Chapitre 25: Spotted.
About an hour had passed since they began their journey to the leader's estate, and as the innkeeper had accurately predicted, in that time they had successfully reached Venyl, the main town of Azkai and the residence of the leader's estate.
As they crested the final hill, Venyl stretched out before them, the heart of Azkai, a town not built from mud bricks and wood but of polished stone. Each building Ryan set his gaze upon seemed just a bit more luxurious than the last.
However, highlighting the landscape, perched upon a hill like an observer gazing upon Venyl, was the leader's estate, a castle-like structure that seemed as secure as it was breathtaking.
"Remember our story," the innkeeper drew Ryan's attention back. "I'm always the one who delivers the leader's special crate of whiskey to the leader's study. However, I have some shoulder pain, and I asked you to do it today... You understand?"
"Yeah," Ryan turned to the old man, "But are you sure he'll be in the study?"
"He's always there at this time of the day, up until night, so follow through with the plan and you should be able to meet him."
"Alright," Ryan nodded as they began to climb the hill towards the estate.
The horses came to a halt as the man pulled on them, and the guards at the gate of the estate gestured for them to stop.
"What's your business here?" one of the guards asked, walking around the horses to see who mounted the carriage.
"Ah, old man Hitoshi!" The guard exclaimed with a smile as he saw the innkeeper.
"Haha, how are you boys doing?" The innkeeper laughed.
"You know, same same, keeping the estate as safe as we can," the second guard replied, craning his neck as he looked at the crates being carried behind.
"Seems you brought the good stuff today as well," he walked over to the carrier, his eyes inspecting the goods.
"Of course, I even got something for you boys," the man turned back towards the carrier. "That crate over there," he pointed.
"Haha, old man, you are too kind," the guard exclaimed, showing his appreciation as he pulled the crate from the carrier.
"It's nothing. I hope you enjoy it. I hear alcohol that good refills mana as well," the innkeeper laughed.
"We will find out tonight," the guard laughed as well. "Let me not hold you too long. Please continue on your way," the guard said.
"Thank you," the man nodded as the carriage continued on.
"Are those guards..."
"Mages? Like you?" The innkeeper completed Ryan's sentence. "Of course not. The province has a severe lack of mages, so they obviously won't have them stationed to guard a gate. However, they tell people otherwise, to deter any ambitious attackers."
"That's quite a method."
"And it works, apparently," the innkeeper replied.
Entering a vast courtyard paved with tiles, and pillars, their arches carved with scenes of mythical hunts and wars, lined the perimeter, showing glimpses of gardens of great beauty. Crystal fountains, their waters glowing like scattered jewels, sprayed rainbows into the air as the sun deflected on the droplets.
Servants, who were nimble as startled deer, moved from place to place with purposeful strides. Their movements were practiced, their eyes sharp, their demeanor a curious mix of fatigue and dedication.
The carriage jolted to a halt, the rhythmic clopping of hooves replaced by the crunch of gravel beneath Ryan's boot as he unmounted.
"Well then, get to unloading," the old man instructed, as Ryan nodded.
He quickly moved to the back, climbing on top of the carrier, grabbing a stack of crates and bringing it down to the floor before climbing back up to grab another.
"Ayy," the old man called, prompting Ryan to turn to him. "you know what, just leave that for the servants. Go deliver the leader's crate."
"Yes, boss," Ryan replied, moving over to the crate of whiskey and grabbing it, then hopping off the carriage.
"Hey, you there," the old man called one of the servants. "Show him to the study," he instructed as the servant nodded and gestured for Ryan to follow her.
They walked in through a large door adorned with numerous carvings. Stepping through the grand entrance, Ryan found himself in a vast hall, its high ceiling lost in the shadows. Polished marble tiles stretched beneath his feet, reflecting the flickering light of a dozen burning torches held by statues lining the walls. The air had a low, almost reverent silence, broken only by the rhythmic crunch of his boots on the stone.
A grand, curving staircase, crafted from the same white stone as the pillars outside, dominated the far end of the hall.
Ryan followed the servant silently, crate in hand, as they began ascending the staircase, each step echoing through the manor, which buzzed with hushed whispers and the distant murmur of conversation.
After ascending the stairs, they took a right into a hallway with numerous doors adorning each side. They then took another left, and after a few minutes of walking, they reached a door.
"This is the study. I'm not allowed access, but you may go in and drop the delivery," the servant informed.
"Thank you," Ryan said, preparing to enter.
"Hey!" A man's voice called out from behind them. "What are you both doing there?" He questioned.
"Old man Hitoshi came to deliver the leader's whiskey. He sent his worker to bring it in," the servant explained as Ryan turned around to look at the man.
"Yes, that's correct," Ryan aggred as he gazed at the man, brown-haired with an extremely stern face and his entire form clad in dark brown armor.
"Wait, you seem familiar." The man's eyes narrowed as he scrutinised Ryan, whose mind raced at his words. Who was this? Perhaps he had seen Ryan when he was brought to Azkai unconscious.
"Haha, I get that a lot," Ryan chuckled, concealing any shred of panic in his demeanor.
"I see," the armored man nodded. "You say you work for the old man, right?"
"Indeed," Ryan nodded again with a smile.
"So, did he hire you... from the dungeon?" The man asked, locking gaze with Ryan.
"Fucking hell..." Ryan sighed.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone