The Runesmith

High above the forest, Roland, Robert, and Lucille continued their flight, the glider sailing smoothly through the cool night air. With the wind now at their backs, Roland began to relax slightly, though his mind never stopped calculating. He glanced over his shoulder at Robert and Lucille, who were being pulled along by the ladder attached to the glider. The two seemed to be more at ease now that they had gained distance from the estate but he couldn't truly fathom what they were feeling

"How are you two holding up? We aren't far from the city, if we get to the mage tower, we should be safe."

Roland called out, his voice still intentionally more menacing than usual. He had finally had some time to process what he had done, but he still wasn't sure if it was truly the right thing, even if it felt like it. Perhaps he could have waited a few months before launching the rescue mission, but maybe this was for the best. He couldn't be certain how Lucille and Robert would have fared if he had withheld his help. Letting them end up like Romeo and Juliet was a real possibility if they were separated for too long. But as things stood now, they wouldn't be able to continue living as they had before - constantly in hiding, with the looming threat that their parents might find them and drag them back, a fate Roland had endured for many years.

"We're fine but are we going to make it? The sun is about to rise, are you sure about the gate?"

"It should be fine…"

Robert asked but Roland wasn't sure how to reply. He had flown out of the mage tower in the middle of the night. The old mage in the tower was nice enough to lend him a room to cool down but he wasn't sure if he would just let them use the gate that easily. The mages must have been aware of his departure and word of Lucille's abduction had probably reached them. While this world didn't have cell phones, it did have crystal balls that could forward information fast. Roland had to assume that Graham's forces had reached out here to ask for help. While he used a diversion tactic, each city had probably been alerted to what had transpired a few hours ago.

"What do you mean, 'it should be fine'?"

"Well, the teleportation gate should have cooled down by now, so we can use it to get out of here."

"That sounds promising,"

Robert replied in a relieved tone but was instantly shot down by Roland's next words.

"But..."

"Ah, yes, I was afraid there would be a 'but' "

Robert chuckled awkwardly. Lucille, meanwhile, remained quiet. The stress of the situation weighed heavily on her, and the exhaustion from sleepless nights was starting to show.

"Yeah, I wish this was over too, but we still need to keep up the facade and take control of the tower for a bit."

Roland wished he could simply walk over to the kind old mage and ask him to activate the gate, but that would risk revealing his true identity. He'd managed to mask his mana pattern and had even prepared special runic bombs that spread anti-magical powder, which would help neutralize any nearby mages. The powder had an added effect - it dispersed surrounding mana, creating a temporary "dead mana zone." This would not only block mages from casting spells but also prevent detection spells from working, keeping his secret safe even if specialist mages tried to uncover the truth later.

"I see... but can you really take over an entire mage tower by yourself?"

"Well, I don't need to take over the whole tower.,"

Roland replied to Robert's question.

"We just need to get into the teleportation gate chamber. From there, it should be fine… We'll be there soon so get ready and try not to talk."

Roland knew that if he tried to arrange a meeting or showed his non-goblin helmet, Graham could easily ask the mages to reveal his true identity, handing it to him on a silver platter. While the count could be certain it was Roland behind all of this, without concrete evidence, Roland could still deny it.

The glider sped toward the mage tower, its silhouette cutting through the first light of dawn. The sky was beginning to shift, hues of purple and orange creeping across the horizon, reminding Roland of how little time they had left. His mind raced, calculating every detail of their next move. Robert and Lucille clung to the ladder below, both still shielded by the mana barrier Lucille had conjured but it was beginning to waver.

"Hold on tight, we are almost safe."

They arrived at the city gates just as dawn broke. The magic Roland had been using to conceal himself wouldn't work as well in the daylight, but it didn't matter anymore. It was time to end this journey into the kingdom and return home. From his spatial storage, he summoned replacement batteries, letting them float into the glider's compartment to swap out the old ones. He also drank a high-mana potion, restoring some of his energy for the final stretch.

"Huh? What's that?"

One of the guards atop the city gates muttered, squinting at the sky. Eventually, the soldiers on and below the gates spotted their glider, glinting in the early light. Some of the sun's reflection flashed across their faces, but it was already too late. Roland pushed the glider to near top speed, despite carrying two extra passengers. They zoomed past the guards, who scrambled to react. As they disappeared from sight, a loud bell rang out behind them, echoing across the city - an alarm signaling that someone had infiltrated its airspace.

People who had awoken to start their work all looked up as something sped through the sky, a dark silhouette streaking toward the mage tower. The citizens of the city murmured in confusion, wondering what was happening, but Roland had no time to worry about being seen. With the sun rising, they had to move fast before more defenses were activated.

"We're almost there!"

Roland shouted back to Robert and Lucille, his voice still carrying a hint of tension. The glider hurtled toward the tall, imposing structure of the mage tower, its shape looming over the city like a silent lighthouse. Despite the chaotic escape, Roland's calculations were precise - he had mapped the city from previous visits, and his glider's trajectory was exact. As they neared the tower, he focused on locating one of the other balconies on the same level he started this gliding adventure.

The mage tower was surrounded by an array of magical wards and defensive enchantments designed to prevent unauthorized access. However, Roland had been inside before and left behind a device to help him gain entry. Hidden in the room with the balcony he had previously occupied, the device resembled an ordinary cube. Now that he was back, its surface began to glow, revealing multiple runes.

Once activated, the device connected to his suit and opened a wide gap in the tower's defenses, allowing them to glide through to another nearby balcony. After completing its task, the device melted into a puddle of metal, erasing all evidence of its existence. The whole tower was instantly in an uproar but they were too slow to react.

Roland had been to this tower twice before. As a member of the mage guild, they offered their services for a wide range of tasks. While this included combat, the mages here were not specialized in it. Typically, mages took on support roles, staying in the backlines of parties or during wartime. They needed time to prepare their spells and relied on a group of guards for protection to accomplish anything in dangerous situations. However, in this mage tower, there were no guards. It was a safe space for mages to be among their own, which made it much easier to infiltrate once someone was already inside.

As the glider approached the balcony, Roland leaned forward, steering with precision. With a final burst of speed, they shot through the gap in the defenses and landed on the stone ledge with a jolt. The glider skidded to a halt, and Roland jumped off, quickly checking his surroundings. Robert flew forward with the momentum and landed on his two feet, with Lucille still in his arms. He wobbled for a moment but managed to steady himself in spite of his exhausted state. The balcony was deserted just as the previous one. Roland exhaled in relief but knew the hard part was far from over. He waved Robert and Lucille forward.

"We don't have much time. We need to get inside the tower and reach the gate chamber before they lock everything down."

Both Robert and Lucille nodded at Roland's instructions and remained silent. Meanwhile, Roland dropped a circular device on the floor, activating a timer that began to beep softly. His glider merged seamlessly into his suit as he expanded the entrance to one of his spatial spaces. With everything securely stowed away, he hurled a runic bomb toward the door for a dramatic entrance. The door shattered instantly, a cloud of smoke billowing up as they proceeded straight into the chamber with the gate.

Roland appeared on the other side and swiftly tossed more runic spheres. While they exploded, they caused minimal damage to the surroundings, serving instead to temporarily blind and disable any potential attackers. They also scattered anti-magic powder into the air, neutralizing any spells that might be cast in his direction. As long as the powder didn't drift his way, Roland could continue casting without issue, as runic spells required only his pre-made runes and nothing more.

The trio rushed through the smoke-filled corridor, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls of the mage tower. Roland's calculated strikes had bought them precious time, but they all knew that it wouldn't last. Robert carried the exhausted Lucille, who was still clutching his arm, her face pale but resolute. The exhaustion from her sleepless nights and the mental strain from her abduction had taken its toll, but she steeled herself.

Roland led the way, tossing his pre-made bombs around, startling the mages he encountered. Although he felt guilty for causing the disruption, he knew it had to look convincing. Fortunately, the gate room wasn't far, and soon the trio slid under it before it fully closed itself. The mage tower had an artificial spirit similar to Sebastian, and it was reacting as a defensive measure - sealing every door in the vicinity, trying to trap him while also protecting the mages going about their business.

"W-what is the meaning of this?"

To Roland's dismay, the same friendly mage who had helped him earlier was in the chamber, mid-breakfast - though that meal would have to wait. When he was past the door he made sure to throw a special concoction he got from Rasrix. After it collided with the closed door, it turned into a sticky substance that soon crystallised and hardened.

"Don't try anything funny, old man, and you won't get hurt!"

Roland warned him, though he didn't want to resort to it. He tossed one of his remaining disabling bombs in the man's direction. The mage was around Tier 2 and had a few enchanted items capable of producing a mana shield. Though he managed to endure the fake flashing explosion, he soon found himself unable to channel mana.

"Anti-magic powder?"

The man muttered, bewildered. Before he could react further, a gust of wind flew his way, bringing along the smell of sleeping mist. Roland had cast the spell, ensuring the old mage didn't suffer too much and just went to bed. The gate stood before him, inactive but within reach. Now he just needed to activate it and they would be back home.

"Y-you fool,"

The mage gasped while trying to remain conscious.

"That gate won't activate with the tower in this state. You've just trapped yourself here…"

Eventually, the old mage slumped unconscious. Roland, however, was unfazed. He had anticipated this complication. His extensive research on teleportation gates had prepared him for this moment. For a Runesmith of his caliber, cracking the protective measures wouldn't be an issue - it would just take a few moments.

"Give me some time."

Robert and Lucille huddled together while he worked on the gate. He could tell that the tower had been sealed now but also that they were getting visitors from the outside. The local guards and soldiers belonging to the De Vere estate were starting to swarm this place. He probably didn't have more than five minutes before the arrived here and then maybe a minute before they broke through the crystalized wall he made.

Time was against them but he continued to work, his hand resided on the gate and the runes on it started to slowly hum into life. Their glow indicated that he was taking over their software and rigging it in such a way that he could fully control it.

Roland worked furiously on the teleportation gate, his fingers moving over the ancient runes, as he attempted to recalibrate their position. Without the tower spirit on his side, he needed to calculate everything by hand and connect with his tower back home. He would not be retreating into the institute but going directly back to Albrook. Once the connection was established he would let Sebastian keep the connection going from the other side but at the moment, he needed to do everything with his own head.

"I hear footsteps, they are coming, how much longer?"

Robert whispered, his voice barely audible over the clicking and clacking of the gate that had almost fully lit up with runes.

"Not long. Just keep an eye on the door."

Roland responded while trying to keep it together. While the others couldn't see it his face was looking pale. He was really struggling with wrestling control from the tower spirit but he was close to achieving his goal. Suddenly, just as some slams were heard from the door side, the gate finally sprung to life and soon the familiar blue light appeared in the middle.

"You did it!"

Suddenly, the first cracks appeared in the crystalized wall he had created. The soldiers were trying to break through, and the vibrations from their repeated strikes sent small tremors through the room.

"Go, now!"

Roland shouted, his eyes fixed on the gate as it pulsed with energy, stabilizing for the teleportation. Robert didn't hesitate - he rushed forward pulling Lucille along. Once they were in front of the gate, both of them stopped to look at the man responsible for all of this and then promptly, jumped through it.

"We are in!"

"Who is that? What's with that mask!"

"Stop this instant, you fiend!"

He ignored the shouts of soldiers and mages rushing toward him, his mind fully preoccupied with holding the gate steady. His mana reserves had already dropped below ten percent, leaving him with a splitting headache. Everything here had to be done through his own power, but somehow, he managed. Just as the crowd surged in, he decided to use the last of his bombs before quickly diving through the gate himself.

Those left behind cried out, shielding their faces and eyes. The one they had been trying to apprehend was gone, but this wasn't their only problem. The once vibrant deep blue hue of the gate began turning an ominous red. The runes that lined its circular structure started sizzling and melting away. With a resounding tremor, the gate collapsed, sealing off any chance of pursuing the trio.

Chaos erupted within the mage tower as soldiers and mages scrambled to assess the damage. All that remained were the shattered remnants of the gate. Their target had vanished, and now they faced a crippled teleportation system, with no way to track where the hoodlums had fled.

On the other side of the teleportation gate, Roland tumbled forward, landing hard on the stone floor of his workshop in Albrook. His limbs ached from exhaustion, and his head throbbed with the strain of maintaining the connection. As he rolled over onto his back, panting heavily, he heard Robert and Lucille's voices nearby.

"We made it…"

Robert whispered, still clutching Lucille tightly, his eyes wide as they adjusted to the dim surroundings of Roland's hidden base. Lucille, barely able to stand, leaned heavily on him for support, her face pale, though a flicker of hope glimmered in her eyes. With a quick motion, Robert tossed the hobgoblin helmet aside, the metal clanging loudly against the hard, rocky ground.

Roland slowly sat up, wiping sweat from his brow. His body screamed for rest, but he couldn't afford to collapse just yet - not before introducing his brother and sister-in-law to the others. He sensed someone rushing to greet him, accompanied by another figure too large to fit into the elevator that could bring them here. A smile crept across his face as he finally removed the mask and helmet he had been wearing. Three words escaped his lips, signaling the end of this long journey.

"I am home."

"..."

However, while resting, something began to bother him. He grabbed his helmet once more and placed it over his head. Bringing up his mapping device to check, he noticed something was off. The dot descending in the elevator clearly belonged to his wife, Elodia, and everyone he expected to be there was accounted for. But for some reason, someone who was supposed to have arrived before him was missing. Something was wrong.