On the other side of the Ipsix Continent, Ashil and Vashil arrived at the outskirts of Haze Manor. The manor was a marvel of engineering, standing in stark contrast to the rigid architecture favored by the other members of the Ipsix Council. Eight spheres rotated in a rhythmic dance around a massive central sphere that hovered high in the clouds.
"Master Haze doesn't just build manors," Ashil whispered, his neck strained from looking up. "This is beyond imagination."
"Yeah, it's impressive," Vashil grunted, shielding his eyes from the sun. "But how do we actually get up there?"
Whoosh!
A sleek jet streaked across the sky, vanishing into one of the rotating spheres.
"By plane, it seems." Ashil tracked the jet's path with a faint smirk.
A moment later, the rhythmic thrum of rotors filled the air. A helicopter descended gracefully and touched down nearby. A man stepped out, his presence sharp and commanding. He had a powerful build, hair black as midnight, and eyes that glowed with the deep, crystalline red of rubies.
Ashil and Vashil snapped to attention, saluting in unison. "Good morning, Master Haze."
"Morning," Haze replied, his voice clipped and efficient. "What do you want?"
Ashil stepped forward and presented the orb entrusted to them by Honest. Haze took it, his gaze narrowing. As he focused, the ruby-red of his eyes bled into a void-like black. The orb began to pulse with a faint, rhythmic light.
Vashil nudged Ashil in the ribs. "His eyes are turning black," he hissed.
"Hush… Master Haze is likely tapping into the Law of the World," Ashil murmured back.
"I wonder what he's seeing," Vashil whispered, barely containing his excitement.
"Keep it down," Ashil replied, though his own heart was racing.
After a long silence, the darkness receded and Haze's eyes returned to their natural ruby hue. He scowled, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "That brat…" he muttered under his breath.
He thrust the orb back toward Ashil, his gaze suddenly piercing. "Brace yourselves."
Before they could ask why, Haze's eyes turned black once more. The orb erupted in blinding radiance. Ashil and Vashil felt their boots lift from the ground.
Vashil's eyes widened in wonder. "Wow, I'm actually floating!"
Ashil tightened his grip on the orb. "Is this one of Master Haze's unique abilities?"
"Opening the boundaries between worlds," Haze chanted softly.
A pillar of light erupted from the ground, piercing the Ipsix Atmosphere and reaching toward the stars. In a flash of brilliance, the light vanished—and Ashil and Vashil vanished with it.
Haze stared at the empty sky where the pillar had been. "Honest… why do you always insist on skating on thin ice?"
He turned back toward his helicopter, unaware that he had just sent the two envoys straight into the void of Leuliang Esculenta.
***
Back in Echo, at the Edelweiss Estate, Lena hummed to herself as she finished preparing the guest rooms.
"Everything is perfect," she said with a satisfied nod. "Time to fetch them."
She hurried to the drawing room, where Ron and Nox Eosvile were waiting. After a light knock, she skipped inside.
"Hello! I am Lena Delion, Lady Rhea's personal maid. It's a pleasure to meet you both!" she announced with a playful bow.
"I'm Ron Eosvile," the older brother replied, his calm demeanor masking the scars of survival.
"And I'm Nox, his brother," the younger one added, his boxing-honed instincts leaving him restless.
Ron's gaze anchored on the girl. A personal maid for Rhea? And the way she uses the title Lady… Is Rhea actually nobility?
"A maid has her own maid?" Nox blurted out, his impulsive nature overriding his manners.
Lena tilted her head. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"No, but maybe you can explain Rhea's status, then?" Nox pressed.
Lena glanced at Ron, who remained silent but observant. Then she gave a mischievous smile. "Hmm… how should I put this?"
"Come on, it's a simple yes or no," Nox grumbled.
"That," Lena said, offering a polite but firm bow, "is not information I share with people I've only just met." With a wink, she turned on her heel and left the room.
"What's her problem?" Nox huffed.
"Patience, Nox. Try it sometime."
"Why am I the one getting lectured?"
***
In the kitchen, Lena found Rhea staring at a bowl of porridge on the table.
"Lady Rhea? Why is the porridge still here?" Lena asked.
"I tried to take it to Master Lian's room," Rhea sighed, her voice soft with concern. "But there was no answer when I knocked."
"Maybe he's just asleep?"
Rhea looked at the steam rising from the bowl. "Perhaps."
"Oh! I met Sir Ron and Sir Nox," Lena added cheerfully. "I've finished their rooms."
"And?"
Lena paused, realization dawning on her face. "I… might have forgotten to tell them the rooms were ready."
Rhea rubbed her temples. "What happened in there, Lena?"
"I introduced myself, Sir Nox started complaining, so I just… left. But I bowed first!"
Rhea sighed, though her expression remained gentle. "Oh, dear… Please make some apple juice for Master Lian and put the porridge in the warmer. I'll inform them about the rooms myself."
Rhea returned to the drawing room and knocked softly.
"Come in," Nox called out, his voice tinged with irritation.
When Rhea entered, Nox's expression shifted from annoyance to a smirk as he glanced at Ron.
"I apologize for Lena's behavior," Rhea said sincerely. "She can be a bit… spirited."
"It's fine," Ron replied, casting a dry look at his brother. "We're used to dealing with impatient people."
"Hey! I see what you're doing, Ron," Nox grinned.
Rhea looked between them, concerned. "You two aren't fighting, are you?"
"No," Ron said quickly, his composed mask slipping for a moment. "Just stating facts."
Nox let out an exaggerated cough. Ron glared at him, but Nox only smiled wider.
Rhea hesitated. "Are you sure nothing's going on?"
Ron ignored Nox and turned to her. "Rhea… are you a noble?"
"No," she answered immediately.
"Then why does Lena call you Lady?" Nox asked.
Rhea's expression softened into a warm, nostalgic smile. "A lot has happened between Lena and me. It's a long story."
The warmth in her voice filled the room, making the cold edges of the estate feel a little more like home.
"What do you mean by 'a lot'?" Ron pressed, his protective instincts never fully at rest.
"If time allows, I'll tell you," Rhea promised gently. "But not today. Your rooms are ready."
Ron nodded. "Thank you."
"Will you show us the way?" Nox asked, grinning at Ron.
Rhea looked at them both. "Of course."
Ron smiled politely at Rhea, but his face darkened as his gaze shifted to his brother.
They followed her to the left wing of the Edelweiss Estate. At the corridor, Rhea gestured toward the opposite side of the manor. "Master Lian is in the right wing."
"How is he?" Nox asked, his tone losing its playfulness.
"Still sleeping, it seems."
Nox nodded and entered his room, leaving Ron and Rhea alone in the hall.
"Is there something else, Sir Ron?"
"Why are our rooms so far from Lian's?"
"Would you have been comfortable if I'd placed you right next to him?"
"A bodyguard like me doesn't care about comfort."
"I just wanted to give Master Lian—and both of you—some space."
Ron studied her for a long moment. "Do you think Lian still needs us?"
"That," Rhea replied, "is a question only Master Lian can answer."
Ron offered a thin, rare smile. "Thank you."
As Rhea walked away, Ron watched her go before entering his room.
Rhea… you pay far too much attention to the little things.
To be continued…