Chapter 262: Longtime no See
"Isn’t he the one the Main Family ordered everyone to treat as a Highline Noble?"
One of the guards spoke in a low but panicked voice.
His eyes remained fixed on Ezra as though he had just seen someone far above his station.
"The creator of the Phantom Rolls..."
Another guard swallowed before lowering his voice even more.
"So, he really knows the Young Lady?"
The third guard nodded repeatedly.
"The Young Lady bragged so many times that she was his subordinate."
He chuckled awkwardly.
"The Lord even thought it was strange that she kept speaking like that."
The senior guard immediately straightened his posture.
"Enough."
His voice became firm.
"Someone quickly inform the Young Lady that Sir Ezra has arrived."
"Yes, Sir!"
One of the younger guards immediately saluted before turning around.
His boots struck the stone pathway repeatedly as he sprinted toward the main mansion without daring to slow down.
Only after that did the senior guard respectfully bow toward Ezra.
"Please follow me, Sir."
He extended one arm toward the estate.
"I’ll escort you to the waiting room."
"As expected,"
Blake and Lucy whispered almost at the same time.
The two unconsciously looked toward one another before smiling.
Neither of them looked surprised anymore.
It was almost becoming normal for people to react this way after hearing Ezra’s name.
Gwen quietly rolled her eyes.
"My Young Master is becoming infected..."
She muttered softly to herself before following behind Blake.
Ezra had already begun walking.
Without saying another word, he followed behind the senior guard.
The others naturally followed after him.
Instead of leading them toward the main mansion...
The guard brought them to another elegant building standing a short distance away.
As they walked deeper into House Miles...
The difference between this estate and House Wellston became clearer.
Servants moved back and forth across the grounds carrying documents, polished boxes, and food crates.
Everything was organized.
Everything had a purpose.
The entire estate quietly reflected the wealth and influence of Velcryon’s strongest Baron House.
Not far away...
A large garage stretched across one side of the grounds.
Numerous steam carriages rested inside.
Each one occupied its own private garage room.
Further into the estate...
Several white doves peacefully wandered around an open field.
Snowy owls rested upon wooden stands near a beautifully crafted hut.
Beside it stood a polished barbecue grill surrounded by stone benches, making it look like a place where the family occasionally gathered together.
Nothing appeared extravagant.
Yet...
Everything quietly displayed wealth.
Finally...
The group stopped before a beautiful crystal building.
Rather than stone walls...
Almost the entire structure had been built from reinforced crystal glass.
Sunlight easily passed through every side, allowing anyone inside to enjoy the scenery outside.
Green fields.
Flower gardens.
The wandering birds.
Even the soft movement of servants could be seen from inside.
The building itself almost felt like part of the garden.
The senior guard gently opened the crystal door.
The moment everyone stepped inside...
A pleasant floral fragrance quietly greeted them.
It wasn’t overpowering.
Instead...
It carried a refreshing scent that naturally relaxed the mind.
Blake couldn’t help taking another breath.
"This..."
He quietly muttered.
"...smells amazing."
The waiting room itself looked luxurious without trying too hard.
Large couches covered in soft white fabric surrounded an elegant crystal table.
Against one wall rested a holographic television displaying calm scenery accompanied by quiet instrumental music.
The atmosphere immediately felt peaceful.
"This is our VIP waiting room."
The senior guard explained politely.
"It is reserved for our important guests of the family. Please make yourselves comfortable."
Ezra naturally walked toward the largest couch before calmly sitting down.
Blake chose the sofa beside him.
Lucy quietly moved behind Ezra, and Gwen took her usual place behind Blake.
The senior guard respectfully bowed once again.
"I’ll arrange for the maids to attend to you. Please relax and enjoy your stay."
After receiving a small nod from Ezra and Blake...
He quietly excused himself.
Lucy and Gwen both returned the bow before he left.
Silence briefly settled inside the room.
Blake slowly looked around.
His eyes wandered from the crystal walls...
To the holographic screen...
Then toward the expensive furniture surrounding them.
"...Wow."
He honestly couldn’t hide his amazement.
"It’s actually my first-time entering House Miles."
He laughed softly.
"I never imagined they were this incredible."
His shoulders gradually relaxed against the sofa.
Then...
His smile slowly faded.
"I almost feel pressured just sitting here."
He laughed awkwardly.
"Our families are both Baron class Nobles and are both facing problems...but mine is clearly suffering much more."
The words escaped naturally.
"Hm?"
Lucy blinked.
Ezra quietly looked toward Blake.
The two of them wore similar questioning expressions.
"...Eh?"
Blake blinked back.
He looked from Ezra...
To Lucy...
Then back again.
"Why are you both looking at me like that?"
Gwen quietly sighed.
"The Lord hasn’t explained our family’s full situation to them yet."
She calmly shook her head.
"And... I didn’t think it was appropriate for me to tell our guests."
She looked toward Blake.
"It would be better if either you...or the Lord explained everything."
Blake immediately nodded.
"Fair enough."
He understood her reasoning.
After thinking for a moment...
He turned toward Ezra.
"But then...Why exactly did you come here, Sir Ezra?"
Ezra answered immediately.
"I came here to gather information."
He remained seated comfortably.
"Specifically...information regarding House Orvain."
His black eyes calmly rested on Blake.
"House Miles and House Orvain are both Lowline Houses serving under House Ashenlocke. They must have maintained a close relationship for years. So...I believed House Miles would know something."
Blake slowly nodded.
"That’s actually true."
He scratched his cheek thoughtfully.
"Now that I think about it...it makes perfect sense."
Velcryon...
One of Metallica’s largest cities...
Stood close to one of Britannia’s most dangerous monster infested forests.
That forest housed nearly thirty different monster species.
Every so often...
Groups of monsters left the forest.
They attacked nearby small cities, towns and villages without warning.
Only Velcryon rarely experienced such disasters.
The reason...
Was because five Baron Houses continuously protected the region.
House Wellston.
House Orvain.
House Ulford.
House Korrick.
And...
The strongest among them all.
House Miles.
Together...
Those Baron Houses formed the defensive wall protecting not only Velcryon itself...
But also, the surrounding smaller cities and towns.
They invested enormous amounts of money into hiring Alchemists.
Purchasing weapons.
Strengthening defenses.
And maintaining the frontlines surrounding the Velc Forest.
After researching Velcryon’s history before coming here...
Ezra had already realized something.
Something didn’t add up.
If House Wellston truly owed House Orvain such an overwhelming amount...
Then this wasn’t simply a financial dispute.
It threatened the balance protecting the entire region.
If even one family stopped investing in the city’s defenses...
The consequences would spread far beyond a single Baron House.
Monster attacks would increase.
Trade routes would become dangerous.
Countless civilians could die.
Yet...
Neither the State Alchemists...
Nor nearby noble houses...
Had stepped in.
Which raised an even bigger question.
Why?
And...
How had the situation reached this point without anyone interfering?
Now...
After hearing Blake mention that House Wellston wasn’t the only family burdened by House Orvain...
Ezra became even more certain.
Something much larger was hiding beneath the surface.
"This is becoming much more serious, Master."
Lucy quietly spoke.
Her expression had also become more thoughtful.
"It is."
Ezra calmly agreed.
Just then...
"EZRAAAAAAAA!!"
A cheerful girl’s voice suddenly echoed throughout the waiting room.
Lucy blinked.
The voice sounded surprisingly familiar towards her Master.
But...
She had never heard anyone call her Master with such excitement before except for a certain Noble Lady.
And...
It was a girl’s voice.
Before she could react...
A purple hair figure slid across the polished floor before rushing through the open doorway.
"EZRA!!"
Gena happily spread both arms.
Without slowing down...
She lunged directly toward him.
Lucy’s mouth slowly opened.
She honestly thought Gena was about to crash into Ezra.
However...
Just before the hug connected...
Ezra quietly stood up.
He calmly took a single step to the side.
Gena completely missed her target.
Bam!
She landed face-first on the soft couch cushions.
The couch bounced slightly.
Gena quickly pushed herself upright.
Now kneeling on the couch...
She puffed out her cheeks.
"Why did you dodge?"
She complained.
Ezra calmly sat back down.
"I don’t do hugs, Gena."
His answer remained perfectly flat.
Gena simply laughed.
"Still as cold as ever."
She smiled brightly.
Ezra quietly observed her.
"You seem to be doing well."
"Obviously."
Gena proudly raised one arm.
"After returning home...I first ate every delicious meal I missed, then...My family took me on vacation in Ravenshire."
She happily smiled.
"I’ve finally grown back to my normal size again."
She proudly puffed out her chest.
"But you’ve been incredibly busy too, Ezra."
She leaned closer.
"From Lumithar...To Northwick...I watched everything. You handled your family’s situation with amazing precision during the Unveiling party, then the auction happened."
She sighed dramatically.
"I was honestly disappointed that I couldn’t attend your presentation at Ashenlocke Estate."
She shook her head.
"I’m just really happy to see you again. I honestly thought we’d never meet anymore. I even wanted to ask Lady Vera for your contact..."
She awkwardly laughed.
"But...I got too scared to ask her."
Lucy quietly stared.
...What is this feeling?
She blinked several times.
I thought Lady Vera was the only girl this close to Master...
There’s another one?
Without realizing it...
Her hand slowly reached toward her chest.
Something about watching Gena speak so naturally with Ezra made her heart feel strangely uncomfortable.
"Oh?"
Gena suddenly looked toward Lucy.
Recognition immediately appeared across her face.
"You..."
She pointed.
"You’re the girl who fought Ezra during the Seventh Trial. The one who lost."
Lucy immediately flinched.
Gena turned back toward Ezra.
A mischievous smile slowly appeared.
"So...You ended up getting yourself a maid."
She glanced at Lucy once more.
"And quite the beauty too."
She laughed teasingly.
"You’re one lucky guy."
"Enough, Gena."
Ezra calmly interrupted.
"I have something important to ask."
Almost at the same time...
Several maids entered.
Each of them pushed beautifully decorated trolleys filled with snacks and drinks.
Fresh pastries.
Cookies.
Tea.
Coffee.
Fruit juices.
Small cakes.
It resembled a buffet prepared solely for distinguished guests.
"Oh..."
Gena finally sat properly.
She rested both hands upon her knees.
"Then..."
She looked toward Blake and Gwen.
Only now did she properly notice the other two visitors.
"What are you doing here, Blake Wellston?"
She pointed at him.
Blake smiled brightly.
"I followed my idol here."
"My idol?"
Gena looked toward Ezra, then back toward Blake.
"So...You’re an Ezra fan too?"
She laughed happily.
"I never imagined a Wellston would become one of my comrades."
Blake proudly nodded.
"And I never imagined the daughter of House Miles would be such a true lady of culture."
Gwen quietly narrowed her eyes at Blake.
Lucy also narrowed hers toward Gena.
Clap.
Ezra lightly clapped his hands once.
The room immediately quieted.
"Can we return to reality now?"
He asked in the same flat tone.
Gena awkwardly laughed.
"Sorry about that, Ezra."
She rubbed both hands together.
The familiar feeling of the old Trial days quietly resurfaced in her heart.
Back then...
Ezra would often come to her whenever he wanted information.
It somehow felt nostalgic.
"So..."
She smiled.
"What exactly do you want to know?"
Ezra’s expression remained calm.
"It’s about House Miles...House Wellston...and House Orvain."
He looked directly at Gena.
"I want to know everything about the situation your family is currently facing...the debt House Wellston owes House Orvain...and everything you know about House Orvain itself."
His tone remained serious.
The cheerful atmosphere inside the waiting room quietly disappeared.
Even Gena’s smile gradually faded.
She now understood...
Ezra hadn’t come here simply to visit an old acquaintance.
He had come because he was already investigating something much larger.