"Amazing my dear." Eva said in an amazed manner as her crimson eyes scanned the mansion. They currently stood outside the two feet gate made in reinforced Ytterbium truly crafted to perfection. 'System open the gates.' Aldritch addressed his system which was connected to the house as an AI, a modification of his. The gates gracefully opened to the sides and taking the first step forward Aldritch looked back at Eva gesturing his hand for hers ,"My dear." Eva shyly accepted his invitation and the two walked forward before a sleek back limousine pulled up being driven by Aldritch's system and the two stepped inside and before the door closed ,"You may join us Natalie. As for the rest of you all,you may go back to the kingdom as your services are no longer required"
Going on their knees the knights respectfully excused themselves as they went back to the carriages returning back to Darwarke. Natalie gracefully entered the car and the car headed for the mansion. Looking outside of the car through the dark tinted windows, the ladies admired the beautiful landscape before Aldritch broke Eva's focus ,"I'll be staying here as I'm not exactly comfortable living in the castle.
Too crowded for my taste. You and Natalie will have full access here if you'd like to come here when I'm not around." Eva looked at Aldritch ,"What about the rest of ..." Aldritch put his index finger on her crimson red lips ,"Of course they can come here. However if you want to have any guests just feel free to do so." Eva now satisfied with her worries resumed to looking outside before their small ride came to an end. The limousine parked right outside of the mansion and the door opened automatically for the three to alight of it. Thanks to Overwrite Aldritch could comprehend the complete control of advanced technology within a blink of an eye. Two well designed robots with humane appearances stood infront of them with one female and the other male attired in a maid and butler outfit. As for staff,the entire house was running on AI meaning there was no need for butlers and maids as the nanotechnology controlled by the AI could easily complete any required task.
Both the robots made a small bow addressing to Aldritch and Eva ,"Master. We are ready to serve." They both looked up and Aldritch gave his order ,"Please give us a tour of the place." The two robots with the male addressed as Erick and the female was Meryl took the lead inside as the well furnished doors opened with their touch gaining access inside. From here the grand tour of the place began of the place, every nook and cranny given a thorough explanation of whatever question that came to their minds but Aldritch being the one who created it was simply enjoying the time with Eva and Natalie till their two hour tour came to an end.
"Any further questions,your highness?" Meryl posed but the two ladies shook their heads in comfort of what they had learnt today. The sun setting down on the horizon Aldritch spent the night with his ladies in his mansion serviced by the robots present. "What about the dragon?" Natalie asked as they had their supper. "Rest assured Miss Natalie the dragon has been shrunken down to size and given a proper place of rest." Meryl spoke in a female voice further praising the sophisticated artwork that she was mistaking it for a regular human female. "Oh then thank you Meryl." She said with a small smile. The three ended their night with Aldritch and Eva sleeping together while Natalie was accommodated in a guest room which was just as good as Aldritch's. The following day Aldritch wanted to spend more time with Eva but he had to go back and keep on playing as Luke to avoid too much suspicion or raise any alert.
"See you later Eva." He addressed Eva giving her a gentle kiss on her lips. They both relished it before the two parted ,"And Natalie,keep an eye on her for me." He said as he looked at her. "I'll protect her with my life,your highness." Aldritch started to walk towards his Ytterbium carriage but before he got on it,he then raised ,"And switch your element from light to something else. Take your time as you'll make your selection the next time we meet." He said as he got on board. Natalie was surprised why he would give out such a request but not dwelling on it too much her brain browsed through all the other elements she could take. Such an opportunity was impossible to come by as an element was an inborn talent and whatever one got would be permanent but the choice to switch it for something else was beyond rare.
[{What about Horace}]
Getting back to Astria Aldritch saw this notification.
[{Kill him}]
A man who was running away from Aldritch's mansion covered in blood towards the closest form of settlement was naturally Horace. "It's good that they forgot about me. And I can't die now. Hahaha." He laughed evily as he approached the town they had graced earlier. Before he could make another step...
*Boom*
His body and spirit instantly exploded bringing his life to an end. His dagger was teleported back to Aldritch who had now turned back to Luke's appearance during the ride. He closely examined the dagger before storing it in his inventory.
"We're almost there master." The puppet said as they now saw Astria not that far off into the distance. Aldritch drowned in his silence and as routine they were stopped but patrol guards assessing the state of the carriage let them pass without any form of identification. "We should have stopped them and checked out their status." One of them spoke but the other hitting the head of the first one said ,"You saw that that carriage was made of pure Ytterbium and you have the audacity to question who was in it.
What would have happened if you offended the person inside, they'd probably have you killed on the spot so don't waste your time." Luke made to his mansion which was vastly inferior to his grand mansion but he didn't care and got off as they made their arrival. The puppet along with the carriage disappeared into Luke's shadow after his arrival. He made his way inside before running into Liam who was waiting for him in the hall with an impatient look on his face. "You were expecting me Liam, or at least hoping to meet me so I take it you have something to address to me."
Liam with a shook expression ,"Do you have any idea what situation you put me in?" Luke taking a seat with no regard of the situation asked ,"No but you'll tell me." Liam looked at Luke before he continued ,"Well the King and Queen of Astria were here yesterday and the day before claiming that they wanted to speak with you privately but since you weren't here I had to urge them to leave. Such an act can be regarded as disrespect for the throne which has a lot of unwanted repercussions if think about it." But Luke simply looked at him and jestered ,"Well I'm here now aren't I,so call them and tell them to come back and properly greet me." Liam was simply fed up with this. He was uneasy with how calm Luke was,then again it wasn't his actual son and the person hiding behind that facade didn't care at all about the rules.
"I heard a terrible mana spike coming from Mordant. Did you have a hand in it?" He questioned Luke ,"Yes but the mana signatures weren't mine if you want to know. From a dragon and a human." Stuttering ,"A d-d-dragon and a human. But dragons don't exist and what kind of human exists to emit such an aura." Luke tired with this interrogation asked ,"Where's Velair ?" Liam wore an apprehensive look before he responded ,"She's out running errands but she'll be back by noon."
Luke got up and headed towards the courtyard which was spacious and now he could finally get the space he was looking for to train the skill he saw Bill using. Alone he took a deep breath and remembered ,'So I have to break myself inorder to make myself.' Slowly turning his body into antimatter he tried to stretch his body for easier breakdown and moving his particles individually but he found the antimatter particles to be too unstable for distortion. Reverting back to his original body he fell back on the ground gazing upwards at the sky contemplating on his choices and those he would make. 'Maybe it's because of the present I gifted them that's why they came looking for me.'
[{Warning : Possible threat detected}]
"What is it?"
[{During host's expedition, a masked individual was tailing you from the distance which could reveal host's actual identity.}]
"Who is it?"
[{Bruce Goldeneye}]
'Hmmm,this could provide a platform for one of my fantasies. Always wanted to be a wildcard.' Aldritch sensing his surroundings noticed that nobody was watching went back to his mental state and brought out the mask he always wore during his escapades. Smiling and golden kabuki mask but time for a little renovation. Snapping his fingers the mask started twisting losing it's golden colour and now being replaced by a ominous dark aura and losing it's smile and now frowning but in a mocking manner ridiculing anybody who saw it. His clothing would be his assassin dark tinted clothing with his taste of weaponry for this being two blood sickles and a sword on his back. Looking at the mirror he wore a smug look underneath the mask ,'At least I'll have an outlet for my power.'
Satisfied he teleported not back to the courtyard but rather to Ernest's mansion. Ernest was fully absorbed in his paper work didn't notice Aldritch's presence so to make it more apparent he held one of the sickles right by his neck and spoke in a raspy voice ,"Move or I'll cut your throat off." Ernest was taken aback by this and asked ,"What... Who sent yo-" Before he could continue the blade round his neck tightened threatening to pierce his skin so he remained silent. But surprisingly he dark hooded individual let him go and trying to regain air he rapidly gasped in and out for air. "You have a terrible defense. Imagine I actually was an assassin sent to kill you." Aldritch scoffed as he looked at Ernest who was now getting back on his feet but he made himself comfortable by taking a seat on Ernest's well lavished chair putting his legs on the table. "I have a new task for you Ernest."
With a scared look he inquired ,"What is it?" Speaking through the mask he stated his request ,"I want you to start an assassin branch. I'll cover your funds." 'What!?! Why!?!' "Why you may ask. Well I can't move all over the place as it would damage my reputation." Aldritch didn't care about reputation rather it was the people around him that would face the bitter end of it because of him. "So I need a reason why to kill certain individuals I want dead. My servants at Darwarke should hand you a part of Horace's assassination organization to help you along and you'll have the privilege of having me as a member. Any thoughts?" He asked with a small smile.
"YES! I can't do this whilst keeping my position as a noble." "Why? Some of these nobles own such parties so why shouldn't you. Besides it could provide security helping you and your family."
Ernest looked at the man infront of him ,"Fine I'll get right on it." Standing up Aldritch then asked ,"How soon will you get it operational cause the sooner the better?" "It should be up in a few days." "To make a name for yourself I'll take out your first mission. The commander knight of Astria." He then disappeared leaving Ernest bewildered by what he said ,'The commander knight. I'm so screwed.' Targeting a member of the echelon of the royal structure would have consequences but Aldritch aware of this concept decided to be subtle with it. 'These spies are getting on my nerves.'