I lost track of time as I sat there in the back of the swaying pumpkin carriage.
Fwah… Whoops, almost nodded off.
The steady clatter of the wheels, the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves, and the slight vibration from my seat all lulled me into a drowsy state.
“Mmm. Ngh…!”
I spent the rest of the trip fighting off the urge to fall asleep, stretching occasionally to keep myself awake. Eventually, the carriage slowed, and it came to a full stop. We must have reached our destination.
The carriage door creaked open, and Hiyobah peeked inside.
“Mr. Allen, we have arrived at Lord Patriot’s mansion. Please watch your step.”
“Thank you.”
I stepped out of the vehicle to find an absurdly large mansion.
Wow… I’ve seen a lot of amazing mansions lately, but this is something else.
Patriot’s estate was an incredibly unique building with the most character of any place I’d ever seen. It consisted of three distinct parts: the left side, built with large logs; the middle part, made of concrete; and the right side, ornately constructed with bricks.
But that wasn’t all—the mansion was surrounded by a vibrant, flower-filled garden; large, majestic statues; a giant fountain decorated with distinct carvings; and more, all of which clearly conveyed the wealth of its owner. It was just as impressive as Rize’s stunning mansion in Drestia.
“Right this way, sir,” Hiyobah said.
Following her gaze, I saw a dignified set of double doors guarded by private soldiers on either side. The men bowed as soon as they saw me.
““Welcome, Mr. Allen Rodol!””
Without waiting for a response, they fluidly placed their hands on the heavy doors and pushed them open.
“““Welcome to Lord Patriot’s estate, Mr. Allen,””” said a group of maids lined up in the entrance hall, bowing with perfect coordination.
“Th-thanks…” I was so overwhelmed by the unusual sight, I bowed multiple times in response.
“Please follow me up this staircase, Mr. Allen,” Hiyobah said. “The master is waiting in the Phoenix Room on the top floor.”
I followed her up a spiral staircase to the second floor, then down a straight hallway followed by a downward slope that took us underground. Patriot’s mansion was like a labyrinth.
“I apologize for leading you through such a dizzying route,” Hiyobah said.
“Don’t worry about it. You have to prioritize security,” I said.
Powerful members of society intentionally gave their homes confusing layouts to make them difficult for invaders to navigate. That was something I had learned from the various mansions and castles I’d recently visited.
Hiyobah led me through the mansion in all directions until we finally reached the Phoenix Room on the top floor.
“Okay, Mr. Allen. This is where I leave you,” Hiyobah said, bowing deeply.
“Thank you very much for guiding me here,” I replied.
I turned toward the doors before me. Patriot Bolnard is in that room… I let out a shallow breath to calm myself. Okay, let’s do this.
I knocked three times, and a kind voice called out, “Come in.”
I opened the door to find a room furnished with unimaginable luxury. A crimson carpet decorated generously with gold covered the floor, and a magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling. There were imposing statues, pots carved with unique patterns, and famous landscape paintings. The room had no sense of style or cohesion; it was simply jammed with as many valuable things as possible.
At the far end of the room, standing before a large window that offered a full view of Aurest, was a man whose fancy clothes clearly announced him as a noble. A pair of men, presumably butlers, stood on either side of him.
“Ah, Allen Rodol. It is a pleasure to meet you,” the man said. He smiled softly and walked toward me. “I’m Patriot Bolnard, but please, just call me Patriot.”
Patriot Bolnard was 175 centimeters tall and of medium build, with long, milky-white hair curled into ringlets on either side of his face. I guessed his age to be around fifty. His most defining features were his drooping eyes and magnificent white beard, and he wore an eye-catching dark red noble’s outfit with gold embroidery.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said.
We shared a friendly handshake. Then Patriot continued.
“Thank you for agreeing to come all the way here when it is I who should have gone to you.”
“No, I should be thanking you for hosting me on such short notice.”
“Think nothing of it. I am the one who imposed on you first… Anyway, what are we standing around for? Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
I followed Patriot’s gaze to a sofa for guests, where I sat down. Wow, this is crazy comfortable. What’s it made out of? The sofa was so fluffy that it was hard to imagine it was made of any worldly material, yet it was also firm enough to offer proper support. Considering its elite comfort and stability, it had to be one of the most expensive sofas money could buy.
“There we go,” Patriot said as he sat down across from me on the other side of a table. Once he was comfortable, he addressed the butlers behind him. “Could we get some drinks?”
“Of course, my lord.”
One of the butlers bowed elegantly and placed a menu on the table.
“Choose whatever you’d like, Allen,” Patriot offered.
“Thank you,” I said, reading the menu.
Tea Fastflash Oltagreim
Luminosity (Produced in Inzas, F.D.P.)
Alfredopatie Dinbrangold
Lacott Dolmonyu
Doltearno Possobita (Bolnard Special)
…What language is this? The words on the menu sounded like evil curses. They were probably the names of drinks, but I wasn’t nearly sophisticated enough to know what they were.
“Umm… Could I just have some water?” I asked.
“Very good. Lord Patriot?”
“I’ll have the usual.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The butler bowed and gracefully left the room.
“I didn’t expect you to order water, Allen… Are you watching your calories?” Patriot asked.
“Uh, something like that,” I responded evasively. Telling him I hadn’t been able to read the menu wasn’t an option.