Throughout their journey, they would encounter assassins and during those times, Ezio learned to use his magic to fight. At first, he had a difficult time figuring out he could easily use his magic to fight but after several tries, he finally got a hang of it. Thus, the grueling journey amidst the rain that didn't show any signs of stopping, Ezio became a decent fighter.
Within five days of traveling, they were not yet halfway towards the center of the territory. They passed by several villages but whenever they tried to look for a place to stay within those villages, they were shunned. The people were not welcoming and would only give them a glare.
Cygnus got tired of it and decided that they shouldn't waste their time in trying to find a place to sleep. He then looked at Ezio and ordered him to summon a gate that connects with the Ginehart manor, specifically his room. That was how they survived every night and how they did not get hungry during the journey. Having a person who could use space magic was really convenient.
The seven days maximum that they promised became ten days until it took them exactly fifteen days to finally reach the entrance to the center of the territory. The weather has also calmed down a little bit, at least there was no rain the day they arrived. Several black carriages were also there to meet them together with Ulysses and Isaiah.
"You are finally here!" Ulysses couldn't be happier when he finally saw Rigel's face. He went up to the young man and gave him a big hug. "It took you longer than expected."
He ended the hug but was still holding on to the master's shoulder while checking him from head to toe. He grinned then patted the master's shoulder a couple of times before letting him go. The duke also gave a nod towards Mr. C and Ezio.
"I'm happy to see that you arrived here safely," Isaiah also walked up to them.
His gaze then moved to the carriage behind them. It was badly beaten up and he could see some scratches on it that suspiciously looked like it came from a knife or sword but due to the mud sticking on the exterior he couldn't be sure. Ulysses also looked at the carriage and narrowed his eyes, it was really fortunate that they arrived safely.
"It's because those people are weak. They might have thought that they could kill me. Well, they are dreaming there are no people in this world who can kill me." Cygnus chuckled then shook his head and he even spread out his arms to show them that he was fine.
"Alright, let's get out of here first and talk once we reach the manor." Ulysses nodded and pulled him instead towards one of the carriages that was waiting for them. The butler and Ezio followed behind closely.
It took them thirty minutes to finally reach the manor where the servants and the manor's butler were there to welcome them. Cygnus stared at the structure in front of him and suddenly a feeling of déjà vu occurred to him. He felt like he was standing in one of those Greek structures because of the columns that lined the manor's front porch.
It was not a part of the main structure but these columns were surrounding the manor. He then felt that there was something faint on those high rising posts. He walked forward and noticed that there was a thin barrier in between those columns but the people around him seem to not notice it. He looked at Isaiah but he was acting normal like he did not notice anything.
"What's the matter?" Ulysses looked back and saw that the master was lagging behind. He looked like he was in a daze while staring at the columns around the manor.
Cygnus shook his head, "It's nothing to worry about. I just felt that this whole place gives off an ancient vibe."
Ulysses looked around but couldn't figure out what his son was talking about. They then heard a voice from not far away who answered the statement. "Indeed, this place is ancient. Even the manor was built on the foundations that were left there when they first discovered this place."
Cygnus stared at Duke Galahad who came out to meet them. "Isn't that ominous? You built a manor in a place with an ancient structure with it? Do you even know what sort of building would be built inside this wall of columns?"
Galahad smiled, "My ancestors didn't know. They just knew that it was a good place to build a house. Later on, they discovered that the whole place was actually cursed and that it was an altar of some sorts. They then performed a purification rite around the manor and purged all the evil spirits but something beyond their power appeared and all they could do was seal it."
The people who heard the story shuddered because of how portentous that statement was. Nobody needed to tell them where that evil spirit was sealed because they already knew where. Cygnus grinned and stretched his hands.
"Truly ominous. I don't understand why you still live in this kind of house?" He walked towards them as they all went inside.
Although the outside felt gloomy, the inside of the manor was warm and welcoming. Even the food that they served made the master's appetite increase. With the feast presented for them, one would think that the territory was not suffering from lack of supply.
"Does this place have any scenic spots I could visit?" Cygnus asked after eating two pieces of bread.
"Yes, I'll let one of the servants go with you when the weather gets a little bit better," Galahad nodded.
He watched as his nephew did not stop from picking up the treats on the table and putting them in his mouth. He looked at Ulysses and the man only shrugged his shoulders. This was the first time that he had truly sat down with this nephew so his opinion about him only came from those short interactions they had in the past.
"Oh, by the way, on our way here, we encountered several assassins and upon investigation we learned that they were sent by someone from your council," Cygnus exclaimed after he remembered their journey. "Did something happen? I am honestly confused as to why your council would want me dead."
Galahad's jaws tensed as he placed one of his hands on the arm of the chair he was sitting from and used it to rub his head. They were really bold to even attack Ulysses's son. "I apologize. They lack any sense of crisis and right now I and your father are not in good terms with them."
"Then why are you letting them run around. If it were me, I would immediately punish them for insubordination," Cygnus sighed and looked at the man. "They don't deserve to live a happy life."
This straightforward answer shocked Galahad. He did not expect that something like that would come out of a young man's mouth. He once again looked at Ulysses in confusion but the man only raised his glass toward him.
"Hah, that was a bit unexpected. But you are right I should punish them for insubordination but the problem is I still need to know who is inciting them to go against me, so I can't do that yet," Galahad answered. The smile on his face did not disappear as he looked at this nephew with interest.
"Shall I do it for you, Duke Galahad? That is to find out the one controlling your council." Cygnus sat straight and leveled his gaze to that of the duke's.
"And what will you get from it?" Duke Galahad was starting to get amused because of the unusual topic they were having right now. This must be how he made a deal with his friend.
"Just a favor, so you don't have to worry," the master smiled.
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