[00 Months: 09 Days: 12 Hours]
As Seraphina finished speaking, I carefully withdrew the effects of .
I was confident that she wouldn't rember the exact question I asked, nor the responses she gave under the influence of the Skill.
As far as she knew, we were still talking about how confidential her family's secret was to her.
"I'll need so ti," I said, hoping my voice sounded convincing enough.
The room was dimly lit, quiet too, as Serahina and I stared at each other in that decorum.
"To think about your offer... and your situation. I'll give you my answer at Benard's office tomorrow."
Relief washed over her face like the fading glow of a sunset, her eyes lighting up with a newfound spark of hope.
"Thank you," she breathed, "for not rejecting outright. I'll be waiting for you."
******
Standing up, we made our way to the door, the wooden floor creaking under our steps.
I escorted her out, catching a brief look of gratitude in her eyes before she turned to leave. As if on cue, Benard and his entourage appeared, their footsteps echoing in the now silent hallway.
"Thank you, Luke," Benard said, his voice a low rumble of appreciation. "I trust your ti with Seraphina was well spent."
Seraphina gave a quick nod in my direction before addressing Benard.
"I apologize for coming at such a late hour," she said, her voice softer now. "Goodnight, and thank you for your understanding."
"You as well. Safe journey back." I smiled, also returning Benard's nod.
With a final curtsy from Seraphina and a slight bow from in response, the entourage disappeared down the hall, their footsteps growing fainter as they receded into the distance.
"Haa…" I let out a sigh of relief, gently closing the door behind .
Leaning against the door, I ran a hand through my hair, the weight of our conversation sinking in.
What was I going to do now? I was knee-deep in a situation that could potentially impact the power balance in this world, all because of a promise of a reward.
Suddenly, my room felt a little colder, the dimly lit corners seeming to hide lurking uncertainties.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the silent echo of our conversation, as I began to contemplate my next move.
'How should I handle this?'
The way I saw it, two paths lay before , each fraught with its own potential dangers and rewards.
I could reject Seraphina's offer, keep my hands clean of their family squabble, and let fate decide the course of the Lyma Family.
This seed like the safest option, but the thought of their family falling into the clutches of that ruthless uncle left a bitter taste in my mouth.
'I could avoid any potential conflict, though. Still... I would lose out on a lot of rewards.'
What of all the goodwill I had managed to rack up this far? Was I really willing to let them all go down the drain?
Alternatively, I could step into the murky waters of noble family politics, accept Seraphina's proposal, and reap the potentially grand rewards.
Yet this route threatened to drag into a dangerous conflict with her uncle and his rumored ties to the notorious Nine-Headed Dragon Union.
As I mulled over these options, the details of our conversation resurfaced in my mind.
Her father's mystery illness, the unseen Dungeon of Purity, the glimr of desperation in her eyes...
There were so many unanswered questions, and not enough ti to explore them all.
My room was a safe haven, lit dimly by the soft glow of a bedside lantern. The orange light threw dancing shadows onto the room's walls, giving an eerie depth to the walls. The creaking wooden floor beneath my feet echoed the turmoil in my mind, reflecting my indecision.
I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the situation sinking into my shoulders. From my window, the moon was a silver disc in the cloudless night sky, a lone sentinel watching over the sleepless city below.
Decisions, decisions... What was an adventurer to do in the face of such a dilemma?
I pondered over the various possibilities, my mind weaving intricate scenarios and weighing the potential outcos.
Finally, with a tired shake of my head, I decided to let sleep offer so clarity. Stripping off my clothing, I fell onto the soft comfort of my bed, letting the smooth sheets wrap around like a comforting cocoon.
As I closed my eyes, the mories of the day's events played in the theatre of my mind.
With any luck, the morning would bring with it a clearer head, and the answers I was so desperately seeking.
'Or…!'
I jumped to my feet just as I was about to doze off.
'... I could gain more information!'
The Information Guild was right next door, and I could learn more about my situation before jumping in.
'Alright! I'll do my howork for tonight. Once I make up my mind, there's no turning back!'
With a smile on my face, and a glint of determination in my eyes, I began to make my plans.
******
[anwhile…]
The chill of the night air was a stark contrast to the tense warmth of the room she had just left.
Seraphina Lyma, the beleaguered delegate of the Lyma family, walked at a asured pace alongside Benard, who had taken it upon himself to accompany her back to her residence.
The moon above was a soothing balm on her nerves, its silvery light casting long, ethereal shadows over the cobblestone path they traversed.
The rest of the entourage had scattered to their own quarters, leaving only her and Benard in the quiet solitude of the night. His face, hardened by years of commanding and counseling, was a comforting presence beside her.
"So, what did Luke say?" Benard asked, his voice breaking the silence that had settled between them.
"He said he would think about it," Seraphina answered, her voice a hushed whisper in the tranquil night.
Benard smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting in a wry grin. "I'll be hoping for the best then," he said. "If you have Luke, you most likely don't need any other Adventurer in Terance."
Intrigued, Seraphina turned to look at him. "You hold nothing but praise for him. Is Luke really that strong?"
Seraphina knew Benard to be among the top 100 strongest within the Southern Kingdom. His Martial Art technique was truly powerful, and it was no surprise that he was the Guildmaster of one of the five Adventurer Guilds in the Southern Kingdom.
If he praised the strength and valor of Luke so much, that ant the youth had to be incredibly powerful.
The older man's smile turned into a grin, a bright gleam in his eyes as he responded, "Yes. Luke is one of the most powerful people I've ever t."
Seraphina's brows were raised slightly. She was well aware of the dangers lurking in the Wild Lands, the terrain her family had been so desperate to explore.
"So how would you scale his level?"
"Luke," Benard said thoughtfully, "is most likely on the level of the Southern Kingdom's Grand Knights."
Seraphina's eyes widened instantly.
The Grand Knights were the 21 most powerful knights of the kingdom, revered for their imnse strength and valor.
Not even Benard ca close to their power and authority. They were truly levels above what re people could achieve.
To equate Luke with such esteed warriors, he must indeed be very powerful. A spark of hope ignited within her heart at the thought.
With a soft prayer on her lips for her father's health, and the fate of everyone she cared about, she walked on.
'I can only wish for the best.'
The night was no longer cold and empty, but filled with a faint glimr of hope.
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[A/N]
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