Chapter 138: Baroness Elara
Rosehall Inn, York Street, Ythendale Town, Territory of Shadowfen.
September 25th, Year 1428, Rune Era.
It was around 11 A.M.
A young man with black hair and blue eyes arrived in front of a three-story inn and hopped down from the warhorse he was riding.
Then, he adjusted his hat and looked toward the carriage house.
He hurriedly moved to the carriage house, tied the horse to a pole, and gave one silver tip to the ostler.
Then, he moved to the inn's entrance and stepped inside.
"Welcome to the Rosehall Inn. I'm Edward, the receptionist on duty. May I take your name for the register?" a male receptionist welcomed him, bowing his head.
"Thomas. Thomas Holmes," Raven said.
A surprised look appeared on the receptionist's face.
"How long are you planning to stay? May I ask if you have any companions?"
"No. A single room is enough. I want to stay here for two days," Raven said after some thought.
Edward hurriedly took an iron key from the cupboard and handed it to him.
"That would be six silvers, sir."
Raven took the key and handed over six silver coins.
Afterwards, he went to the allocated room on the second floor and freshened up.
Although the trip from Azmar Town to Ythendale only took him three hours, it tired him out due to the rough path.
If he had taken a regular horse, it would've taken him more than five hours to reach Ythendale!
'I should get an appointment to meet the Baroness—'
Tap! Tap!
As he was thinking, a soft knocking sound came from outside.
"Who is it?" Raven asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
"It's me, the receptionist, Sir Thomas. Someone is looking for you." Edward's voice came from outside.
Raven walked to the wooden door and opened it after twisting the doorknob.
He soon saw a middle-aged man in a bowler hat with a handlebar mustache. The man bowed his head in greeting.
"Good day, Sir Thomas Holmes. I am sent by Her Ladyship, the Baroness of Shadowfen, who graciously requests the honor of your company at Grass Villa this evening. Should your duties permit, Her Ladyship would be most pleased to receive you at 7 P.M."
Raven pondered momentarily, his expression calm but his eyes sharp with thought.
'That was faster than I expected. Either she has eyes in this town... or she was already expecting me.'
He gave a polite nod.
"I shall be there," Raven replied.
The butler gave a subtle smile and bowed once again.
"Her Ladyship will be delighted to hear that. Should you accept her hospitality, a carriage will be sent here by half-past six to escort you."
"I will be ready," Raven said.
The butler tipped his hat in acknowledgement, turned with practiced grace, and made his way down the hallway, footsteps fading.
Raven closed the door gently and leaned his back against it, a thoughtful expression lingering on his face.
Soon, he turned his gaze toward the nearby wooden table and noticed a newspaper placed on it.
He quickly took the newspaper, opened it, and started reading.
…
"Legacy News!!! 29th September, Year 1428!"
Envoy of the Viser Kingdom is planning to visit the Zenith Empire on February 7th to discuss a peacekeeping treaty between the two nations…Drake's Origin of Elements challenges traditional wizardry and offers a new perspective on magic…After years of silence, a member of the Starkey Household of the Vera Empire is planning to visit the Empire next month to attend the Royal Crown Challenging Ceremony…Will Robert Sillalus Jorvot be chosen as the next Crown Prince? Or Bartholomew, who is backed by the Lord of the Crimson Fort? Or Lady Jasmine's first son, Crispine, supported by the Spade Council? Or the mysterious Rebel Prince?
'Oh? They're going to choose the next Crown Prince?' Raven couldn't help but smirk.
He knew it wouldn't be easy.
'To become Crown Prince, the approval of two Dukes, four Margraves, and seven Counts is required.'
After the death of the previous Crown Prince, Daniel, more princes had started eyeing the position.
Although Robert was in the lead thanks to the support of Archduke Maddis, he still needed to convince another Duke and other high-ranking nobles. Unfortunately, most of the Dukes and Margraves remained neutral.
Raven shook his head and flipped the page.
Theory of Diseases: Major breakthrough proves that microorganisms cause illness…Circle of Elemental Harmony – 108 Essences. The alchemist and legendary wizard, Judith, has arranged all known elemental essences into a grand circle. The elements respond to balance and resonance, forming the foundation of high alchemy…Eye of Unveiling: Veilpiercer Lenses. Crafted by Rune Master Roengen, these crystal lenses allow one to peer through flesh, stone, and even weak illusion spells. Now used in both healing and espionage…Unusual deaths of adventurers… Lucus Thornevale is conducting the largest expedition into the Great Hillcrow Woodlands next month…Stellar Parallax… First reliable measurement of a star's distance…Spies of Viser caught in four separate locations within the capital…Tensions at Lyden Border Fort Town…The Central Republic faces attacks from the Viser Kingdom and has requested protection from the Empire…Suspicious movements spotted near the Shadow Nation's border. Crimson Fort is on high alert!
…
Raven read the newspaper for over 30 minutes and finally closed it.
"Although nothing major has happened at the borders, I can feel the rising tensions across the Empire's frontier," he sighed deeply and decided to rest.
…
Evening arrived.
The carriage stood outside the Rosehall Inn, lacquered black with polished brass trim and bearing the insignia of a crowned crow—Shadowfen's crest. A pair of black-plumed horses stood still as stone, their breath misting in the cool evening air. The driver, cloaked in the Baroness's livery, held the reins quietly.
Raven descended the inn's front steps precisely at half-past six. His long coat billowed slightly in the breeze, and his boots echoed crisply against the cobbled path.
He approached the carriage door, which the driver promptly opened.
"Sir Thomas Holmes?" the driver confirmed with a respectful nod.
Raven gave a curt nod in return and stepped inside.
The interior was quiet, upholstered in deep maroon velvet with polished darkwood accents. A single rune-lit lantern hung near the ceiling, casting a soft amber glow.
The door shut with a solid click, and the carriage rolled forward.
Outside, Ythendale passed by in fleeting frames—stone buildings with wrought-iron balconies, flickering gaslamps lighting the dusky streets, and the occasional watchman pacing the corners.
Raven sat with arms folded, watching the scenery in silence.
The ride lasted just under fifteen minutes, undisturbed, until the carriage slowed and turned onto a gravel path lined with lanterns and tall hedges.
It came to a smooth halt before a grand yet tastefully modest villa, its Palladian columns framed by creeping ivy and soft lanternlight. A wide stone staircase led up to a portico, where two guards in deep blue livery stood with halberds crossed.
Their eyes locked onto the arriving guest.
Before either man could speak, Raven stepped down from the carriage, adjusted his gloves, and walked forward without pause.
The guards hesitated—only for a breath—then uncrossed their weapons.
'Oh? Elite Walkers as guards, huh? Not bad.' In Darkcross Town, Elite Walkers were considered elite forces and were even entitled to the title of 'Knight.'
But here, they were merely guards for the Baroness.
It seems there's a difference in power even among nobles of the same rank. He nodded inwardly and continued walking.
At the top of the stairs, a butler awaited—tall and silver-haired, dressed in a dusky black coat with a silver chain across his chest.
"Welcome to Grass Villa, Sir Thomas Holmes," he said with a bow. "Her Ladyship awaits you in the Southern Drawing Room."
Raven gave a slight nod.
"This way, if you please."
The butler turned and led him through an arched doorway into the heart of the villa. The interior exuded elegance without opulence—polished darkwood floors, high ceilings, and a faint scent of aged parchment and lilac. Oil paintings lined the hall, most bearing the Shadowfen crest subtly in the corners.
She's an artist, for sure. Raven quietly observed the paintings and continued.
After a short walk, they arrived before tall double doors carved with the image of a raven in flight.
The butler opened one side and stepped aside.
Raven entered.
Inside, standing near a wide window draped in soft silver curtains, was a woman in her mid-thirties.
She wore a long gown of midnight blue, her dark auburn hair coiled neatly behind her. A single sapphire brooch at her collar caught the evening light.
Her gaze met his.
"Sir Thomas Holmes," she greeted with a smile.
Raven closed the door behind him and offered a subtle bow.
"Greetings, My Lady."
"This is our third meeting, but we never got a chance to introduce ourselves," Elara said, turning gracefully from the window.
"You were… quite occupied at the Holmes House banquet. I had hoped for at least a moment of conversation."
Raven approached with measured steps, his expression polite but unreadable.
"The banquet was unexpectedly busy due to those two important guests. My apologies, My Lady."
She gave a soft chuckle and tilted her head.
"Understandable."
She motioned toward a hallway.
"Shall we?"
Raven offered a small nod, and the two walked side by side down the corridor. Their footsteps echoed softly against the wooden floor, and the chandelier's faint light danced across the polished walls.
"So," Elara began, her tone casual but her eyes sharp, "what brings you to Ythendale, Sir Holmes? It's rare for you to come here just after reclaiming your territory."
"I came here to discuss a few matters," Raven replied vaguely.
"I see." Her gaze lingered on him a moment longer before she smiled and pushed open the door to the guest room.
Inside, the chamber was warmly lit and elegantly simple—two high-backed chairs near a marble table, bookshelves filled with aged tomes, and a large painting of a dusky forest dominating the far wall.
A servant entered behind them, carrying a silver tray. Carefully, he placed a crystal decanter, two wine glasses, and a platter of sliced fruits on the table before giving a bow and exiting without a word.
Raven touched his space ring and took out a wooden box.
"I brought a gift," he said, setting the box gently on the table.
Elara raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh?"
With a flick of his fingers, Raven dispelled the runes locking the box. The lid slid open soundlessly, revealing a polished set of armor. Silver-gray plates glinted softly with embedded etchings—clean, functional, and clearly well-crafted.
"A self-repairing combat armor," Raven explained.
Elara stepped forward and studied the armor. Her expression remained neutral, almost indifferent.
"Uncommon tier," she murmured. "Impressive craftsmanship, but I expected—"
Before she could finish, Raven picked up a kitchen knife from the fruit tray, calmly dragged it across his forearm, and let the blood trail down.
Elara's eyes widened. "Sir Holmes—!"
But before the blood could reach his wrist, Raven uttered a chant-like word.
"Burktā d'Ḥayē!"
It was the activation rune for the Rejuvenation Shell spell.
The armor pulsed faintly. A soft blue light emerged, and the wound stitched itself closed within seconds, leaving behind only a faint pink line.
Elara drew a sharp breath.
"That's... not a known magic spell," she whispered, stepping closer, her eyes locked on his arm. "Not in the Empire. Not even the Rune Masters of the Ivory Continent can make an artifact that heals... I thought only alchemic potions could heal people. I never knew there were magic spells for healing," she added, stunned.
"You're the first noble to witness it," Raven said calmly.
Elara straightened slowly, her earlier grace now mingled with genuine astonishment. "This kind of healing magic... how?"
Raven remained silent, letting the implications speak for themselves.
She turned toward him, her expression now unreadable. "You came here for a reason, didn't you, Sir Holmes?"
"I did," Raven replied with a nod. "I want to build a road from Ythendale to Azmar Town. Of course, I will pay for the land and cover all construction costs within your territory. For that, I need your approval—"
"Deal." Before he could finish, Baroness Elara smiled and agreed.
"Who would say no to a profitable deal?" she added with a soft chuckle.
Then, as if recalling something, Elara added, "Don't delay the construction process. I heard you're also planning to rebuild the town."
"Yes, My Lady. I've reached an agreement with the Lucas Company for the entire construction project. Once I send word of your approval, they'll begin transporting materials by goods train and start road construction within a week," Raven said with a nod.
"That's good. Still, Lucas Company is a small firm with limited manpower. Even if they start immediately, it might take more than six months to complete the road," Elara said thoughtfully. She then took a golden card from her spatial ring and handed it to him.
"Try visiting the Parish Trade Guild with someone from the Lucas Company. If you show them this card, they'll help you hire stonemasons, engineers, carpenters, blacksmiths, road pavers, and laborers from nearby towns and cities. You'll have to pay an extra silver or two, but the construction will proceed much faster. That way, you won't have to worry about the town's safety even if you're dispatched to the borders."
Raven sensed a hidden meaning in her words.
"Viscountess Rowina also warned me about upcoming chaos, My Lady. Are you saying war is inevitable?"
Elara shook her head and corrected him.
"There's no might in this case, Sir Thomas. War will happen. You may not know this, but the Emperor of Zenith loved his firstborn more than anyone. The only reason he didn't start the war earlier was because of the Rebel Prince's appearance in the courtroom. The death of the Empire's Prime Minister caused some delay, but I doubt it will be postponed much longer."
'So, I'm the reason, huh?' Raven nodded solemnly and asked, "How much time do I have?"
"Maybe a year at most. The Empire has already ordered all noble households to prepare for battle. Our Spade Council is responsible for protecting the Northeastern border region. There are thirteen border towns and two cities there. If war breaks out, you'll be dispatched to one of those towns. Of course, since your rank is Knight, you'll serve under a Baron or a Baronet. But I'll do my best to pull some strings and assign you to a safer post," Elara added after some thought.
"I have to participate in the battle?" Raven asked, frowning.
"All Spade Council members must participate. The Northeastern region isn't a primary conflict zone, so the Viser Kingdom rarely attacks there. But it's best if you recruit a few talented youths and train them as much as possible," Elara suggested.
"Thank you for the advice, My Lady," Raven said sincerely.
If she hadn't warned him, he might've delayed the construction and ended up losing critical manpower.
'Once war breaks out, nobles and the Empire will recruit more soldiers and drag everyone onto the battlefield. I need to finish everything before that.'
Afterwards, Raven chatted with her for a short while and quietly left the villa.
…