The pair walked through the sprawling and vibrant lawn inside the estate where they saw several guests drinking and conversing with one another. Stewards expertly weaved through the crowd, holding plates of food and drinks and offering them to the guests.
Just the scene outside was so lively, one couldn't help but wonder in curiosity how everything looked like inside the manor.
On the way to the manor, the main butler enthusiastically explained the ongoings of the masquerade ball to the pair, but Adam was in no state of paying attention to him. He constantly surveyed the area, looking for any abnormalities.
Everyone invited to the gathering was a Magus, no doubt. What Adam was looking for was the particularly foul and vile aura that naturally radiated from the mbers of the Cult of Bones. It was hard to notice, but not for him.
He had deeply studied about this secret organization, their thod of operations, what to look out for in thier mbers, and even what sort of spells and techniques their mbers usually displayed.
Years of planning would finally lead him face-to-face with the real enemy that he had been after ever since he stepped foot into the city of Ravenfell—that is if his deductions were right and the Umbra Thieves, Red Fists, and the Cult really were tied to one another.
"Adam," Qamara suddenly called out to him.
"Yes?" The youth answered absentmindedly, still scanning his surroundings through the Sphere of Resonance.
"Have you t Viscount Duskfall before?"
"No," Adam replied succinctly.
Qamara frowned. She ca closer to the youth and spoke in a hushed tone, "Then why did that butler seem so excited at your arrival? It seed like he was expecting you."
Adam turned his head toward Qamara and faintly smiled, "Who knows? Maybe the Viscount is a fan of mine. Perhaps, he's heard about my potion-brewing skills? Or my artistic capabilities? Or maybe he just thinks I'm a splendid Magus, eh?"
Qamara couldn't help but scoff at that response, but a small smile crept on her lips. She was beginning to get used to Adam's antics, and as much as she didn't want to admit it, she liked it.
However, Adam was extrely tense at the mont despite displaying a laid-back attitude on the outside. He had to display that front and let the enemy know that he wasn't completely guarded.
Guided by the overly excited head butler, the pair climbed the grand staircase of the two-story manor and walked toward the main door. There were guests all around them, so entering the manor, others just drinking, smoking, and enjoying the fresh air outside.
Suddenly, there was a light commotion near the main door. Everyone turned to look in that direction and found that the hosts of the masquerade ball, Viscount and Viscountess Duskfall, had stepped out of thier manor.
They were dressed in lavish clothes and were wearing gem-studded half-masks like the majority of the guests at the party—the rest just wore plain masks.
With a champagne glass in hand, the brown-haired Viscount glanced at the man walking beside his head butler and smiled brilliantly. "Magus Constantine, you are finally here!"
His loud voice caught the attention of everyone standing nearby. Although the Viscount had personally welcod a few guests inside the manor, the passionate way with which he called out Adam was certainly eye-catching, making everyone wonder if the two were close friends.
Adam's heart started churning with mixed emotions and he suddenly had the urge to flee from here, leaving everything behind. He couldn't help but think to himself in alarm, Why is he acting this way?
What does he want from ?
What have these guys planned?
What's his motive?
Resisting the urge to dive into the rabbit hole of conspiracy that he had willingly stepped into, Adam smiled politely as he pressed his hand over his chest and lightly bowed. "It is an honor to et you, Viscount Duskfall."
"Oh, please!" Altan waved his hand dismissively. "Cast away the niceties, my old friend. How long has it been since we last t? A year and a half? Maybe two? Fern and I have missed you dearly."
With that said, he walked toward Adam and gave him a big hug in front of everyone. He laughed loudly while patting his back, reminiscing aloud about the days the youth would co to his manor for tea.
Adam's heart turned cold, but the smile on his face remained. He hugged the man back and exchanged greetings while thinking to himself, I see what you're doing…
In that short mont, he had already realized what the Duskfalls were planning to do by putting on such a show in front of everyone.
Trying to make an accomplice, eh? He thought to himself.
Adam then walked toward the lady of the house, Fern Duskfall. He kissed her hand like a gentleman and then greeted her. "You look lovely this evening, Lady Fern."
Fern's eyes flashed with a crafty glint and she lightly chuckled, "Well, it's all because of that potion and herbalism techniques you introduced to."
She put her arms around his arm and leaned against him with great familiarity. "I must say, all my friends are head over heels for that technique you showed . They cannot wait to et you!"
Adam simply smiled at her, but inwardly he had the urge to strangle her to death. Speaking in a tone that made it possible for everyone around them to hear, and acting so close to him made it obvious what she was trying to do.
Fern suddenly noticed Qamara standing beside Adam, glancing at her with a frosty look in her eyes. "Who might this be? Adam, won't you introduce her to us?"
Adam stepped away from Fern and then stood beside Qamara. He looked at her and smiled, "She's… a friend."
Altan and Fern exchanged glances with each other and then welcod Adam and Qamara with beaming smiles.
"Alright then! Follow inside. I must introduce you, the guest of honor, to everyone inside," Altan spoke enthusiastically as he led Adam and Qamara through the doors.
As soon as they stepped foot inside, Qamara lightly pulled Adam's sleeves and flatly said to him, "We need to talk."
Adam looked into her eyes and could see the seriousness in them. He then excused himself from the Duskfall couple and walked with Qamara to the nearest secluded corner.
"You're full of lies," Qamara imdiately spoke up when they stopped. "You said you didn't know the Viscount, but clearly you both are close friends. And that vixen… you seem even more close to her."
She paused for a mont, shaking her head. "Forget it. Where's Daneli and that mutual friend of yours? It's impolite to leave the event now, so I would much rather spend my ti with them."
Adam deeply looked at the elven woman standing before him. He could sense her emotions - anger, disappointnt, and a tinge of sorrow.
He reached out to her and gently grabbed her shoulders. "Qamara."
"W-What are you trying to do?" The elf spoke in a fluster seeing Adam up so close.
Adam ignored her and spoke with a deadpan expression, "Daneli is dead."
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