Chapter 223


    A young man and a young woman, both in their teens, greeted vin with lightughs and nods,


    taking him in with curious eyes.


    The young man was Lawren''s son, Felir, a strikingly handsomed. He was garbed in a purple tunic


    adorned with embroidered red patterns, oveid with a white doublet, tailored to fit and tter his


    form. His nose was straight and proud, his lips thin, and his eyebrows sharp as swords, cutting


    diagonally above the few strands of raven hair that fell by his temples. His visage was so wlessly


    chiseled it bordered on the sculptural.


    He was the epitome of a beautiful youth.


    The youngdy was Lawren''s daughter, Dainis, d in a green gown. Her smile was blooming like


    spring flowers, her skin fairer than fresh snowfall, and her eyes as clear as a tranquil pond. Her


    features were delicate, and between her brows lingered the serene air of a learned schr. "Lord


    vin, it''s been so long, do you still remember me?"


    vin had some recollection of their names, but the faces he had long forgotten. After all, those


    were memories from his childhood.


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Felir was two years vin''s senior, and Dainis was one year older. Both had inherited their parents''


    exceptional genes. Their appearances were strikingly attractive.


    vin nodded. "Time flies, we''ve all grown up."


    Felir sighed lightly. "Indeed, we''ve grown. You''ve suffered in your time away."


    "Fret not about the future, for we are here," Dainis said with a gentle face full of grace. "If you


    encounter any troubles, seek my father''s counsel. He can offer you advice. Just don''t inadvertently


    stir the ire of the Cobalt Strike again."


    Lawren suggested, "Let''s not stand outside any longer. We can talk morefortably within the city


    walls."


    vin expressed his gratitude once more and arranged for Godfred to lead his people back and


    relocate the more than two hundred thousand citizens.


    "Be careful," Godfred whispered, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "Unwarranted kindness often has


    an ulterior motive."


    vin, too, felt something was amiss. In his memory, Lawren had never been so close to his father,


    and Lawren''s current enthusiasm seemed a bit excessive. A na?ve child might have been moved by


    such warmth, perhaps even eager to call Felir brother, but vin was not so easily swayed. His


    mind was as mature as those twice his age, and he couldn''t help but stay vignt.


    Whether it was over-sensitivity or not, it was better to be cautious.


    Lawren led vin and the others into the ancient town. The streets were meticulously clean, devoid


    of weeds. The shops on either side were closed, and aside from the patrolling soldiers of the


    Golden Scorch, there were no other people to be seen.


    vin gazed upon the streets, familiar yet foreign, trying to reconcile them with his memories. But


    all he could see was decay and destion. The cobblestones were cracked and uneven, and once-


    bustling taverns were now reduced to ruins and overgrown with wild grasses. This was but the main


    thoroughfare. What statey beyond in the city''s other quarters?


    How things have changed! How the heart ached at the sight!


    vinmented, "We can never return Stormcast to what it once was."


    Dainis stood by his side, speaking softly, "Things will get better. Cheer up."


    Felir offeredfort, too. “With us here, the mercenaries won’t dare cause trouble. We will stand


    guard until you have rebuilt your manor.”


    vin exchanged a few more words of thanks.


    Dainis reflected, “Truth be told, I had almost forgotten you. It wasn’t until my father mentioned a few


    days ago that the Mallister family had been pardoned and that you were returning, that I


    remembered you and learned of your hardships. I feel regret and sympathy. Father said we would


    come to help, and so my brother and I are here."


    Felir added, "While you were with the Cobalt Strike, we felt helpless. Now that you''ve returned, we''ll


    help however we can. Don''t be shy to ept it; the priority is to rebuild the old city and settle those


    two hundred thousand souls."


    Lawren, walking ahead, also engaged in heartfelt conversations with Lucan and the others,


    reminiscing about the past and discussing the present. Their words wereced with endless


    sentiment.


    They arrived at the Lord''s manor, which was now upied by the Golden Scorch''s troops. Two-


    thirds of the manor''s surroundings had copsed, leaving only a small portion of the gardens intact.


    The air carried the scent of wine and rouge, a testament to the mercenaries and traders who had


    repurposed the ce.