Inside the tense carriage, Zeun broke the quiet. His tone was composed, yet subtly defiant. "I appreciate your assistance, Mr. Mort. Let's proceed without delay." His words hung in the air, only intensifying the palpable tension between the two men.
The Lonely Mansion
As Zeun pushed open the heavy oaken door, its hinges groaning like tortured souls, he was met with a wave of stale air, thick with dust and the musty scent of age. Stepping inside, he felt a distinct shift from the crisp winter air to a stifling stillness. Dim moonlight barely pierced the gloom, casting long, distorted shadows that danced like phantoms on the walls.
Squinting in the darkness, Zeun instinctively reached for the hilt of his dagger, finding comfort in its familiar weight. The silence pressed in, broken only by the echo of his own nervous breaths. With hesitant steps, he ventured forward, each creaking floorboard adding to the eerie atmosphere.
As Zeun moved deeper into the mansion, its haunting grandeur revealed itself. Cobwebs draped from ornate cornices, and moth-eaten curtains whispered tales of forgotten grandeur. Scattered books lay open, their yellowed pages filled with cryptic symbols.
Suddenly, a faint rustling sound drew Zeun towards a dark corridor at the back of the room. Curiosity warring with caution, he took a tentative step towards the shadows, his hand tightening around the scroll in his satchel.
Zeun's gaze flickered with embarrassment as he noticed Mr. Mort's amused expression. He quickly looked away, feeling a flush of discomfort creeping up his neck. Despite the mockery in Mort's tone, Zeun pressed on with his inquiry, a hint of determination in his voice.
"Why is this mansion so eerily silent?"
"Didn't you ask the King for a mansion near either of the walls and with a peaceful atmosphere?" Mr. Mort replied, apparent mockery in his tone.
Zeun, undeterred, continued, "Still, I feel something different in this silence. As if a turmoil of mana..." He paused abruptly, realizing his mistake in mentioning mana, a topic usually beyond the understanding of boys his age.
Mr. Mort, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow at Zeun's mention of mana, intrigued by the young man's unexpected insight. He prodded Zeun for an explanation, but when none came, Mort sighed inwardly, resigned to the fact that he wouldn't receive a satisfying response.
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Mort offered an explanation about the mansion's gloomy atmosphere, his demeanor betraying a mix of irritation and resignation.
"The atmosphere and mana here are gloomy because there's a graveyard downhill on the opposite side. This hill is actually an artificial one, created by the battles between Archmages, resulting in the loss of millions of lives around this place. It's the quietest area within the inner city walls. Due to the somber atmosphere, no one wants to stay in this mansion, but you'll find necessary goods marked downhill for your daily needs and necessities. It's just a kilometer away."
As Mr. Mort explained the eerie history of the mansion, Zeun's eyes widened with a mix of fascination and trepidation. His heart raced with excitement at the thought of unraveling such a mysterious past, but a shiver of fear ran down his spine as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. His mind raced with questions, trying to comprehend the magnitude of the battles that had taken place and the sheer number of lives lost.
Zeun's chest swelled with determination, and he straightened his posture, trying to emulate the confidence of those he admired. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, a silent declaration of his resolve to one day wield such formidable power.
A group of people arrived not long after. "Who are they, Mort?" Zeun inquired.
"Sir Zeun, they are here for renovation," Mr. Mort politely replied.
With a nod, Zeun walked to the group and asked a maid to save any scraps of paper or books for him, hoping they'd hold clues about the mansion's past. She nodded and dashed back inside, leaving Zeun to rejoin Mr. Mort in the carriage.
They toured the city for the rest of the day before exiting the inner city walls.
As they arrived at the mansion near the slums, Zeun turned to Mr. Mort and said, "Thank you for accompanying me, Mr. Mort. I appreciate your assistance today."
Mr. Mort nodded, replying, "Of course, Master Zeun. It's my duty to ensure your safety and well-being."
Zeun smiled gratefully before continuing, "I have some business to attend to here. Please inform the King that I will be staying at my other house in the outer city for the time being."
Mr. Mort looked taken aback. "Are you sure, Master Zeun? The King has graciously offered you a place to stay in the castle until the renovation is complete."
Zeun shook his head. "I appreciate the King's offer, but I have someone to meet and unfinished work to do. I'll be fine at my other house." He reiterated, "Thank the King on my behalf, but I still have someone to meet with and also have some unfinished work to do."
Mr. Mort nodded, understanding Zeun's decision. "Very well, Master Zeun. I'll inform the King accordingly. Please take care."
With a final nod, Zeun made his way towards his other house, feeling grateful for Mr. Mort's support and determined to fulfill his obligations.