Infiltrating the mansion was easy enough even for Mamoru, who barely needed to do anything but act as she normally did. She could tell that the humans here had a certain disdain for actual dragonoids like her, or “Dragon Scarred” as she had picked up on. She has no idea what that means, but as long as Mamoru continued to play the role of a simple maid, she was certain she would learn in due time. Eventually she was greeted by a cantankerous old man who brusquely asked what she wanted. Mamoru curtsies and spoke the lines she rehearsed.

“Greetings honorable sire, I am Uskbemin Darakitisu, or simply Uske. I am from the Black Thorn tribe, to the north. I have served Lord Therod for five years before he passed, and he recommended that I continue to serve here, where I can be of most use.” Mamoru produced a sign letter of recommendation which, naturally, was just a forgery she had commissioned. One of her clones learned of the dying old lord and managed to take a real letter of recommendation and simply had the names changed for Mamoru’s current false identity. “Along with house keeping, cooking, and tapestry, I am educated in two different languages and knowledgeable of precious metals and stones. Lastly if need be, I have been taught some medicine and I have defended my master from danger before, and I am willing to do so again without hesitation.” All true, yet at the same time lies. Mamoru is indeed capable of all of these things she says, but she wouldn’t deign to admit actually caring for these people, more so since she totally intends to have the Chateau take over. But of course, she will serve her role as intended. 

[hr]

Butterfly continued his duties around the Chateau, which mostly invoked labor work or cleaning. Mamoru, or rather her copy, was delegating tasks to the Bone Butlers and Butterfly served dutifully. With the excess hares sent away and no real disturbances at the ritual site, things were calm. Naturally, that would stop happening soon. Butterfly received a warning from one of the skeletal sentries. A fast moving creature heading in the direction of the Chateau. Butterfly didn’t immediately feel concern because he was aware that there were many operatives of the Chateau moving in and out of the HQ at high speeds, which one of the sentries may have simply picked up and failed to identify. If it were just one Butterfly wound simply leave the issue alone.

However multiple creatures moving at high speeds via air and ground were quickly en route towards the chateau. Something was wrong, and Butterfly was aware of it. Additional sentries posted within the Chateau was able to identify the ones in the air as the ESPer automatons lead by Isolde. But the one moving through the forest was more difficult to identify. None of the skeletal sentries has perceptive abilities powerful enough to pick up anything beyond “fast moving creature”. Even Butterfly was only able to discern that the creature moves towards the Chateau due to the various sentries who were able to respond.

“I should greet the guest.” Butterfly said simply. He had no idea if this creature was friend or foe, or perhaps simply one of their allies who had some reason to move at such breakneck speeds through the forest. But on the possibility that it was a foe, Butterfly made sure to telepathically call for the Bone Martyrs to join him. They were nothing more than regular skeletal butlers with a very special gimmick to give them the most bang for their bucks. He communicated this message to all of the skeletal butlers of a potential new arrival, which would eventually be received by Mamoru herself, or at least the clone in the Chateau.

Butterfly and ten of the Bone Martyrs would leave through the front gate of the Chateau, having arranged a small table with refreshments and snacks, while the bone martyrs also hide themselves within the snow awaiting further orders. The blizzard of the mountain would bury their remains quickly enough as Butterfly patiently awaited to have eyes on this fast moving creature. He just hoped they were polite enough to parley, or otherwise Butterfly would have to clean up the mess right on the Chateaus doorstep.