A Study in Gray · Chapter 9
Jack's Disappearance
Gwen
Is there really a way?
Henry
I have to serve my family as the head. I have to protect it.
No matter the cost.
Gwen and Lily felt a chill run down their spines and shouted.
Lily
Mr. Henry! What are you going to do?!
Gwen
Calm down! Don't tell me you're planning to–
Henry sprang up and opened a drawer.
Gwen
Wait, there's no need for violence–
Gwen was worried Henry was about to grab a weapon, but instead found a key in his hand.
Henry
Only Director Stapleton has the entrance key to the Research Institute.
However, I have the key to the mansion's emergency exit passage.
Use this to get into the Research Institute while I cause a scene with my automatons near the front entrance.
Gwen
Mr. Henry?
Henry
Even after our family created the Hound of the Baskervilles...
We were forgiven thanks to the actions of one man.
Lily
You mean Samuel Baskerville?
Henry
Yes.
Gwen
Right! The family was redeemed because Samuel Baskerville led the hunt for the Hound of the Baskervilles.
Then I assume you want to do the same and capture Director Stapleton alongside us.
Henry
That's correct. That's the real request I wanted to make of you.
Will you help me save House Baskerville?
Gwen
Of course! We'll save Rachel together!
Henry
I'm glad I chose the right people.
Henry extended his hand out to Gwen, who soon replied with a handshake.
Henry
I'm counting on the two of you as well, Professor, Miss Lily.
The professor silently shook Henry's hand. Lastly, Henry extended his hand to Lily.
Lily
But Mr. Henry, after Samuel Baskerville saved the family...
Henry
I'm aware. And I'm ready.
I have been, even before I sent that request to you.
I would just like to ask one favor. Even if something happens to me...
Please remember that the Baskerville family was innocent and help clear its name.
Lily bit her lip as she accepted his handshake.
Lily
I won't forget that one Baskerville tried to save a child... Like Samuel Baskerville did in the past.
Henry
...That's more than enough.
Henry pulled a handle on the bookshelf in his room.
The bookshelf rumbled and moved aside, revealing an area storing automatons.
Henry
I'd hoped this day would never come, but...
I was also waiting for it my whole life. Follow me.
Baskerville Guard
Mr. Baskerville? What seems to be the matter?
Henry
It's been long since Director Stapleton has done irreparable damage to this family.
With no one else to take action, I intend to right his wrongs as the family head.
I'll force my way in if you don't move.
Baskerville Mercenary
The things I do for money...
Prepare for combat.
Henry
Hurry to the passage I mentioned. I'll take it from here.
Gwen
Are you going to be okay?
Henry
I'll make this work, even if I won't be. Good luck, everyone.
Gwen
Be careful!
Henry sighed as soon as Gwen and Lily left.
Baskerville Mercenary
You seem to enjoy making things complicated.
Henry
Well, we have to do the best we can in respective positions. Now then, shall we begin?
Gwen opened the door to the secret passage while Henry bought them time.
Gwen
It's open! Let's go!
At that moment, they heard the sound of someone shouting alongside the metallic clashing of automaton parts.
Lily
...Do you think Mr. Henry's okay?
Gwen
We have to trust that he will be. Come on!
As Gwen ran through the passage, she almost tripped over something in her path.
Gwen
Whoa?! What is this?!
Lily
They're automaton parts!
They soon witnessed automatons trudging toward them from the other side of the passage.
Gwen
I thought it was strange that there weren't any guards...
Gwen confidently snapped her whip.
Gwen
I knew I hated you creepy dolls since the day I got here!
Gwen swung her whip with tremendous speed.
The automaton fell to the floor.
Living beings would've hesitated or grown fearsome after Gwen's attack.
But the other dolls merely followed their orders and rushed toward the intruders.
Gwen
Not a chance!
Clang!
Automatons collapsed with each crack of Gwen's whip.
Gwen
Lily! Professor! I can't protect you like this! You have to look out for yourselves!
Lily
Hyaah!
Lily swung Mr. Rabbit, completely crushing an automaton.
The automaton's legs, having lost everything above the waist, wobbled before falling to the ground with a thud.
The sheer violence of the scene was enough to make even emotionless automatons flinch.
Lily
Hmm? What did you say?
Gwen
Oh, uh, nothing. Is the Professor okay?
Professor M
This is child's play.
Multiple automatons lay collapsed on the ground before the Professor.
Professor M
These automatons seem to be incomplete.
Gwen
Now I just look silly for worrying about you two.
Professor M
I would say that's what makes you so endearing.
The three handled the automatons with ease, but soon heard a shriek echoing through the passage.
Gwen and Lily blocked their ears at the sound of this unfamiliar, desperate screaming.
Gwen
Is that an animal's screech?
Lily
It sounded like someone was being tortured...
The same thought struck Gwen and Lily at once.
Gwen
Damn it! Hurry!
Lily
Yeah!
The two anxiously raced toward the end of the secret passage.
Gwen
Rachel!!
Rachel was lying unconscious.
Jack was rapidly searching for something on the storage floor.
Gwen
Stop right there, Jack Stapleton! We know what you're up to! Let Rachel go!
Jack
There it is!
Jack picked something up from the ground, not acknowledging what Gwen said.
It was the doll that Gwen gave Rachel.
Gwen
Did you hear me?! Let Rachel go!
Lily
We know what you're trying to do!
But Mr. Henry's not going to let you go through with this!
Jack
Ah, the fake detectives of Baker Street. If this is supposed to be a joke, I'll admit it's quite funny.
The automatons in the storage stepped forward as Jack sneered.
Gwen
More automatons? I'm so sick of them.
Lily
Stop complaining, Boss! We need to save Rachel!
Gwen
Hryahhh!
An automaton collapsed with a thud, laid low by a single blow from Gwen's whip.
Gwen
We did it!
Lily
There's no time to celebrate, Boss!
Jack had carried the unconscious Rachel and fled further into the basement.
Gwen
He seriously doesn't know when to quit! Guess he's begging for an ass kicking!
Just as Gwen was about to run after him, an automaton on the ground began making an ominous clicking sound as it gave off sparks.
Professor M
It's a self-destruct automaton! Step back!
The Professor did more than just warn them with words.
Lily and Gwen were soon shoved to the floor by the Professor's bag.
Gwen
*Cough!* *Cough!* Is everyone all right? Lily? Professor?
Lily
Yeah, thanks to the Professor... Are you okay?
As the Professor closed her bag, an eerie sound reverberated through the room.
Professor M
I'm fine. However, the passage is obstructed now.
The explosion had caused the storage room to crumble and block the passage way.
The three glared at the rubble as Henry came running.
Henry
I just heard an explosion. Are you all right?
Lily
We're okay! What about you, Mr. Henry?
Henry
As you can see, I'm perfectly fine.
I was worried when Director Stapleton's automaton appeared...
But they soon returned to the basement.
Seeing that, I assumed they were being called back to stop you three.
Henry looked around the wrecked storage room.
Henry
I wanted to come help you with the fight, but it appears I'm too late.
Gwen
We have to save Rachel! There's no telling what that director's going to do to her!
Lily
Where does this passage lead to?
Henry
I'll take you there.
The three followed Henry to the exit that Jack had escaped through.
Gwen
...Looks like we're late.
The passage was connected to the wasteland on the outskirts of the mansion.
The door was broken, and there were countless footprints littering the surrounding area...
Each of them leading to the foggy wasteland.
Lily
Boss! There are multiple pairs of footprints.
Henry
It looks like he has more automatons.
Henry glanced toward the wasteland.
Henry
This place is foggy all year-round.
Professor M
Interesting. Is this where the locals heard the animal howling from?
Henry
I've heard of those rumors myself, but that wasteland is uninhabited.
We'll have to make some preparations if we're to chase after him.
Gwen
But what about Rachel?!
Henry
His objective isn't to kill her.
It pains me to imagine the torment that child will suffer under at his hands.
But if we fail here, she will truly have no one left to save her.
That is why it is imperative that we be prepared.
Gwen reluctantly nodded after listening to Henry.
Lily
We'll stick with you until everything's settled, too.
Henry
Thank you. I'll get my family affairs in order so we can pursue them immediately afterward.
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