I Kidnapped the Hero's Women-Chapter 228: Sabotage (1)

Fission... No, the mana fission overload situation was surprisingly resolved quickly.

The lab, completely melted and destroyed by the fiery sphere, was the researcher's lab where the incident had originated. Other than that, there was minimal damage to the outer walls and a few broken windows—financially, the damage wasn’t significant.

There were no casualties either. Considering the entire academy was on the verge of being destroyed, it was truly a miracle.

Of course, the academic conference was not canceled. The conference was being held in a different building, not the research facility. The chaos wasn’t severe enough to warrant cancellation.

Naturally, this year's academic conference attracted quite a bit of attention. After all, I had announced I would reveal how I destroyed the fiery sphere that almost swallowed the academy at the presentation.

‘I messed up. I raised their expectations unnecessarily.’

I had planned to present a new paradigm quietly, aiming for a perfect score on freshness. Now, it seemed I had only raised expectations. Would I be able to handle the barrage of questions that would come right after the presentation? Or even understand them?

My worries only seemed to grow. Just as I was about to let out a deep sigh, I heard the familiar, light footsteps approaching from behind.

"Yaaaaay! Yuria! Yuria...!"

"Ugh, it’s been like we haven’t seen each other in years..."

"But it’s been so long! It’s been over a month, right!? Or is it?"

"It hasn't been a month, but it’s been a while!"

Charlotte rushed up and hugged Yuria, rubbing her cheek against hers. Yulia, who had caught up late, sneaked in and hugged both Charlotte and Yuria. It was like a dramatic reunion, like family members meeting after years apart.

They had definitely seen each other at Vermont Security just two weeks ago... Did they just want to see each other again, no matter how often they met?

It was a heartwarming scene, and I couldn’t help but smile.

Then, a sudden shiver ran down my spine. Sylvia, trembling, leaned close to my ear.

"Master, please be cautious. There are multiple gazes watching us from a distance."

"Of course. Considering what I just did, it's no surprise that they’re staring."

"No, it’s hard to detect with the naked eye, but it’s a distant gaze. It seems they’re using telescopes or amplification magic to observe us."

"..."

If that’s true, then this isn’t a simple situation.

I had been attracting attention by strolling around like some kind of attention-seeking fool, but would it really go as far as using telescopes to stalk me? I don’t think so.

I’d rather it be a case of having a few obsessive fans. Given Aslan Vermont’s current state, that wasn’t likely, so I decided not to get my hopes up.

From the moment the noblewomen had come to my mansion, declaring they wanted to marry me and then leaving in tears without exception, I had abandoned any such expectations.

‘Is this the “subversive force” Irene mentioned?’

Irene had told me that she’d received information through her underworld contacts about forces possibly targeting me during the academic conference. It had been just a suspicion at the time, and I hadn’t gotten more details, but seeing the current situation, it seemed those suspicions had come to pass.

Still, I’m sure Irene will handle it well, right?

I’m not worried. Sylvia’s with me, so I’m safe. If I just keep an eye on the kids, we won’t have any major issues.

"Sylvia. While I stay here, make sure to escort Charlotte and Yulia."

"Yes? If I do that, then you...?"

"Don’t worry. My sister will be watching over me, so it’s fine. If necessary, I’ll be with Yuria too."

"Yes. As you command, Master."

Sylvia seemed to understand when I said I would be with Yuria, bowing her head in acknowledgment.

Even though the kids were far stronger than I am, the ones who need to be extra cautious are not me, but the kids. I couldn’t allow even a scratch on my future wives.

‘If Sylvia isn’t around, they’ll probably see that as an opportunity.’

In addition to that, there was also the effect of setting a trap. The strongest members of the Vermont family right now were undoubtedly Sylvia and Charlotte. As long as they were with me, no one would dare attack.

Yuria, while not far behind them in strength, had a less prominent reputation in comparison. She had worked mostly within the academy and at Vermont Security, so she was less well-known compared to Sylvia and Charlotte.

That meant there was a good chance that those targeting us would underestimate her and try to attack.

Rather than waiting anxiously until the academic conference, I’d rather provoke an attack and then capture them. That was my strategy.

"Aslan Vermont... Visit to the Duke’s Villa..."

Scratch, scratch.

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A masked figure was crouching on a rooftop, looking through a telescope and scribbling notes in a notebook.

"And the dark knight and necromancer stay behind with the duchess... Wait, they’re leaving the bodyguards behind too?"

It had been somewhat expected that the children would stay at the villa, given Aslan’s relationship with the duchess. I had thought he might even stay for the night to visit. But I never imagined he would leave bodyguards behind as well.

"Well, it doesn’t matter. If their guard is down, it’ll work to our advantage."

The only ones left with Aslan Vermont were Yuria, a student from the Imperial Magic Academy. I heard she was excellent in her studies and well-regarded within Vermont Security... but she wasn’t a swordmaster, nor did she possess any special abilities. She seemed like just a regular bodyguard.

So there was no need to worry too much about Yuria.

"And Aslan Vermont and Yuria move to the hotel for the night..."

He finished writing those last details, tore the page from his notebook, and rolled it up.

With a whistle, a pigeon flew down and landed on his arm. After securing the note to the pigeon’s leg and sealing it, the pigeon flew off toward its destination.

"Go and deliver this to the lady."

The day of action had arrived. The target's guard was down, and there was no better time to execute the plan.

But, of course, the final authorization was still needed.

He waited, and waited some more. As the evening passed and night fell, the pigeon returned and perched on his arm.

He quickly unwrapped the note and read the following:

-Execute.

"I understand, my lady."

The final authorization had been given. The figure clenched his fist and immediately left his position.

The plan was simple. After dinner, Count Vermont had ordered tea to be delivered to his room. The hotel staff would secretly spike the tea with poison.

Once he drank the tea, the mission would be a success.

The Count would be in no condition to attend the academic conference tomorrow.

There was a slight sense of guilt, but it couldn’t be helped. For the sake of world peace...

‘The infiltration was successful. Now I just need to add the "poison" to the tea.’

Using a fake employee ID and hotel uniform, the infiltrator had seamlessly made his way inside. He rode the elevator with the tea delivery staff, and when the staff wasn’t looking, he quietly poured the contents of the poison packet into the teacup.

As soon as he saw the staff leave, he let out a relieved sigh.

"This will keep Count Vermont from attending tomorrow’s conference..."

"Hmm. I learned this stealth technique from Charlotte. It’s pretty useful."

"...!?"

A quiet voice came from behind him. But the elevator had been empty just a moment ago!

Startled, the infiltrator turned around, only to see limbs suddenly emerge from the shadows.

‘The mission’s failed!’

He had been discovered in the middle of executing the mission!

A nightmare situation.

Even if he tried to escape, the elevator doors had already closed, blocking his exit.

With no choice left, the infiltrator quickly pulled out a pocketknife and swiftly cut his carotid artery.

‘My lady. I’m sorry.’

In an instant, hot blood poured from his neck, soaking his body. The poison in the blade quickly spread through his bloodstream, and he felt his senses dulling.

With this deadly poison, there was no way he could be saved by just a healing spell applied to the wound. He would die like this, and as his vision blurred, he closed his eyes.

"Uh...?"

Suddenly, a bright light flashed before his eyes. A figure, bathed in a radiant glow, appeared before him.

At the same time, his vision cleared, and his senses returned rapidly.

‘An angel? No, this is...’

When he regained his focus, the bleeding from his neck had stopped, and the poison’s effects had vanished.

What was happening?

"Chh. Foolish actions."

"Saint...?"

The figure who had bound his limbs with ropes was Yuria. Her face held a look of confusion.

A saint? What was this guy talking about?