Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Unlike yesterday, where Lucius was plagued with dreams about people he had killed in the past, it was a dreamless night.

Lucius awoke the next morning feeling more refreshed than ever and when he checked the window, at a more reasonable hour.

"I suppose Viscountess Blackshield cannot joke about me waking up late any longer." Lucius said to himself, not exactly amused and mostly just recounting what he needed to do for the day. "I promised her that I'll be taking her to the city."

Before he could muse some more on other tasks and events for the day, a knock disturbed him.

"Young Lord Asher? I have been asked to wake you up." Neta called out politely.

Even though the Count and Countess were more than willing to let Asher sleep in due to them knowing how exhausted the young man must have been after the trip to Etara's Cross and being lenient with him, the same couldn't be said for today.

While the Count and Countess were higher ranked than the Viscountess, it was also vital to be proper and on time as decorum.

Thus it was important to show up for breakfast, especially when they knew that Asher was to take the Viscountess around the city.

"I am awake. You may proceed to come in." Lucius replied.

It was usually Kiana who brought him the water basin for him to clean his eyes and face, but the duty seemed to have mostly passed on entirely to Neta.

The relationship between Neta and Lucius was perfunctory and the reason why the man served him now was mostly due to the fact that the servant did his job well enough and Kiana was the one who assigned him before.

Neta never made any unnecessary remarks and mostly kept his head down, but this morning, Neta cleared his throat.

"You were excellent yesterday on the spar, Young Lord Asher. I found myself in awe and was fortunate to have witnessed it."

Lucius raised a brow as he wiped his hands. He had heard this praise reiterated countless times since yesterday and at this point was already tired of it, but knew that it was said in an attempt to get on his good side.

'I didn't expect that he'd also try to ingratiate himself to me when he is already a servant in the Inanis household and it is a well-paying job, but it makes sense that there will be attempts to elevate himself from his current position. I suppose out of everyone in the household, he is next in line to Kiana in serving me.'

"Thank you." Lucius finally said.

'Unfortunately, I see no reason to indulge in this man's desires or ambition. His gift is of no particular use to me and his skills are not all that necessarily indispensable. The fact that he has the Mark of Obedience makes him already compliant, so there is nothing really much to worry about.'

***

When Lucius arrived at the dining hall, the Count, Countess and everyone was there already.

"Good morning, Asher. I am glad that you've woken up on time." Countess Lita looked a little ill, but kept a smile on her face. She was hungover from drinking too much with Viscountess Blackshield yesterday.

"You do not look particularly well, Mother," Lucius said.

"Your mother has overexerted herself with the drinking." The Count shook his head slightly.

"Indeed. Otherwise I would have loved to go with you and the Viscountess on your trip around the city today."

"Do not worry about that Countess Lita, please get some rest. And even if Young Lord Asher had failed to woken up on time today, I would have not minded," Viscountess Blackshield said before she turned to Asher. "I actually expected that you'd be exhausted beyond relief after our spar yesterday."

"Since I was able to retire early, I was able to recover fast. In fact, I have slept well," Lucius remarked.

"That is good. I am looking forward to where you'll take me today. Though I think I have some ideas where they may be."

"The main ones are quite obvious, but we will also take you to various places, Viscountess." Lucius said.

***

Once breakfast was done, the Viscountess, Lucius along with Kiana and several guards made their way out of the Inanis Mansion.

"Viscountess, since the Dionysia Brewery is not in the main part of the city, would you be alright going there first and then making our way to closer locations?" Lucius asked for her preferences.

"I have tasted and drank a lot of Humble Blaze yesterday and yet surprisingly, I am not at all opposed to seeing the brewery and getting more alcohol." The Viscountess Blackshield said with an amused smile. "It will be good to go there first."

"Alright. I have already asked Miss Alessa through Kiana beforehand for permission, so we will go ahead there." Lucius said with a nod.

Even though the Viscountess Blackshield seemed to be earnest and straightforward, it was still better to withhold as much information as possible.

"I am glad that they've agreed to such a request." Viscountess Blackshield murmured as they made their way to their destination. "I imagined that they would be a little reluctant in showing it since there might be competitors who wish to know their secrets."

"I think that they know well how to guard it, Viscountess," Lucius said. "And I am sure that it is also in the favor of Miss Alessa to establish good relations with those who wish to see the brewery."

"Ah, yes, the political side of things." Viscountess Blackshield's shoulders sagged a little, before she caught herself and then explained. "It is good that she is moving up, but I do find it exhausting even imagining all the necessary pleasantries and backforth that is required."

"Indeed." Lucius said.

"I hope that you do not get exhausted. I know that there are some that enjoy it heavily…" Viscountess said.

Lucius knew that she was referring to Viscount Felldan, but before she could say anything else, the carriage stopped.

"Ah, we have arrived."