NOVPUBMist enshrouded the clear autumn morning as a mansion quietly stood amidst the maple forest on the South Bank’s second district of Pariel.
The grand edifice was built of gray stones, with black tiles on its rooftop and chimneys towering at both ends, seemingly without any smoke rising for many years.
Golden and reddish-brown maple leaves silently drifted down, forming a thick carpet of fallen foliage on the dry stone steps.
"Then I will just report it like this, please have a look at the document, Count Bathist."
In the reception hall, a sergeant major of the Senate Execution Squad in black uniform sat on the sofa next to the oak coffee table and handed Count Bathist a diamond-shaped, cowhide striped folder.
This was the old residence of the Bathist family.
After their mansion in North Shore’s fourth district was severely damaged, it would take some time to repair.
So the family had moved here.
"Thank you, Lieutenant General."
Count Bathist received the documents and thanked him.
Regarding the turmoil of the past few days, their Bathist family was involved in the investigation related to the Curse Spreader.
If the investigators wished to trouble the Bathist family, they might scrutinize with excessive rigor.
It seemed that the executioner Nigel had a good relationship with their family’s butler and Christina.
Thus, the investigation was almost like matching their testimonies.
"No need for thanks."
Nigel shook his head.
After that turmoil, many things had happened.
These included the Senate wishing him to take over the tenth district of the Demon World Poseen from his mentor Perlman, and the Demon World hoping Nigel would lead a thorough investigation into the historical issues left by the Record of Resentment of the great wizard Parlony; Nigel had declined all these requests, choosing to continue staying by Duke Tiffany’s side.
Consequently, for becoming the overt hero of this battle and gaining the trust of the citizens of Floral City and the demon race of Poseen Demon World, he was promoted from colonel to lieutenant general of the Pariel Defense Forces of the Poseen Kingdom, due to popular expectation.
The only work Nigel had taken on was some parts of the aftermath.
For instance, he voluntarily took over the investigation of the Bathist family.
He excelled in completing a flawless report under the premise of complete truth and also did not want to give some of the Bathist family’s opposing factions the opportunity to harm them.
Enon was someone he had saved from the berserk demons in the Demon World of Poseen, and after the battle on that rainy night, he roughly knew the course and outcome of the events.
The two talked.
The Bathist family’s butler was in a corner of the living room.
He was still dressed in his usual manner, with a black butler’s uniform and a dark green striped necktie.
The brown-haired green-eyed butler silently prepared the tea in the corner of the living room, skillfully placing the tea leaves in a silver teapot, pouring hot water, then covering the lid to let the tea leaves unfurl in the hot water, and a rich tea fragrance permeated the air.
The master of the house and the officer chatted by the long table, both expressions carrying a trace of heaviness, their brows slightly furrowed, quietly exchanging opinions in low voices.
"Gentlemen, please enjoy the tea."
The butler served the tea to both, his eyes briefly meeting the officer’s.
They nodded to each other.
Despite their familiarity, when at work they simply greeted each other and focused on their respective duties.
"Rocky, thank you for coming to our house today."
Count Bathist thanked Lanci directly.
"No problem, it’s my duty."
Lanci replied, picking up the tray without further disturbing them.
He felt as if there wasn’t much work for him today.
This old mansion was half the size of the Count’s Mansion on the North Shore, and the maids worked efficiently and had everything well organized.
After some thought, Lanci walked along the corridor, ascended the staircase leading to the second floor, and the thick carpet absorbed the sound of his footsteps.
When he arrived at the small reception room on the second floor, he saw Miss Christina sitting by the tall French window.
At that moment, she was absentmindedly propping her chin, staring outside the window, with the autumnal scenery of Floral City Pariel reflected in her eyes.
Her hair had been cut shorter, just touching her shoulders, parts of it had been singed by a mysterious demon attack that day, and this was the result after trimming.
Lanci approached Christina and quietly placed the tea tray on the round table next to her.
Christina seemed to awaken from her reverie, turning her head to look at Lanci.
"It’s you, Rocky," she said.
Christina gradually relaxed, her gaze returning to the autumn scenery outside the window, her thoughts once again drifting far away.
Reddish-brown maple leaves danced in the breeze, a few gliding to rest on the glass.
"Miss, why are you looking so listless?" asked the butler, smiling as he stood to her right behind her.
Christina glanced back at Lanci, appeared as if she wanted to say something, but after some consideration, she decided against it.
This butler was just outstanding at playing dumb, always giving off an irritating old man vibe.
She picked up her tea cup and took a sip of the hot tea, the warmth seemed to chase away a bit of the autumn chill.
"Rocky, thank you for the linden flower tea," Christina said softly, her voice smooth as silk.
"If you need anything, just let me know," Lanci said in a timely retreat.
As Lanci was about to leave,
"Rocky, stay with me for a little while longer," Christina unexpectedly said.
"It’s hard to believe the Miss no longer finds me bothersome," Lanci paused in his steps, returning to stand behind her, beginning his response with a slight surprise.
Christina gave him a glance.
"Actually, I’ve come to realize, you’re not a bad person. I pre-judged you as someone suspicious, which was my mistake. For the care you’ve extended to our family during this time, I should be thanking you."
