Outside, the sun hung high in a clear blue sky, its light spreading warmly across the vast estate.
The mansion stood proudly at the center of the land. Built from pale ivory stone, the structure rose several stories high, its walls lined with tall windows framed in polished marble. Elegant balconies stretched outward from the upper floors, their railings shaped from dark iron twisted into delicate floral patterns. The rooflines curved gracefully, layered with deep green tiles that shimmered softly under the sunlight.
Yet the mansion itself was only a small part of what filled the enormous grounds. Surrounding it was a garden so large it could easily rival the size of a small village.
Wide stone pathways wound through endless stretches of perfectly trimmed grass. Tall rows of flowering trees lined the paths, their branches heavy with blossoms of white, pink, and gold that swayed gently in the afternoon breeze. The air carried a faint fragrance from hundreds of carefully arranged flower beds, each one designed in intricate patterns that looked almost like colorful paintings spread across the land.
Several marble fountains were placed throughout the gardens. Clear water poured gracefully from sculpted statues—winged maidens, ancient warriors, and mythical beasts frozen in elegant poses. The water sparkled as it fell into crystal pools below, creating a peaceful, rhythmic sound that echoed across the grounds.
Further out stood small decorative pavilions with curved roofs supported by slender pillars. Silk curtains drifted lightly inside them, offering shade and rest to anyone who wandered through the gardens. Nearby, a quiet lake reflected the blue sky above, its surface broken only by the slow movement of white swans gliding across the water.
At the far edges of the land, tall hedges shaped into elaborate patterns formed natural corridors through the gardens. Beyond them, wide training fields stretched across the grass where practice dummies and weapon racks stood in neat rows.
Encircling everything was a massive stone wall. It towered high above the gardens, thick and unbroken, stretching across the entire estate. The stone blocks were polished smooth, each one carefully placed to form a barrier that no ordinary person could climb.
At the front of the estate stood an enormous metal gate, forged from thick black iron and reinforced with layers of engraved steel. The surface of the gate was decorated with detailed carvings of ancient crests and battle scenes.
Standing guard before the gate were several knights clad in polished armor. Each of them carried a long sword at their side and a heavy shield resting against their arm. Their helmets reflected the sunlight as they stood motionless, watching the road beyond the walls with sharp, disciplined eyes.
Inside the walls, the estate itself was divided into four grand building sections arranged around the central mansion.
To the eastern side stood a wide residential wing filled with long hallways and countless guest chambers. Tall windows covered its walls, while small stone terraces extended outward, each decorated with hanging flower baskets and polished lanterns.
On the western side stood the training complex. Large stone courtyards spread across that area, filled with weapon stands, archery targets, and practice arenas surrounded by wooden platforms where observers could watch sparring matches. Decorative statues of legendary warriors stood at the entrances, their stone blades pointing toward the sky.
Toward the northern side lay a magnificent hall complex. This area held large banquet chambers, meeting halls, and libraries. Massive doors carved from dark oak stood at every entrance, their surfaces etched with elegant patterns. Inside, grand chandeliers made from crystal hung from tall ceilings, casting shimmering light across polished marble floors.
The southern section held the garden halls and leisure pavilions. Here elegant gazebos stood beside flowing streams that connected several fountains. Stone bridges curved gently over the water, and rows of lanterns hung along the paths to illuminate the gardens once night arrived.
At the very center of all four sections stood the main mansion. Its towering structure overlooked the entire estate, surrounded by circular courtyards filled with statues, flower beds, and a grand central fountain where water surged high into the air before falling into a wide crystal basin.
From above, the entire estate looked less like a single residence and more like a small city
The long northern hall stretched ahead like an endless tunnel. Tall crystal chandeliers hung silently from the high ceiling, their countless prisms catching the dim glow of wall sconces and scattering fractured light across the polished marble floor below. Each faint step sent a quiet echo through the corridor, soft yet sharp enough to remind anyone that the silence here was delicate.
Two men moved through the hall with careful precision. Their boots were wrapped in thin strips of leather to muffle sound, and each step was placed on the balls of their feet with practiced control.
The first man was tall and lean, his broad shoulders hidden beneath a dark patched cloak. Short hair, already turning iron-gray near the temples, framed a face marked with old scars. The skin around them pulled tight whenever his expression hardened.
In his right hand, he held a longsword. The blade was already drawn, though he kept it lowered and angled away from his body so the steel wouldn't catch stray light from the torches. The weapon itself was simple but well-used. Its guard was nothing more than a straight iron crossbar, and the hilt was wrapped tightly in worn black cord.
Beside him walked a shorter man with a much leaner build. His body moved with quick, restless energy. His skin carried the deep color of sun-baked clay, and his dark hair had been tied into a loose knot behind his head. A few stray strands had escaped, falling along the sides of his sharp face.
His green eyes moved constantly, scanning every shadow and every corner they passed. In his left hand, he held a slender wand carved from pale ash wood. At its tip rested a small violet crystal that pulsed faintly once before going still again.
Thin silver runes had been etched carefully along the wand's length. A small leather pouch hung from his belt, and every time he shifted his weight it gave off the soft clink of glass vials tapping against each other.
The two men stopped near a wide archway. Pressing their backs against the cool marble wall, they remained still. The tall man tilted his head slightly, listening.
For a moment there was nothing but the faint sound of distant water flowing from the garden fountains outside and the occasional creak of the massive building settling into itself.
Then the tall man spoke first. His voice was rough and low, barely louder than a whisper.
"It was surprisingly easy to sneak in with our boss helping us."
The shorter man let out a quiet snort, tapping his wand once against his thigh.
"Man, this place is enormous," he muttered. "Feels like we're walking through a damn city that someone stuffed inside a house."
They began moving again, sliding along the corridor while keeping to the deeper shadows where the wall lights didn't fully reach.
Massive marble columns rose along both sides of the hall. Each pillar had been carved with twisting vines and faint human faces that seemed to watch from the stone, half-hidden in the dim light.
The tall man glanced sideways at his partner.
"Anyway… where are the children of those dukes?"
The shorter man's lips curled slightly, though it wasn't quite a smile.
"I think we're getting close."
His eyes flicked toward the halls ahead.
"And remember," he added quietly, "be careful. Once we kidnap them, we're getting paid an extreme amount."
They slipped past another archway, their footsteps barely whispering against the marble floor.
The shorter man looked upward toward the balcony that ran along the second level. It was empty.
The railings were made of dark iron twisted into elegant flower shapes, casting long shadows along the walls.
He frowned slightly.
"Why aren't there any guards around here?" he muttered. "Those dukes must be fools."
The tall man gave a small, dry chuckle. It carried no humor in it.
"Even if there were guards," he said calmly, "it wouldn't matter."
His grip on the sword tightened slightly.
"We're A-4 and A-5 rank."
His cold eyes looked forward down the corridor.
"Some guards won't be able to stop us."
The long corridor finally opened into a smaller antechamber.
The atmosphere there felt different from the shadowed hall behind them. A thick carpet covered the floor, soft enough that footsteps barely made a sound. Sunlight streamed in through a tall arched window on the far wall, cutting across the room in a wide golden beam. Within the light, tiny specks of dust drifted slowly through the air.
The larger man's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Huh… look. There's someone there."
Near the window stood a maid. She had been wiping down a polished marble pedestal placed beside the wall. The moment the men entered, she stopped her work and straightened her posture.
She was young and slender, dressed in a neatly pressed black uniform decorated with thin silver trim. A spotless white apron was tied tightly around her waist, the fabric stiff from careful starching.
Her dark brown hair had been pulled back into a precise bun at the back of her head, secured in place by a small silver pin shaped like a crescent moon.
Her skin was pale and smooth, and her sharp facial features gave her the quiet elegance of finely carved porcelain.
Her gray eyes were flat. Cold and emotionless. She turned to face the two men without showing the slightest hint of surprise.
The shorter man leaned slightly toward his companion and muttered under his breath.
"Pretty little thing." His lips curved slightly.
"Shame she's going to die now."
The taller man gave a faint grin.
"A maid, huh…"
His eyes slowly traveled over her.
"Maybe we can have some fun with her later."
The maid's gaze remained steady and calm. Unblinking. Then she spoke.
"Gentlemen…"
Her voice was soft, controlled, and perfectly level.
"Master Azrean and Lady Sumi are currently resting." She paused for only a moment before finishing.
"You are not allowed to go any further."