Chapter 96
"Setting foot in a new place with new faces seems to be a heavy burden to face, especially if you grew up alone in an unforgiving land where death can claim your life anytime. Eating anything just to survive, the only reason this young man was ever to remain alive was his hope that someday he would be united with his long-lost mother."
"It has been almost five days of intensive testing and investigation; the kingdom's best Arch mage concluded this young man has a similar spiritual energy frequency to my sister."
"Even my right Archmage, Aithlin Hasterien, confirmed all the physical similarity traits were the same, especially in the eyes, as the mother and child have a yellowish-golden color on her left while her right eye has a bluish color."
The nobles, aristocrats, and wealthy influential families held their breath as King Deryth Cererindur and his wife, Queen Nimriel Cererindur, sat on their throne and announced the finding and confirmation of all those who tested, investigated, and took part in assessing the claim that Duchess Elleena Rothchester's long-lost son has been found, and because the velvet knights didn't take the quest, the merit points that should be given by the Duchess were never claimed. Soon the final confirmation was announced, and the quest for Duchess Elleena Rothchester's lost son was now clear; the voice of the tower was heard confirming this.
Many rejoice, especially those who serve the Duchess, and tears of joy were seen among those that she has helped in her charity work. Many waited outside the royal castle to see the Duchess Elleena Rothchester's son in an official manner. As thou awaited his formal introduction to everybody, a few from the crowd were also watching afar; these were those affiliated with guilds, merchants, players, and corporations from Earth that established extensions of their business to gain certain authority to expand their power and reach. This was the moment.
Duchess Elleena Rothchester can finally announce his son to the kingdom.
As the gate of the main castle opened and twelve knights serving the Rothchester came out and created a defense perimeter, the head steward of the duchess came out, and behind her stood two people. As the Custodia spoke in an amplified voice using a spell, everybody remained silent and awaited the announcement.
"I am Head Steward Custodia, serving Duchess Elleena Laeanna Rothchester. I introduce with great honor and respect Daniel Laeanna Rothchester."
Custodia changed his name because using Dane would create a negative reaction among those who would hear this; a noble blood with a commoner's name would be seen as a disgrace in their society. Daniel Laeanna Rothchester stepped forward; Dane, now Daniel, never minded the change. As Dane, he was actually another version of Daniel on earth terms, so he might as well go with it. He thought it was a good idea, knowing his relatives that knew him as Dane might be among the oceans of various races looking at him.
And he wasn't wrong; many of his Lazarus family members did see him, but they were shocked to see Dane, the estranged son of their dead uncle Damon Lazarus, looking identical to the duchess's son, but seeing his eyes and skinny physical features was enough to differentiate Dane Lazarus from the noble standing a few meters from them. As he has two different eye colors, they know heterochromia is hereditary, meaning it can be passed down from parents to children through genes.
His true identity has already been verified by two of the strongest mages in the kingdom, and it is impossible to wear contacts, and spells are easily detected by those with magical abilities.
The general consensus within the Lazarus clan was one of detached curiosity. And because they hardly knew Dane, their connection wasn't enough to be that concerned about his abrupt departure. He had been a transient presence, a footnote in their long family history, and they assumed he simply wasn't interested in staying close.
It was easy to believe he might have felt uneasy with the sudden attention and scrutiny from his estranged family members, preferring the quiet anonymity of the life he had known before. His absence was a loose thread they were content to let be. However, they couldn't help but wonder about the one detail that refused to fade: his identical similarity to the man they now knew as Daniel Laeanna Rothchester. It was this unnerving resemblance that kept his memory from disappearing entirely.
"That's not Dane," Charlotte Lazarus spoke.
"A few of us saw him up close when our elders tested his skill in hunting; he passed with flying colors."
"But Dane has a good physique, and his current location is unknown; he might have already returned back to his old life."
"He might be a Lazarus by blood, but let's be realistic: he didn't grow up among us."
"Maybe he just wanted closure, as he mentioned he never knew his father and his background."
"After registering at the player association, he just vanished. Chances are he did return back home," as Jacob Lazarus added, "We may never know for sure unless he decides to reach out to us again. It's a mystery that may remain unsolved."
"It's not easy to be part of a new family, especially if you don't know anything about them," Farrah added to their casual conversation. "He probably needed time to process everything and figure out his next steps," Farrah speculated, offering a possible explanation for the player's sudden disappearance. "Hopefully he finds the answers he's looking for and can find peace with his past," she concluded, reflecting on the complexity of the situation.
"By the way, where is Bonnie?"
"Oh, you know her; she must be buying stuff at the flea market again."
"Anyway, we need to get back to the guild; the orders that the forge master asked for must be completed by this afternoon. Mary Kay won't be sending those pixie messengers to all the Lazarus guilds if she can manage them."
"The quest for the empire of Grave is just 50 days from today; the war forge might be gone, but based on her letter, the forge chief, Siglorr Bouldergrove, was the one who placed the construction materials."
"Meaning the war forge has relocated, and if we can fulfill their demand, we might get support from them, as their weapons are highly sought after in battle. It's crucial that we act quickly and efficiently to secure their assistance before the quest for the empire of Grave begins. "
The Lazarus kin saw what they needed to see and continued on their task. The items Mary Kaye requested were inside the crate he was carrying. Dimensional storage is very expensive but not an uncommon item; many merchants used this to safely transport their product without attracting too much attention. Even the flying cargo ships are equipped with these artifacts. , but certain dimensional storage has a limit, so Mary Kaye had no choice but to contact all of her trusted allies to help transport the items before the scheduled time. The construction material first batch was ahead of schedule, so they were able to start building the new outpost sooner than expected. Mary Kaye's meticulous planning paid off once again as everything fell into place seamlessly.
She and her team didn't even mention the event that happened, as she knew this wasn't a matter that needed their attention, as Netherborn healed them and graciously took care of the matter. Sylveth Melriel, or the Crescent Magus, had no choice but to hide these matters in a discreet manner and not escalate the situation even further.
She personally took responsibility and sadly sacrificed her own guards to take the blame, as they knew it was the only way to save their master from public humiliation and backlash. Despite the sacrifice, Sylveth remained determined to protect her team and maintain their reputation in the eyes of the public.
That is why, with the events that just transpired from Duchess Elleena Laeanna Rothcheste, she had no choice but to side with the duchess's request to gain her trust and support when the time comes. Even the right Azure Archmage, Aithlin Hasterient, was acting suspiciously different, as if he was more concerned about the destruction of his tower than the failed plan to ruin Sylveth Melriel's reputation. She saw his action to be erratic and somewhat self-serving, causing her to question what happened as she passed out when the Netherborn walked near her. Despite the uncertainty surrounding what happened at the assessment test of the duchess's son.
Sylveth Melriel can't help but be more wary of the Right Arch Mage. As the assessment ceremony was finally over, nobody knew Daniel's true identity, and the fact that the king gave his sister all the authority of the land that the players successfully cleared from the evolved drake, obtaining the land, was finalized. And the fact no nobles wanted Lúthien meant nobody contested the Duchess's claim, and she stated she plans to move there with her entire household.
Those who orchestrated the downfall of her family were still unconvinced that everything just happened; they were sure the young boy was dead, and the probability of him surviving is impossible. So they knew the Duchess was planning something, but they really couldn't put their finger on what it could be. The mystery surrounding the duchess's intentions only added to the intrigue and uncertainty among the nobles.
The two families that wanted the duchess out of the picture can't ignore the sudden appearance of her son; eighteen years is a long time, and the area where her son was accidentally discovered was one that had been thoroughly sealed off from people, as the area was considered very dangerous, and only high-level warriors and hunter players can enter.
But knowing hunters, players, and adventurers, the idea that they will truly obey the law is unlikely. The duchess's son's sudden appearance raises questions about how he survived for so long in such a perilous area, leading some to suspect foul play. As tensions rise between the two families and the mystery deepens, it becomes clear that the truth behind the duchess's son may be more complicated than anyone anticipated.
But Dane, who was now legally named as Daniel, a noble, anticipated these; they were cliche responses by vile people who are within the parameters of villains and had already prepared a carefully crafted plan to unveil the real culprits behind his disappearance. As they traveled back toward the Rochester mansion, Dane was sitting in front of the Duchess. She wasn't indifferent in talking toward Daniel, as she knows many eyes and ears are lurking around them. Daniel seriously took the part, as he acted a bit distant and awkward in front of her so-called mother.,
As they entered the district where the Rothchester mansion was located, he was asked by the Duchess concerning his enrollment at the royal academy, as it was a prerequisite of any noble.
The Royal Academy had begun its new semester, and with it, a deadly game of deception unfolded. The reason he needed to attend classes wasn't merely for education—it was a calculated move to draw out the orchestrators behind the kidnapping and assassination of Duchess Elleena Laeanna Rothchester's son and husband. By blending in among the students, he would play the role of the perfect lure, tempting the enemy into revealing themselves. Once they took the bait, the duchess would finally have her vengeance. The academy, a gathering place for noble heirs and wealthy elites, was the ideal hunting ground—where arrogance and entitlement masked the true dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Many professors had long lost interest in genuine teaching, resigned to the fact that most of their students, born with silver spoons in their mouths, lacked the discipline to truly excel. The Royal Academy had become little more than a glorified social club for the aristocracy, where talent often went unrecognized beneath layers of inherited privilege. But the Duchess, the academy's largest benefactor, sought to change that. She championed those with real skill, regardless of birth, reshaping the institution into a place where merit mattered more than titles. Through her efforts, the academy opened its doors to a wider range of students, creating an environment where true excellence could thrive, much to the disdain of those who clung to their old-world prejudices.
With nearly five hundred students from all walks of life, the academy was a melting pot of ambition, rivalry, and hidden potential. Classes were divided into specialized fields—combat arts, arcane studies, and political strategy—and competition was fierce. Yet despite the sheer number of students, the title of top performer remained unclaimed, a prize just out of reach. Some whispered that the academy itself was waiting for a true prodigy—one who could surpass the limitations of status and redefine what it meant to excel. And while the nobility schemed and the professors grew complacent, the hunt for justice continued in the shadows, where the lines between student, warrior, and avenger blurred… and where the truth would soon be dragged into the light.
As he entered the mansion, Daniel was welcomed by all the staff, as nobody from them had any idea who Daniel was, and as the mansion staff all lined up to greet them, the Duchess introduced a new staff that would accompany and serve Daniel. The woman was elegant and surprisingly beautiful; she was recommended by Wrenla Bouldergrove. She didn't look like a maidservant but a princess. She came a day earlier after the velvet knight reported the young man that brought back toward the hunters guild.
She was stunning and carried herself with a regal air, causing whispers among the other staff members. She had white hair and smooth skin; her curves would attract and sway many men to her presence. The Duchess knew she had made the right choice in hiring her, as she exuded an aura of sophistication and grace that perfectly complemented the mansion's atmosphere. Wrenla Bouldergrove. Shared her story as she was a daughter of a fallen noble family in the north. That is why her features are above those of normal maidservants.
The Duchess doesn't just want the maidservant to accompany his son; she also plans to enroll her, as this was Wrenla Bouldergrov's request, so her status of being a former noble can be utilized to enhance the prestige of the household. The Duchess believed that Melgil Veara Gehinnom would bring a unique perspective and level of sophistication to their social gatherings, making her a valuable addition to their staff.
Melgil Veara Gehinnom smiled and greeted the duchess and the young lord with a formal curtsy. Her dress was different from the other maidservants. Prior to this meeting, many staff reacted to Melgil's different status and treated her differently; many female staff were annoyed and hated the fact she will be wearing a more elegant uniform than them. However, the duchess made it clear that Melgil's role was essential in maintaining the household's reputation for excellence and refinement. As she wasn't just a main servant of her son Daniel, she was his guard. . The staff saw Melgil's skill and even mentioned her name fits her perfectly, as she was named after one of the living calamities..
Daniel and Melgil's action was refined and shows a level of sophistication that the staff had not previously witnessed. This new dynamic within the household left many feeling both intrigued and slightly intimidated by the duo's presence.
As they should.