570 Qualitative Change
Within the spacious dining room on the first floor, a grand feast was being served by the maids and servants of the house.
The walls were adorned with vivid portraits that Adam had painted himself. So depicted scenes of arcane mythologies, while others displayed beautiful landscapes found across Acadia.
On one end of the room, a large wooden fireplace was positioned. anwhile, the entrance was at the dining room's other end.
The centerpiece of the room was an expansive oak dining table where a wide variety of food items were displayed. Furthermore, more were being brought in by the servants.
It was set with fine porcelain, silver cutlery, and crystal goblets, each arranged with ticulous precision. This simply went on to show just how diligent the workers of the manor were.
Above the table hung a grand chandelier, seemingly made out of bronze or brass. It had dozens of candles placed within, casting a warm glow over the room.
The air was filled with the scent of roasted at, fresh bread, and rich wines—personally brewed by Adam, of course—while a nearby musician playing the harpsichord completed the simple yet luxurious atmosphere.
Servants, dressed in neat attire, stood at attention along the walls, ready to attend to the needs of the guests present in the room.
Two figures, an elven man and a human woman, were sitting directly on either side of the head of the table, gracefully eating the appetizers on their plates.
"Didn't expect to see you here, Lady Flynn," said Daneli as he took a small sip of wine from the goblet.
He was wearing a light green robe and his blond hair was tied into a ponytail, with a few strands braided together.
I wanted to discuss with Adam about dealing with the Red Fists and the Cult of Bones, thought the elf.
Him inviting her here could only an one thing…
Elysande smiled politely. "Likewise, Lord Ambermind."
She paused for a mont before asking curiously, "If you don't mind my asking, how did you and Adam et?"
The woman had always been curious about how Adam and this elf, who hailed from one of the Four Great Clans of the Baja High Forest, got acquainted with one another.
Daneli, after all, was one of the more prominent aristocrats in the upper echelons of Ravenfell. Furthermore, his family held great influence in the Baja High Forest.
Daneli had a reminiscent look in his eyes as he said, "Our ntors are good friends. We t when , my sister, and my ntor visited the Southern Federation. Back then, we were still children."
"Ah, so childhood friends." Elysande nodded with a faint smile.
She then asked with a raised eyebrow, "I didn't know you had a sister, Lord Ambermind."
Daneli took another sip from the goblet before replying, "We're twins. She prefers to stay in the woods. Although she did visit Ravenfell when I'd first moved in here."
Elves favored woodlands over other terrains, though exceptions existed. Most elven communities were relatively small in size and blended easily with the natural landscapes.
They preferred secluded places of nature to the towns and cities of the civilized world, living in harmony with their natural surroundings.
Daneli raised his goblet, gesturing for the maid behind him to refill it. At the sa ti, he asked Elysande with a smirk, "I've heard about your exploits with Adam. I must say, you both have dealt a very severe blow to the Umbra Thieves."
Elysande deeply looked into the elf's eyes while maintaining a polite smile. "It's only fair, don't you think? They should pay for their cris."
Daneli nodded ever so slightly. "I can understand the motive of the Flynn Family in all this. But why is Adam involved?"
He paused for a brief mont, a sneer forming on his lips. "Could it be that you offered him a lot of gold in exchange for his help?"
The elf knew very well about Adam's deep love for money. So he couldn't help but take a jab.
Hearing him, Elysande lightly chuckled, "That is not the case at all. He wants retribution as well."
"Retribution?" Daneli's golden brows knitted together ever so slightly.
Elysande nodded. "After Adam was able to cure my father, the Umbra Thieves sent assassins after him. That's how we were able to learn who the real culprit was in the first place."
"Oh?" Daneli was slightly taken aback. Adam had never ntioned this to him, so he wasn't aware.
But he felt like this was in line with Adam's personality.
Although most of the ti the youth preferred to remain discreet, he would definitely turn everything upside down if it was for payback.
"That makes sense, I suppose," muttered the elf under his breath.
The next mont, he looked in the direction of the dining room's entrance and grumbled, "But why is he not here yet? How rude of him to make his guests wait."
15:58
While Daneli was complaining about Adam, Elysande was thinking to herself about why she had been called here along with the elf sitting in front of her.
I wanted to speak to him about the prisoners that I'd brought from Silverhorde, she thought.
But I didn't expect to et the Young Master of the Ambermind Clan here. There's no other choice, I suppose it'll have to wait.
A few monts later, the pair heard the sound of footsteps coming from outside the room. Before this person had even entered, his voice drifted inside.
"Sorry for making you two wait. It took longer than I expected to tidy up."
Daneli gazed in the direction of the door with an annoyed look. "Where are your manners? How can you make us wait for so long? It's already been more than thirty min—"
But the words got stuck in his throat.
Next, his eyes widened.
Then, his jaw dropped to the floor.
Along with the goblet in his hand.
A tall young man walked into the dining room. He was wearing loose, silk robes that highlighted his lean yet muscular physique.
His face was cleanly shaved and he had a head full of short and wavy raven hair. His facial features were plain at first sight—an ordinary nose, unremarkable cheekbones, and a square jawline that wasn't too sharp.
Yet, despite their simplicity, there was sothing undeniably handso about him. His skin had a fair and healthy tone. His deep black eyes, dark and calm, drew attention with their quiet intensity.
The youth's expression was relaxed, carrying a quiet confidence that enhanced his natural allure.
After the physical transformation Adam had undergone in the Sacred Waters of Lustrum, the overall balance of his appearance had beco quite captivating.
He took his seat at the head of the table. Then, he glanced at Daneli and Elysande with a faint smile.
"It's been a while, you two."
"WHO?!" Daneli shot from his chair, pointing his trembling finger at Adam. "Who the hell are you?!"
At the sa ti, Elysande had covered her mouth with her hand as she gazed at Adam with incredulous eyes. She was speechless!
It couldn't be helped, after all. Adam's transformation was just that drastic.
Although Adam put on a relaxed expression on his face, the flash of smugness couldn't be hidden in his eyes.
He looked at Daneli and smirked. "What's gotten into you, you pointy-eared bastard? Have you never seen a handso man before?"
Daneli's expression contorted and he seed like he was about to vomit blood. "You have the audacity to call yourself handso, you ugly swine? I'm asking you how do you look so young?"
Adam's lips twitched and he couldn't help but curse inwardly, This pretty bastard! No matter how many transformations I go through, there's no beating the natural beauty of elves.
The next mont, however, he smirked. Hmph, but I'm stronger than him. That's all that matters. Hehe!
"I had a fortuitous encounter," he said casually.
"Stop lying!" Daneli harrumphed. "There's no encounter that can reverse one's age so drastically. Well, not any that I've heard of."
Elysande nodded from the side. Truth be told, she was also extrely curious as to how Adam was able to change his appearance to such a degree.
Every woman dread of staying—or rather, looking—young, after all.
Seeing them react this way, Adam couldn't help but sigh helplessly.
Looks like I'll have to co up with a more believable lie, he thought.
Even he hadn't expected the Sacred Waters of Lustrum to have such a significant impact on his looks and physique.
Usually, a Potion of Longevity reduced the drinker's age by anywhere around ten to fifteen years. Moreover, the number decreased as the potion's consumption increased.
Adam had guessed that even if he did bathe in the miraculous waters, his age would only be reversed by a couple of years since it wasn't the complete potion but only an ingredient.
But contrary to what he believed, his age had actually reversed by a few more years instead. He assud it was sowhere around five to seven years!
The youth could only attribute this result to the fact that he had absorbed an enormous quantity of the Sacred Waters of Lustrum.
When quantity exceeded a certain threshold, it resulted in a qualitative change!
He then began weaving a false excuse, mixing in so truth here and there. Before either of his friends could follow up with a question, he asked them, "Aren't you guys curious as to why I called you here together?"
Daneli sat back down in his seat, promising himself that he would get to the bottom of Adam's miraculous transformation at a later ti.
He nodded with his arms crossed. "I have a vague idea."
anwhile, Elysande shook her head. "Why?"
Before Adam answered, he clapped his hands twice. At once, all the servants and maids left the dining room.
"Rowan, make sure no one enters," he said.
"By your command, my lord," ca a voice from outside the room, followed by the sound of doors shutting.
Adam then weaved a simple hand gesture, erecting a formless mana barrier in the dining room, making sure nothing spoken inside leaks out.
He looked at Elysande and spoke in a solemn tone, "Daneli and I believe that the Umbra Thieves is being backed by a secret society."
"Backed by a secret society?" Elysande's eyes narrowed.
This ti it was Daneli who answered, "Yes. It is an organization that we've been trying to trace for several years now."
"This organization," Elysande began with a grim tone. "What are they called?"
Adam looked at Daneli first. He saw the latter nodding at him.
Then, he looked at Elysande and spoke gravely.
"The Cult of Bones!"
Thanks for reading!
Esenel
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