The next day, Aiden and a small contingent of knights from Arlecia assembled in the courtyard, preparing for their journey to Port Mayne. Seth had entrusted them with the important task of retrieving Claire's twin brother, Clark, whose condition was critical. The road ahead was long, and Aiden planned to return within the week if everything went smoothly.
As the group prepared to depart, Aiden stood for a moment, glancing back at the towering walls of the castle. A strange unease gnawed at him, a sense of foreboding he couldn't quite shake. What's bothering me? he wondered. Is it the mission... or something else?
His hand tightened on the reins of his horse as he shook off the feeling. His duty was clear, and his loyalty to Seth was unwavering. But something about being away from the lord, even for just a short time, left him feeling unsettled. No matter. I'll finish this mission quickly and return to the lord's side.
With a final glance at the castle, Aiden turned his attention forward, giving the signal for the group to move out. The sound of hooves echoed as they passed through the gates, beginning their journey toward Port Mayne.
Meanwhile, back in the castle, Claire sat at her new desk, surrounded by stacks of documents. She was seated in the lord's office, the same room Seth used for his own work. The quiet hum of the estate outside filtered through the tall windows, but inside the office, it was anything but peaceful.
The papers in front of her painted a grim picture—records of tax collections, budgets, and estate management from the past several years. It was worse than she had imagined.
"How on earth is this barony still functioning in such a mess?" Claire muttered under her breath, flipping through yet another stack of poorly kept records. The numbers didn't add up, and the policies were erratic. The estate's finances were a disaster—taxes were being levied unfairly, squeezing the already struggling citizens for every coin they had. And yet, despite the massive amounts of tax collected, the infrastructure was crumbling, and the estate was barely operating.
Across the room, Seth sat quietly, observing Claire from his seat. Her fiery spirit was on full display, and he found himself smiling as he watched her. She's exactly what this estate needs—someone who saw the flaws, wasn't afraid to speak her mind, and had the skill to fix the mess left by his predecessor.
Claire shot him a sharp look, her frustration barely contained. "So, the rumors were true then. The baron really was a tyrant," she muttered, though mostly to herself. "These people couldn't even afford basic food, and yet they were taxed beyond reason."
Seth raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt. He was aware of the previous Seth's shortcomings, but there was no point in trying to explain that he wasn't the same person. I inherited his sins, Seth thought. Now I have to clean up his mess.
After a moment, Claire stood up, her expression serious as she faced Seth. "I apologize if my words offend you, my lord," she said, her tone measured but firm. "But the past policies of this estate are beyond unreasonable. The people have been pushed to the brink."
Seth nodded slightly, acknowledging her words without taking offense. He had expected this conversation. Cursed the old Seth, he thought. But this is where we are now.
Claire took a deep breath before continuing. "Before I can implement any real change, we need to address this immediately. May I have your permission to revise the tax policies and make adjustments?"
Seth leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. "You have my permission," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.
A wave of relief washed over Claire, but a flicker of doubt remained. Is he really okay with me making these changes? she wondered. He's so... calm. Almost too calm. Does he even realize how much work needs to be done? Or maybe he's just leaving it all to me.
"Thank you," Claire replied, bowing her head slightly. "I'll revise the tax policies and look for other sources of income to compensate for the loss of revenue. What do you think?"
"Excellent," Seth said simply, his tone smooth and confident.
Claire left the office, her mind buzzing with the enormity of the task ahead. There's so much to fix, she thought as she headed for the archives to gather more documents. And I can't afford to fail—not with Clark's life on the line.
Back in his office, Seth sat in silence, his thoughts drifting. Claire had only scratched the surface of the estate's problems, but for him, money was the least of his concerns. The dungeon's treasures were far greater than any kingdom's coffers. But the dungeon's appearance—early and unexpected—had thrown everything into uncertainty.
He leaned back in his chair, his mind turning to the beast core left behind by Zarathos. The core was a source of immense power, still brimming with raw mana. He had absorbed some of it, offering a portion to the Unseen Lord, but the core still pulsed with energy—energy he had yet to fully tap into.
The core was sealed in the dungeon boss room by the sphere of his eternal flames, a barrier that prevented the mana from leaking uncontrollably. Seth's eyes narrowed behind his blindfold as he thought of the dangers still lurking ahead. This core is powerful, but it's also a risk.
A small blue flame flickered on his fingertip as he stared into the fire. "Besides the red portals... and the One-Eyed Alliance," he muttered to himself, "there aren't any immediate threats. But the dungeon appearing early—it's a warning."
With a flick of his finger, the flame disappeared. If the dungeon's early appearance means the portals will open sooner than expected... I may lose everything I've built.
Seth's expression darkened as he leaned forward in his chair. I need to turn this estate into an indomitable fortress. If the portals open early, we'll be overrun by the monsters. We need to hold them off—at all costs.
A slow smile crept onto his face as the thought settled in. If we can build this fortress, we'll stand a chance. And if we stand a chance, we can win or at least hold them back till a backup coming.
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As evening descended, the castle was bathed in a warm, amber glow. Dinner had been prepared, the grand table set with fine silverware and lavish dishes. However, Claire had informed Royfield that she would not be joining the lord for dinner, opting to continue her work in solitude instead.
Seth sat at the head of the table, surrounded by a feast fit for royalty. Roasted lamb with herbs filled the air with a mouthwatering aroma, alongside platters of glazed duck and thick cuts of beef, seared to perfection. Bowls of creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables seasoned with rosemary, and baskets of freshly baked bread lined the table. Delicate pastries and cakes were placed for dessert, their sweet fragrance wafting alongside the savory dishes.
Yet, despite the grandeur, Seth felt an unexpected emptiness. The vast dining hall, with its high ceilings and glittering chandeliers, was eerily silent. The servants stood at a distance, awaiting his command, but even their presence did little to fill the void. The room felt... hollow.
Seth swirled the wine in his glass, his thoughts wandering to a different time, a different life. It's ironic, isn't it? All this wealth, and yet... He remembered his past life, the mundane moments he once took for granted. A memory surfaced—back when he lived with a roommate. The man couldn't cook to save his life, yet he insisted on making dinner every night. The meals were terrible, barely edible, but Seth had never refused. He had seen the effort, and that had meant more to him than the taste.
He pushed his plate away after a few bites, appetite long gone. I miss that kind of connection, he thought. Sharing something, even if it wasn't perfect.
Finishing his wine, Seth rose from the table. He glanced at the spread of food still untouched and spoke to the servants in a detached tone. "Share the rest among yourselves... or throw it away."
The servants exchanged glances, uneasy but grateful. They had grown used to the lord's aloofness, but something in his voice tonight felt different—quieter, more reflective.
Seth walked through the castle halls, Royfield trailing behind him in silence. Eventually, Seth found himself at the empty training grounds, illuminated only by the moonlight and the torches lining the walls. The stillness felt almost unnatural.
His gaze fell on a broken training dummy, remnants of Aiden's intense training sessions. Seth's lips quirked in a small smile. Without turning, he spoke. "Royfield, order new training dummies for the knights. Replace them as soon as they break."
"Yes, my lord," Royfield responded with his usual quiet efficiency.
For a moment, Seth stood there, staring at the moonlit training grounds. Do I truly belong in this world? The thought crept into his mind, unbidden. I have the memories of another life, and yet, this is fate I must live. He closed his eyes, letting the cool night air brush against his skin. So much power... but what use is it if the emptiness remains?
Shaking the thought away, Seth turned back toward the castle, heading for his chambers.
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That night, the moon shone brightly, casting a silver glow over the landscape. The sky was clear, the stars scattered like diamonds. Aiden and the knights had set up camp for the night during their journey to Port Mayne.
Around the campfire, the knights worked efficiently, pitching tents and preparing for the night. The fire crackled in the center, its warm light dancing across the faces of the men. Laughter echoed through the clearing as they shared stories and relaxed after a long day of travel. The scent of roasting meat filled the air—Aiden had quietly hunted a deer earlier, providing their dinner without drawing attention to his efforts.
Perched on a tree branch just beyond the firelight, Aiden watched his comrades, a small smile tugging at his lips. His gaze shifted to the moon, hanging low in the sky, its soft glow gentle and comforting.
"The moon is beautiful," he murmured to himself. Then, with a quiet chuckle, he added, "But the lord's smile... is far more beautiful than the moon."
His mind wandered to Seth, and for a brief moment, he felt an odd ache of longing. I wish I could have stayed longer, he thought, though he knew his duty came first.
The sound of his comrades calling out broke his reverie. "Hey, Max! Come join us! We can't start without you!" they shouted, using the false name he had given them.
"If you don't hurry, I'll eat your portion!" one of them teased, grinning.
Aiden chuckled, shaking his head as he leapt gracefully from the tree. "Alright, alright, I'm coming."
He landed softly and made his way toward the fire, his steps light and casual. As he joined the group, the warmth of the fire and the camaraderie of the knights created a sense of belonging that settled comfortably around him. Yet, even as they ate and laughed, Aiden's thoughts drifted back to Seth. I need to finish this mission quickly and return to the lord's side, he thought quietly, resolving to complete his task with even more focus.