"That's great! So, what do we do next?" Marcus was genuinely happy for Ezreal. This trip to the mountains seemed to have achieved all its objectives at this point.
"We'll stay a bit longer at the Alfred Family's old grounds. I need some time and resources to strengthen my Summoned Beast," Ezreal said with a smile.
He waved his hand, throwing out a ball of white energy. This white energy slowly rotated, gradually expanding and growing, turning into a man-high white energy vortex that stopped in front of him.
"In these mountains, there are some magical beasts that are very compatible with my Summoned Beast. Coming here, besides the dragon scale magic-sealing stone, these magical beasts are also my targets."
Three Crimson Feathered Demon Wolves emerged from the portal. Ezreal and the other two deftly swung themselves onto the wolves.
"If there are no problems, let's go!" Ezreal nodded to the two of them, and then the three giant wolves dashed off, heading deeper into the forest… to the Alfred Family Estate!
As far as the eye could see, there were white buildings, and under the sunlight, the entire palace appeared exceptionally bright.
Even though several hundred years had passed, it still looked very clean and tidy here.
Ezreal recalled the magical wolves, and the three of them walked along the main path of the palace towards its depths.
"This place looks very suitable for someone with a 潔癖 to live; it just looks clean," Cana said genuinely, looking at the pristine white magic-sealing stone buildings around them.
The entire Alfred Family palace, all the building materials, were made of high-purity, flawless magic-sealing stone.
Aside from the dust and fallen leaves accumulated over time, almost no other colors could be seen.
Rather than a palace, it looked more like a temple.
The dust added a sense of historical weight to the palace.
Footsteps echoed in the vast palace.
The three walking within it felt a sense of sacred solemnity wash over them.
"It looks very clean here; there seem to be traces of someone having cleaned it."
Marcus carefully surveyed his surroundings. Although there was a lot of dust and dead leaves, it definitely didn't look like centuries of accumulation.
Judging by the amount of dust, it had been at most a year.
This meant that someone had definitely been here.
"Ez…" Marcus frowned, looking at Ezreal.
Cana also looked at Ezreal. Like Marcus, it was her first time here.
Ezreal, however, had already explored the place several times using his Summoned Beast.
"The Alfred's retainers come back to clean periodically," Ezreal knew Marcus's concerns and began to explain.
"I arranged for my Summoned Beast to scour the entire ruins and found the Alfred Family's treasury, cemetery, and a thick volume of family history in the study."
"It detailed everything about the Alfred Family, with the vast majority being Alfred's biography."
"Alfred is a surname; his given name was Peacock. He chose it himself."
"He had a resolute and brave character, and was sincere to others."
"He was of common birth, naturally unable to practice magic, but all magic cast upon him had no effect. It was a rare physique."
"Moreover, this physique greatly enhanced his physical body. Alfred therefore diligently practiced combat techniques and swordplay. For the first twenty years, he sought out famous masters, and with astonishing talent and his own hard work, his swordplay reached mastery after he turned thirty."
"Thereafter, he opened a school to teach disciples among the common people. He was humble and low-key, and highly respected among the populace."
"A few years later, the Faramir Empire was invaded by an enemy nation. Alfred was invited to become a swordplay instructor for the army, and his reputation soared."
"As the intensity of the war increased, the city where Alfred was stationed was about to fall, and his students fell one after another."
"Alfred, with his sword, charged alone into the besieging soldiers."
"With his astonishing swordplay and magic-immune body, Alfred was invincible."
"He fought for a day and a night, holding the city, and single-handedly held out until reinforcements arrived."
"After this battle, Alfred's name spread throughout the world. The emperor at the time, overcoming all opposition, bestowed upon him noble status and personally invited him to teach swordplay to the imperial family, including the emperor himself."
"From then on, Alfred embarked on a life of loyal service to his country, becoming the sharpest sword of the empire."
"Alfred had great charisma. He treated soldiers like his own disciples, was approachable, and didn't care about their origins. He gained many followers during the war, most of whom were commoners or former slaves. These people later became his retainers."
"Alfred named himself Peacock and named his retainers after birds."
"Thus, these retainers were known as the Hundred Birds Retainers."
"After the last descendant of the Alfred Family died on the battlefield, the relatives and descendants of these retainers continued to live here for a period, voluntarily guarding the Alfred Family's tombs."
"As time passed, these retainers gradually left here for their livelihoods, but they would return periodically each year to sweep the Alfred Family's tombs."
"While searching for the dragon scale magic-sealing stone, I discovered the Alfred Family's cemetery. It was very clean, and there were withered bouquets in front of each tombstone."
"Judging by the time, around this time last year, descendants of the retainers should have come here to sweep the tombs."
Marcus and Cana both looked surprised after hearing the explanation.
After several hundred years, with all the changes in the world, these retainers would still arrange for their descendants to travel through the dangerous Asgard Mountains to sweep the tomb of their former patriarch.
That wasn't one or two years, but several hundred years.
Since the fall of the Faramir Empire, over four hundred years had passed.
Such a long river of time had not been able to sever the bond between master and servant; it was truly unimaginable.
"This is the Asgard Mountains. Even we find the magical beasts here difficult to deal with. How did his retainers manage to come sweep the tombs every year?" Marcus was touched yet surprised.
"During his lifetime, Alfred Peacock took every retainer as a disciple, diligently teaching them swordplay. Even those with lesser talent, under his guidance, possessed astonishing sword skills unimaginable to ordinary people."
"Although these individuals did not have Alfred's special physique and could not unleash the swordplay to its fullest, many of them possessed magical talent. By combining swordplay with magic, they forged their own paths."
"Many of these individuals inherited Alfred's dying wish, choosing to serve their country loyally, and once shone brightly on the battlefield. Unfortunately, the Faramir Empire at that time was already beyond salvation and destined to fall, and many retainers died in the war."
"After the empire's demise, the surviving descendants of the retainers scattered."
"Every retainer knew the way back to the Alfred Family."
"This family ruin is actually very easy to find; traveling about 1,800 kilometers along the Central River will get you pretty close. If you take a boat, it's very fast and can avoid many magical beasts."
"These retainer descendants possess Alfred's swordplay. As long as the magical beasts in the water are not S-rank, dealing with them is not difficult for those who dare to come and sweep the tombs." Ezreal finished his explanation, and the three of them had just arrived at the Alfred Family's cemetery.
Large white tombstones stood on the ground, and in front of each tombstone lay a fresh bouquet of flowers. The autumn wind blew, carrying many withered leaves that danced around their feet, making a rustling sound.