Proofread by Thomas F
Vennalina Merro
'Give him a chance,' Anna's words rang out in my mind as the small city came into view.
I'm nervous, but also excited about the new beginning and him.
Many times on the voyage, I had thought about whether I had made the right decision to accept the offer. Leaving everything I had built in Masal.
There I had a stable contract and thousands of loyal followers who would come to watch my every match.
Still, I felt like I was missing something. The feeling was even more intense since Max had left. I cursed myself for not listening to my heart and taking a chance, but I knew he wouldn't have accepted.
Getting out of the colosseum and making something of himself was his priority, not a relationship.
The ship stopped, and after a swift document check, I walked down the ramp. Only to see a man standing there, wearing a suit, like many people around me.
"This place seems to have turned you into a proper Zenidan," I said as I stopped in front of him.
"Of course, it's my new home. I have to embrace its customs and culture," he replied with a grin.
It's shocking how genuinely happy he looks. In Masal, he used to smile, but there was always sadness in it. Now that seemed to have completely disappeared.
"You look happy," I said, and the grin on his face softened. "I am, more than in a long time," he replied.
"Now that you are here, the little sadness that had been remaining in my heart disappeared as well," he said gently.
I felt embarrassed hearing that and wanted to look away, but I did not; I held his eyes, feeling my heart beating wildly.
"Come, there is so much I want to show you," he said, breaking the stare and walking toward the carriage. "Is there anything worthwhile to see here, other than legacy?" I asked as I followed him.
"You will be surprised," he replied with a grin.
Soon, we reached the carriage and stepped inside. A moment later, it moved.
"Those bastards, they delayed you quite a lot. I wish you could have come early with the rest," he said, and I sighed as well. I thought they would let me leave too, but they delayed me over technicalities.
"How are the others?" I asked. I had kept in touch with them, and they seemed to like it here.
"Good, they are enjoying it here, and a few of them are also training the others," he replied.
They don't have gladiators here in Zenid, at least not in the quantity and quality that we have in Oton.
Gladiator combat is more than just a fight—it is a thrilling performance designed to captivate those watching.
There is an art to it, and specific skills help.
It is even more important for the legacies because of the emotion harvest. The more exciting the battle, the more emotions a Legacy will harvest from people.
The carriage moved through the gate and entered the city.
I am surprised.
It's quite beautiful, orderly, with guards at every corner, but there seemed to be something strange about them. People did not maintain distance.
Some were even laughing and talking with them.
"I heard a few things," I said, turning back to him, with my expression serious.
"About the incoming attacks, I assume?" he asked, and I nodded. It is one of the things that made me question my decision to come here.
The instability in Harsoth makes the legacy a prime target, and I don't want to get caught in it. I am tired of it; it's why I left the army and became a gladiator.
"I won't say I am not worried, but I will say I am trusting Lord Silver to handle it," he said, and I couldn't help but be surprised.
He has difficulty with authority; he is very distrustful of them, and now he is saying he trusts the Lord to handle it.
I looked at him, and he just grinned.
"So, where is the legacy? I heard so much about it," I asked. "Look out of the window."
I looked at him with a question, but he just smiled. So, I turned back to the window, but didn't see anything until I remembered something and looked up.
"It can't be?" I asked, shocked. "It is."
"The area the legacy will cover in its power would be greater than even Masal," he continued, shocking me further.
Masal is massive, bigger than most arenas, and now he is telling me this young legacy will cover more area. The building is huge; it doesn't mean every part of it will be covered by its power.
I had read about this legacy when I got an offer from him.
When he rebuilt it for the first time, many floors were not covered by the legacy's power. It had only happened after it had advanced to Grade III.
"That means more than half of that tower is going to be covered in the power of legacy?" I asked.
"Most of it," he replied.
Hearing that, I couldn't help but sigh. Legacies, one can't measure them with common sense, and Velvet Garden is stranger than most legacies.
"The Colosseum, do you think it will work?" I asked. It is just the fighting that will happen there. He is not the first person to try it, and such things don't work as well as pure colosseums.
The smile on his face disappeared, and his expression became serious.
"To be honest, I had my doubts, but after hearing his vision and ideas, I came to believe it will work and work well," he replied, once more surprising me.
"The Nemoris, I knew, resisted authorities. You mocked the masters of the colosseum in the arena, but here, you seemed to have become a loyal dog."
The words are excessively harsh, but I have to say it, given the sudden change in his nature.
"You will understand it when you meet him," he replied with a smile, not getting angry at all at my sharp words.
"You mean Silver?" I asked, and he nodded.
"You know, what they say is right about masters. They are a different breed of people, so different from others."
I know he is talking about the first generation, rather than those who inherited the legacy. Each one of them who takes their legacy to the throne is an incredible figure.
A few minutes passed when suddenly an area opened. It was huge, with the massive tower covered in mist standing proudly right in the middle.
The carriage stopped at the entrance, but I barely glanced as I focused on the things around it.
A few seconds later, the carriage moved and entered its boundary. The moment it did, the mix of fragrances filled the air. There were hundreds of types, all different and amazing.
"I have heard about Silver planting the mist plants in a open massive area, but I did not dare to believe it," I said. He didn't say anything; he just smiled.
"Though why are these gardens elevated?" I asked. It isn't just the garden, but the space where buildings are seems to be elevated as well.
No, not elevated. They have just dug out the massive area, so the gardens and the space around the buildings seem elevated.
"They dug so much. Wouldn't it have been efficient if they had just elevated the spaces?" I asked. "There is a reason for it," he replied, and I arched my brow; he just smiled.
Soon the carriage stopped, and we stepped out.
As we did, I saw a beautiful woman in her early twenties standing there. She had short, steely-blue hair; I was surprised to see it. I heard the women of Zenid are more traditional.
"Chief, Miss Merro," she greeted, with a soft but clear voice.
"Venna, this is Breve Halver, my deputy," he introduced. I felt a flash of envy for a moment, before crushing those emotions.
I nodded to the woman. I wanted to get a feel for her, her class, her level, but I felt nothing. Which is strange, seeing as with my level, I could get a feel for others, even those specific skills.
The only thing I could tell about her is that she is not at my level or above.
It's not because of my feelings, but because people at my level have a certain confidence. That doesn't mean she is weak; they made her Max's deputy, which means this woman is likely high-level.
"Miss Merro, Lady Carla had granted you a residence in the Sylvan Grove."
"If you wish to live in the city, that can be arranged as well," she said, but I barely listened. Seeing the shock appear on Max's face at the first sentence.
"Is that grove special or something?" I asked, and he nodded.
"It's a special designated area in the garden that is surrounded by trees that we got from the hidden city," replied the woman, which brought more questions.
"The very rare trees, they got from the Elder Enclave," he explained.
I felt stunned.
"The grove is a place where the most important guests of the dominion and Velvet Garden stay." He replied.
It took me a few seconds, but soon, a smile appeared on my face.
"It's been only a few months, but you've built enough relations to have me stay in an important place like that," I said. He knows I like quiet places; I couldn't help but feel grateful for it.
My thoughts broke away from his laughter. It isn't just that he laughed, but also the woman.
"I wish, but I did not have such influence." He replied, shaking his head.
"What is happening?" I asked, my voice turning a little harsher. Since earlier, I felt like I was missing out. Something he was not telling me, but now I am sure.
"It's Lady Raak who asked Lady Carla to arrange it for you," replied the beautiful woman.
"Max, please don't test my patience," I warned, as I didn't understand what the hell the woman was talking about.
He looked at me and sighed.
"I believe, that Anna had sent something for me?" he asked.
"First tell me, what is happening," I demanded. "You will know, but give me the thing first," he said, and I looked at him, but he said nothing.
I glared, but a moment later, took out the wooden box that Anna gave me.
He took it and opened it. Inside were letters. He looked through them before taking out one letter, then handing the box to the short-haired woman.
As she took it, it disappeared before I could even do anything. I looked back at him, but he said nothing and handed me an envelope.
I took it and saw my name on it.
I looked at me, but he remained quiet. I sighed in anger, tore open the envelope, and took out the letter.
My dear friend, Venna,
I hope you have reached Greltheaven safely and that you have joined Max.
I am glad you made the decision to go—not only for your own heart, but for mine as well.
I have never asked you for anything before, but now I ask you, plead with you. Please, help my son. I would be forever grateful to you for it, my dear friend.
Anna.
"Is Heron here? Is he in danger?" I asked, worriedly forgetting the questions I had in my mind, the ones that the letter didn't answer.
I babysat that kid and his sister.
The only thing Anna told me about them was that she sent them with Emer to a safe place.
"Yes, he is here and Josephine as well, but she is not talking about him," he said. This time, I got furious because I felt I was missing something obvious that connected it all.
He smiled, and I nearly punched him hard, but controlled myself.
"Anna's real name is Esa Raak, and Lord Silver is her son, the elder brother of Heron and Josephine." He stated.
The shock staggered me.
I had expected many things, but not this, and didn't dare to believe it.
"I didn't believe it either until I met Heron and Josephine . Speaking of them, they are excited to see you and will come to meet you after Josephine's classes end at school," he added, while I remained stunned.
It took me a while before I could gather my emotions.
"So you coming here and getting this job?" I asked, connecting the dots, and he nodded.
"How else could a criminal like me get such an important job, in a powerful legacy like this?"
All I could do was nod. However, that brought another question to my mind.
"It's more complicated than you are thinking," he replied, knowing what I was about to ask. I wanted him to explain, but he simply nodded; this is not a place to ask.
"Do you want to rest or see the place you will fight? It's not completely ready yet, but let me tell you, it will completely blow your mind." He asked; he sounded excited.
I was tired after days of travel, but I couldn't help but nod, seeing his excitement.
"Lead the way," I replied, and he grinned, leading me toward the massive tower.