The aftermath of the battle had opened new opportunities for the people of Arlecia. A surge of optimism spread through the town as a new era began under the lord's decree. Seth, the lord of Arlecia, had ordered a large-scale rebuilding effort, expanding the town's borders and breathing new life into the land.
At first, the townspeople were skeptical. The lord who once ruled with a cold hand was now offering a new future. But when gold coins began to flow into their hands, their doubts melted away like snow under the sun.
Seth had already laid out the groundwork with Royfield, his ever-dutiful butler, to carry out the plan. The first step was a charitable gesture—each household received five gold coins, enough to start anew in Arlecia or even to leave for better prospects elsewhere. It was more wealth than many had ever seen, and the choice was theirs to make.
The second part of the plan focused on reconstructing the town's infrastructure. Though materials were not yet available, preparations were already underway. Meanwhile, the combined forces of the Knights of Arlecia and the Raven Guild mercenaries patrolled the streets, maintaining order and offering a reassuring presence to the people. Seth and Killian had discussed the detailed strategy, knowing it would take several months before stability returned to the town.
Seth sat on the balcony of his castle, gazing down at the garden below as he sipped his tea. He found himself lost in thought, the warmth of the sun on his face. The garden, with its carefully tended roses and blooming flowers, had become a symbol of change—much like the town itself. Yet, despite his plans, there was a sense of unease lingering in his heart, a question of what lay ahead.
He didn't notice Aiden's soft knock on the door until the sunlight shifted, the bright rays stinging his eyes. Blinking, he finally said, "Come in."
Aiden stepped inside, dressed in his training clothes, his red hair damp with sweat. He bowed deeply, his voice respectful. "Pardon my intrusion, my lord."
Seth gestured for him to rise and then waved him closer. "Join me, Aiden."
Aiden moved to the balcony, standing beside the lord, his gaze briefly sweeping over the lush garden before turning back to Seth. He still couldn't get used to seeing Seth with the black blindfold covering his eyes, a change that had appeared after that night. It made the lord seem both familiar and distant, like a stranger.
"How is your training today?" Seth asked, his tone casual as he took another sip of his tea.
"I'm doing my best, my lord," Aiden replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
Seth nodded, a small smile touching his lips. "Good."
After a moment of silence, Seth raised an eyebrow and asked, "So, what brings you here, Aiden?"
Aiden hesitated, his usual confidence wavering. "My lord, I've been meaning to ask you something..."
Seth's expression remained calm as he waited, but Aiden's hesitation grew, the words catching in his throat. Finally, he bowed his head again, his tone almost pleading. "Please, my lord, teach me how to become stronger."
Seth paused, setting down his teacup with a quiet clink. He regarded Aiden for a moment, then replied, "I can't teach you."
Aiden's shoulders tensed, but he pressed on, his voice insistent. "But my lord, I—"
Seth cut him off gently, "Aiden, listen."
Aiden fell silent, looking up at the lord, his heart pounding with uncertainty.
"There are many paths to obtain power, Aiden," Seth continued, his voice low and steady. "But before you walk any of them, you need to ask yourself—what does power mean to you? Is it for revenge, or for a greater purpose?"
Aiden blinked, the question catching him off guard. He had thought about becoming stronger countless times, but he had never truly considered why—beyond his burning desire for revenge.
Seth rose from his chair, standing directly in front of Aiden, who remained in his bowed position. He reached out and gently cupped Aiden's chin, lifting his face until their gazes met. Aiden's breath hitched as he found himself looking directly into the covered eyes of the lord.
Seth's touch was warm against his skin, and Aiden's thoughts scattered. He could feel his own heart racing, unsure if it was from nerves or something else entirely.
Seth's voice was soft but firm, resonating with an unusual depth. "You are of the Wolvendom people, the heir of the Wolfe family. The blood of Regus Wolfe flows through your veins. Your clan is known for its strength, for its fierce warriors. You, Aiden, have already passed the first stage—the ability to transform freely."
Aiden listened intently, each word sinking deep into his mind. His heartbeat thudded in his chest as he processed what the lord was telling him.
Seth placed his hand over Aiden's chest, feeling the rapid rhythm beneath. Aiden's face flushed slightly at the intimate gesture, but he held still, absorbing the lord's words.
"The moment you truly understand your purpose," Seth continued, his voice barely more than a murmur, "you will unlock the power that has been lying dormant within you. It is up to you to decide what that power is for."
Aiden's thoughts churned with Seth's words. He could feel the weight of them pressing down on him, demanding answers that he hadn't yet found. Seth's hand lingered for a moment longer before he stepped back, letting Aiden go.
Seth returned to his seat, leaving Aiden standing there, lost in his own thoughts. The morning sun cast long shadows across the balcony, mingling with the scent of roses on the breeze.
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That afternoon, a young figure stepped down from a carriage, clad in a crisp academy uniform. The summer breeze caught strands of the boy's short pink hair, tousling it gently as he took in the view of the Arlecia estate, nestled in the outskirts of the Bern Kingdom. A small, confident smile curved on his lips as he surveyed his surroundings.
"So, this is the land of the rumored tyrant lord," he murmured, amusement glinting in his eyes.
The first thing he noticed as he set foot on Arlecia's soil was the imposing sight of the Heins Mountains in the distance. But something was amiss—where the dark expanse of the Forgotten Forest should have been, there was instead a vast, scorched landscape. Ashes blanketed the charred earth, as if the forest had been swallowed by an inferno.
His eyebrows furrowed slightly in curiosity. "The forest... it's gone. But no one here would be reckless enough to burn it. The guardians would have torn them apart..." He trailed off, wondering what kind of force could have decimated such a dangerous place.
The carriage continued its slow journey toward the town. To his surprise, the scene that greeted him there was not what he had expected. He had heard rumors of Arlecia being a lawless, forsaken place, filled with rogues and thugs. Instead, he found a quiet, orderly town, with townsfolk going about their business, though traces of recent upheaval were evident.
"Not many shops here, no thriving market," he observed, taking in the simple yet clean streets. "But it's more... civilized than I expected."
His thoughts turned back to his purpose in visiting this remote countryside—an audience with the lord of this land. He had heard whispers of a changed lord, one who had shed his tyrannical ways. But he couldn't help but wonder if the rumors held any truth.
"Let's see if that lord is still the bastard they say he is," he muttered under his breath.
As the carriage reached the gates of the castle, he stepped out and was promptly halted by the guards, their expressions stern.
"State your name and purpose," one of the guards demanded, eyeing the boy suspiciously.
With a calm expression, the boy reached into his coat pocket and produced a carefully folded piece of newspaper. He held it up, showing the ad that had brought him all the way to Arlecia.
"Here. I'm here for this," he replied, his voice steady.
The guard took the newspaper clipping, scrutinizing the job application ad—a call for skilled individuals to work under Lord Arlecia's employ. After verifying its authenticity, the guards exchanged a glance and nodded, allowing him entry.
"Follow the path, and someone will attend to you inside," the guard instructed before stepping aside.
As the boy stepped through the castle gates, he couldn't help but marvel at the stark difference between the castle and the town below. The town was plain and humble, but the castle grounds were lush, well-maintained, and exuded an air of prosperity that contrasted sharply with the simplicity outside. It was like stepping into a different world.
No servant arrived to guide him, and soon enough, he found himself wandering through the sprawling grounds, unsure of where to go. He eventually stumbled upon a training ground where a man with fiery red hair was practicing with a sword, his bare torso glistening with sweat under the afternoon sun.
Each movement the man made was fluid and precise, his sword slicing through the air with practiced ease. The boy found himself captivated, watching as the man's muscles rippled with every swing.
Aiden, pausing for a moment to catch his breath, noticed the unfamiliar presence. He glanced over, meeting the wide-eyed gaze of the boy in the academy uniform before turning his focus back to his training, unbothered. The boy hesitated, tempted to approach the red-haired swordsman, but before he could take a step forward, an older figure appeared at his side, moving with the silence of a shadow.
"May I assist you, young guest?" Royfield's calm voice broke through the boy's reverie, startling him.
The boy turned to find the butler's expression polite yet unreadable. He quickly regained his composure, realizing he must be in the presence of the castle's head servant.
Royfield gestured toward the castle entrance. "Please, this way. The lord will meet with you shortly."
With no other choice, the boy followed Royfield through the winding corridors of the castle, taking in the opulent surroundings. Soon, he was led to a richly appointed office, where Royfield left him with a slight bow.
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Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, Royfield entered the lord's chamber, bowing respectfully. "My lord, it appears the guest you were expecting has arrived."
Seth, seated by the window, watched as the afternoon sun bathed the gardens in a warm glow. He turned, an amused glint in his eye as he caught a glimpse of the figure below from his vantage point.
"Ah, so they've finally come," Seth mused, his tone casual. "I'll attend to them soon. For now, see that they are made comfortable, Royfield. Entertain them a little, if you must." A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Royfield inclined his head and left the room, and Seth's gaze shifted back to the scene outside, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He spoke to himself softly, his words barely a whisper.
"Or should I say... her." His smirk widened, knowing full well that his guest was not who she appeared to be. The novel had described her well—disguised as a boy, with talents that would prove invaluable to his plans.
He leaned back in his chair, his hands folding together. "She'll be the perfect chess piece to secure the future I'm building. Her skills... I'll make sure they're put to good use under my hand."
For a moment, Seth's expression turned contemplative as he glanced down at his hands, imagining the moves he would make next. The game had just begun, and his new pawn was already in his hand.