Chapter 95: The Intruder II

"Hide..."

The moment the three Guides had safely entered the room upstairs, Leon turned his attention to the house’s security system, carefully inspecting the surveillance monitors and checking the security reports for any gaps that might have allowed the approaching Guides to slip past the perimeter undetected.

"Definitely not an ordinary house, Young Master Caesar." Raphael smirked, seemingly guessing what was on Leon’s mind. "I made sure this place was secure long before you decided to bring your troubles to my doorstep."

Leon glanced at him. "Then explain how an entire group of Guides managed to approach your residence without triggering an earlier warning."

Raphael’s smirk twitched. "Are you questioning my security system?"

"I’m questioning its effectiveness."

"You’re the one who led them here..." Raphael frowned, his expression hardening as his teasing finally stopped.

"Do you think if I could find you so easily with that ridiculous kidnapping plan, they couldn’t do the same? And Raphael, if they could tamper with the Hell Dungeon, do you really think these Guides are merely A-Rank?"

"Come on, can both of you stop arguing?" Darian cut in, rubbing his forehead. "We have more important things to worry about than whose security system is better."

Before either man could respond, a knock sounded at the front door.

All three of them fell silent.

Raphael exchanged a glance with Leon before approaching the security monitor. When the image appeared, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What the hell?"

Leon stepped closer. "What is it?"

Raphael moved aside, allowing him to see the screen.

Standing outside the residence were Felix and Esther Pei.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

"I thought they might break through the door and force their way in. I never knew they were still civilized enough to knock." Raphael smirked.

Leon, however, wasn’t amused. His gaze shifted toward the security monitor, then toward the entrance as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.

"Wait. You guys sensed a whole bunch of Guide energy approaching the residence earlier, didn’t you?" Darian asked, frowning. "Why are only the Pei couple standing outside?"

Raphael’s smirk slowly faded.

"Exactly." He leaned closer to the monitor, examining the area behind Felix and Esther. "I could have sworn there were more than a dozen of them."

"Could they be hiding their presence?" Leon asked.

"Even if they could conceal their energy, hiding that many people around my residence without being noticed would be quite a feat." Raphael crossed his arms, his expression turning serious. "Something doesn’t add up. Are they really powerful enough to conceal their presence from this distance?"

Leon tilted his head slightly before turning toward Raphael. "Go and greet them. Act normal."

Raphael stared at him. "And why are you ordering me around?"

"Because it’s your house."

"Tch... I hate you." Raphael turned and headed toward the door, muttering something under his breath about ungrateful guests and troublesome Caesars.

He opened the door, revealing Felix and Esther standing outside. The moment their eyes met, Raphael put on his usual charming smile, as though he hadn’t been discussing the possibility of an ambush just moments ago.

"Master Pei, Madam Pei. What a surprise! To what do I owe this visit?"

Felix’s expression remained stern. "Young Master Valen, we have come to retrieve our daughters."

"Your daughters?" Raphael raised an eyebrow, pretending to consider the matter. "I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific. I have quite a few lovely ladies in my residence, you know."

Esther’s expression darkened. "Don’t play games with us. We know Celestine and Lumi are here."

Raphael’s smile didn’t waver, but his senses remained alert, searching for the dozen or so Guides whose energy he and the others had detected earlier.

If Felix and Esther had truly come alone, where had everyone else gone?

"Ah, so you’ve come all this way because you miss your daughters?" Raphael tilted his head, his tone light and teasing. "How touching. I didn’t realize the Pei family was so concerned about their well-being."

Felix’s jaw tightened. "This is a family matter. We expect you to return them to us immediately."

"I’m afraid I can’t do that." The smile remained on Raphael’s face, but his voice had lost its playful lilt. "After all, both of them came here of their own accord, didn’t they?"

Felix’s expression darkened.

"While I’m still being respectful, I’m asking you to return my daughters. Otherwise, I’ll file a report against you for kidnapping them! I have all the proof I need."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... What a liar." Raphael smirked and leaned closer, lowering his voice so that only Felix could hear him. "I wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave behind any evidence, would I, Master Pei?"

Felix’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing at the younger man who dared to mock him to his face.

"Don’t get too arrogant, Young Master Valen. You may think you’re clever, but there are consequences for interfering in another family’s affairs."

"Is that a threat?" Raphael tilted his head, his smile widening. "Because if it is, I’m afraid you’ll have to do better than that."

Esther stepped forward, visibly losing patience with their exchange.

"Enough. We didn’t come here to argue with you. We want our daughters back, and we won’t leave until you hand them over."

Raphael straightened, his playful expression returning as he looked between the two of them.

"Then I’m afraid you’ll be wait—"

His words abruptly died in his throat.

The moment he sensed something amiss upstairs, his expression changed. A gust of wind swept through the entrance as Raphael swooshed away, reappearing near the staircase almost instantaneously.

"Leon! The room!"

Leon was already moving. In the blink of an eye, he glided past Raphael, the temperature dropping as a thin layer of frost spread beneath his feet. Both SSS-rank Sentinels rushed upstairs, their movements too swift for ordinary people to follow.

Behind them, Felix’s lips curled into the faintest smile.

For a brief moment, the Pei couple remained standing at the entrance, seemingly unbothered by the commotion they had caused.

Then Felix slowly lifted his head, his eyes following the two Sentinels.

"It’s already too late," he murmured.