"Listen carefully. Do as I say and disassemble the fingernail clipper," Glen subsequently instructed her on how to effortlessly take apart an ordinary fingernail clipper, obtaining a "small knife" with a slightly curved tip.

  He continued to direct, "Now, return to the door lock. Examine the junction where the lock meets the door meticulously, and you will discover a rather unobtrusive small aperture."

  "I've found it!"

  "Now, insert the tip of the dagger in your hand into it."

  Glen was acquainted with the door locks in this world; their designs were nearly identical, and he was thoroughly familiar with their internal structure.

  Presumably for the convenience of disassembly and replacement, many door locks had a replacement hole on the interior side of the room. Inserting a specialized tool unique to craftsmen could easily remove the entire lock.

  Coincidentally, one of the components detached from the fingernail clipper bore a striking resemblance to that tool.

  "I've inserted it. What's the next step?" With no forthcoming instructions from the curious object in her hand, Pernas couldn't help but inquire.

  "Don't be hasty. Before opening the door, I must apprise you of the subsequent steps to avoid a last - minute failure. Now, tell me, how many individuals are present in this place?"

  On the other side, Glen seated himself on the ground, retrieved a blank sheet of paper, and took out the pen he had brought from the magic house. He then began to draw some enigmatic patterns.

  Influenced by Glen's composed demeanor, Lila was no longer as tense as she had been initially. She, too, sat down, holding her skirt, and watched with curiosity as Glen set to work with earnestness.

  "I was abducted by Hormit, the eldest son of the Punk family. He is not here at present. I have only seen an elderly servant who delivers my meals punctually. As for whether there are any others, I am unaware," Pernas replied truthfully, having already inserted the tip of the blade into the replacement hole.

  "Very well. Now, you can turn the object in your hand, much like turning a key to unlock a door. Turn it at random until the lock loosens," Glen said.

  Upon hearing Glen's words, the blond - haired young lady unhesitatingly rotated the item detached from the fingernail clipper.

  After merely a few attempts, the seemingly tightly - fitted lock emitted a sharp click and disengaged from the door, nearly dropping to the floor.

  "Success!" Pernas exclaimed inwardly, unable to refrain from admiring the commoner's ingenuity.

  "Don't celebrate prematurely. You must first deal with the individuals still in this room..."

  Glen was on the verge of giving further instructions when an extremely enraged shout resounded from downstairs in the mansion where Pernas was located:

  "Get out, all of you! You good - for - nothing scoundrels! Mere gluttons and idlers!"

  At the sound of this voice, the body of the blond - haired noble young lady shuddered violently. The hope that had just kindled within her seemed to be extinguished as if by a bucket of cold water.

  It was Hormit, the eldest son of the Punk family!

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Glen heard the voice as well and surmised that it was likely the eldest son of the Punk family who had abducted the noble young lady.

  "It appears there has been a change of plans, Miss Pernas."

  His words went unanswered.

  Glen furrowed his brow. "Miss Pernas, are you unwell? This is not the time to be fearful."

  It took the blond - haired young lady on the other side quite some time to regain a modicum of courage. She addressed the telephone in her hand, "I'm listening..."

  "I detect fear in your tone. It seems the approaching person has inflicted significant harm upon you. However, the more critical the situation, the less flustered you should become. With me here, as long as you heed my instructions, all will be well."

  "Indeed," Pernas nodded slightly. "I understand..."

  "Excellent. That fellow has sent everyone else away, which is a fortunate turn of events. Now, you need only consider dealing with one person. At present, gather a few items from the room..."

  Downstairs at this moment.

  Hormit, who had dismissed all the servants, was oblivious to the fact that the under - aged girl upstairs was laying a trap for him.

  Hormit's face was as red as a baboon's rump at this moment, evidently having imbibed a substantial amount of alcohol. In recent days, he had been living in a state of trepidation due to the various investigations by the constables.

  He had been suppressing his emotions for an extended period. Eventually, the alcohol emboldened his otherwise timid nature. Moreover, being rather impulsive by disposition, after much deliberation, he decided to come today.

  He even forbade the dark mage who accompanied him for protection from following. This was merely in case his father were to return unexpectedly, and the latter could assume his form to deal with the situation.

  The steps in his field of vision were swaying erratically. Hormit could only manage to ascend the stairs by grasping the handrail.

  "Pernas, my affection for you burns with such intensity... Why... Why can you not comprehend... Fear not, I shall soon make you understand..."

  He rambled incoherently, finally reaching the second floor and proceeding towards the room he remembered.

  Suddenly, the door of the room ahead opened of its own accord, and the familiar blond - haired figure emerged, cast a glance at him, and promptly turned back.

  Hormit sobered up somewhat. "How do these people keep watch? The person has escaped!"

  He quickened his pace, yet his objective remained unchanged.

  However, scarcely had he turned into the room when his foot slipped, and his body lurched backward!

  With a resounding thud, Hormit's head struck the floorboards forcefully, leaving the nervous blond - haired young lady behind the door stunned.

  "Could it be that easy to subdue him?" Glen, well - acquainted with the sound of a skull impacting the ground, couldn't help but ask tentatively.

  Pernas held the telephone in her hand and replied in a hushed tone, "I'm not certain, but a great deal of blood is oozing from his head..."

  Glen on the other side fell silent. He had just formulated numerous backup plans, yet he hadn't anticipated that the opponent would be so inept as to be incapacitated with the first move.

  "Pick up the flower pot I asked you to place by the window earlier and strike him on the head a few times."

  He still reminded the blond - haired young lady to ensure the job was finished.

  "Ah?" Pernas exclaimed in horror. "I don't think he will rise again. I believe this is unnecessary."

  "This is of utmost necessity," the voice emanating from the illusory Magical - Guide Telephone was resolute. "Do not hesitate. Do as I say, or you shall have to rely on yourself henceforth. I shall offer no further assistance."

  Lila, upon hearing this on the other side, immediately tugged anxiously at Glen's clothing, yet Glen paid her no heed.

  Pernas clutched the voice - emitting object in her hand tightly, her mind filled with indecision at this moment.

  Finally, with a fierce mental curse directed at a certain detested individual, she went to seize the flower pot by the window and advanced towards the prostrate Hormit.

  Gazing at the face that had haunted her nightmares countless times, the fear within the blond - haired young lady's heart surged in waves, assailing her very core.

  As her hands trembled, Glen's voice resounded once more, as if he could perceive her state at this moment:

  "I surmise that this person must have left a profound psychological scar on you, which is why you are reacting in such a manner. However, all you need to do is bring the flower pot down upon that visage. The nightmare that has plagued you for years shall dissipate, and your future life shall be filled with boundless bliss. You shall no longer need to fear anyone. All it requires is to simply lift the flower pot in your hand and strike... Give it a try."

  Whether it was Glen's words that touched the blond - haired young lady or the fear that had accumulated within her over the years that transformed into anger, Pernas let out a scream and brought the flower pot down with force.