*This chapter and subsequent ones would be from Igor's POV*
Sitting on a wooden chair in a surprisingly beautiful but untidy room, the man in it spoke in a very hoarse voice.
"Who are you three and what are you doing here".
"Hi Larmore it's me, Barbara". Barbara spoke as she went to meet the seated man by his chair.
Igor and Seraph followed her and stood behind her, looking at both of them with puzzled expression, had they known each other before?
While the room was beautifully decorated in contrast to the whole mansion, the man himself _ Larmore, was not in the best of shape. He had an expressionless gloomy face that was also sloppy. He looked like a person that is invited by death to enter his domain but hasn't yet . His eyes were sunken to the socket and dilated and heavy dark bags were underneath.
His finger nail were long and unkept, his body looks frail and malnourished and his clothes were unclean _ only him knows when last he washed or even changed.
"Barbara? As in Sasha's daughter" Larmore asked with his expressionless death looking face.
"Yes it's me, what happened, why are you like this, where's is countess Vitani and the children ". Barbara asked with shaking voice and body and a teary face.
"Oh, they are fine, how is your mom she's doing well in her new home right? And you..." Larmore said very hoarsely.
"She's fine, you don't have to worry about her, the pressing issue is you, look at you, you don't look fine". Barbara said as she placed her hands on Larmore's arm and blue rays were emitted.
"Barbara you know Count Larmore"? Igor asked.
"Yes, he was one of my mom's friends and I was quite close with him and his family, i would rather have stayed with his family than that god forsaken house of the Karma viscounty ". Barbara said continuing her work.
"I don't know what my mom sees in viscount Reiss that she couldn't leave him be and live a quiet life but neh, she had to force him to accepting her and me into his household using some of her noble friends like Larmore". She continued saying.
Then there was a bit silence in the room, Seraph and Igor couldn't say anything, they could see the sorrow in her words and facial expression. Barbara continued with her business.
"Larmore, i know you are in a huge debt, but you cannot end things like this, remember your family, what you sold to Valier ". Barbara said as she broke the silence.
"My children and family are better off without their foolish, debt sickened person they call father. And as for this power i got... it's useless just like me, I'm better off dead ". Larmore replied.
"I got this power with hope's of paving the way to paying off my debt, then this happened. The people of my county know not what i sacrificed for them, everything i have done for them was forgotten and they destroyed my mansion, i don't want to live anymore, i just want to die quietly ". Larmore said.
"Don't say that, your family needs you" Barbara said.
Larmore scoffed at her remark and gave a faint smile then he looked at the other two people who followed Barbara.
"Who are those two goon's behind you ". Larmore said.
Barbara sighed as it was as clear as day that Larmore was changing the subject using Seraph and Igor as cover.
"This is Seraph and Igor, they are the two siblings that signed the contract with Valier, with us that day ". Barbara replied.
"Oh i remember, what brings you here ". Larmore said.
"We are trying to reverse the effect of the magic plague on Theron... Magical nation. And to do that we are gathering all five of us who signed contract with Baran and that's where you come in. If you join us and...". Seraph was explaining the reason for their visit but Larmore cuts her off.
"Count me out...". He said.
That was an outright rejection and really sudden too but it not unexpected.
"See, i just want to die quietly, living is nothing but endless suffering, i want to end this as soon as possible". He said.
"But if you die your soul belongs to Valier, you have done nothing with that power, plus if you join us and we succeed, the payment of your debt will be easy". Seraph said trying to convince him.
"Psh, not interested". Larmore insisted.
"Larmore, do you see what I'm doing, it's healing magic that was made possible with the help of Valier's power. If you join our cause you could do many more of this ". Barbara said trying to appeal to him.
"What, any magic scholar could do this ". Larmore said.
"There is a difference Larmore, our magic is from a celestial it's faster and stronger than an ordinary scholar, see your body has been nourished within few minutes ". Barbara said
Larmore could see that his body has grown healthier than before though still below the look of an healthy person.
"Um, count Larmore, there's a lot of tricks yet to be discovered in the powers Baran gave us, by working together we can find them, and when we do we can solve most of our problems ". Igor said.
"So please, Larmore, stop talking about death and use your power to help the community at large... There are going to be huge problems in the future if nothing is done about the predicament the plague has caused ". Barbara said.
Larmore went quiet for some time thinking whether or not to join them.
"Count Larmore, please think about the future of your family and children, what ever decision you and us make regarding this matter will greatly affect future generations ". Seraph said.
It seems Larmore was having a change of heart, he looked at all three of them with a sober expression then he looked out to the window.
"I want the best for my family, my wife and children, i don't want anything to hurt them... And this problem you talk about... I've seen them ". Larmore said.
"I don't know maybe it's because i see you young lots trying to evade future problems or because of other things... But, I'll join you ".