Chapter 39

In the depths of the second floor of the Ouboc mansion, there was a study.

Lambert's greatsword cleaved through the door there.

The thick door, shattered like a plank, fell into the room.

But the viscount was already gone.

Almer followed Lambert quietly.

She didn't think she could escape from Lambert now.

If she made a wrong move, she knew she would be cut down on the spot.

"If he's not here, he must be in the basement... or perhaps he has already escaped..."

Lambert silently advanced into the depths of the room.

"That's a mistake. From the reactions of the other soldiers, the viscount was definitely on the second floor."

Moreover, although Lambert had revealed himself early, he had headed straight for the viscount.

He hadn't intended to give him much time to escape.

Still, it was likely that Viscount Ouboc had prepared for a possible escape.

"In any case, we've let him get away. You are indeed a monster... but Viscount Ouboc is a monster in a different way. No matter how skilled you are, he's not someone you can take down alone. ...We've both reached our limit."

The cautious Viscount Ouboc would likely tighten his defenses even more.

It was clear that he would continue to send assassins after Lambert and Almer.

The casualties would not be limited to the two of them but would also involve those around them.

Almer thought that no matter how excellent a swordsman Lambert was, if his life was constantly in danger and the lives of those around him were also at risk, he would eventually tire and lose his life.

If Lambert could have cornered Viscount Ouboc here, there might have been a chance of victory.

But if it turned into a prolonged conflict, it would mean going against all of Viscount Ouboc's wealth and authority.

It was far beyond what a single person could handle.

A decisive conclusion was needed here.

"I found it."

"Huh?"

Lambert's sword smashed the bookshelf in the back of the room.

"What... what is this..."

Almer tried to continue but fell silent.

The pieces of the bookshelf fell to the floor, revealing a hidden door in the back of the study.

"Power holders always think the same thing, no matter the era."

Lambert muttered as he glared at the hole in the floor.

"No matter the era...?"

"The king of the Aunz Kingdom also used a bookshelf as a hidden door. It was common for cornered power holders to suddenly disappear. Some placed body doubles, others donned soldiers' armor. Once they wielded a sword, they were often more skilled than any general. Some used magic to block the way, released monsters from the dungeon to create chaos, and tried to escape."

Saying this, Lambert shouldered his greatsword.

"But I have never let anyone I pursued escape."

Almer felt a terrible chill and involuntarily dropped to her knees.

She had said earlier that Viscount Ouboc was also a monster.

But she realized she was wrong.

Almer didn't understand much of what Lambert was saying.

But she clearly understood the difference in experience and class.

This was the first time Viscount Ouboc had been cornered to this extent.

But it was not the first time Lambert had cornered someone like Ouboc.

"Thank you for the tour. You can run wherever you like. Let me give you one piece of advice: you are not suited to the path of the sword."

Lambert leaped onto the bookshelf that had been blocking the hole.

The overwhelming mass crushed the bookshelf, and Lambert's figure disappeared into the hidden passage.

A tremendous sound of destruction echoed.

Almer, who had been stunned for a moment, slowly approached the hidden passage with trembling legs.

Although she had wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible just a moment ago, a sense of duty drove her to witness the outcome.

The narrow passage was sloped, allowing one to slide down.

It was somewhat narrow for a large suit of armor, so as Lambert slid down, he scraped the stone walls, sending sparks flying.

Midway, Lambert slowed down by holding his greatsword against the wall just before a sharp turn.

Suddenly, Lambert's body was thrown out at the corner.

The passage continued ahead, but at the landing point, several spears were fixed pointing upwards.

It was a trap to kill pursuers.

The board covering the trap on the passage floor was designed to rise, pushing the spears up.

Viscount Ouboc must have activated it after passing through.

"I was on guard, but there was no need to avoid it."

Lambert deliberately changed his trajectory and fell straight onto the trap.

The spear blades shattered against the mithril armor.

He curled his body, crushing the trap, and quickly stood up.

A large, long passage covered in stone walls lay ahead.

Lambert found fresh footprints and glared at the end of the passage.

"It took longer than I thought."