The procedure at the gate was fast.
We handed over some ID, and the butler spoke a few words to the guards.
The gates opened soon after with a deep metallic groan, revealing the vast estate inside.
The butler turned back to us.
"Your residence has been prepared at the edge of the west wing," he said.
We followed him through paved paths surrounded by gardens that stretched in every direction.
I kept looking around, taking everything in. The estate was enormous.
Lamps lined both sides of the road, glowing with soft golden light.
In the distance, I could see towers and long halls, some glowing faintly from within, others dark and quiet.
Everything was neat, polished, and strangely peaceful for such a large place.
Even though it was already night, fountains were still running.
Sculptures stood between trimmed hedges shaped like animals and birds.
Further out, I could make out what looked like training fields and several smaller buildings that might be research halls or dorms.
