The Dreamer's POV

Miles away from the Lyma region…

A city stood, towering masses jutting from concrete substratum, and their peaks were spires that shimmered incandescence.

At the center of this city stood a palace of white marble and gold, distinguishing itself from others and contrasting the taller buildings around it with darker colors.

The palace was testament to the exorbitant expression of the Gloria family, the wealth they held, the mines, and the power at which they had at their grasp.

The palace even rivalled that of the King, Alphonse Wilhestein, and many nobles as pompous and stiff-necked as they were found it to be an affront to his majesty, and an affront to them, however wise and cunning as they were they knew better to keep their negative feelings to themselves, and instead wear the mask of amicability, the Gloria was one of the richest houses after all.

In this grandeur palace crafted out of man's greed and sacrifice, in a room, sat lord Markus Gloria, visibly frustrated, a little orb of red was in his right hand, clenched. He pondered. Though he had shunned Sarah off, he still thought her useful, he knew of her accomplishments and she had quite the experience in the nobles court, whatever mistakes and miscalculations she had made were excusable to an extent.

However, the orb was not responding, the magic artifact glowed with his touch indicating that it had been activated, but he got no reception, and this had been so for days now.

Though he had disrespected Sarah, he knew better that she wouldn't have thought to ignore him, at least not for days consecutively, her ego didn't drive her against logic, she wasn't stupid, and besides, a communication orb was one of the most useful tools to a noble.

The communication orb relayed messages over miles, having two or more people communicate at once, and in real time, on the premise that the one she equipped had gotten damaged, to think she wouldn't have found a replacement over such time was preposterous and ignoble, Sarah was far from those two words.

He let out a sigh, seeing again as he got no response.

"My Lord. You look worried, you have been checking your orb for days now, is anything the matter?" A tall man clad in thick red armour, wearing a greatsword that almost dragged on the ground surface. He had a face befitting those with experience with battles, those who have neared the precipice of life and death: A scar ridden face, ugly as they came, with a hole running through his cheek. If not for his polished atire and knightly demeanor, he would be mistaken for a lowly gladiator slave, fighting to extend his life and to fill his master's pockets.

However, this man, this knight commander, was one of the strongest in the southern kingdom. Sir Cloven Der Relac.

"Cloven, what do you think?"

"About what my lord?"

The nobleman frowned, drawing creases on his otherwise baby smooth face, which strangely hid his true age, many knew the Lord to have frequented the premises of the the king since his majesty was crowned king of the southern lands, the king had aged thirty years since then, the noble on the other hand looked to have only aged about five.

He sat on a sofa dressed with a carnivore beast fur, the beast's fangs jutting at an end of the sofa.

"Sarah Lyma, it's been over a week since I reached her, we need her and her resources. The Lyma region may be devasted by the siege to their city, but nevertheless, they produce of the best and skilled men in the kingdom, and in numbers, breeding like rabbits if you call it, food is plentiful after all.

"For some reason, she is not accepting my proposition to converse, I fear that she can't be relied upon, for good this time. I'll have to make a visit to the city myself."

"You should send an envoy first, to have them realize that you mean no harm and only hope to familiarize with the ruler."

"Yes, you're right about that. Though it doesn't help that none of our spies have made it back. Sarah did hint on things being unexpected, aside from the boy, the city, it seems, is recovering quite well, greatly beyond expectations."

"That's a good thing, the southern kingdom remains ever tenacious." Cloven said, his stiff scarred face made a little expression hinting on an attempt to smile."

"Yes, let's see this Lord Theo Lyma."

*******

It's been a week and two days since I had had my minions feed Sarah and her progeny, leaving no trace of the extended Lyma family–parasites I would prefer to call them.

I looked at Theo standing outside with shears in hand, doing some gardening on the lawn. The once burnt compound almost looked like an organized wilderness, beautiful plants of different kinds bloomed, beautifying the place, and siphoning any gloom that might have remained from the deaths of Seraphina and her parents.

It was a good thing, and I was glad Theo was happy.

He and a few gardeners had tried their best with planting various trees, and I may have helped a little with a one time growth potion I had gotten from shop.

It was a low level one since I had no intention of making my input seem obvious, and I was hoping that that would be the case, but it wasn't, and in about two weeks, trees sprouted and a beautiful garden bloomed around the mansion.

My eyes shifted to their corners as I made out Black materializing behind me.

"My lord."

"Found another?" I asked, without sparing a glance, my attention was at little Theo for the moment.

"Yes, a young woman this time around, almost a child."

I smirked, 'Lord Markus is one shrewd man, sending kids to do his bidding.'

Unfortunately we won't tolerate spies, and their deaths ought not to be an issue since they were not supposed to be here in the first place.

"We will see the Lord soon enough. Theo seems ready, and I believe I have made Seraphina proud."

I released a sigh and made a mental note to try my new exclusive skills on Theo, he is the only native I can trust with my body, and maybe Drius.

<Dream Reading>

<Astral Projection>

<Dream Travel>

Peculiar skills, very fitting of my class. I turned to Black, when I noticed a blur heading towards the mansion and I turned to see one of the guards approaching Theo.

He knelt and spoke, and Theo suddenly stopped with his plants trimming once he dismissed the guard. I was tempted to go to their midst and listen to what was relayed, but I didn't. Theo was going to need to start solving his problems by himself henceforth.

I was in the parlour of the mansion, peeking through the windows, and Theo soon walked in.

"An envoy from the Gloria house is making their way here." He announced.

I turned to Black, a little surprised that I didn't get the information from it before the boy told me.

"Is that so? The nobles are smart. Whoever is first to acknowledge you stands a chance of making a better alliance with you. Let's see what the Lord has to say."

"Yes Luke, the guard stated that they were just by the city's gates. They'll be here soon." Theo said and smiled.

"I am excited and nervous, my first diplomatic meeting."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Remember all that I have taught you? Don't let anyone look down upon you. You're legitimately the Lord of this region, and this city. You're just as important as they are. Now go prepare."

The boy nodded to my words and went in to change his clothes, he had been on a light casual outfit, he needed to look like a lord.

In about twenty minutes, the envoy made their way to the mansion. A brown-skinned woman in a green dress accompanied by two unarmed guards–no foreign warrior could pass the gates armed regardless of their intentions, I was resolute with that proposition. There were just too many people with ill intentions wanting to capitalize on what had happened, and the new lord's age, and I wasn't going to let them.

They got down from their horses when they got to the gate, the group also accompanied by our city guards, and once Drius was certain that it was unlikely a funny business was up, he nodded, prompting a guard to allow the group in.

The envoy lady approached us with quick steps, pulling out a parchment that had a transparent purple insignia of the Gloria family, and handing it over to Theo with a little bow of respect.

Theo had been grilled with needed noble information, and he recognized the insignia of one of the most powerful families in the kingdom without issue, and read the contents of the letter.

"Lord Markus Gloria wants to pay a visit." He said aloud.

The envoy simply bowed as if to confirm his words.

"Ohhh, bold and quick. Quite expected from one as brilliant as he was." I tended not to throw compliments easily, Lord Markus Gloria was indeed brilliant even amongst the nobles, he was going to be a tough one.

'Sarah had been conspiring with him to take Theo's rightful spot, I wonder what he has to say.'

It has been days since things were interesting.