The Death of a Villain
Gwen and Lily's break didn't last long.
I'm sorry to wake you all, but this is important.
Ugh... What is it, Professor?
I barely got any sleep... *Yawn*
Mr. Henry found Director Stapleton.
Woah?!
The shock would've caused Gwen to fall off her bed, had she been lying on one.
Though she hadn't been, the shock did jolt her awake, and she hastily picked up her weapon.
What about Rachel?
We'll have to go see for ourselves.
The three arrived at where Henry was waiting for them.
There was a suspicious building in the middle of a deserted wasteland.
You're here. I believe this is Director Stapleton's hideout.
It seems like it. The footprints lead here, and there are fairly recent traces of human activity.
Henry nodded and gestured to the automatons.
Please wait for a moment. I will have an automaton open the door.
The three nervously stared at the door.
Henry's automaton opened the door with great force, almost tearing it from its hinges.
The door burst open with a racket, but all that could be seen on the other side were stairs leading downstairs.
Another underground storage room? He must love stuffy, suspicious spaces.
Well, they are quite suitable for scheming.
I can't say I enjoy the idea of walking into what seems like a blatant trap...
But I assume the rest of you have made up your minds.
We have to save Rachel.
Lily and Henry nodded in agreement.
Let's go. I'll have my automatons lead the way, since the lights don't seem to be working properly.
Henry was just about to walk down the stairs when Gwen called out to him.
Hey, Mr. Henry. No matter what happens after all this... I won't just leave you alone.
Henry looked confused for a moment but soon made a bittersweet smile.
...Thank you. All of you.
I'm truly blessed to have the stalwart detectives of Baker Street vouching for my innocence.
Gwen gave a brief laugh.
Well, actually, I'm the only official investigator here, since Lily's an assistant and the Professor is an advisor.
I see. My mistake.
*Sigh* Seriously. It's against my moral code to let someone who tries to do the right thing face harm.
It's all the more reason to do the right thing.
Who knows? You might become the renowned detectives who solved the case of the Hound of the Baskervilles.
And I might be able to save myself from meeting the same fate as Samuel Baskerville if you testify for my case.
I'll tell them that you were braver than he ever was!
Haha. I'm just trying to save my family rather than chase that kind of honor. But I appreciate it nonetheless.
Of course. We know, Mr. Henry.
Let's head inside, then.
In the dark basement storage room...
The clunking of the automatons and the footsteps of Gwen and the others were the only sounds echoing inside.
But there was something distinctly different from Jack's secret lab.
...It's the smell of magic reagents. And the whole place reeks of it.
I doubt this place was only built a year or two ago.
Gwen walked around with caution until she found something strange. She got down on one knee and brushed the floor.
Automaton parts? Do these belong to Director Stapleton's automatons?
I don't think so. Look how rusted they are. They've been here for a long time.
And what's this purple stain?
Gwen sniffed the purple blotch on the automaton parts and grimaced.
Ew. It smells awful.
The parts themselves are suspicious too. They weren't cut or broken. They were torn...
Gwen packed an automaton part with a disturbed expression.
We'll take a closer look at them later. We need to focus on finding Rachel first.
They moved deeper into the building at Gwen's urging.
The stench grew stronger as they proceeded, becoming pungent enough to cause a headache.
And the remains of automatons, which the Professor surmised were the result of fierce combat, increased as well.
Everyone kept quiet while navigating through the unsettling atmosphere, when suddenly, a desperate scream pierced the silence.
GRAAAAAAAAAH!!!
Kgh!
Ngh!
It was the same sound that they had heard coming from Jack's lab.
But this time, it was much more biting and dreadful.
Gwen and Lily blocked their ears while Henry completely froze in shock.
Mr. Henry! Are you okay?
Y-yes...
Henry started shaking with a blank expression on his face.
It was as if he couldn't believe the sound he had just heard.
His twitching eyes were visible even in the dark.
Pull yourself together! Your automatons are the only things that can guide us through this darkness!
R-right. Of course. Here, this way...
Henry gave another order to the automatons.
Lily looked concerned.
The cry has become more animal-like since the last time we heard it...
I have a bad feeling about this! Let's hurry!
Gwen and Lily were about to move forward when they felt something move in the dark.
Duck, Mr. Henry!
Gwen tackled Henry without a second thought.
Agh!
Caught completely off guard, Henry fell to the floor with a thud.
What was that for?!
Henry was about to lose his temper when something heavy and massive whizzed above the two, where he'd been standing just a moment ago.
A giant automaton holding a huge hammer walked out from the dark with heavy stomping footsteps.
My, it's been a while since I last saw one of these. The magnum opus of Faren's workshops—where creators strive to maximize the potential of each and every material.
I suppose we can consider this Director Stapleton's secret weapon.
There's no time to admire the automaton!
Mr. Henry! Your automatons can see people in the dark, right?
Henry slowly lifted himself up while rubbing his back.
Yes, that's correct.
We'll take care of this thing! You go save Rachel!
Henry nodded and ran further in.
The massive automaton turned with its equally massive hammer to block Henry's way.
Gwen took advantage of the brief moment and shoved a taser in the automaton's joints.
*Pzzt*
The shock would've been enough to make a person faint, but the automaton only twitched, with no damage done to its joints.
Fine. It'd be no fun if a massive hunk of metal like you went down to just a taser.
Its mission obstructed, the automaton swung its hammer toward Gwen.
Gwen quickly dodged the attack and shouted.
Professor! Lily! I think this is the last fight!
Very well, then. Let us begin.