The Head Maid, gardener, and farm owner guard the castle from three directions.

After the outermost farm owner escaped back, the Head Maid and the gardener became the outermost direct line of defense against the humans—

Even though their territories are not on the humans' route, the lord would not allow them to disturb the Viscount... and they wouldn't spare the lord either.

By the earliest tomorrow, they don't have much time left to waste.

The black cat quietly flows, with an iris sparrow on its head making it conspicuous, but it was discovered because it approached within a hundred meters of the Head Maid.

A gentle breeze surrounded the Head Maid. Her gaze was drawn by the disrupted wind, coldness melting away.

"Raimy!"

The Head Maid called joyfully, kneeling down with open arms to welcome Lu Li's approach—

The imagined dive into her embrace didn't happen; the running Lu Li stopped in front of the Head Maid.

"Meow~"

Then Lu Li was picked up and held in her arms.

"You're not behaving well. Can't you wait at home for me?" The Head Maid, wanting to admonish Lu Li, couldn't bring herself to do it, instead lovingly patted Lu Li's head and handed him to the nearby Lizard Maid: "Take my sister back home."

"We must ensure the Master's safety." The Lizard Maid replied.

The Head Maid sneered dismissively: "Do you think I need your protection?"

The Lizard Maid dared not defy and had to carry Lu Li back towards the estate.

The Head Maid watched with reliance for a moment, then continued toward the territory's edge with another maid.

"Meow?"

In the Lizard Maid's icy yet soft embrace, Lu Li inquired to Claire.

"Chirp!"

Understanding as if comprehending, Claire landed on the Lizard Maid's shoulder, raising a wing to brush gale over the strange face when it turned its head.

Click.

Accompanied by the sound of neck snapping, the strike caused the Lizard Maid to temporarily lose consciousness. Before falling, Lu Li leaped out from her embrace.

"Transforming into a bird has its perks; I don't lose control of my strength." Claire waved his wings, returning atop his head.

Ignoring the unconscious Lizard Maid, Lu Li and Claire resumed chasing the Head Maid, only to be discovered upon getting closer.

"Raimy?"

The Head Maid astonishedly watched Lu Li run to her feet, turning to ask the Lizard Maid about the whereabouts of its companion.

The Lizard Maid sensed briefly, pointing to the culprit atop Lu Li's head: "Master, No.23 was knocked unconscious by that bird."

Rustle—

A ripple stirred in the flower bed, the power of the wind gathering.

An invisible hand grasped Claire.

"Chirp?"

Claire pretended to struggle, yet the encircling wind found it difficult to restrain her.

The fierce wind accelerated with intensity, the Head Maid's body resonated with a pre-storm-like roar, then dispersed after a meow.

The Head Maid gazed at Raimy who watched her closely, turning back to Claire: "You wouldn't harm my Raimy, would you?"

"Chirp!"

With the restraint disappearing, Claire landed back on Lu Li's head.

"Master, this bird..." The Lizard Maid wanted to remind the Head Maid.

"She likes Raimy, her power can protect Raimy."

And all things regarding "Raimy" would leave the Head Maid incapable of rationality.

Lu Li's cat form was being held longer and longer by the Head Maid, dragged into her embrace, softly stroking his head: "Alright... you may follow me, but stay by my side."

Meanwhile, Claire also flapped his wings to perch on the Head Maid's shoulder.

The Head Maid's fragile body stiffened briefly, yet softened again due to the "Raimy" in her embrace.

With the servants and Lu Li, Claire, the Head Maid arrived at the boundary of the territory. The dark streets stretched beyond the garden. Besides this, one can see thick smoke rising from the southern edge of Midnight City.

Claire predicted even conservatively. At the rate of advancement by the contestants, at latest tomorrow, contestants will contact the Viscount's area of influence.

"Humans aim for the Alchemical Tower... should we alert the greater master to contact other leaders?" The Lizard Maid whispered.

"They're just humans."

"But the other three Alchemical Towers also have humans besieging them... they're truly plotting their return."

"...The Viscount doesn't fear any enemy."

The Head Maid gently caressed Lu Li's silky fur while speaking.

The contestants battling on the edge of Midnight City are yet to know they are being watched by their targets.

Just like how the Head Maid was unaware two humans sneaked into the territory yesterday.

Pausing briefly at the perimeter, the Head Maid returned to the estate, instructing the Lizard Maid to increase patrol density and carried Lu Li roaming the territory.

But then "Raimy" seemingly tiredly leaped from the Head Maid's embrace. Following behind, she saw Raimy bouncing onto the terrace, returning to the bedroom, and onto the bed to lie down.

"Tired? Then rest well." The Head Maid gently stroked Lu Li and returned Claire to the birdcage before leaving the room to continue patrolling the territory.

As tranquility was about to envelop the bedroom, the black cat opened its pitch-black eyes.

"We must hurry."

"Straight to plan two?"

"Prepare the conditions. If we can't approach the Viscount, we'll immediately deal with the gardener... aided by the Head Maid."

If they can lure out the Viscount, there's still a chance.

"Little Remi still reluctantly leaves her sister~" Claire teased: "How are you getting the Head Maid to assist us?"

Lu Li jumped onto the dresser, using his tail to open the birdcage: "The Head Maid sees me... Raimy as family; if the gardener harms Raimy, she wouldn't stand by."

If consequently, the Viscount punish the Head Maid, then it's the perfect opportunity for her betrayal.

"Oh? Using yourself as bait…" Claire jumped out of the birdcage, analyzing: "Then I'll lure out the gardener and arrange a fake scenario of you being captured to draw the Head Maid into the forest."

"Okay."

"I'll go observe the lord, await my good news."

Claire flew to the doorknob, waiting for Lu Li to open the terrace door, then flew toward the western gardening territory.

The bedroom reverted to silence. Before Claire and the Head Maid's return, Lu Li approached the corner drawing board. His tail reaching behind the board to retrieve the Gold Coin.

Will Ken had him carry it, claiming a particular connection, but Lu Li sensed nothing.

Perhaps the timing is not right or maybe not in this room?

Taking advantage of the Head Maid's patrol, Lu Li carried the Gold Coin, avoiding the ubiquitous Lizard Maids, and scurried through each corner of the mansion, to no avail.

After ten minutes, Lu Li returned to the bedroom to hide the Gold Coin.

During which the Head Maid, missing Raimy, returned to find Iris Sparrow gone.

"Where's your friend?"

"Meow~"

"Did it go out to play?"

The Head Maid noticed the half-open terrace door, didn't worry further, and resumed patrolling the territory.

Soon after Claire returned, indicating readiness.

In the evening, the Head Maid came back to the mansion, enjoying dinner with Lu Li on the terrace.

Having gained "official status," Claire no longer hid, eating dessert with Lu Li, and then using Lu Li's tail to wipe his mouth—

This unwilling Lu Li was carried into the washroom by the Head Maid to be bathed.

When they emerged, night had fallen.

The surface disputes sealed beyond the door. The Head Maid changed into her nightgown, slipping into sweet dreams in the quiet night.

Claire leaned against the birdcage, falling into a deep sleep.

Only a pair of dark cat eyes awaited the arrival of another day.

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