The prestigious yearly Tournament would be held next week in the capital of Logress Kingdom, the place where the royal family resided, Camelot City.
Normally, it would take three to four days of traveling by horse to reach the place from Lionarch City. Therefore, all the selected squires would leave and head together with the kingdom's entourage in two days.
The other squires took the 2 days time available for them to train, polishing and perfecting any deficiency they noticed in their swordsmanship in order to perform beautifully later in the Tournament.
Meanwhile, Emery spent the next two days cultivating in the Khaos space, while also making more Cleansing Potions for him to sell.
With his current proficiency in apothecary, Emery managed to concoct 50 potions within these two days. He then proceeded to sell all of them with the price tag of 20 silver coins per bottle. That meant they just gave Emery 10 gold coins, just like that.
Allistair senior requested a bulk order of 500 potions. But looking at the situation he was currently in, Emery could only promise the man the order would be completed in a month at the earliest.
As much as he liked to have more coins in his pocket, Emery still had many other priorities than making potions.
Of course, with a bulk order, a deposit also came with it. With this transaction alone, Emery currently could be counted as a wealthy person in the Lioness Kingdom. His net worth was on par with a rank 5 or even rank 4 noble family.
This amount of money was enough for him to buy a piece of land and a small estate in the countryside. Thus, it also meant Emery would not have any financial problems in the near future.
On the night of the second day, right after he finished his potion transaction, Emery noticed someone was watching him just outside the inn he stayed at.
Emery was about to ignore it when he realized the latter was approaching him. Turning his head, he saw a bearded middle-aged man with a noticeable scar on his face. Moreover, the man apparently came with a few other people who had weapons on them.
The suspicious man was making his way over to Emery, who stood right in front of the inn entrance.
"You! Squire, a noble is looking for you. Come with us."
Hearing the order-like words, Emery calmly looked at the man and said, "May I know who and why?"
"It's Minister Fantumar. As for why, you can ask him yourself after you come with us."
Seeing the people that bastard Fantumar sent to him were not too friendly-looking. It was apparent the man didn't expect a no for the answer.
"I see… Well, lead the way."
Obviously, Emery could deal with these few people within seconds, but he was actually interested to know more about what Fantumar wanted from him. Maybe, he would be lucky and find a secret he could use against him later.
The group brought Emery to a luxury estate located not far from Lionarch City, but still within its boundary.
Then, Emery was forced to give up his weapon before he could be allowed to come in.
"Really? With dozens of guards in this estate, he still worried about one young squire with a sword? This was just sad." Emery thought to himself as he gave the sword hoisted on his waist.
From that point on, only the bearded man continued to lead Emery, while the rest dispersed, probably returning back to their post. Emery walked through a long hall that was brimming with antiques, before the man stopped in front of a large door.
The door was enclosed with a golden frame and decorated with elegant carvings. It was made with a kind of wood that gave off a faint yet fragrant aroma.
He walked inside and found a long table completely filled with sumptuous cuisine. Emery could see two figures eating and talking with each other. Fantumar and Abe.
The father and son duo had been eating, while they waited for the expected guest and when Emery walked in, the fat man quickly invited him to enjoy the food.
The truth was, Emery felt extremely disgusted to be within the same room with them, much less eating together. Especially so with the one who was currently tearing a large piece of chicken thigh.
The man who was currently chewing in front of him was the one who was responsible for his father's death, the perpetrator of his family's end.
At this moment, there was a voice inside Emery who told him to take out the dagger stored inside the spatial storage and kill the two in a cold blooded fashion.
But Emery restrained himself. No, he believed this was not the time. Not yet.
There was still the Tournament that he had to complete smoothly and also the fact he needed to force out some information from them. Hence, he quelled the fury in his heart and maintained his patience for now.
"Come, Lanzo. Take a seat and join us for dinner."
At the moment, Emery really wishes to just confront the minister's intention with him. Strangely Emery remembered one of the old knight Bagdemagus teaching before he met his end.
'Do not let others know your real feelings, especially your enemy.'
Emery decided to calmly take a seat and began eating in a nonchalant manner.
The waitress served him a plate of meat but he barely touched it as he really has no appetite to eat among these people. On the other end of the table, he realized Abe was giving him a look suffused with unfriendly intent. It looked like the boy still couldn't accept yesterday's defeat.
"Is the food not to your liking?" Asked Fantumar.
Before Emery could answer the boy interrupted "Father… I am sure it's because he never ate any of that before" Abe said with a mocking manner.
Although Abe looked so much different now, inside he was still exactly the same as when he last met him.
Emery had no intentions to care about such childish behaviour anymore, but fortunately he didn't need to answer anything as he realized Fantumar gave a glare to the boy that made him suddenly close his mouth and give an apology.
Emery thought he had the patience to listen to all this, but apparently, he didn't.
"Lord Fantumar, may I please know why you invited me here today?"
"Ah yes Lanzelot, of course, we are here to appreciate such a talent like yourself and to make you feel welcome to the family"
Emery definitely felt there was a lot to say to such a simple sentence, especially when added to the wicked smile on the face of the minister.