The Dreamer's POV

[01 Months: 10 Days: 05 Hours]

I watched as Theo and Drius continued on their path, their figures slowly disappearing down the corridor.

The weight of our situation pressed heavily upon me, like a cloak of darkness that clung to my every step. It was a burden I willingly bore, and the thought of the benefits kept my mind whirring.

As I walked alone through the dimly lit halls, my thoughts swirled in a tumultuous sea of uncertainty. The imminent arrival of Theo's family members, shrouded in secrecy and ambition, left me with a sense of foreboding.

'The first thing we need is staff, I suppose. And we need them fast.'

It was no secret that most of the Lyma Family workers had been killed in the destruction that happened weeks ago, and the ones we had now were mostly working on rebuilding the capital.

We barely had any manpower within the Estate—not enough to be seen as competent anyway.

'Well, it seems I'll have to leave this place for a bit.'

I wasn't too concerned about how things would function in my absence as well.

My <Demonification> skill allowed me to maintain a connection with my minions in the Lyma Capital even from a far distance.

That was one useful perk.

With that connection in place, I knew I could leave the capital temporarily without compromising our defenses or the ongoing work.

A decision crystallized in my mind, born of necessity and urgency.

' I'll have to head to Terance. It's been a while I've been to the great Adventurers City.' A small smile formed on my face.

Terance was a sprawling metropolis, a haven for adventurers, traders, and scholars alike. I could resort to using the Information Guild, but something told me I wouldn't need them at this juncture.

'I just have to see Benard first and clarify some things. If that doesn't work out, we'll move on to Plan B.'

With a swift motion, I activated my <Grand Teleportation> skill. The world around me blurred and shifted, and in an instant, I found myself on the outskirts of Terance.

The city sprawled before me, a maze of towering buildings, bustling streets, and a cacophony of voices and sounds.

I pulled up the hood of my cloak, its shadowy fabric obscuring my features. Activating the effects of my Grand Concealment Cloak, I turned invisible instantly.

'I'm sort of popular around here. Wouldn't be good to grab any unwanted attention…'

It would be to my disadvantage if the Information Guild was working for the Lyma and informed them of my presence here.

That was one of the reasons I was skeptical about visiting them.

'There's a limited amount of people I can trust at the moment…'

I blended seamlessly into the crowd, my steps quiet and purposeful.

Terance was a city of diversity, a melting pot where cultures and races converged. The scent of exotic spices wafted through the air, mingling with the clatter of horse-drawn carts and the shouts of street vendors.

My destination was clear—the Adventurers Guild. It was the heart of Terance's bustling adventurer community, a place where tales of valor and treasure were traded as freely as coin.

It was also where I could find my dear Guildmaster, Benard.

As I navigated the bustling streets, I couldn't help but marvel at the city's vibrancy. Merchants peddled their wares, their stalls adorned with exotic trinkets and treasures from distant lands.

Bards strummed lutes and sang of legendary heroes, while alchemists displayed colorful concoctions in glass vials.

'Once we're done with the Lyma Capital, it's going to be even better than this.'

With that, I kept up my pace.

Finally, I arrived at the grand building that housed the Adventurers Guild. Its sturdy stone walls bore the scars of countless battles and adventures, a testament to the resilience of those who called Terance home.

The entrance was guarded by a pair of burly sentinels, their eyes watchful but welcoming.

I slipped past them unnoticed, my cloak rendering me invisible to their scrutiny.

Inside, the guild hall was a vibrant tableau of activity. Adventurers of all kinds, clad in armor and bearing weapons of every description, huddled around wooden tables.

They shared tales of their exploits, planned daring quests, and reveled in the camaraderie of their kind.

The air was thick with the scent of ale and hearty laughter, and the clinking of tankards echoed like a joyful symphony.

It was a world far removed from the austere halls of Lyma Mansion.

My journey through the stairs and bustling hallways brought me to the Guildmaster's office, tucked away in a quiet corner.

'Well, here I go.'

I opened the door and invited myself in, though it didn't seem like Bernard noticed at all.

Was it because I was invisible, or he was simply too immersed in what he was doing?

Behind the cluttered desk sat Benard, with his muscular face and well-trimmed beard.

H eyes, sharp as flint, flicked up to meet mine as I knocked softly on the open door.

I had already undone my concealment at this point so he could see me.

"Can I help you, stranger?" Benard's voice was gruff but not unkind.

I stepped into the office, my hood still concealing my features. "I've come seeking an audience with Guildmaster Benard."

Benard arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. He had a cautious expression on, which I found mildly amusing. "You're looking at him. What's your business?"

I leaned forward, my voice low and cautious. "I seek information, Guildmaster. Information about a noble family, the Lymas."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Benard's eyes narrowed further in suspicion, and he leaned back in his chair. "The Lymas, you say? What's your interest in them?"

I chose my words carefully, revealing just enough to pique his curiosity.

"Let's just say there are matters of...family intrigue that need to be unraveled."

For a moment, there was silence in the room.

Both of us didn't utter a word, and tension spread like wildfire around us.

Until…

"Luke, you scamp. What do you think you're doing?"

*

*

*

[A/N]

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!