1814 An Unsolvable Mystery
No one knew Landon's actions in the Count's Estate. But come morning, the maids screamed in shock, and the guards began running amok, trying to investigate Countess Yaya's strange disappearance. The word traveled fast, and in no time, the chubby Count appeared in the tower with an ashen face. Look left, look right… look up, look down… There was no bloody sign that the Countess vanished. Creak~ The floors seemed to cry in agony when they felt the Count's heavy body press on them. Don't think just because the Count was massive and chubby, that he was useless. Sure, many do see him as a little useless compared to many great Morgs, but this doesn't mean he wouldn't survive in the outside world. In his own right, he too was a cunning man with his strengths, or else the Monarchs wouldn't have chosen him to marry Countess Yaya. You see~... Everything was planned out right from the start, and he, the Count, a member of the TOEP, also assisted in ensuring these plans were met. The Count's burly but intimidating silhouette stood at the center of Yaya's room. "Stripe it." Swish! Countless men in dark uniforms swept through like lighting, tearing and checking any 2-sealed fabrics, hoping to find any clues hidden within the fabrics. Some checked the flooring, others checked the ceilings and some checked the few objects around. The Count left them to work, standing with a stoic expression. And soon, a guard appeared before him with several patches of present fabric. Oh?~
The Count raised his thick eyebrows, slowly reaching for the 6 clean fabrics handed over to him. "Clean," he noted, comparing them to the other dirty fabrics his men were now ripping apart. Although they were dirtier, a keen eye can tell his dear beloved wife, Yaya, treasured these torn pieces. Sniff, sniff~
The Count closed his eyes, concentrating on the unique scent. It smelt sweet, but he just couldn't pinpoint exactly what it smelt like. He had never gotten this faint aroma before, nor had he eaten something like it. All the other fabrics and no sweet scent, having long absorbed the musty scenery of this tower. However, there was one… one with a unique sweet scent. Hahahhahahaha~
Now, the Count was furious. .
"Tell me, Gaetus… Your men have been told one Job, and one job alone: to fucking watch the silent women from dusk to dawn." Everyone felt their knees give way when they saw the Count's hands shake.
Their master… their master… although not the brightest among all men, was one of the cruelest, a man who would show you what true pain was like. They say his torture, was one of the best in Abian. Perhaps this was one of the reasons they chose him to marry Countess Yaya. Yaya herself was impressive to go through the Count's torture without cracking once. Mind you, there are no less and even hidden guards and top assists who would crack under the Count's methods. That woman… that woman had fucking balls! The one woman who drove the Count insane...the one woman who made the Count doubt his methods.
Looking at the group of quivering men, the Count's smile stretched unnaturally, growing creepier and creepier, the more his fingers twitched. "You had one fucking job. Keep the woman here at all times…" The count slowly made his way to an old chair. Then, rather than sitting, he grabbed it like a madman, and the rest was history. "Gahhhhhh~" An almost shriveled and demonic cry bellowed beside the kneeling guards, Gaetus included.
Their hearts jerked unnaturally. Although they dared not raise their heads, they knew it must be their comrade who was taking a hit. You would think it was just a bash on their heads or backs with the chair, but that's where you're wrong. Your master, who has been a torturer for too long, could easily identify new unstable pieces that stuck out like a sore thumb. With just 2 attacks, he left their comrade with a chair piece sticking into his mouth and piercing out the back of his head. "Shhh~" the Count made gestures at the pained guard, as though saying if you make any more sounds… .
--Silence--
No matter how badly it hurts, just shut the fuck up! Seeing as the place regained its former silence. The Count continent sniffing the faint sweet, uniquely scented fabric. "These are from outside… Do you know what this means?... Well?... ANSWER me, Goddammit!" "Ye-yes, my lord," another guard replied. "It means she has been in contact with someone for a while now and we never disc--"
"Go on…" "Discovered their ac---"
"Incompetence," The Count killed him before he could finish speaking. "I bloody hate incompetence. Do you… well… Do you understand where I'm going with this?"
Understand? Many nodded and bobbed their heads like chickens, even if they didn't grasp his thought yet. There was unspeakable terror in them, wishing they could vanish from the scene fast and get to work. Yet, despite their obvious fear, they still secretly smiled, looking at their leader, the one they pledged their lives to in awe. This is a dog-eat-dog world, where the strong are respected, and the weak who can't 3ven send chills down their spines, are revolted against and killed by them. Who wants to follow a boss that they can toss around as they please? Despite killing one of their own, everyone still felt reverence for the Count in their heart. (+o+)
…
Seeing how obedient they were like the dogs that they were, the Count chuckled, slowly turning towards Yaya's window. "It's still locked from the inside."
With how tall the tower was, it was impossible to leave by the window and not get caught. At this height, one would need to use daggers and pierce through the crevices to climb so high. There were no trees around, and guards watching the tower walls to ensure no one 9s crawling up or down. With the windows closed, she must have descended using the tower's stairway. But how? How could she have passed the standby guards right at the bottom? Could there… Was there another secret way to get down that he was unaware of? This was the true mystery The Count couldn't solve.