CHAPTER 96
THE PARVIAN WAY
Notice : An Unstable SpaceDoor is detected, unlocking a Privilege “INGRESS”
Hans retrieved his first step. He could hear Aldrich saying something, but his attention was on the thin slab of light, floating in front, checking the details, he mumbled
COMMAND CENTER
COMMAND CENTRE
Status : Connected
Terminal : 05IRIS
Name : Hans Parv
Health : 100%
Clearance level : Interim Administrator
PRIVILEGES
SOLAR BODY : INCOMPLETE
SCAN : it allows you to scan various things even a person and give the relevant results saved in the records. If not found, you can register it as a new entry to help others connected to the Command center.
(Interim Administrator perk )
* NO limits.
* you can assign clearance level to the thing you register.
* You can read other people's facial expressions to predict whether they are saying the truth or not. [note - it is not always true]
INGRESS (New!) : it allows you to call the space shift and transport you to the locations under the area covered by the terminal. In addition, you can take over any Space shifting mechanism and manipulate the destination.
* Once a month
(Interim Administrator perk )
* Usage limit reduced to 20 days.
LOCKED
LOCKED
Hans chuckled like he got the new toy and dismissed the command centre. As he stepped out, Aldrich and Delimira followed him, thinking there must be something wrong. But his action involuntary caused the Guard knights to panic, thinking that the young Lord had changed his mind to punish Sebastian. However, nothing they fear happened.
Meanwhile, Aldrich was confused as to why his young Lord was doing this since he didn't feel any anomaly and Delimira, also confused, followed him without asking for any explanation. Seeing both of them flustered, Hans dismissed the command centre and said, aloud
COMMAND CENTRE: INGRESS
Notice : Activating INGRESS Choose Your Destination 1. Parv, Royal Palace 2. Osiris Temple, Parv 3. Edenberg county mansion, Grimgar 4. Midlands, Concordia 5. Yudwin Temple, Indu 6. DeadLands ( Unavailable ) REGISTER NEW LOCATION Notice : You have to be physically present at the registering location. Notice : Do you wish to register the current location as Ingress Point.
YES NO
Hans said NO and chose “Edenberg County mansion, Grimgar”. And the moment words left his mouth the window disappeared and all the people could feel something coming from the sky. Not knowing how it worked, Hans shouted at Aldrich and Delimira,
"Do not move - "
He was not even finished yet and a bright pillar of light fell upon them. A feeling of weightlessness followed as his body began to levitate and with a swoosh, the three got sucked above and vanished from the eyes of the people looking at the light in awe.
EDENBERG COUNTY
Although Aldrich may not have had the chance to inform the lord about Hans nonetheless everyone in the mansion was informed and was preparing for their young lord’s arrival with eager eyes. Hodges, the head butler, led the servants outside where they formed two lines facing each other, as they had been taught to do.
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As he checked everything once again, a concern crept into Hodges' eyes, fixating on the closing SpaceDoor. Despite his vigilance, there was no sign of anyone coming and the SpaceDoor closed completely. Retrieving the communication orb, he attempted to contact Aldrich to inquire if there were any issues. However, just as he looked at the orb, a brilliant light fell from the sky and landed at their doorstep.
Without delay, the knights of the mansion sprang into action and stood at the ready. As the light dissipated, the servants beheld Hans, clad in white with a shining Parvian insignia on his chest. Although Hodges had witnessed this phenomenon before, he was taken aback, not expecting to see it again so soon. All heard the childish voice filled with excitement, as Hans shouted,
"Now, that’s what you call a space jump."
From a distance, Aldrich had seen this phenomenon before, but he had never had the opportunity to travel through it. The girl who accompanied them was even more astonished, still trying to process what had just occurred. The journey through the SpaceDoor was brief, but she felt as if something had lifted them up and transported them to this new location. Startled, she approached Hans and asked,
"What is this?"
"I don’t have a freaking clue," Hans said, still laughing in surprise, "but this shit is awesome."
Hans was elated beyond belief, wondering why Arat had granted him such an incredible gift. Having access to SCAN was enough of a privilege but INGRESS was something else entirely. He recalled the multitude of locations stored in the command centre, including the Osiris temple and the Parvian royal palace, both of which were inaccessible to others. He thought, with a mere gesture, he could just call forth that amazing beam from the sky and like snapping a finger, he would be there.
As he giggled with joy, everyone stared at him in disbelief. Taking a hold of himself, Hodges cleared his throat and his act brought the servants to their job again. All said in unison,
"Welcome back, Young Lord."
Hans also snapped out of his daze and acknowledged the greeting with a nod. Turning to Delimira, he invited her inside,
"What are you waiting for, Winters? I am not that inhospitable, come in."
Hearing his remark she nodded, feeling as exhilarated as when she left the Frozen Tooth. She wasn't sure how much longer she would be allowed outside, given the recent troubles that had stirred up. Removing her uncomfortable hood and face covering, she took in the fresh air and the sights around her.
Her beautiful face, with its striking cyan eyes and silver hair, greeted everyone and left them in awe. As a growing girl, she was truly stunning, and the servants couldn't help but glance back and forth between Hans and her, eagerly awaiting an explanation from their young lord.
Hans was momentarily taken aback, but Delimira's giggle only enhanced her already sweetened beauty. Before anyone could concoct wild stories about the barely eleven-year-old Hans, he explained or more so declared,
"She is... My friend."
Hodges coughed once more, and the servants were dismissed as he guided the children inside. "You two should clean yourselves," he said to them. Hans glanced down at his clothes, noticing that his white Parvian overcoat was dirty and had an unpleasant smell. He turned to Delimira, who was quietly taking in her surroundings.
Unlike his young Lord, Hodges was well-versed in taking care of guests and approached her, saying,
"Please be comfortable. We will arrange something for the lady to wear."
Delimira politely said,
"I don’t mind, anything -"
"But I do, young lady" Hodges interrupted, "Take your time in the bath, and we will arrange everything during that time. We can't be called inhospitable, as our young lord remarked."
Hans overheard this and interrupted,
"What, Mr Head Butler?"
"When our lord and lady are not here, you are in charge, young lord," Hodges explained. "But you did not even invite her or introduce her formally to the servants. How are we supposed to treat her?"
Hans grunted, and Hodges turned to the servants and commanded them,
"She is the daughter of Edenberg's friend and high elven nobility. Make sure you treat her with the utmost care."
Delimira was taken aback and questioned Hodges,
"Did Lady Sierra mention me?"
"No, but I know who you are, young lady." Hodges responded and his words surprised her even more, as he continued, "You were born in this very place. I was one of the few people here at that time."
Understanding, she recalled her mother telling her that she stayed at her friend's home in her early years of exile. Nodding in response, she followed the servants to her assigned room and after she left, Hans asked the head butler quietly,
"Do you really know her mother?"
"Yes, young Lord."
"Then you must know the whole story."
"Yes, I know."
Both looked at each other for a while, then Hans added in little agitation,
"Get a hint, head Butler."
"As you have said, I am the Head butler, and one of my principles is not telling anyone the happenings of this mansion, young Lord. And just as a reminder so you won't mess this up “Do not mention anything about your father to Lady Aredhel”
Hans was baffled and was looking at Hodges more curiously. The head butler got composed in no time and added,
"Your father was the one shielding her from Clandor and his death pushed her towards a miserable life"
"For god sake, she is the wealthiest person I Know"
"I already said much, and cautioned you, young Lord. So behave well"
"Am I really your Lord Mr Hodges, your tone does not tell me that?" he said, letting out a sigh and walking towards the kitchen, realising that he wouldn't get any further answers from the stubborn butler. However, before he could take another step, Hodges stopped him, much to his surprise, it wasn't for the reason that he had expected. Hodges insisted that Hans take a bath first before proceeding any further, explaining that it was important for the host to be well-dressed in order to properly welcome their house guest.
Hans was forced to take a bath and unlike his friend, he was out in a jiffy. He thought there was no reason left to not go into the kitchen and eat something good, but Hodges had other plans. Hans looked at his head butler who was stopping him like an annoying mother-in-law in irritation, but there was no change in Hodges's tone or temper. He asked the head butler, "Now, what?"
"The dresses came, you need to choose some good ones for the lady," Hodges replied.
Hans got annoyed and replied, holding himself back from raising his voice,
"You can choose one yourself, or take everything, Head Butler."
"But what if we choose something bad?" the head butler asked.
"Didn't you see her, head butler?" Hans retorted, "Even a rag would look good on her. Now I am going to eat something good, and no more excuses, got it?"
A Pleased expression came to Hodges' face, disturbing Hans as the Butler replied, conceding
"I am not sure about the dresses, but you gave the right answer. How about I order them to make something more delicious while you receive the guest formally? Please wait in the drawing room, young Lord."
Hans saw how pushy Hodges was acting, so he just accepted it. He remembered something and relayed it to the head butler as Hodges was visiting the kitchen.
"Mr Hodges, she does not like sugar, so ask them to make something...a bit...different, I guess."
***