After telling Suna and Anna to hurry and prepare, I rushed to my own room to gather my belongings. My room was also on the second floor, just on the opposite side of the building. Once inside, I grabbed my bag and began stuffing it with my things.
As I leaned down to pick up my sword, which had been propped against the side of the bed, it fell to the floor with a clatter. When I bent to retrieve it, the chain necklace my mother had given me slipped from under my shirt and dangled from my neck.
I picked up the sword and, for a moment, tightly clasped the necklace in my palm before tucking it back beneath my shirt. Then I looked at the new sword Gustav had given me—it was time to switch. Until now, I had still been using the one Gans had gifted me.
Once everything was packed, I slung my bag over my shoulder and sprinted out of the room, heading back to the hallway where I had left Anna and Suna.
When I arrived, everyone was gathered at the large windows facing the front gate. Curious what had drawn their attention, I joined them.
"Where were you?" my master asked sharply.
"I was packing my things—just like you told me," I replied.
"From this moment on, do not leave Anna's side. Protect her. That's an order," he said in a grim tone.
"Yes, Master. But… why are you being so serious?" I asked, puzzled.
"Look for yourself," he said, guiding me to the window.
I slowly stepped forward and peered outside. What I saw made my blood run cold—skeletons were approaching the house.
I gasped in shock. "What… what are those things?"
"There's no time to explain. They're getting close. We need to destroy the main necromancer as quickly as possible."
"You mean the one holding that glowing book?" I asked, pointing.
"Yes. That one."
"But how are we supposed to defeat him? Look at all those skeletons… I've already counted more than fifty."
"We can't escape. And we can't fight them all head-on, either. That's why… we need to set a trap."
"What kind of trap?"
"We use the house as bait," he said.
"Yes, we turn the house against them. If we eliminate the necromancer controlling everything, the rest will fall apart."
"So what do we do?"
"Gustav!" he called out.
"Yes, sir?"
"You know how to use a sword, correct?"
"Yes, Sir Valorant."
"Then, Attu—give him your sword."
"Which one?"
"Doesn't matter."
I looked down at my belt, pulled out the newly purchased sword, and handed it to Gustav. He took the blade, gave it a few test swings, and nodded with approval.
"I'll try to take good care of it," Gustav said.
"Just worry about taking care of yourself," Valorant replied.
"Now, let's divide our roles," he continued, motioning for Gustav and me to step closer. "Attu—you, Anna, and Suna will go to the room furthest from the front gate. Stay there. If we let any skeletons through, you'll take them out. Understand?"
"Yes. Got it."
"If too many get past us, find a place to hide and stay silent. Whatever happens, your priority is to survive."
"Understood, Master. Don't worry—I'll protect them with my life."
"Not just them. Don't forget to protect yourself as well," he added.
"I understand."
"Now go! Quickly!"
Following his command, I turned to Suna. "We need to move. Now. Take us to the farthest room from the main gate."
"Why?"
"I'll explain later—just go!"
"Follow me," she said, grabbing Anna by the hand and running down the hallway.
I followed close behind, not wanting to fall behind. But as we fled, something tightened in my chest. I turned back for a second, looking toward where Master Valorant and Gustav stood. They were both watching me.
I nodded silently.
[I trust you. Please… stay safe.]
Outside, the skeletons steadily advanced. In their rusted armor and with decayed weapons in hand, they closed in on the estate. Behind them stood the necromancer—motionless—holding his grimoire, which glowed with dark, dense energy.
He wore long black robes that covered him entirely, including a hood that concealed his face completely. Even someone standing right in front of him wouldn't be able to see his features.
Meanwhile, Valorant and Gustav had descended to the first floor and taken hidden positions around the mansion. They crouched in wait—Valorant by the door, Gustav further back.
Valorant slowly drew his sword from its sheath and held it with both hands, channeling mana into the blade. The room was dimly lit, so the way the blade absorbed his energy was clearly visible. A green glow trickled from his palms into the metal.
[They'll be coming through that door soon. I need to keep them from reaching the second floor.]
[I've charged my blade enough… but I can't use any of the Flaming Wrath techniques in here. If I do, the whole house could catch fire. I'll wipe out as many as I can inside—then I'll head out and face them in the open.]
On the other side of the house, Attu and the girls were hurrying toward the furthest room to hide.
"Over here—we've arrived," said Suna, pointing to a door with her index finger.
When they reached it, Suna opened the door. I held it open and said, "Quickly, get inside."
Anna was the first to enter, followed closely by Suna. I went in last and shut the door behind us.
"Suna, give me the key," I said, taking it from her.
After locking the door, I turned to look around the room. It was cluttered with random things—toys, sealed boxes, and even a large wardrobe in the corner. Upon seeing it, I said:
"Suna, Anna—hide in the wardrobe. Quickly."
"Why?" Suna asked.
"If the skeletons make it to this room, it'll be harder for them to find you."
"If the wardrobe is the only place to hide, and a skeleton comes in, I doubt he'll say, 'Well, it seems like no one's in here; let's not even bother checking this suspiciously large wardrobe,'" she replied sarcastically.
I scratched my head, glancing around the room for better options, then sighed.