoed for the same reason, and Shou simply declined to participate.
Moonlight illuminated a three-meter tall wall of red brick in front of them. The obstacle gave an imposing feeling, threatening any possible thieves, but the main issue was hidden from the naked eye.
”Indeed, I sense magic currents wash over the stone. They aren't as pleasant as I wanted them to be, which isn't good. But not that bad, either.”
Toatre was talking in her usual otherworldly manner, her eyes frantically following something invisible for the rest of the team. She took out several devices of unknown purpose from a large and heavy bag that Iten carried for her, and began with some tests.
”Not sure I like this idea of trespassing on the guarded property,” Onuki said nervously.
”We are here to pay a friendly visit and merely forgot the invitation card at home, or so they say,” Nana put her palm on Onuki' shoulder and squeezed it lightly, trying to cheer and reassure her mate. The girl in question smiled weakly and patted Nana's palm.
”The picture is clear to me now. The outline is, at the very least, slightly visible,” Toatre said, tucking the first set of devices into the large bag, which she then lifted with ease and then went closer to the wall. Iten only shook his head in amazement, not used to being around the girl of many talents.
Toatre unpacked more instruments from the container and spread them on the ground in front of her. Among the various machinery and unknowns, the most peculiar was a set of wired needles connected to a large black tablet.
”How is it going, Toatre?” asked Iten with a hint of worry in his voice.
”It isn't going anywhere, if you are asking about the alarm system, Iten. I thought that it was the reason you brought me here.”
”No-no, you are correct. I was referring to the progress of your, um, manipulations. Is there any chance for us to get inside?” he massaged the bridge of his nose tiredly, unaccustomed to Toatre's ways.
”Oh, I see now. Indeed, it is very much possible, even too simple for my taste. There is a pulsing net that changes its size and orientation every four seconds. With the instruments here, a sacrifice of one person, and a few more minutes of preparations, I'll make a passage for you.”
”That's good to hear, thank-, wait, what!? Why do we need to sacrifice someone?”
”Unless you know a better way to overcome this web, I pledge to you that sacrifice is a must.”
”Toatre, dear, explain to poor Iten what exactly it is that you suggest, or he would get a heart attack,” interjected a chuckling Onuki. Her mood suddenly got better.
”Hum-hum, as you wish, my friend. So, Iten, as I have said before, there is a net. It changes its structure every four seconds. We need someone to recalibrate the size of the path each time the net shifts. This leads us to my solution of leaving someone here to watch the instruments, reconfigure the path, and wait for the rest of you to return.”
”So what you suggest is to leave someone here with this, um, machine, while others are inside? That's your idea of sacrifice?” Iten doubled his effort in massaging the bridge of his nose.
”That is correct, Iten. I'm glad that you were able to follow my explanation. It is strange, though, I remember you being sharper.”
”Um, thank you. And I need to make sure of one thing - we'll have only four seconds to pass, right?”
”Correct again. By the way, you can go one by one. I'll remake the path for you.”
”Wonderful, thank you. Ultimately, you are making a hole in this wall, and we'll each have four seconds to get to the other side, right?”
”Your conclusion is mostly correct, though there won't be any hole in the wall.”
”But you said there would be a path...”
”Indeed, the path through the alarming web,” Toatre looked at Iten with a dubious expression.
”And how are we supposed to get to the other side?”
”Why do you even ask such questions, Iten? Jump, of course.”
The rest of the group eyed each other, then looked at the three-meters high wall and fixed their gazes on puzzled Toatre.
”Dear, common folk like us can't jump that high,” Onuki said with a mixture of apology and sympathy. ”But I think we can make something similar to Orisa's blocks, right?”
”I don't like the idea of wasting Mana now, but we don't have a choice,” decided Iten, and then gave Toatre another look. ”Can you assist us with the ladder?”