Vorhelm Estate – The Main Residence
Magnificent palaces and opulent mansions, each more splendid than the last.
A grand and regal wall surrounded the entire main estate of the Vorehelm family, guarded by numerous sentries.
Daniel cast a glance at the estate, which resembled an empire from the outside. His expression remained impassive.
"It's even more majestic than it was described in the novel," he sighed. It was his first time seeing the place with his own eyes.
Unfortunately, due to his status, he had never been allowed inside.
"Young Lord, shall we enter?" Augustus asked respectfully. At first, he thought the child was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Vorhelm family. But after seeing the indifference in Daniel's eyes, he realized he was wrong.
"Let's go." Daniel took one last look around. The entrance was bustling with activity.
Some arrived by carriages, others in flying ships, and a few through portals. But they all had one thing in common—whether it was a carriage or an airship, none were allowed to cross the walls into the Vorhelm estate. Everyone had to disembark outside their vehicles.
They approached the entrance gate. After registering their identities, they were finally granted entry.
Crossing the threshold felt as if the entire world around him had changed. The view that had seemed grand beyond the walls now appeared even clearer and more vivid.
"Young Lord, two rooms have been assigned for our stay. Shall we go there first, or would you like to explore the area?"
"It's better if we explore first." He wanted to see if there was any opportunity to meet the younger generation of the Vorhelm family.
"By the way, did you inform James to come?"
"As you instructed, he will arrive tomorrow," Augustus replied, though a hint of concern laced his tone.
"Don't worry. There won't be any problems," Daniel said confidently.
With that, a silence settled between them as Daniel began walking around the estate. They passed by palaces, admired the gardens, and even visited the guards' and soldiers' training grounds.
However, there wasn't much to see. It felt more like a decorative space. Daniel speculated that the area might have been used for duels by guards and soldiers in the past.
Currently, most of the Vorhelm family's military forces resided in barracks scattered around the estate and even across the world.
"These marks—they're from the Flagbearers, right?" He examined the walls in the area. Some of them bore symbols, clearly created by attacks.
He could still sense the potent energy within those marks. If he wasn't mistaken, these symbols were at least several years old.
Yet, they still carried traces of the aura of their creators. Such a high level of attack could only have come from Authority Holders.
"Yes, Young Lord. These symbols were created during duels between the family's Flagbearers."
"This one—who made it?" One of the indents in the wall, shaped like a dragon emblem, caught his attention.
"The second son of the Patriarch, Nicholas Vorhelm."
"Oh? That makes sense," Daniel said, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. This particular indent, this symbol, exuded an extraordinary level of Authority. The difference between the lingering aura here and the others was vast.
Nicholas Vorhelm, the current Patriarch's second son, was one of the most famous figures in the world.
Rumors claimed that he possessed a Supreme-tier talent. Although there was no proof to confirm it.
the rumors were true, early in the novel, it was revealed that Nicholas indeed had an extraordinary Supreme-tier talent—Death's Emissary. Not only that, but he was also a contender for the family's succession.
"Have you ever met him?"
"Lord Nicholas? Yes."
"What's he like?" Daniel asked as they resumed their stroll.
"He's like a leader. When needed, he's cold and indifferent, but when the situation calls for it, he can be generous. However…" Augustus paused.
"However?"
"I feel like he's trying to hide his true nature—a monster sleeping deep within him," Augustus said after some thought.
Daniel remained silent. Nicholas's talent was related to death. Individuals with death-related talents were almost always plagued by mental and personality issues.
In fact, if not for these psychological flaws, Nicholas wouldn't have been exploited so easily by that person. He might have secured the family's succession for himself.
Unfortunately, in the final battle, both Nicholas and the family's eldest child lost to that person
'Though I won't let that happen this time.' Daniel wanted to meet the eldest child if possible. That way, he might have an easier time dealing with that person and limit him
"Young Lord, this is the training ground. Almost all the children from the family's branch lines train here," Augustus said suddenly.
They had arrived at an open field the size of a football stadium.
No walls surrounded the area. Parts of the ground were dirt, while others were made of wood and metal.
Several training dummies stood around, animated by magical arrays and runes to act like robotic sparring partners. While they seemed advanced, they were far from it.
The most advanced dummies had sentience, but only the direct descendants and prodigies of the main bloodline were allowed to use them.
"I thought there would be private training rooms instead of open fields."
"They do exist, Young Lord, but only the main bloodline descendants and acknowledged prodigies are permitted to use them," Augustus explained.
Private training chambers of the highest caliber, equipped with advancements not yet available to the public.
"So, the main bloodline descendants have an advantage right from the start, huh?"
"That's true, but I still don't think they could defeat you, Young Lord," Augustus said with a smile. It wasn't flattery; he genuinely believed it. Even the main bloodline children couldn't match his Young Lord.
He hadn't always thought this way, but the past week had convinced him.
Daniel said nothing. Augustus was right. Even without training, his experience from his past life alone was enough to defeat all of them—well, perhaps not the top prodigies of the main bloodline.
"Hmm? That girl? Those features… Inborn Spirit?"