[00 Months: 11 Days: 12 Hours]
The following evening, our carriage rolled to a stop before a sprawling estate, the grandeur of the Lyma Family on full disy.
Before this, we had to enter Lyma City, thergest settlement I had seen in this world. Compared to it, Terance looked like a bumbling vige.
It was so vast and advanced that the mere sight of the city''s streets felt tranquil and busy at the same time.
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It was nearing night, so I knew the city''s full grandeur couldn''t yet be expressed, but it was still a fine sight to feast one''s eyes on.
After passing through the main streets of the city, the coachman brought us straight to the Lyma Family''s Estate, which stood in the northmost part of the city.
As you''d expect, we were weed by the guards and attendants, over a dozen of them just standing in a straight row while bowing their heads to greet us.
In response, however, we hardly grunted a greeting. That was because of the measure of weariness that hung above our heads.
We''d hardly rested along the journey, and the exhaustion was etched on all our faces.
''I''m not particrly tired, but my butt is really sore. Damn. How do people travel like this?''
We didn''t remain like this forever, though. Once Seraphina alighted, the other Adventurers seemed to be in a hurry to leave.
Fey, the masked Adventurer, and the coachman had done their part. They were hired to escort Seraphina safely to her family''s estate, and they had done just that.
"No need for farewells, it''s time we head back," the coachman stated, straightening his tattered vest as he prepared to depart.
Seraphina, a gracious hostess to the end, extended an invitation. "Won''t you all stay and rest for the night? The journey back will be safere morning."
''Ah… Seraphina should know better than to suggest that.'' My thoughts echoed as I watched the awkward interaction between her and the Adventurers.
The trio exchanged nces before Fey spoke up, his tone apologetic. "Sorry, Lady Seraphina. It wouldn''t be right. We refused the expedition, remember? It wouldn''t be proper to impose."
Precisely! I was sure the Adventurers would just pay for an inn in the city, since they seemed pretty tired. It was much better than imposing on the Lyma Family despite refusing to aid them.
''Well, one could also consider it from another angle, but its best to y it safe and let it go.''
Seraphina sighed softly, a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but she nodded in understanding. "I see. Be safe on your journey back."
We watched as they climbed back onto the carriage, the horse whinnying softly as it was guided to turn around.
The sound of wheels crunching on the gravel path gradually faded away into the night, leaving Seraphina and me in the quiet tranquility of her family''s grand estate.
"Looks like it''s just you and me now, Luke." She nced at me with a smile.
"I''ll be in your care." I returned her gesture.
Looking around at the illuminated expanse before me, I couldn''t help but feel emotions that had been suppressed for a while.
''This ce is really… amazing.''
As I stood there, taking in the vastness of the Lyma Family''s estate, I felt a sense of awe.
The property stretched as far as my eyes could see, a sea of greenwns and meticulously trimmed hedges under the dusky evening sky.
Patches of vibrant flowers brought spots of color to the scene, their scent wafting over in the gentle breeze.
I could see borate fountains and statues dotting thendscape, each piece an obvious testament to the artistry and wealth of the family.
But the centerpiece of it all was the central mansion, a majestic structure thatmanded respect and attention.
It was an architectural marvel, designed with an elegant mix of gothic and baroque influences. Towering spires shot up into the sky, their pointed tips gleaming under the faint moonlight.
Intricate designs adorned the stone fa?ade, and rows of tall, arched windows allowed for glimpses of the opulence within.
The servants trailing behind us, Seraphina and I stepped closer, and our boots echoed on the cobblestone pathway leading up to the mansion.
As I neared, I could make out thevish details of the entrance –rge double doors of rich mahogany, nked by stone statues of mythical creatures.
Above the entrance, a beautifully designed emblem of the Lyma family, forged from what seemed like pure gold, reflected the soft glow of thenterns lining the pathway.
The mansion was not just a structure; it was a statement, a physical representation of the power and wealth that the Lyma Family held.
As I stood there, I realized the scale of the world I was stepping into.
It was both intimidating and captivating, a testament to the grandeur of the family that called it home.
And for now, it was where I would be staying.
''Looks like I hit it big!''
As we stepped inside the mansion, my senses were immediately bombarded with the sheer opulence of the ce.
Gilded chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, their warm light flickering off polished marble floors.
Paintings and sculptures, each probably worth a small kingdom, were scattered throughout the expansive lobby.
My boots echoed in the cavernous hall, and I couldn''t help but marvel at the luxury surrounding me.
It was more like a pce than a home.
"Wee to my home, Luke," Seraphina said, her voice echoing softly through the massive hall.
Her words were warm, but there was a tension in her face. Behind us, the servants bowed in unison, their faces stoic.
"Oh?"
My wonderment was interrupted by the deep, resonant voice of a man.
I looked up to see a figure descending the grand staircase that dominated the room.
He was tall, his brown hair neatly styled, and his beard perfectly shaped. The atmosphere in the room became instantly heavy as he approached.
''Who''s this guy?''
"d to see you''ve returned safely, Seraphina," he said, his baritone voice filling the room. I watched as Seraphina clenched her fists, her eyes shing with anger.
She wasn''t even trying to hide the animosity that naturally oozed out of her.
"Who is he?" I asked, my voice low.
"I''m fine." She snapped, not bothering to hide her disdain.
"Luke, Adventurer from Terance," I introduced myself, stepping forward.
He ignored my greeting, chuckling instead.
"Only one person for the expedition? How sad," he said, looking down at us with a condescending grin.
''This guy. Did he just ignore me?'' My brow furrowed in annoyance.
He''d just disrespected my attempt at a civil greeting, and I didn''t take kindly to that.
"At least I''m doing something," Seraphina shot back, her words icy. "I don''t see you helping at all."
His chuckle rumbled through the room again, like thunder in the distance.
"I''ve been telling you, Seraphina, this Expedition is a waste of resources, and lives." He just shamelessly spewed out words against the Lyma Family''s Expedition, not concerned that servants, and even a total outsider, was listening.
''Does he not have any sense of tact? Or is he doing this on purpose? Maybe he just doesn''t care?''
This brought me once more to my question of his identity. Though, from the looks of things, I was already developing a suspicion.
"This isn''t what my brother would want, you know." The man added with an amused smirk.
A wave of anger instantly washed over Seraphina''s face, and she bristled. "Don''t you dare bring my father into this!"
''Ah…''
As the bitter exchange unfolded, the pieces began to fall into ce.
The pompous aura, the disregard for Seraphina''s efforts, the references to her father.
This man... he was Seraphina''s uncle, the one she''d mentioned under the influence of my <Truthful re> skill.
This was the man who could potentially be a thorn in our side.
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[A/N]
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