The Transmigrated Author

266  Discovery

Haah...

My mission objective was clear: act as a bodyguard for this place and milk out any information on the main residents of this building...

But how was I supposed to do that without a uniform?

It would take a genius to figure that out. Clearly, I needed to find another way.

First thing on my agenda, I decided to head towards the artifact library and tail the guards without being seen.

Thankfully, Vanessa had marked its location, so I was able to follow the path while avoiding the guards in the vicinity.

Soon, I was close to the library, taking cover and glancing down at my watch to see how close I was.

Still I didn't find an opportunity to take a uniform from the guards since most came in packs.

So I scanned the area, hoping for a solution, and spotted two guards leaning against a wall, deep in conversation.

"Man, the coffee machine in the breakroom is busted again," one guard grumbled.

"Seriously?" his partner replied. "Want to grab a quick snack from the kitchen before our shift starts?"

"Sure," the first guard agreed. "Might as well make the most of this downtime."

A breakroom? I hadn't known they had one. It sounded like they were taking their jobs seriously, even with the occasional coffee break. So I decided to follow them. Maybe the breakroom held the answer to my uniform problem.

I followed the guards, keeping a safe distance as they weaved through the corridors. They chatted idly about their families and weekend plans, seemingly oblivious to my presence. Finally, they reached a door marked "Staff Breakroom."

One of the guards pushed it open, revealing a small, sparsely furnished room. A table and a few chairs sat in the center, and a battered coffee machine occupied a corner. Empty mugs and crumpled napkins littered the table. It wasn't exactly the luxurious setting I expected from the Montclair mansion.

The guards headed straight for the coffee machine, their disappointment evident when they saw its state.

"Looks like we're out of luck," one sighed.

"No coffee for us," the other lamented.

They turned to leave, and I quickly ducked behind a stack of crates just outside the door. This is my chance, I thought.

As soon as their footsteps faded down the hall, I slipped into the breakroom.

My eyes darted around, searching for anything that resembled a guard uniform. A locker room stood against the far wall. I crept towards it, hoping it held what I needed.

The locker room was small and stuffy, with rows of metal lockers lining the walls.

I tried a few, but they were all locked.

There has to be a way...

I snatched the keys and quickly began trying them on the lockers. Most were empty, containing only personal items like worn shoes and half-eaten snacks. Finally, I found one with a neatly folded uniform inside.

I pulled it out and examined it. It was a simple black suit with the Montclair family crest embroidered on the breast pocket. Perfect. I quickly changed into the uniform, feeling a surge of satisfaction as I buttoned the jacket.

Now, to get back to my post.

With my new uniform in place, I set off to patrol the mansion. I checked my watch, noting the rotational routes most guards followed, and fell in step with a nearby group.

They didn't seem to mind my presence, and we marched through the corridors, ensuring everything was in order.

My mind, however, was focused on a single objective. I needed to observe the head servant, Mr. Richard. I knew from the novel that he met with a specific individual around midnight—a relayer for Han's organization.

If I could pinpoint their meeting spot, I could alert Vanessa and Christian, providing them with valuable intel.

As we patrolled, the leader of the group spoke up with a sharp voice.

"Be aware of any kids wandering around here on the hour. If they try to approach the library, push them away."

I nodded, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible. Kids on the hour? Seriously... the chances are really slim, given that you'd need a really good sense to get here. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

FLASH!

A sudden flash erupted from within the building as we reached the entrance to the artifact library, a blinding light that spread through the lower floors.

"I see they're back," one of the guards muttered.

"Is it our turn now?" another asked, stroking his chin.

The artifact library. That's where the head servant usually met his contact. This could be my chance to record the exchange.

I watched the guards closely, observing their reactions to the flash. It seemed like a normal occurrence for them, which meant the head servant's activities were likely well-concealed.

The leader turned to face us with a serious expression.

He nodded at each and every member of the squad. We responded in kind with a silent acknowledgment of the task ahead. He positioned himself at the front entrance of the artifact library, and we lined up before him.

"Up," he commanded with an authoritative voice.

He proceeded down the line, tapping each guard on the shoulder as they passed. My turn came last and I approached him nervously, meeting his intense gaze.

"I'm sure you know the protocol," he said with warning.

I nodded confidently to ensure my facade wouldn't be shaken.

He turned his head, and I responded, "Only sixteen, right?"

"Correct, you're on the first floor tonight. Good luck."

He turned and walked towards the Orb of Phantasmal as the rest of the squad awaited for his arrival. The Orb, positioned in the center of the vast room, was a sight to behold. It sat encased in glass, protected by a mana barrier, laser grids, and a keypad.

It was clearly the most guarded artifact in the entire collection.

The leader initiated the access sequence and completed it swiftly.

"Commence transfer," he declared as his fingers flew across the keypad.

The casing opened, and he hovered his hand over the Orb. Mana flowed from his hand, and he and his squad vanished in a blinding flash of light.

With the other guards remained at their post they resumed patrolling the library and keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding artifacts.

I blended in with them, observing the routines and patterns of the remaining guards. It seemed the squads entering the Orb of Phantasmal did so in shifts, leaving a contingent behind to maintain security. That meant, that If everyone's going to enter, I'll have to find a way to get Anouz in early.

______

A.N

- The artifact library has 2 floors. So when the leader mentions the 'first floor' he meant the stairs up to the other artifacts.