The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 88: The Reward

The next day at 10:30 AM, Baron Brignell met with Lumian on the second floor of the Breezewind Ballroom.

Lumian was dressed very simply today, wearing a linen shirt paired with a black vest and brown trousers, with his sleeves rolled up above his elbows. He also wore a wide-brimmed brownish hat, giving him a casual yet rough appearance.

Baron Brignell scrutinized him for a few seconds without saying much, only reminding him, "When you meet the boss, speak as little as possible."

"Alright." Lumian raised his hand and pressed the brim of his hat.

This time, Baron Brignell didn't bring Louis and the others. He led Lumian downstairs and into a four-seater carriage that had been waiting at the door. In less than two quarters of an hour, the carriage turned into the Memorial District and stopped on a relatively quiet street. The area was elevated compared to its surroundings, and the houses were all detached villas, predominantly in white, beige, and gray-blue hues, with lawns in front, gardens at the back, and iron fences with spikes around the perimeter.

Lumian glanced at the street sign and noticed that this was "Springwater Street."

Baron Brignell led Lumian to No. 11 Springwater Street and pulled a rope hanging next to the iron gate. Shortly after, a servant with a noticeable Southern Continent lineage walked over and opened the gate.

"Mr. Martin is waiting for you in the study," said the dark-skinned servant with a slight arrogance, giving Baron Brignell and Lumian no time to respond before turning around and walking onto a cement road that ran between two green lawns, wide enough for three carriages to pass side by side.

After crossing the lawn, Lumian and Baron Brignell arrived at the three-story villa, which was a shade of off-white. The front door was already open, and a man dressed as a butler in a black suit with a dark bow tie was waiting there.

Baron Brignell quickened his pace and said with a smile, "Good morning, Faustino."

"Good morning, Brignell," responded Faustino, who appeared to be in his fifties, with a smile.

"This is Mr. Martin's butler, Mr. Faustino." Baron Brignell introduced him to Lumian, who greeted the butler normally and did not act out of the ordinary.

Faustino nodded slightly without saying much and led them through a grand hall adorned with a luxurious crystal chandelier that could be used as a ballroom. They entered a room filled with bookshelves. Along the way, Lumian observed the environment and noticed that in addition to various oil paintings on the walls, there were also single-handed swords, two-handed greatswords, maces, spears, and short bows. Where vases or sculptures would typically be placed on half-height wooden pedestals, they were occupied by silver-white full armor, stirrups, and chest plates.

A fervent lover of cold weapons? Lumian retracted his gaze and followed them into the study.

Behind the desk, near the floor-to-ceiling window, stood a man nearly 1.8 meters tall. His hair was the most common black color seen in Intis, with a few strands of silver at the temples. He appeared to be in his early forties, with deep-set features and eyes that were slightly more reddish-brown than usual. The man's face was slightly fleshy but had well-defined contours, without obvious wrinkles, and his demeanor was fairly amiable, like a merchant who would smile before speaking. At the moment, he was dressed in a white shirt and black suit but without a tie or cravat.

"Good morning, Mr. Martin." Baron Brignell's expression became noticeably respectful.

After Lumian also greeted him, Gardner Martin smiled and remarked, "So young, huh?"