When Charlotte conveyed the situation, the duke did not hesitate and immediately left the duke’s mansion.

Thump, thump. The heart raced urgently, as if it would pierce through the body. An anxiety and impatience that he had never felt in his lifetime wrapped around Duke Hart’s whole body.

Somehow, today’s premonition was not good.

So, Nellia took a stroll and took four pills to maintain her human appearance.

Although she felt a sensation of her whole body tensing due to the side effects of excessive consumption, she was more than grateful for her choice at the moment.

Because she could go find Nellia now, maintaining a human appearance.

However, the pounding heart did not show any signs of calming down.

Perhaps something might happen to Nellia, or she might never be able to see Nellia again.

A feeling of being strangled by someone’s hands due to anxiety gave her the illusion.

It felt like her vision was turning pitch black.

At the same time, a force pressed against her throat.

The thought that something might go wrong with Nellia instantly ignited anger.

It was an event that should never happen, no matter what.

If anyone caused harm to Nellia even a little, no one would be spared.

Realizing that the smell of gunpowder was emanating from his own body, the duke tried to suppress his anger.

It was not someone else; it was an incident involving Nellia. It was not acceptable to make even a small mistake in excitement.

Hurriedly taking out a horse from the stable, the duke ran to the park.

The sounds of impatient hooves scattering echoed, and the sky was filled with thick clouds.

It was a day that seemed like lightning would strike.

Nellia found the white ribbon tied to the branch that Charlotte had mentioned.

‘This must be the mark of the shortcut that the thugs were talking about.’

The path connected by the ribbon led to a mountain that looked even more ominous in the night.

Nellia followed the tree with the tied ribbon and climbed up the mountain. Although the slope was not steep, it was still tough, but it was worth climbing.

After walking for a while, voices could be heard in the silent mountain.

“What is this nuisance? The man from earlier seems sturdy and skilled in fighting; if we sell him in the mainland slave market, we could get twenty gold coins.”

“That’s right. The pendant necklace that the brothers stole today seems to be worth a lot too.”

Nellia hid her body behind a large tree.

The men were having a conversation, making a bonfire under a large rock.

They seemed to be part of the gang of thugs who took Ton. They looked like guards standing vigil at the crossroads.

“Did you try opening the pendant?”

“No, no matter what I tried, it didn’t open.”

The pendant originally did not open. Charlotte, the owner of the pendant, had never been able to open it.

Even while reading the original work, she was very curious. What could be inside the pendant that never opened?

Of course, it was not important in the current situation.

“It doesn’t matter. Since the outer surface seems to be made of platinum, it alone should be valuable.”

The thug said indifferently. Then, he quickly changed the subject.
“I regret missing the chance to see that rare beauty from earlier.”

“At that time, there was no choice. The men were so skilled in fighting that the four of us could have been overwhelmed in an instant. Still, I managed to get a man even by swapping with the woman.”

The thugs seemed to be talking about Ton and Charlotte.

“Come to think of it, did you secure him properly? Someone like him will escape quickly once he’s out of the iron bars.”

“Of course. Just in case, I added an extra shackle to his ankles.”

Nellia, eavesdropping on the conversation, frowned.

‘An extra shackle on the ankles…’

At that moment of frustration, a useful piece of information reached her ears.

“The key to the iron bars? We need to move it to the port soon.”

“I hung it on the tree in front of the iron bars. It’s a place we use every time, so Rikall should be able to find it easily.”

Fortunately, it seemed that no one was carrying the key.

Nellia, judging that there was nothing more to gain from the information, quietly moved away from the path, slipping between the trees.

After climbing for about ten more minutes, a flat plateau appeared at the top of the mountain. It seemed to be the hideout of the thugs.

The hideout consisted of tents made of cloth and small cabins, with bonfires scattered around to illuminate the darkness.

As Nellia arrived at the thugs’ hideout, her heart trembled so much that she could forget the pain in her legs.

Nellia closed her eyes tightly and opened them.

‘Get a grip.’

If Ton leaves for the port like this, it will be difficult to find him. If the ship departs without him, Ton will be sold as a slave in another country.

Nellia lowered her body flat to the ground and searched for the iron bars where Ton was imprisoned. However, the iron bars were nowhere to be seen.

‘Where on earth is it…?’