Liam rolled an information crystal on his palm as he stepped onto a teleportation circle inside one of the many halls of Eternal Sword Palace. Becoming an auxiliary elder has surprisingly netted him a plot of land on the Purple world with a mansion to go along with it.
He was still tired from the alchemic enlightennt so he decided to visit the repositories another ti. Instead, a short break and exploration of the new living quarters sounded like a good idea. He wanted to gather his thoughts before taking the next step.
The teleportation circle humd faintly, filling the air with a soft resonance as ancient runes lit up beneath his feet. The energy surged around him in a swirl of shimring light, and in the blink of an eye, Liam found himself standing at the gates of his new property.
The estate exuded an aura of serenity and power, befitting an auxiliary elder of the Eternal Sword Palace. As Liam stepped closer, the gates opened with a low rumble, revealing a path lined with glowing flora, many of which were dicinal herbs.
The mansion itself was an impressive structure, a blend of traditional and futuristic architecture. Smooth stone walls were adorned with carvings of ancient battles, interwoven with delicate silver inlays that pulsed softly with mana. The building seed to harmonize with the surrounding nature, an intricate balance between power and tranquility.
Liam walked up the cobblestone path, his boots crunching softly against the ground. The glowing dicinal herbs caught his eye; so of them were rare even by inter-realm standards, and their presence spoke volus about the prestige of his new position. The subtle fragrance of the herbs mixed with the crisp air of the Purple world, and he found the environnt calming, almost therapeutic.
At the entrance, a small group of attendants awaited him, bowing deeply in respect. The head steward, an elderly gentleman with an air of competence and warmth, stepped forward. "Welco, Grandmaster Dante."
The steward gestured, leading Liam into the mansion. The interior was as impressive as the exterior—spacious halls, large windows that overlooked vibrant gardens, and high ceilings with intricate designs that seed to shift and dance with the light.
The steward escorted him to the main living hall. "If there is anything you need, Grandmaster, please do not hesitate to ask," he said before bowing.
"Mmm. I will let you know. For now, I wish to be alone." Liam nodded.
The steward hesitated for a mont before hurriedly adding. "Grandmaster Dante, there is the matter of contract signing to tend to. If I may, I suggest the master imdiately attend to this to prevent any issues in the future."
"Hmmm? Contract signing?" Liam had no idea what the guy was talking about. The steward once again bowed and tapped on the air in front of him and the next second a blue screen flashed in front of him.
Liam was shocked. The system interface essentially outlined employer contracts for all the estate workers including the steward. The conditions in the contract were so strict that it might as well be a slave contract.
"You are willing to sign this?" Liam asked.
"Of course, master. It is a requirent for working in the estate. The contract is to make sure that you would be able to completely trust us with your needs and not have to worry about betrayal or incompetence." The steward's expression was calm, yet there was a subtle tension behind his eyes as if he knew that Liam's decision would determine their fates.
Liam nodded. He made a ntal note to implent the sa back in the guild. These contracts were much more airtight than the current ones they had in circulation. He then quickly finished approving all the contracts.
"Master, may I bring sothing to eat?" The steward's voice pulled Liam out of his thoughts. He was about to reject the man when a pitiful growl sounded in his mind. Liam sighed helplessly and rubbed his temples. "Co out."
The steward did not understand what Liam was talking about. The next second the air in front of them shimred and a snow white furball popped out of thin air. Luna grinned ear to ear, happy to be finally out and about.
"Master, I don't want to remain cooped up inside all the ti. It sucks!" The fox pouted, her fluffy tail swishing behind her. She turned her large, sparkling eyes to the steward, her expression instantly switching to one of innocence.
The steward's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly bowed again. "Grandmaster Dante, shall I prepare sothing suitable for your companion as well?"
Luna's ears perked up. "Yes, yes, sothing tasty!" she chirped, practically bouncing in place. Her fur seed to glimr even brighter, reflecting her excitent.
Liam shook his head but couldn't help a small smile. "Sothing light will do, nothing extravagant." He had learned from experience not to let Luna indulge too much, or she would beco insufferable and demand the sa thing every day. The estate would go broke within days trying to feed the glutton.
The steward nodded and quickly excused himself to make the arrangents.
As soon as he was gone, Luna leaped onto the nearby couch, curling herself comfortably on the soft cushions. She looked around the room, her bright eyes filled with curiosity. "Wow, Master, this place is amazing! It looks like you really are a big shot here!"
Liam gave her a wry smile, sitting down across from her. "Only for the ti being, Luna." Who knows when he might be chased out of here.
Luna made a face. "I know, I know. But still, it's good to enjoy it while it lasts, right?" She sniffed the air, her ears twitching in anticipation. "And I hope the food here tastes as good as it slls."
Liam leaned back, resting his head against the chair and closing his eyes.
Before long, the steward returned, accompanied by a couple of attendants carrying trays laden with food. They set the dishes on a low table in front of Liam and Luna. The spread consisted of a variety of delicacies—grilled ats, seasoned fruits, and a steaming broth that filled the room with a mouthwatering aroma. Everything was made with high-quality at, mostly from beast kings in the transcendent rank.
Luna's eyes sparkled as she eyed the dishes. "Master, can we start?" she asked eagerly, her tail swishing behind her.
Liam gave her a nod with a chuckle. "Go ahead."
With a gleeful chirp, Luna started helping herself to the food, her small mouth chomping away happily. Liam watched her with an amused expression before taking a bowl of the broth for himself. The warmth of the al helped him relax even further, the flavors rich but balanced, just what he needed after the exhaustion of recent days.
For a while, the mansion's grand hall was filled only with the soft clinking of utensils and Luna's contented hums. The warmth of the food, the calming atmosphere, and the feeling of finally being able to pause and breathe—it was a mont Liam treasured. He knew it wouldn't last, but it was enough for now.
After their al, Luna settled down comfortably on her cushions, curling up with a satisfied sigh. Liam smiled at her, then turned his gaze towards the window, watching the evening sun dip low over the Purple world's horizon, the sky painted in soft hues of pink and purple. It was beautiful, and for once, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the view, his mind montarily free from worries and plans.
But even as the quiet of the evening settled over the mansion, he knew that tomorrow would be different. He had tasks to accomplish, plans to make, and a friend to find. He would rest now, but soon enough, it would be ti to push forward again.
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