Chapter 417: Chapter 417 Rebel_1
At the winery’s main gate, Veronica and the female convicts were engaged in a standoff with the secret police who were holed up inside the building, a tense situation that ensued after the bizarre explosion.
The secret police had entered the house, using the walls for cover as they opened doors and windows to aim their guns at the main entrance, while Veronica’s side was protected by a mercury amalgam golem transformed by Aiden’s command into a giant shield that sheltered them.
"That sound just now, it came from underground... They couldn’t have run into trouble, could they?" Presia said somewhat frantically.
"No, their boss went down there with the warden, it’s not worth it for them to trade one for one in this kind of place," Asenna calmly pushed up her glasses, "Don’t lose your composure over something so trivial, look at you."
"Daili, report the situation," Veronica looked at Daili.
"Rest assured, the warden’s fine," Daili said with a composed smile, "These people prepared a smoke trap, but the warden’s plan is going smoothly, the leader on the other side has been persuaded."
Through the cat’s eye ring that Aiden wore, she continuously used a familiar spell to monitor the situation underground.
"He agreed?" Presia’s eyes widened.
"What about the explosion just now?" Veronica asked.
"It seems these people aren’t united, someone with a belly full of malice prepared explosives intending to trap them inside, to force their boss to make a tough decision and finish the job in the cellar..." Daili summarized succinctly.
"No wonder they also looked dumbfounded when the explosion happened," Asenna nodded in understanding, "The first one to react and summon people inside the house must be that malicious schemer, he was prepared, and he took command when the leader wasn’t around."
"Here’s some good news," Daili suddenly said, "The warden seems to have lifted a ’restriction’, we are now allowed to fight. Ah, if it had been lifted before these people retreated into the house, I could have taken care of them all just now. Veronica, can you grant us a little more casting permission? Asenna and I can go all out and take this house in a flash."
"First, call me Officer. Second, the boss’s order was for us to wait here and stabilize the situation. Unless it’s urgent, there’s no need to engage," Veronica replied coolly.
"I think so too," Asenna agreed, "These guys are playing dirty with the warden; they’re done for. Let’s just wait here until it’s all over."
...
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, the secret police had gathered at the entrance hall, sticking their guns out the doors and windows, aiming at the courtyard’s main gate.
"...Yes, I arranged the explosives, but that was only for trapping the targets when necessary," the Colonel of the Royal Guard shouted from the center of the hall, "His Majesty has doubts about Earl Hoffman, and I am giving him the chance to prove himself! You don’t need to worry, the cellar is full of smoke, he will complete his task underneath, or if not, we will complete it for him! We’ll dig out the entrance later, first, let’s hold this place steady! For His Majesty, according to the gendarmerie’s regulations, I, the highest-ranking here, now assume command of the scene!"
The Colonel’s original plan was to detonate the explosives if Heinz was reluctant to carry out his task, pushing Heinz into conflict with the prison’s administrator and forcing him to take control of the situation.
It was an unforeseen coincidence that the prison administrator brought Sara Rekhsia herself here, which meant that they could take care of the task given by His Majesty right here and now.
However, when Heinz Hoffman and the King’s illegitimate daughter went down for a private talk, the Colonel sensed something amiss—Hoffman might have been not only reluctant about the task but also harboring a double heart towards the King. If he had no ulterior motives, why would he need to discuss something secretly without the knowledge of those present?
So he directly ordered his Royal Guard subordinates to detonate the explosives, forcing Heinz to carry out his assignment in the cellar. They would dig open the entrance to the wine cellar later, and if Heinz had completed his mission, then good... but if not, at least the warden and the former King’s illegitimate daughter would be unconscious, and then the Colonel would step in for Heinz to handle the task, using the King’s secret decree to strip Heinz of his command on the grounds of his reluctance to act.
"Earl Heinz Hofman is a national hero, but a hero who is not loyal to his country has no value and is actually a hidden threat. If he is not suitable to lead the Royal Secret Police, then the leadership must be taken over by someone more loyal."
These were the King’s exact words.
The Colonel, on the contrary, was hoping that Earl Hofman would do something foolish—it was his chance to seize power from that man!
"Now, send the third squad up to the second floor..." The Colonel began directing the secret police at the scene, some of whom appeared to be suspicious of him.
"There’s no need for your trouble, Colonel," a sudden voice rang out.
Surprised glances converged on the side of the room as Heinz emerged from the door that led to the inner rooms.
"You..." The Colonel’s eyes widened.
The cellar had three exits, one in the courtyard, one inside the mansion, and another leading to an outside escape route. He had ordered his men to rig explosives and fuse lines at all three locations. After signaling his men to detonate them, Heinz should not have been able to get out before they broke through the entrance!
The explosives in the passageways were detonated in a specific sequence, with the last one going off being the exit beneath the mansion. Unknown to the Colonel, because the rule against "restricting personal liberty" had been violated, the explosives at this location failed to ignite.
"What a pity, Colonel, it seems there was a problem with how you arranged your explosives," Heinz said coldly, staring at him. "You won’t be able to replace me holding my corpse."
"What are you talking about?" The Colonel frowned.
Then, an uninjured Aiden and Sera also followed Heinz out.
The Colonel instinctively held his breath; Sera Rekhsia was still alive and even unaffected by the smoke bomb. The only explanation was that Heinz had colluded with them!
"Heinz Hofman, you traitor, you really did betray His Majesty!" The Colonel drew his pistol immediately.
Heinz had not carried a weapon when he went down, so as long as the Colonel shot faster, he could kill Heinz before he deployed that damned family secret technique!
Kill him? No, that was incorrect! The priority target should be... Sera Rekhsia!
Quickly, the Colonel shifted his aim at Sera. At that moment, Heinz had already lunged towards Sera, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her down with him.
The gun roared, the bullet fired.
And then... that bullet just stopped in mid-air, as if caught by an invisible hand.
"I would say, you should have had a bit more faith in my powers," Aiden turned his head to look at Heinz.
