Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

After taking down the two patrollers silently, the squad quickly set to work, searching the unconscious guards for any items that might be useful. Rolf, the burly melee fighter, patted down the pockets with a deft touch.

"Look what we've got here," Rolf said, pulling out a small bag of salt, a bottle of oil, and three plastic packets that seemed to contain drugs. "What's all this for?"

Elina, the group's support, examined the items closely. "Salt and oil could be useful for creating a distraction or slippery trap. As for these," she held up the packets, "they might be stimulants or something worse. Better keep them out of the wrong hands."

While they discussed, Markus, the leader, listened carefully for any signs of movement from the cellar below. "I can hear them," he whispered. "At least seven level 2 guards inside, and... there are kids, about 43 of them."

Tomas, who had been tying up the guards, looked up. "What's the plan, then?" He tossed a length of rope over a pipe running along the ceiling and hoisted one of the guards up, his body swinging slightly in a comic fashion.

"We disguise ourselves as these guards," Markus proposed. "Caleb, or should I say, old man George, you could play the bait. Lure them out or keep them talking while we sneak the kids out."

Caleb chuckled, adjusting the guard's uniform he'd just put on. "I always enjoyed a good performance. Let's hope these young ones believe an old man's tales."

The squad quickly dressed in the guards' uniforms, tying the real guards securely and ensuring they were hidden from casual view. Rolf, finding amusement in the task, couldn't resist making the scene a bit humorous by positioning the guards to look like they were hugging each other.

"Looks like they're having a nice time up there," Rolf joked, causing a few stifled laughs among the tense atmosphere.

With their disguises in place, the squad made final adjustments, checking each other to make sure they looked the part. Elina distributed some of the salt and oil, tucking them into pockets for easy access.

"Remember, stay quiet, and follow the plan. We get those kids out safe," Markus reminded everyone as they prepared to head into the cellar.

With a nod from each member, the squad moved stealthily towards the cellar entrance. Caleb, now 'old man George,' took a deep breath, ready to play his part, as they descended into the heart of danger, hoping their disguise would hold long enough to save the children.

...

Caleb stood in front of the cellar guards, his posture slightly hunched, embodying the persona of 'old man George' to perfection. His eyes twinkled mischievously, but his face was set in an expression of earnestness and slight confusion, as if he were truly lost and bewildered by his surroundings.

"Excuse me, kind sirs," Caleb began, his voice trembling just enough to convey vulnerability. "I seem to have lost my way, and, oh, my memory isn't what it used to be." He clutched his chest as if struggling to remember, then his eyes widened as if struck by a sudden, sad memory. He allowed a single tear to escape, rolling down his wrinkled cheek, his acting so persuasive that even his own squad had to look away to maintain their cover.

In one moment, he straightened up, a solemn expression painting his face as he recounted a fabricated tale of his long-lost family, supposedly taken by similar villains. Suddenly, he switched to a manic laugh, a display of his 'confusion', and then returned to a posture of selfless concern. "Please, I only wish to help any others who might be lost as I was," he pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion.

The guards, trained to be skeptical, exchanged wary glances. One of them, a tall, burly figure, leaned forward, squinting at Caleb. "This old man seems pitiful," he muttered to his companion, who nodded but remained suspicious.

"Don't believe this old man!" another guard hissed, pointing a finger. "He seems to be deliberately doing that to fool us!"

As they debated, one guard, sharper than the rest, stepped forward with suspicion clear in his voice. "Alright, old man, if that's who you really are, explain these," he demanded, pointing out three inconsistencies in Caleb's story: the details of the locations he mentioned, the timeline that didn't quite match known events, and his too-convenient appearance in their secure area. Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Caleb, unfazed, wiped his eyes, and then smiled gently, as if grateful for the chance to clarify. "Oh, my dear boys, my mind does scramble things! The places I speak of are from long ago, and as for my appearance here, why, I followed a kindly rat who seemed as lost as I am!"

The guards, faced with his earnest explanation and seemingly innocent demeanor, began to doubt their own doubts.

"Sorry, old man, we misunderstood you?" one guard finally said, his voice softening as they turned to discuss among themselves, giving the squad hidden in the shadows their chance to act.

The guards huddled together, whispering urgently. "He looks genuinely lost," one murmured, eyeing Caleb with a mix of suspicion and concern. "But it's strange, isn't it? How did he get past the outer defenses?"

"Maybe he's just a confused old man," another guard conceded, his voice laced with doubt yet leaning towards belief. "Look at him; he doesn't seem capable of harm."

Meanwhile, Caleb's teammates, hidden in the shadows, exchanged bewildered glances, almost questioning the reality themselves. Elina whispered to Markus, "I almost believe him myself. He's that convincing."

Thanks to Caleb's distracting act, the squad used the opportunity to silently guide the children out of the cellar. The kids, instructed to be as quiet as mice, followed the squad members through a carefully mapped escape route.

Internally, Caleb was a whirlwind of thoughts. 'Did I fool them? Are the kids safely on their way out? What if they start doubting again?' He adjusted his tone, adding a slight crack as if on the verge of breaking down. "Oh, to see the sunlight again, to feel the breeze... I fear I may never find my way alone."

The guards nodded among themselves, deciding to help. "Alright, we'll escort you out, old man," one of them finally said, a decision driven by a mix of duty and pity.

Caleb's inner monologue couldn't help but smirk at the success of his ruse. 'Foolish, so foolish! They are too gullible!' But his face showed only grateful relief as he hobbled forward, supported by a guard.

The rescue operation was a success, with the children sneaking out unnoticed, all thanks to the old man's believable act. As Caleb was gently guided out, he kept his performance up