Chapter 265: Night and the Maid
In just one night, tens of thousands of corpses had piled up.
Bard recalled that day a few days ago.
He saw a large number of beast-drawn carts carrying corpses heading out of the city.
"Mr. Silver Mask, are you familiar with the Demon God Cult organization?"
Emma stepped forward and refilled the empty teacup in front of Li Meng.
Smelling the fragrance emanating from Emma, Li Meng took a deep breath.
The sound of his inhalation was slightly loud, and Emma noticed it.
Emma's face flushed, and her hand holding the teapot trembled.
The teapot slipped from her hand.
Fortunately, Li Meng's quick reflexes allowed him to catch the teapot.
Emma hurriedly took the teapot back from Li Meng's hand.
She stepped back a few paces with the teapot in hand.
Aya curiously glanced at her sister.
Her sister would normally never make such a mistake.
She had almost spilled tea on Mr. Silver Mask.
That was not something her sister would ever do.
"I've heard of them, but I don't know much. Those who hide in the shadows aren't easy to encounter."
Bard smiled faintly and took a sip of tea.
"That's true. The Demon God Cult isn't a secret to royalty and nobility, but commoners know nothing about it. After all, no one survives where the Demon God Cult appears. Not even corpses are left behind. Entire villages and small towns often vanish without a trace, and there have even been cases where entire noble territories disappeared."
Afterward, Li Meng and Bard continued to chat idly.
Alisa and Susan sat quietly on the side, listening.
They were still young and couldn't participate in adult conversations.
Time passed gradually. As the sun set in the west, night fell.
In the dining hall of Bard Earl's mansion, a dinner banquet was underway.
At Bard's invitation, Li Meng joined him for dinner.
"In three days, a passenger airship will arrive at Obenlo City's air harbor. Mr. Silver Mask, you can take that airship to the Papal State. Every three months, an intercontinental passenger airship arrives at the Papal State's air harbor. Mr. Silver Mask, please stay at the mansion until the airship arrives. You saved all of us, and I must fulfill my duty as a host."
No matter what, the fact remained that Silver Mask had saved them.
Even if Mr. Silver Mask's identity was somewhat mysterious and made people uneasy.
Caution was one thing, but goodwill and diplomacy were another.
Even if he couldn't be won over, he shouldn't be offended.
With Susan as a connection, at least Mr. Silver Mask wouldn't become their enemy.
Bard's words made Susan look at Silver Mask with anticipation.
This was the perfect opportunity to have a proper conversation with him.
Alisa's eyes also sparkled slightly.
She, too, wanted to properly thank Mr. Silver Mask.
"Alright, I'll impose on you then!"
Li Meng had been worrying about having nowhere to stay.
Staying at Bard's mansion for a few days seemed like a good idea.
Bard smiled faintly and raised his wine glass.
"A toast to tonight's banquet!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank, and the atmosphere in the dining hall grew more lively.
"Lord Bard, you hold an important position in the royal court. Why is the lady of the house not present?"
How should one put it? The mansion felt like it was missing someone.
And that absence made this home feel incomplete.
Although Bard was a Saint-level Fire Archmage, he was still human.
The higher one's status, the more they valued the continuation of their lineage.
It was rare for a noble of Bard's age to remain unmarried.
Li Meng's question made Bard smile awkwardly.
His gaze drifted slightly.
Sitting beside Li Meng, Alisa pursed her lips into a smile.
"Mr. Silver Mask, Lord Bard has remained single because of a love he could not obtain. Fortunately, that person is also single, so Lord Bard still has a chance!"
Bard's old face flushed red with embarrassment.
"Y-You've made me look foolish in front of Mr. Silver Mask."
"Longing for love is human nature, Lord Bard. You must keep trying!"
Li Meng wasn't exactly an expert in romance.
It was better to move on from this topic quickly.
"Uh... Yes, I will!"
Time continued to pass, and night grew deeper.
The Bard Earl's mansion, shrouded in darkness, was silent.
In the study on the second floor.
Bard, wearing a gray robe, stood by the window.
"Where is Mr. Silver Mask now?"
The two sisters, Emma and Aya, standing by the desk, slightly shifted their expressions.
Emma lowered her head slightly.
"He has been settled in. Mr. Silver Mask is currently bathing."
Bard turned from the window and looked at the two sisters.
"Mr. Silver Mask is an honored guest. You should be attending to him. Go now!"
Hearing this, the sisters' faces changed slightly.
Emma hesitated, her hands clutching her dress tightly.
Aya glanced cautiously at her sister.
She was about to speak but was stopped by Emma.
"Yes, we will go immediately."
With that, Emma turned and grabbed Aya's hand.
The two sisters left the study together.
Walking side by side down the long corridor, they moved forward.
"Sister, why didn't you explain to Lord Bard? Lord Bard, he..."
"Aya!"
Before Aya could finish speaking, Emma interrupted her.
Emma's expression remained calm as she held her sister's hand and walked at a steady pace.
"Aya, we've lived by Lord Bard's side since childhood, but don't forget our identities as maids. Lord Bard is a noble Fire Saint-level Archmage. The people by his side should match his status. Don't desire things we cannot have; otherwise, we will only hurt ourselves. Lord Bard is kind. If that day comes, we will probably regain our freedom. Aya, do you want to leave Lord Bard's side?"
Leave Lord Bard's side?
Fear flashed in Aya's eyes, and she quickly shook her head.
She had lived by Lord Bard's side since childhood.
Aya was used to this life.
If she left Lord Bard, she wouldn't know where to go.
She had never considered changing her current life.
"That's enough then. Mr. Silver Mask is our benefactor. We should serve him."
"But... but..."
"No buts. If Aya isn't willing, I'll go alone. I can handle it myself."
"No, you can't!"
Aya grabbed her sister's hand tightly.
She glared at her sister angrily.
"Sister, we are one. Did you forget?"
Emma smiled faintly and nodded.
"Then let's hurry. We shouldn't keep Mr. Silver Mask waiting."
"Yes, let's go!"
The sisters quickened their pace.
Their footsteps gradually faded down the corridor.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom.
In a massive fountain bath, Li Meng leaned against the pool's steps with a contented expression.
"The life of nobles truly is luxurious."
Even the bathroom felt opulent.
The bath was massive, like a fountain.
In the center was a mermaid statue.
Warm water continuously flowed from the instrument in the statue's hands.
Crystal magic lamps adorned the walls, casting a soft glow.