Chapter 42: Duke Ashcroft's Secrets

“I have a surprise for you, Sir Vito,” Michaelis, the Carpenters’ Association branch leader, announced. He was a large and hearty man who worked beside his workers rather than above them. They stood outside Springsgale Manor and oversaw the renovation preparations.

“Oh? Do tell,” Vito was amused. He didn’t expect a discount.

Michaelis’s smile widened. “The Artisans’ Association has generously offered to assist with repairs and renovations at no extra charge. Their sculptors, artists, and weavers will be here by tomorrow.”

Vito gave him a flat look. “Nothing in life is free, my friend.”

Michaelis shrugged. “Only a few S-Rank dungeons have been conquered and turned into bases. The craftsmen who worked to renovate those hallowed places have seen their names go down in history.”

Vito nodded. “That explains it. Just make sure they don’t push the people of Orinis out, and they follow Lady Ashcroft’s guidance.”

Michaelis laughed heartily. “Of course! They would use those tools against the artisans to stay here and continue their ancestors’ work.” He turned to Vito with a sly grin. “We will finish sooner than expected, and I believe time is of the essence for you.”

Vito smirked. “You’re well informed, sir. Keep it to yourself for now. It’s not over until it’s over.”

“That’s why I’m happy for the additional help. The faster you can talk to the king, the faster Orinis can breathe a sigh of relief.”

“Maybe,” he turned to face Michaelis. “Work with a priest of Ivalis to ensure the Ashcroft’s final resting place is restored and properly consecrated.”

The craftsman nodded. “Of course.”

Weeks marched on as the manor was slowly being restored. The Artisans’ Association seemed overly enthusiastic, but their presence would lend them credibility when Vito declared their conquest. He received regular reports from the capital. Things were quiet for the most part. Father Mertis and the Holy Church of Ivalis used the false accusation against Iris to increase their presence and pressure Renaudin’s allies into silence. It wouldn’t last forever, but it didn’t have to.

What would have taken months or years to complete on Earth was finished in a month. The carpenters and artisans were skilled in both their craft and magic. It was a sight to behold when they set each piece in place and restored walls and floors as though they had never been damaged.

Morgaine kept a stoic expression when she surveyed her family’s land. The forest was full of life thanks to Iris, Parsifal, and the newly arrived priests and priestesses from the Holy Church of Ivalis. They breathed new life into the forest and revived the crystal clear lake that rested within the heart of the forest. He installed a wide-range and powerful sacred ward array, but he kept it dormant not to harm Morgaine or her forces. Darkness and death were replaced by light and life, as Vito promised.

Vito and Morgaine walked side-by-side through the manor’s halls. A sweet fragrance wafted through the air, and beams of sunlight peered through the curtains. The Ashcroft family watched over them from their restored paintings. “Well? What do you think?” Vito asked her.

“It’s…nice. Father would have been pleased.” She spoke in a soft and longing voice. “He would have held a banquet to celebrate the finished construction. We must do so as well.”

“Consider it done. We’ll ask Levia and Lorafiel’s Rest to cater the event,” he promised her. “It might be a tall order since most of the village helped us. In a pinch, we can hold it in the village itself.”

A smile flashed across Morgaine’s face. “Good. You must adhere to our practices if you’re to take control of our home.” She walked ahead of him to hide her face.

“Of course,” he replied. “There’s something else I’d like to ask you, if it’s not too much trouble.”

Morgaine turned around, a curious look on her face. “Yes?”

Vito stepped closer to her. “I believe that the noble faction chose Orinis as the staging ground for the false attack so they could come here to your manor. Is there anything here that would interest them even a thousand years after the Ashcroft conspiracy?”

Morgaine narrowed her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but she changed her mind.

“No, it’s all right. You don’t have to dig into old wounds. I’ll find out after I interrogate them,” Vito quickly assured her.

She sighed and gathered her courage. “My father was deeply fascinated by ancient magic. He loved old stories and legends, and he especially enjoyed sharing them with my brothers and me. I always enjoyed hearing tales of floating islands and rainbow bridges.”

“He must have found something important,” Vito surmised. “Something powerful or valuable, enough to frame a nobleman and start a battle.”

She nodded to confirm. “Yes. He found many things during his adventures,” she revealed. “Springsgale Manor was originally constructed as a vacation home. However, when one of my father’s friends told Lord Renaudin about his adventures, my father decided to move everything here for safekeeping.”

“Renaudin? I killed a Lord Berold Renaudin some time ago.”

A small grin tugged at Morgaine’s lips. “It seems we have both felt the sting of the Renaudin family’s treachery.” She crossed her arms beneath her chest. “I cannot be certain as to what this noble faction wants, as I have not uncovered all of my father’s secrets.”

Vito was surprised. “Even with all of the renovations? I think we examined every stitch of wood and fabric here.”

Morgaine smiled with pride. “My father was very clever. That not even I could find them even after a thousand years is a testament to his brilliance.”

A thought occurred to her. “I have uncovered one, but I doubt the noble faction cares for it. I sealed it away ages ago, and it will take time to unseal. Please wait until then.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Morgaine smirked and put her finger to her lips. “It’s a secret. You can wait a while, can’t you?”

“Heh. I guess I’ll have to. I’ll leave you to this while I go prepare for the banquet.” He turned around and took his leave.

Morgaine’s smile faded as he turned a corner. “It didn’t work for me, but it may work for him. Right, Father?”