Another Life in The Grand Library

Chapter 29. Unexpected Help

"Haze?! Dryad?!" Sir Alvard exclaimed, 

Sir Alvard with Allison behind him, stopped immediately. Surprised by Dryad and Haze's appearance in the middle of the woods. He froze for a moment, stood up straight.

"You two... w..what are you doing here?" Sir Alvard asked nervously.

"Sir Alvard!" Dryad's eyes widened with a bright smile as she ran towards him. She reached out and held both of his hands. "you're fine! Thank God!"

She raised an eyebrow as soon as she spotted Allison. "Hold on...you?-" she asked in astonishment.  "You're the one in the basement, right?"

"Why, yes." Allison shrugged. 

Haze rubbed his forehead, and whispered quietly to himself "damn, her feeling indeed is always right..we found him here.." 

Haze then approached Sir Alvard, now speaking with a normal tone "So…, we guessed it right. You're still here, huh? You didn't go to Durea, after all?"

"Haze..." Sir Alvard sighed, rubbing his neck.

"You caught me off guard. I'm sorry that I lied. I just... I didn't want to drag you both further, but..... now that you're here-" he paused for a moment, "what on earth are you doing here anyway?"

"Looking for you, of course!" Dryad answered.

"Yeah, this short girl just ran from the house out of nowhere, so I had no choice but to follow her," Haze said while pointing to Dryad with his chin.

Dryad rolled her eyes by the nickname.

"Turned out that Dryad was right. We found you here," Haze said, placing a hand on his waist.

"I told you my feelings are never wrong," Dryad said proudly.

"So, going to the train station did not convince you to believe that I've gone far away, huh?" 

"Well..., Not really, you convinced me. I really thought that you went to Durea. But since Haze showed me the signal, we guessed that maybe you're near here," Dryad said.

"Signal?" Sir Alvard frowned a bit.

Haze smiled proudly, shaking his wrist to show off his watch. "Your pocketwatch and mine are now linked. So I'd know if you're near or far from me."

"Ah! I see. That explains everything." Sir Alvard said. "So you two decided to come looking for me." he sighed again.

"Wait... What's that! Look!" Dryad suddenly pointed to the sky. A huge column of dark smoke rose high up to the moonlit night. Everyone followed her gaze. "That's from the mansion! Right?" she asked.

"Looks like a fire or something. Is the mansion on fire?" Haze frowned.

It seemed that the fire grew much bigger as the sky above the mansion began to burn with light and colors of orange, yellow and red.

Everyone stared at the black smoke with widened eyes. Only Sir Alvard, glanced coldly at the sight and even smirked. He laughed faintly, as if amused by this event. His plan to ruin the ritual worked! Ashmedai must be  enraged right now…

He was glad that he didn't have to get his own hand dirty. He made Ashmedai finish Vladislav once and for all. That's even better than having to kill Vlad by his own hand. 

"What is it, sir? What do you find funny?" Dryad questioned him, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing, nothing,"  Sir Alvard waved his hand dismissively. "I honestly didn't expect to see you both in this situation, but since you are here.... you would make yourself useful and my job would be easier," Sir Alvard then slightly pushed Allison forward to Dryad and Haze. "you both, please do me a favor. Take her away from here. I will be very grateful for your help."

"W..what? Alvard?!" Allison protested, which was ignored by him.

"My job is done. You're free now, Allis. Go somewhere far away, and never come back again. Make sure Vlad's underlings don't catch you later," Sir Alvard said calmly.

"Alvard?!" Allison frowned. Still didn't understand.

"Then what about you, Sir?" Dryad asked, cutting Allison off.

Sir Alvard looked away for a moment "I can't leave the place. Whether the building burned down or destroyed, I can't leave. So, I must go back. If you want to see me later, at least give me some time to make sure that everything is clear and safe. Just wait for my news," Sir Alvard said firmly.

"Can't leave? Why?" Dryad asked again.

Sir Alvard gave a tired sigh. "Please, my dear. Don't question me right now. It's too complicated and we have no time forever here. I'll tell you later, I promise," he said.
Then glanced at Haze and nodded briefly as if silently asking to proceed with whatever plan he might have.

Haze nodded, giving Sir Alvard a slight smile. "Okay. I understand. Just take care and don't hesitate to contact us when you are free."

Haze took Allison's wrist tightly, ready to take her somewhere safe as Sir Alvard wanted.

"Come on, ladies!" Haze glanced at Dryad too, urging her to follow.

"W..wait!" Allison protested but Haze's grip prevented her from doing anything more. 

"You can't just take me away like that! You can't treat me this way!"

As Haze dragged Allison behind him, Dryad was still staring at Sir Alvard once more, puzzled. But Sir Alvard only smiled in return and nodded confidently, as if silently saying that she must trust his judgment, and that she only had to do what he said then everything will be alright.

So Dryad finally nodded and turned to follow behind Haze.