Chapter 31: My Dear Brother

Chapter 31: 3. My Dear Brother

By the time the three-masted square-rigged ship docked at the pier, it was already afternoon.

Dacus's personal belongings and those highly important stone tablets had been organized, and Chupacoco had been placed in a cage and covered with a black cloth.

The manager of the Noble Pier District and the tax official from Marequis had been waiting for a long time.

Dacus, wearing Hardrica and draped in a noble silk robe of purple exterior and crimson interior, was the first to step off the ship.

Behind him, Calion held the ceremonial staff flag of the Calamity of Hell family; he was finally free.

The waiting Druzi officials and city guards bowed in salute to him one after another.

"Go, find some horses."

Since no wealth had been distributed according to the expected values, Dustan coldly took his share of the spoils. He intended to remain on the ship temporarily to process the assets. After bidding him farewell, several Druzi riders departed on horseback.

Centurion Edmund led his understrength century back to the military camp, and the Black Ark pirates were also returning to their respective barracks.

The three siblings were heading to the Noble District to begin the renovations of the Takaya family ancestral home, while several of Calion's beast tamers followed Dacus back to the Tower of Destruction.

By the time they reached the Noble District, night had fallen. Streetlamps stood along the roads, casting a dim, yellowish light. The roads were flat and wide, with the occasional four-wheeled carriage proceeding under the protection of escorts.

As they passed Dacus's procession, a carriage curtain was pulled aside, and a Druzi noble inside raised his head to nod in greeting to Dacus, who returned the gesture with a nod.

Once they were far away, Dacus frowned and asked, "Who was that jerk just now? Is there something wrong with his neck? Which family is he from?"

Rain whispered, "My Lord, that was the head of the Calvo family."

Dacus nodded, noting this Druzi in his mind.

From the surrounding noble manors, the sounds of clinking glasses and lively chatter drifted out occasionally, suggesting that parties or banquets were underway.

Dacus shook his head. The procession was about to reach a crossroads when a troop of fully armed Cold Lizard Dread Knights thundered past them.

The warhorses were startled. Dacus held the reins with his right hand and stroked the horse's neck with his left to calm it down.

The group of retreating Cold Lizard Dread Knights let out loud laughter, seemingly mocking Dacus.

"A bunch of bastards!"

Dacus recognized that group of Cold Lizard Dread Knights as his cousin's gang.

"Should we part ways here? I remember your manor is in a different direction."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Then let's part here. There shouldn't be any trouble for a while, so you don't need to come looking for me. I'll ask the butler later if there are any dwarven slave construction crews available."

"Thank you, My Lord."

"Don't mention it. I'll visit you when I have time. Rain, make sure you keep up with your painting lately."

"Yes, My Lord."

"And remember! Don't speak recklessly! Otherwise, the ones coming to visit you will be Young Master Nukel's men, and they aren't as easy to talk to as I am."

The three siblings immediately dismounted and knelt on the ground.

"Alright, goodbye."

Dacus led Calion and the others away. After walking through another street, they finally arrived at the main gate of the Night Warden Castle. He looked up at the Tower of Destruction rising alongside the castle, then at the butler and the several attendants lined up at the gate.

"Butler Dia, did you miss me?"

Butler Dia bowed to Dacus and then smiled.

"Haha, I did, Young Master. Was the journey smooth?"

"Extremely smooth." Dacus dismounted and walked straight to the butler's side. "This is a gift for you." As he spoke, he pulled out an emerald the size of a chicken egg and pressed it into the butler's hand.

"Young Master, this..."

"It's for you, just a small gift."

Dacus ignored him and said with a smile, "I'm a bit hungry, so I'm going to eat first. I'll need a good hot bath in a bit."

Butler Dia bowed to Dacus once more.

Dacus walked straight inside, crossing the plaza and stepping onto the stairs of the main keep. Twenty well-equipped Dread Spearmen lined both sides of the stairs, bowing to him. He nodded in return and entered the hall.

"Elite units, huh?"

Before he could finish the thought, a whistling sound came from his right ear. Dacus quickly dodged to the left, only to see his cousin, Maranuel, lunging at him.

Dacus laughed and cursed, "How childish!"

He followed up with a kick, and Maranuel hurriedly retreated, saying, "Hey! Hey! Hey! I just changed into this robe, don't get it dirty!"

Dacus retracted his foot and walked over, resting his left hand on Maranuel's shoulder while lightly striking Maranuel's chest with a clenched right fist.

Dacus said, "First you scared my horse, and now you're trying to scare me. You're still as unreliable as ever."

Maranuel didn't answer, instead bursting into loud laughter.

The two brothers embraced, slapping each other's backs before pulling apart.

Maranuel said, "I thought you wouldn't be coming back this year."

"You think I'm like you?"

Dacus shot Maranuel a glare. At a corner on the second floor, the family champion, Karsley, watched the two brothers playing in the hall from the shadows. He shook his head with a look of helplessness and disdain before vanishing back into the darkness.

Maranuel raised a thumb toward himself and asked, "Are the people you found for me reliable?"

"Reliable, extremely reliable. Flanes spends half his time lying in bed."

Maranuel burst into laughter again.

"Hehehe, come on, let's go. Let's go to the Mogal family's party. There are many young and beautiful Druzi women there. You're coming with me."

He tried to pull Dacus by the hand to head out, but Dacus stepped back. He glanced at the dark circles under Maranuel's eyes—they clearly weren't painted on, but looked like the result of excessive indulgence.

"I'm not going. I've been drifting on a ship for over half a year; I'm going to eat something and get some rest early."

"Fine then. What are your plans for tomorrow?"

"I'll wander around the market district. The *Soul's Claw* is back from Shindan."

"I figured you'd want to go there; you have no other hobbies. I'll head back early then, and I'll take a day off tomorrow to accompany you."

Maranuel looked at Dacus with a look of disdain, and without waiting for a reply, he walked out.

"My dear brother!" Dacus called out to him.

"What is it, my dear brother?"

Dacus pulled out a velvet pouch and tossed it. Maranuel caught it with one hand and opened it to find it filled with dazzling gemstones.

"You really hit the jackpot this time. I'll say you're smart—I was just worrying about what to give as gifts."

Dacus ignored him, gave him a hand gesture, and went inside.

After walking a few steps outside, Maranuel's expression turned serious.

"Why does my brother seem like a different person? Did the trials make him grow up?"

Maranuel shook his head. No matter how much his brother changed, he was still his brother.

(End of Chapter)