Chapter 4: The Top-Secret Morninglight Manor
Mission location: Morninglight Manor.
Mission objective: infiltrate the manor, be ready for combat at any time, search for high-value items…
Wait, that is wrong. If it really were like that, she would probably need a million to evacuate.
When Eve finally returned on foot to the iconic wrought-iron gate of Morninglight Manor, the hands of her pocket watch had quietly reached midnight.
She was much later than the expected return time. Although her estimation had deviated somewhat, it was harmless.
However, she did not choose to enter through the main gate, even though she possessed a legitimate servant identity and a spare key for nighttime access.
The main reason was… she wanted to avoid the guard dog lying by the gate. The creature was large and extremely loyal.
The drawback was that Eve had only been integrated into the manor for a short time—barely one week—far from enough for the highly vigilant dog to fully regard her as one of its own.
In simpler terms…
She had neither fed it nor grown familiar with it.
So Eve skillfully circled to the side of the manor, stopping beside a wall covered in ivy.
She placed one hand on her waist and tilted her head slightly upward, looking at the roughly three-meter-high wall. A few seconds later, she moved.
She stepped back several paces to gain distance, then pushed off the ground, her figure shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Near the base of the wall, her left foot struck the ground while her right stepped on a protrusion, kicking upward with borrowed force. As the saying went, even a ninety-degree vertical wall was still a slope—as long as there was a foothold.
The moment her body lifted into the air, her hands had already grasped the top edge of the wall. She hung there, suspended.
Then her wrists exerted strength, pulling her body upward with pure, raw force. A clean backflip—her black-and-white figure like a butterfly—carried her easily into the manor grounds.
Squeak!
“……”
Eve froze in her landing posture. An odd sensation came from her right foot. She lowered her head.
Damn it… who threw a rubber duck toy here? Are they bored? Instead of floating in a bathtub, it is guarding the wall against upright citizens?
She clicked her tongue and slowly lifted her foot.
Squeeeak—
The flattened duck emitted an unbearable sound, almost as if mocking her.
Fine. She would not actually compete with a rubber duck… but stepping back only made her more annoyed.
With a flick of her boot tip, the yellow duck flew into the nearby dense bushes.
Only then did she straighten and lightly pat the white gloves on her hands. It truly lived up to being standard equipment issued by the Hatherin family.
Even the dust from gripping the wall bricks disappeared with a simple pat, radiating the aura of something expensive. The Hatherin family never begrudged such details.
“Who is there?”
Just as Eve was about to leave, a questioning female voice shattered the carefully maintained silence.
Before she could devise a perfect response, footsteps approached, and a flashlight beam swept toward her—though not directly onto her face.
The figure came into view: a tall woman with a figure just as impressive as Eve’s—perhaps even more so.
She wore the same black-and-white maid uniform, though of a more dignified style, the skirt long enough to reveal only the ankles above thick-heeled shoes.
Her light-gold hair was tied up neatly, blue eyes hidden behind lenses.
The head maid of Morninglight Manor.
Sylvia.
The strict “mother” of the maid corps, jokingly called the terrifying correction officer, exuding immense pressure upon every little maid present.
At first glance, Head Maid Sylvia did not clearly see the figure in the shadows, her tone stern with authority. “Who dares skulk about the manor at night without knowing the rules? State your name, or I will treat you as an intruder.”
The flashlight shifted, illuminating Eve’s profile and the identical maid outfit.
She narrowed her eyes, adjusted the monocle-like gold-rimmed glasses on her right cheek, her brows relaxing. Her lips parted slightly. “Eve? Is that Eve?”
“It is me…”
Since she had been discovered, there was no need to hide further. Eve stepped out from the corner’s shadow.
Moonlight fell upon her—cold white skin, silver hair, crimson eyes revealed without concealment.
She showed no panic, as relaxed as an elderly lady out for a walk after dinner, even lifting a polite smile.
As the saying went, in a game of courage, strike first: “Head Maid Sylvia, you have not rested at such a late hour?”
“My, my~ We agreed in private you could call me Sister Sylvia, yet you forgot again?” After confirming it was Eve, warmth appeared on the head maid’s face.
She turned off the dazzling flashlight and looked at Eve under moonlight. “I just put the little ones to sleep and am conducting the routine night patrol. I was almost finished, so…”
The topic turned abruptly, and she began caring about the protagonist of the small incident. “Why are you here, Eve? I recall you were not scheduled for night duty.”
“……”
Here it came. What was meant to come had come.
Eve’s mind spun rapidly, searching through her mental files, quickly producing a near-perfect explanation.
Her voice carried faint grievance. “It is like this, Head Maid… I went out to buy some things tonight, but the bus malfunctioned halfway and delayed me for a long time.”
“When I returned it was already late. I did not want to ring the bell and wake everyone, then found the door locked. I also heard something like a stray cat, so I came to check.”
As she spoke, she moved her right ankle slightly, her delicate face frowning. “I think I twisted it a little. I had just crouched down to look when I heard your voice.”
Head Maid Sylvia froze briefly, then glanced at the wall. Considering the explanation—had she climbed over directly?
That was far too dangerous! She could easily be hurt… wait, she already was.
“You twisted it? Is it serious? Let me see!” she said, stepping closer, causing Eve to instinctively retreat a step.
Because the boots concealed the inside, Eve gently moved it, seemingly fine. Only then did Sylvia sigh in relief.
Then she looked at Eve’s empty hands. “Where are the things you went to buy?”
“I left them on the bus…” Eve lowered her eyes. “The bus broke down and everyone got off to wait. It was chaotic. When I returned to my seat, the bag was gone.”
She shrugged, spreading her hands. “Perhaps someone took it by mistake. Anyway… it was nothing valuable.”
After all, petty theft was common. This city never lacked people with working limbs who still relied on tricks to survive.
Right now, she only wanted to shake off the overly concerned head maid. The furrow in her brow was not because of her ankle—but because of something else wrong with her body.
Tch… of all times…
Eve complained silently while maintaining her expression, preventing the other from noticing anything unusual.