Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Out of everyone who could have arrived in the Inanis Mansion that particular evening, he didn't expect it to be Finch and Ariana.

"Do you have anything to do with this, Kiana? Or are people really coming here out of their own volition?" Lucius asked as the carriage reached the mansion.

Since the carriage arrived a little later than Finch and Ariana, it was noticed by them, and the two women both stopped and waited for Lucius and Kiana to step out of the carriage.

Kiana blinked and looked a little confused. She pursed her lips and peeked out through the curtain and noticed the two women before she turned and addressed Asher.

"Earlier this morning, when the Count and Countess said that they wished for the Captain and his people to observe the spar between you and the Viscountess, I also asked them permission to bring Gellor and his mercenary team."

"Yes, I recall Gellor mentioning that," Lucius said as he eyed Kiana. "It's actually a little surprising when I saw them earlier."

"I figured that they might benefit from being able to observe a great fight between the two of you," Kiana said. "I hope that you did not mind them? I can ask for Finch and Ariana to leave now and ask Gellor to reprimand them."

'Asher seems a little stressed out. It's apparent in his tone… he must be exhausted after today that it's better to chase the two women out now.'

"No, it's fine. Let's just see what they're here for," Lucius said as he stepped out of the carriage at last.

Both Ariana and Finch stood out of the Inanis mansion with calm expressions on their face, but once they saw Young Lord Asher, their eyes both lit up.

"Young Lord Asher. Welcome back to the city and greetings to you, I hope that we did not come at an improper time." Finch said with a respectful tone and Ariana followed along.

"We heard that you were in a spar with a powerful Viscountess and missed it completely!" Ariana suddenly said, a little more energetic than Finch, but at least a bit more restrained than Albus.

The two mercenaries seemed to become much more boisterous when together, and maybe even Ariana was loud by herself, but Finch probably made her more subdued.

"Ah, yes, greetings to the two of you. The timing is not unfortunate, Miss Finch and Ariana. I am always happy to accommodate the two of you. Would the two of you like to enter the mansion. I presume that the news came from Gellor and company?" Lucius said with a polite smile.

'I'm sure that Finch already knows that it's an improper time but still came here, so there has to be some purpose to this visit.' Lucius thought.

"On the contrary, we were able to hear it from Mister Cambrian's weapon shop. One of the aides of Viscountess Blackshield came there while we were browsing and tried to find any suitable mace or weapons for her." Finch replied. "And as for Gellor and the other two, that is actually the main purpose of our visit. We're trying to locate them, Young Lord Asher so we would politely decline your offer. Instead, I wish to express that we also deeply regret missing the spar. We've heard incredible feats performed by you, Young Lord Asher."

"Yeah. The Viscountess's said to have a Rare Rank gift, but it makes sense that you'd do well since you were amazing during the pack against the Long Claw Wolves." Ariana said.

"Ah, that is something best left to be untold, Miss Ariana." Lucius chuckled.

"O-oh, of course. I nearly forgot." Ariana said but then glanced around the vicinity. "Er, I doubt Gellor and the two are here, Finch. I think we should go since it's getting late and Young Lord Asher is a host with his family to that Viscountess too, right?"

Lucius blinked for a moment, startled by Ariana having a sense of decorum to a certain degree.

Finch's face grew a tad red. "Y-yes, that's what I said, Ariana. And please refer to the Viscountess properly and not just 'that' Viscountess, she's Viscountess Blackshield. But you know that you may be in fact wrong and Young Lord Asher may perhaps know…?"

"I'm afraid not. I was out of the mansion for the rest of the day and did not inquire of their whereabouts," Lucius replied. "I was under the presumption that a mercenary team would know each other's locations at all time… but Kiana?"

"I don't know either." Kiana curtly said.

"Ah, then it's best that we do leave. Thank you for your time, Young Lord Asher and apologies for the disturbance. May you have a pleasant and good evening!" Finch said and was followed by a still polite greeting of Ariana's and the two left.

Kiana sighed a little and shook her head once they were gone.

"I don't like Miss Finch that much." Kiana said, more to herself than Asher, but still audible.

"And why is that? But first, let's get inside too." Lucius said as he stepped inside of the mansion.

'I have no need for any emotional issues that may arise from any other individual as they mostly stem from illogical things, but there might be a good reason to it.'

"Welcome back, Young Lord Asher! Dinner is ready." A servant said. "The Count and Countess both retired early, but Viscountess Blackshield is there."

"Thank you, I will go there with Kiana." Lucius said then turned to the woman. "And you were saying?"

Kiana's cheeks flushed red a little and she crossed her arms over her chest. "It's… it's not really that important. I just had a feeling that perhaps she simply made her way here to see you and used the spar as an excuse? Maybe I'm wrong. She could have been with Gellor and the others earlier, so maybe I'm just being… hostile."

"I appreciate your candidness then, Kiana. I do not find any harm as long as they're all respectful and they do not disturb me, but your gut instincts may also be useful so do not forgo it as well."