All that left his mouth were swears and curses. He advanced like a crazed demon of war, befitting of the blood in his veins. No matter how many monsters or automatons stood in his way, he cut them half like a stick in a whirlwind.

“Albert, wait, for heaven’s sake!” Rose call was nothing but a futile attempt. In his heart was a singular rage and singular goal. Nothing else mattered.

When she told him that Rein was captured, he ran ahead with his sword brandished. Swarms upon swarms of monsters and living dolls came to stop him, yet Albert crashed through them like a storm. Though Rose hoped he would stop and listen for a moment, his action undoubtedly helped her. Without him, they might only cover half of the distance.

But Albert’s rampage wasn’t all benefit as it created another problem. He cared only about making way for his own advance, leaving the cleaning and leftover for Rose and the other. It would be far easier if she just let him do what he wanted, but she couldn’t. She promised Arthur she’d lead this operation and that she‘ll keep Albert alive. That was why she exerted so much more effort than she needed to, so she could finish the swarm while still keeping an eye on Albert.

But despite all that complaints, watching Albert fight was quite a feast for the eyes. His movement unnatural, silent like an owl, precise like a machine, yet with grace and elegance of a true master of the craft. His white armor and sword created a beautiful dance of light in the suffocating darkness of the tunnel. His technique was unusual yet refined, showing his talent while not overshadowing all the effort and hard works he put into it.

Something else also took her attention. Part of Albert’s armor turned metallic black, growing ever since he started his rampage. And from what little hole his armor had, she saw a black tattoo spreading on his skin. Along with the gradual change of his looks, there was a significant increase in his power.

Albert had something up his sleeve, whether he himself aware of it wasn’t clear. Now she knew why Arthur wanted Albert under special supervision and why he took such interest in him.

Albert halted, turned, and took care of the surrounding doll. The one closest to him he cut into a hundred pieces. Overkill, but somewhat understandable with the fury in his heart. But the question became, why did he stop?

“Albert!” She finally caught up. “You dam-“ But Albert’s hand interrupted her.

“Can’t you hear that? A cry.” Now he mentioned it, there was a cry for help if she strained her ears hard enough. Which raised the question of how he distinguished that cry amid his rage. “Friede,” he muttered softly before rushing off towards the sound.

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“Hey, you- wait!” What a handful person.

“My lady?” Pris caught up to her.

“Let’s follow him for now.” Rose ran, trying to catch up with Albert.

By the time they reached him, he was already hugging Friede in front of a blown-out cell-door, trying his best to calm his terrified friend. Though the state of his heart didn‘t allow him to do much.

There was a lot of things Rose wanted to ask, but Albert beat him to the punch. “Rose, please take care of Friede.”

She wanted to protest; she wanted to. He would rush towards wherever he thought Rein was after he handed Friede to her. She had to stop him, force him to listen and wait so they could do this mission together. She was the leader of this mission for god’s sake

Yet, the moment she saw his eyes, she couldn’t.

It was cold eyes filled with undiluted malice and primal fury. Gaze dripping with killing intent enough to send chills down her spine. It was vexing and embarrassing to admit, a candidate for the Long Table cowered in fear in face of this young man. Her mind told her he wouldn’t do anything to harm her, but her heart, body, and instinct didn’t agree on that account.

“Sorry for burdening you on this.” Albert smiled as he said that. A forced smile, threatening and sinister. “And sorry, but I have to be somewhere else. Stay with them, okay? They are good people you can trust.” He tried comforting the crying Friede.

“No, wait, Albert!” Friede tried to stop him, to grab his arms, but he evaded and vanished into the darkness of the sewer. “You ... stupid idiot!”

“It’s okay, you’re safe now. We’ve cleared this place.” It was Rose turn calming Friede down. Rose can’t even imagine how frightening it must have been. Kidnapped and held in a place filled with supernatural monster and living dolls.

“Safe?” Friede shouted while her tears kept flowing. “You have seen nothing, Rose. What that guy ...” Her eyes went wide open. Her body trembled and turned cold and she vomited out what few foods she had in her stomach.

She mustn’t stay here. Her condition was terrible. Dehydrated, starving, and cold. “Pris, take her back to Arthur. Give her-“ Rose stopped when she felt a tugging on her arm.

“No ... please.” Her voice weak yet filled with unshakable determination. “He, he wanted to use Rein and sister to ...” She swallowed her spit. Many times after that she opened her mouth, yet unable to put words what she had in mind. That gave Rose enough information about how dire the situation was.

“Don’t worry.” Rose gazed straight into her eyes. “I‘ll protect them. You have my word.” Friede gave a weak smile of relief before passing out. Somehow she convinced Friede, but now ...

“Pris, take her back to Arthur and prepare an ambulance once we’re done. Clara,, you go with Pris. Friede’s safety is your number one priority. There should be no problem once you reach Arthur, but be careful on the way.”

“Yes, my lady.” Pris and Clara both answered at the same time before quickly racing to where they came with Friede on their arms.

“Now, we have to be quick.” Rose stared at the direction Albert went. This sewer was a maze with many branches and countless dead ends, yet Albert ran with full confidence. Maybe Friede told him the direction before she arrived. Whatever the roots of his confidence were, the safest bet was to follow him.