The servant succeeded in turning on the alarm, sending signals across the city.

But according to the protocols, only the closest households would take action. And if it was anything related to the Imperial family, the Imperial family would send high level Sentries as well.

The Carsons were a Count family. The nearest Count family was kilometres away. Only three viscounts were on the Household’s range. And all three of them decided to send reinforcements. And the previous viscounts would lead the charge.

After all, the Carsons were a Count family with a level 9 in it. If that family was facing problem, it was undoubtedly a strong enemy. Moreover, they housed the greatest of the Imperial family’s auxiliary treasuries.

And most important of all, the Carsons were really close to the Imperial family- as evidenced by the fact that they held the key to such an important place. How could they let go off this opportunity to win some favours?

So, all the viscount families sent their best. As for the barons, they did not even bother to- since the enemies were level 7s at the minimum. And their entire family lineage has two level 7s at most.

The three forces rendezvous a few streets away from their destination household. All the three leaders were old men. They were the previous generation heads after all.

The oldest one of them had completely white hair. The second oldest had greying hair, and the youngest one had a few strands of them.

The three greeted each other and rushed to the Carson estates with their forces. Besides their first sons, they had bring all the high levels in.

In total, there were twelve- four from each family- including the previous generation heads. All of them were on magical horses.

“I am sure the intruders are here for the treasures.” The oldest man snorted. “How bold of them to covet what belongs to their excellency!”

“I was always against befriending the Rebellion.” The man with the greying hair declared. “Look what they are doing now- biting the hands that are feeding them.” He clenched his fists.

“I think it’s the Underworld.” The youngest of them shared his opinion. “I don’t think the Rebellion would take such risks at this time. The peacemaking is more than halfway through.”

The white haired man opened his mouth. “Whatever the case, we can’t let the intruders escape. Can’t you sense them?”

“Yes.” The second oldest nodded. “A level 9 with three level 8s. They must be Sir Lucan and the current Count and the sentries.” He frowned. “But I can’t clearly capture the intruders in my sense. It’s all… blurry.”

“I second that.” The youngest spoke. “Let’s hurry.”

All of them increased their pace as they ran to the household. Suddenly, the trio at the front stopped, prompting the squad behind them to abruptly halt as well.

The trio’s faced grimaced.

The oldest turned to the other two. “Did I sense something wrong?”

“The four energy signatures… they disappeared.” The youngest answered.

“Come on… it’s impossible.” The grey haired old man gulped. “Even a level 9 needs minutes to defeat another level 9- let alone kill him.”

“Yes.” Cold sweat drenched the white haired man’s back. “Maybe the intruders used an artefact to disturb our senses. The treasury have countless powerful treasures after all.”

The youngest heaved a sigh. “Let’s go. We can’t waste more time. That is the treasury. We just need to hold the intruders back until the sentries arrive. I am sure the family would dispatch level 9s.”

The others got their confidence back just as they heard the term ‘Sentries’. ‘Level 9’ was just a bonus.

“Let’s go.”

Irene was on Adrian’s arms. She was squeezing the ice sphere against her upper abdomen.

“Let me go. I can walk.” She looked into his eyes.

“But we can’t afford to walk. You sensed them didn’t you?”

She kept staring into the abysses.

“Here, replenish your energy.” Adrian tapped the black orb. Two chilling icy blue magic crystals got out of the stone.

Irene caught them with one hand.

“How much time do you need to recharge to the peak?”

“An hour.”

He took in a deep breath and summoned a high grade dark crystal from the orb. Now, one of his hand was holding the stone while the other held the crystal. Irene was comfortably lying on his forearms.

“Here we go.” He sneakily jogged out of the room. His senses were peaked. Unlike the other senses which could detect only energy signatures and movements, he could sense every presence thanks to his <Absence> essence.

All the maids and servants had already locked themselves in their rooms. Everything was quiet.

They reached the window through which they entered and sneaked out.

“Stop them!” A feminine shout reverberated through the whole household. Once she sensed the energy signature of her husband disappear. She burned her own life force to amplify her sense. The old woman detected the murder of her son and husband this way.

Adrian threw away all sort of thoughts of stealth and increased his speed to the maximum.

Once close to the walls, he threw Irene up high into the air, hopped to the other side of the wall and caught her.

He began to run again.

*Neigh!*

*Clip-clop*

Sounds of horses calling and trotting across the streets permeated through the air.

Soon, the forces were on his back.

“Tsk.” Adrian turned to his right into one of the narrow alleys.

A few of the horses followed while the others went on the main road.

“Stop!” Shouts came from behind.

*Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh*

Projectiles of fire and water were coming his way. But Adrian agilely dodged them all, also making sure that they don’t hit Irene.

He was fast even without the use of his <Shadow> property. The horses could barely close the distance with him now that they were running through such a tight spot.

Soon, the alley came to an end. A squad of horsemen blocked the way.