章節 71: New Look
Her eyes searched the floor before meeting his. "Two and a half months, Aldwyn."
The revelation hit him like a hammer to the chest. Two and a half months of missed opportunities, two and a half months of the world changing without him.
With a heavy heart, Aldwyn allowed Lila to lead him downstairs to the main hall of the manor. Each step was a struggle, his body protesting the sudden movement after such a long period of rest. The grand staircase stretched before them, the wooden balusters carved into intricate designs that seemed to dance in the flickering candlelight. The plush red carpet underfoot muffled their footsteps.
As they entered the hall, the grandeur of the room took his breath away. It was a testament to the opulence of a bygone era, with high vaulted ceilings adorned with gilded frescoes depicting scenes of heroism and sacrifice. A large, roaring fireplace at the far end of the room cast a warm glow that danced across the gleaming marble floor, reflecting the light of the dozens of candelabras that lined the walls.
Lady Roxanne and Lord Adrian were seated on a raised dais. The moment they saw him, they both stood up, the heavy fabric of their garments whispering against the stone.
"Welcome back, Aldwyn," Lord Adrian said, his voice filled with genuine warmth. "We feared the worst."
Lady Roxanne's eyes searched his, a mix of relief and concern etched into the lines of her face. "You've been through quite the ordeal. We've done what we could to ease your suffering, but there's much to discuss."
Aldwyn nodded solemnly, the gravity of her words weighing on him. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, feeling the weight of the lost time and the unanswered questions that now loomed over him. "Thank you, my lord and lady," he said finally, his voice a hoarse whisper. "Your kindness is appreciated more than words can express."
Lord Adrian gestured to a nearby chair, "Please, sit. You must be exhausted."
Aldwyn complied, his legs feeling like they would give out beneath him. The plush velvet seat enveloped him, offering a small semblance of comfort amidst the tumultuous emotions that roiled within him. The fireplace's warmth washed over him, a stark contrast to the coldness that had settled in his bones.
"What happened to Helgarde?" he began, his voice barely a murmur.
Lady Roxanne's gaze grew steely, "Baron Virgil has claimed the city as his own," she said, her words clipped. "The Lycan cult orchestrated the destruction of Helgarde, using the chaos to their advantage."
Lady Roxanne continued, "The Tri-City Alliance has stepped in to provide aid. Luminara and Valkenheath have sent resources and manpower to help rebuild Helgarde."
Aldwyn's gaze turned dark for a moment. „I see... He's portrayed the Lycan cult as the bad guys... He himself stands there as the lone hero, which is probably why he wanted to get rid of me as well, so that no witnesses are left behind. That means no one besides me knows what really happened." He thought to himself.
"My father has already returned to Helgarde. He has written me a letter about the current situation in Helgarde. According to him, most of the districts are habitable again and the nobles have been back for some time." She added.
"I see." He replied dryly.
„I only survived by pure luck, it would be stupid for me to risk my life again. I've been granted a second chance and I should make the most of it!" He thought.
But as Aldwyn looked into the fire, his thoughts grew darker. "What am I going to do now?" he whispered to himself.
"You will rest and heal," Lady Roxanne said firmly, as if reading his mind. "And when you are ready, then you can think about your next move."
The words hung in the air like a solemn promise, and Aldwyn felt a strange mix of gratitude and unease. He had no doubt that the manor would be a safe haven for now, but the thought of being a burden to his hosts gnawed at him.
"Thank you, Lady Roxanne, Lord Adrian," he murmured. "Your hospitality is beyond compare."
Think nothing of it, Aldwyn," Lord Adrian said with a warm smile. "Rest is vital, but we know you must be famished. A feast will be prepared in a few hours."
Aldwyn nodded, his stomach growling at the mention of food. The maid who had earlier tended to him, now returned with a steaming basin of water and a silver-handled razor. Lady Roxanne observed, her gaze thoughtful. "We shall have you looking presentable for our evening meal," she said with a gentle smile.
The maid carefully shaved his beard, her touch surprisingly firm and skilled. As the dark hairs fell away, Aldwyn felt a part of the wildness from his two and a half months of oblivion peel away with them. When she finished, she stepped back, allowing him to look into the mirror once more. The man who stared back at him was still haunted, but the edges of the wildness had been trimmed away. The beard remained, a neat three-day stubble that softened his sharp features. His hair, once a wild mane, was now a sleek curtain that framed his face, ending just above his shoulders.
The transformation was subtle, but it was enough to make him feel a little more like the man he had been before the battle.
Lila hovered nearby, watching the process with a mix of admiration and concern. "You look...different," she said tentatively.
"I suppose I do," Aldwyn replied, running a hand over his freshly shaved jaw.
The maid helped him back to his feet, and they made their way back to his room. The hallway outside was lined with portraits of stern-faced ancestors, their eyes seeming to follow him as he passed. Each step was a little easier than the last, and by the time they reached the chamber door, he felt almost like his old self.
The room was just as he had left it. The bed was made, the curtains drawn, and a faint scent of lavender lingered in the air—Lila's doing, no doubt. He took a moment to appreciate the sanctuary she had created for him during his slumber.
As he sat back down on the bed, the gravity of his situation crashed over him like a wave. „I need to get healthy again as quickly as possible..."
Aldwyn looked at the table next to his bed where his bag lay. He grabbed it and summoned his remaining belongings.
He placed everything on the bed in front of him and studied it in detail. "409 gold, 80 silver and the small round bank medallion that allows me to collect my 6000 gold... That should get me through some time."
He looked at the Cube of possibilities in front of him. "I wonder if everything that happened was an effect of this cube..."
Next to it was the amulet made of bone and adorned with a single red gemstone. It still pulsed with an unsettling energy that seemed to vibrate with the air. "As soon as I'm feeling better, I'll have to find out what exactly it is... Maybe I can sell it if it's not useful."
"As for that, I need to find out what it's for as well." His gaze went to the ornate key he had found in Caius' chamber.
As for the rest, he still had 12 blessed silver bullets, the statue of the God of Death, which he needed for his ascent of the Assassin's Path, the map of the Iconi Empire and his diary.
He also still had the scales of the monster he killed on a contract a while ago. They still shimmered in different colors. He also still had the tennis ball-sized, spherical organ with a gel-like consistency, which also came from the same creature.
"I can still sell these too... I hope they're worth something." Aldwyn whispered to himself.
With a heavy sigh, he began to place the items back into the bag, feeling the weight of each one as he did so. The only item he left outside was the map.
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