“This is the Veil of Dusk.”
The Marquis spoke, his voice carrying a quiet authority as he gestured toward the shimmering cloak.
Lucavion tilted his head, his smirk softening as his eyes flicked over the artifact. The faint iridescent glow seemed to dance across the fabric, its subtle shifts in color hinting at the power imbued within it.
“The cloak’s primary enchantments,” the Marquis continued, “are designed to enhance the wearer’s agility and fortify their mana-enhanced defenses. When fighting, it strengthens the body’s mana augmentation, allowing for greater resilience. Essentially, the wearer’s defense grows stronger as long as they can sustain their mana, covering themselves in its protective aura.”
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening slightly. “Not bad,” he remarked, his tone light but thoughtful. “But something tells me that’s not what makes this cloak special.”
The Marquis nodded, his faint smile gaining an edge of satisfaction. “You’re correct, Lucavion. Such defensive capabilities are not uncommon among high-quality artifacts. What sets the Veil of Dusk apart lies in its more… subtle attributes.”
He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as though sharing a secret. “This cloak was enchanted by one of the finest mages of the Tower. Its unique property is the ability to lower the wearer’s presence—not invisibility, but a dampening of the attention they draw. It makes them harder to notice at first glance, especially in wilderness environments.”
Lucavion’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Harder to notice?”
The Marquis inclined his head. “Exactly. It’s not a perfect cloak of concealment—you can still be seen if someone is actively looking for you. But it increases the chance of remaining hidden from the first gaze, which can be the difference between life and death in certain situations.”
Valeria, her disciplined demeanor faltering for a moment, leaned slightly forward. “And against monsters?” she asked, her voice steady but curious.
The Marquis turned his sharp gaze toward her, his smile faint but confident. “The cloak is particularly effective against monsters in the wilderness. One of its enchantments masks the wearer’s scent, rendering them far less noticeable to creatures that rely on their sense of smell to detect prey. Combined with its ability to dampen presence, it makes traversing dangerous regions significantly safer.”
Lucavion leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly brushing over the cloak’s edge. His smirk had softened into something more thoughtful, though his eyes retained their spark of amusement. “A cloak that makes you harder to see, harder to smell, and harder to hit,” he mused. “You weren’t kidding, Marquis—this is quite the prize.”
The Marquis allowed himself a faint smile, his sharp gaze lingering on Lucavion. “It is a rare artifact, and one that requires skill and mana control to use effectively. In the right hands, however, it is an invaluable tool. And I suspect,” he added, his tone carrying a hint of challenge, “that it will serve you well.”
Lucavion chuckled softly, carefully folding the cloak and tucking it into his spatial bracelet. “You’re not wrong, Marquis. This will come in handy—especially if I plan on walking into places where the Cloud Heavens Sect doesn’t want me.”
The Marquis’s smile tightened slightly, a flicker of cold amusement in his eyes. “Let’s hope it keeps you a step ahead of them, Lucavion. Or, at the very least, makes them second-guess their next move.”
The Marquis’s sharp gaze remained fixed on him, and for a moment, the room was quiet save for the faint hum of mana still lingering from the artifact’s presence.
“Of course,” the Marquis said after a moment, his tone shifting slightly, “the Veil of Dusk is not the only reward you’ll be receiving. There’s also the gold—five thousand crowns for first place, and an additional two thousand for taking what would have been the third-place reward.”
A generous sum,” he remarked lightly. “I’ll have to find something extravagant to spend it on.”
The Marquis chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I’m sure you will. But even that is not the end of it.”
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued. “Oh? There’s more?”
The Marquis leaned forward slightly, his expression softening but his tone gaining gravity. “While the rewards I’ve mentioned so far are those provided by the tournament itself, I’ve decided to add something of my own. Consider it a token of my appreciation—for your efforts, your… contributions, and your unique approach to the situation at hand.”
Valeria glanced at the Marquis, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity, though she said nothing.
Lucavion tilted his head, his smirk softening into something more thoughtful. “A personal gift, Marquis? Now you’ve really got my attention.”
The Marquis allowed himself a faint smile, standing and gesturing for Lucavion to follow. “Come,” he said simply, his tone calm but carrying an air of anticipation. “I anticipated you would wish to depart soon, so I took the liberty of preparing something for you ahead of time.”
Lucavion rose from his seat with a fluid motion, his curiosity piqued as the Marquis gestured for him and Valeria to follow. Valeria hesitated for a moment, her expression unreadable, before standing as well. Together, they trailed the Marquis through the hallways of the grand mansion, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors.
Lucavion took the opportunity to let his eyes wander, the luxurious decor catching his attention. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting battles and legends, while the soft glow of enchanted sconces lit the space with an almost ethereal ambiance. He noted the balance between opulence and practicality—a hallmark of someone who appreciated beauty without indulging in excess.
‘The Marquis certainly has taste,’ he mused, his smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. ‘First his wife….And this place…..’
Though he would never mention this loud, as even he valued his head…..
As they stepped through a pair of ornate glass doors, Lucavion was greeted by the sight of the Marquis’ private garden. The space unfolded before him like a living masterpiece, each detail meticulously crafted. Vibrant flowers bloomed in precise arrangements, their colors complementing one another in a harmony of hues. Sculpted hedges lined the pathways, some carved into shapes of mythical creatures, others into abstract designs that seemed to flow with the breeze.
A fountain stood at the garden’s center, its crystal-clear water cascading over a marble sculpture of a knight with a raised sword. The gentle sound of the water mingled with the chirping of birds, creating an atmosphere that was both serene and alive with energy.
Lucavion slowed his steps, his sharp eyes taking in the scene. “Impressive,” he murmured, his voice low but carrying a note of genuine appreciation. “You’ve got quite the artistic touch, Marquis.”
The Marquis glanced back at him, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I’ve always believed that one’s surroundings should reflect a sense of order and purpose,” he said. “A garden, much like a territory, must be tended to with care.”
Lucavion inclined his head slightly, his smirk softening. “It shows.”
Valeria, walking beside him, cast a quick glance at the garden before returning her focus to the path ahead. Her disciplined demeanor remained intact, though Lucavion noticed the faintest flicker of approval in her eyes as she took in the surroundings.
The trio continued along the stone pathway, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot blending with the garden’s natural symphony. At the far edge of the garden, a grand stable came into view. The building was constructed of dark wood and stone, its design blending seamlessly with the estate’s overall aesthetic. Even from a distance, the faint sounds of horses could be heard—neighing, the occasional shuffle of hooves against straw.
The Marquis led them to the stable doors, which were flanked by two attendants who bowed deeply before stepping aside to let them enter. Inside, the stable was immaculate, the scent of hay and leather mingling with the faint hum of enchantments that kept the space well-ventilated and clean.
Rows of horses stood in spacious stalls, their coats gleaming under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns. Each animal was a masterpiece in its own right—sleek, powerful, and exuding a natural grace. Their eyes shone with intelligence, and their muscles rippled beneath their glossy coats as they shifted and pawed at the ground.
Lucavion’s eyes swept over the horses, his smirk returning as he took in the sight. “Now this,” he said, his tone carrying a note of admiration, “is impressive. You’ve got a collection here that would make anyone jealous.”
The Marquis chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over the stable with quiet pride.
And then his gaze lingered on Lucavion, his faint smile carrying a hint of pride and mischief. “I see you’re impressed,” he said, his voice steady. “But what you might not know is that the Ventor Estate has a long-standing tradition—and a rather special business involving horses.”
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Oh? That’s news to me,” he remarked, his tone casual but laced with genuine intrigue.
The Marquis chuckled softly, turning his attention to one of the stalls where a particularly regal horse stood, its coat gleaming like polished bronze. “It’s not something we advertise widely. For generations, the Ventor family has cultivated a legacy with these creatures. My ancestors believed that strength and grace in a horse mirrored the ideals of a true knight.”
He gestured toward the horses as he continued, his tone gaining a note of reverence. “We own a piece of land far to the east—Verdant Cradle. It’s a fertile region where mana naturally saturates the soil, fostering the growth of the Everreach Grass. This grass is unique, imbued with mana that fortifies the constitution of the horses that graze on it.”
“Everreach Grass,” Lucavion murmured, the name rolling off his tongue as he filed it away for later. His smirk deepened. “I suppose that explains why your horses look like they could charge straight through a war and come out unscathed.”
The Marquis inclined his head slightly. “Precisely. The horses bred and raised on that land are known as Ventorian Chargers. They are prized not only for their strength and speed but for their resilience. Few in the kingdom, or even beyond, can boast mounts of this caliber.”
Valeria, who had remained silent for most of the conversation, glanced at the Marquis. “I’ve heard the name Ventorian Chargers before,” she admitted. “But I didn’t know they originated here.”
The Marquis smiled faintly at her words. “We take great care to maintain their mystique. Ventorian Chargers are not sold to just anyone—they must earn the privilege of riding such a creature. It ensures the legacy remains untarnished.” Experience tales at empire
Lucavion’s smirk widened a faint glint of amusement in his eyes. “Exclusive and impressive. I should have guessed.”
CREAK!
As they continued through the stable, a sudden commotion broke the serene atmosphere.
“Ah….She is here….”