The grand oak doors of Count Prigith Rhaskel's manor swung open before they could knock. The Count himself stood at the entrance with arms folded and a grin tugging at his lips, flanked by a tall, stern-looking butler. His hair was streaked with silver, but the fire in his eyes betrayed a man who still carried the strength of his youth.
"Well, well," he rumbled, voice deep and rough like boots on gravel. "This the rascal who lit up my streets and dragged my granddaughter back from the forest with stories in her mouth and stars in her eyes?"
Jin bowed politely, hands behind his back. "Greetings, my lord. I am Jin. Just an ordinary hermit from within the Evernight Veil. I simply did what I thought was right."
The Count studied him for a moment longer before a chuckle rumbled from his chest. Then, turning to Lyrderu, he quirked a brow.
"Seems like you, old lizard tail, decided to get out of that damn forest and be active again. Don't you think you're too old for that?"
Lyr snorted and beckoned lazily with one clawed hand. "Lyr's young. Better than you, old cat. Can't be stiff forever."
The two glared at each other like warriors on the verge of a duel—until they both burst into laughter and pulled each other into a gruff, back-pounding embrace.
"Wonderful friendship, isn't it?" Prigith grinned, turning toward the others. "Right, we shouldn't be standing here talking. Let's get inside—we'll speak properly over tea."
The guest room was cozy and sunlit, its windows framed by trailing ivy. Tea was poured, and small treats set on the table. The scent of honeyed roots and lavender filled the room.
"So," the Count said, reclining in his chair, "how did you two meet, anyway?"
Jin glanced at Lyrderu, then recounted their duel in the forest, sparing no detail of how the ancient drake tested him.
Prigith raised a bushy brow. "You dueled him and lived? Impressive." He turned to Lyr with a smirk. "You're really old… no, I guess we're old, my dear lizard."
Lyr nodded solemnly. "Wisdom… ages like wine."
The tale continued: the battle with the Chimera, their journey toward Radiant, and the moment he met Kaela.
The Count's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "This must be fate from the Gods themselves. And thank you for the valuable information. If beasts like that roam unnoticed in the Veil, then this town may be in danger. I'll send scouts to investigate immediately."
Right at that moment, an old maid made a knocked and come on in to notify the meal had ready. The Count's beckoned:
"However, it would seem like the meal has ready for us, let us go and enjoy ourself."
They stood and made their way toward the dining hall. On the way, Prigith whispered something to his butler, who nodded once and veered off.
The meal was warm and filling—roast root stew, forest greens with spice rub, and a fresh-baked bread still steaming from the oven. Simple, hearty food.
Jin blinked, surprised.
It's not that different from what the inn served, he thought, glancing around. I expected noble feasts—silver goblets, exotic meats, spices from distant shores. But this… this is food shared with purpose, not pomp.
His eyes flicked to the Count. He lives like his people. No extravagance. No false airs. Either he was once one of them… or he never forgot what mattered. That's admirable.
Over the meal, light conversation flowed. Prigith asked what Jin planned to do next.
Jin looked toward Lyr. "We'll stay here for a few more days, maybe weeks. Explore, train, and prepare for the journey toward the Kingdom's Shrine. Perhaps… make a few things too."
Prigith leaned back and raised his cup. "Well, if it is so, I would welcome you all to the best of my power vested in me. And once again, thank you—for saving my granddaughter and for what you did for the town. Those street lights of yours? Already changing lives. While you're here, stay longer. Explore my town. If you need anything, ask Kaela. Don't be like that old lizard tail and stay cooked up in the woods!"
"Thank you, I would appreciate it and obediently doing so." – Jin replied
Laughter followed, warm and genuine. Kaela, sitting quietly beside her grandfather, smiled softly. They laughed, mugs clinked, and the warmth of shared bread melted whatever formalities lingered.
After the meal, Kaela offered to show them around the manor. Jin accepted with a quiet smile, and the group giving a brief tour of its history, artwork, and library, before bidding them farewell at the gates.
Prigith's POV
Later that night, the Count sat with Kaela, sipping from a smaller, more personal cup.
"So? What's your read on the boy?" – Asked the Count.
The butler, ever precise, responded calmly.
"Sir Jin has a curious mind and an unusual sense of practicality. Thoughtful, respectful, and… odd in his reasoning. He asks for nothing but food, yet contributes more than some adventurers do in months. Citizens admire him. Adventurers respect him. And he trains like someone with something to prove."
Kaela, seated beside her grandfather, added:
"However, he's somewhat different today…" "Oh? How so, my dear?" – Curious, the Count Prigith glanced her way. "He…acting more mature than when he's with me. He seems older when talking with you and Uncle Lyrderu. And you all too, it was like you were speaking to a peer—not to a seventeen years old boy. He seems like you."
The Count paused, reflecting.
"Hmm… I hadn't noticed it then. But you're right. He has a weight to him. Like he's carrying something bigger than his years."
The Count pause at mid-sentence, walk toward the window and look outside, just like he can still see the young boy down there somewhere.
"What an interesting lad…"
Return to Jin and Lyr
The moonlight bathed the quiet streets as Jin and Lyr made their way back to the inn. The streets are now not dark anymore but bright so shiny like it's still in day time. Here and there, the children are still jumping, dancing around each and every poles just to look up to the Glowshrooms and then hip hoping along the Vel'Aetherium lines. Then after a few conners, Lyr glanced sideway at Jin:
"The Old Cat…How's he?" "The Count? Oh, he's a good lord. Curious but cautious. Observant, yet kind. Doesn't have ill intentions, but careful enough not to show flaws others might exploit. He lives like his people… not above them. That's rare enough as it is, you know. All in all… he's interesting, trustworthy and I like him"
Lyr tilted his head, then gave a dry chuckle.
"Jin… sound old. Not age fitting. Seventeen… not speak like that." "…Do I?" - Jin paused, slowing his step "Sometime… many years… you lived." - Lyr nodded.
Jin stared at the ground, thoughtful.
"Maybe I have…" - he whispered, more to himself than to his companion.
Lyr said nothing more, simply walking before him—letting the silence speak where words couldn't.