Hugo's home

The massive doors of the Council Chamber slammed shut behind them as Hugo and the group stepped into the open air of Requiem Prime's upper district. The city stretched before them—towers of metal and Arcana-powered lights glowing against the night sky.

The meeting had been tense, but they had their mission.

Still, something didn't sit right with Hugo.

As they walked, Iris suddenly broke the silence.

"I'm coming with you," she announced.

Hugo exhaled sharply, already tired of this conversation before it even started. "No, you're not."

Iris grinned, walking beside him like it was already decided. "Yes, I am."

Darius smirked. "Oh, I gotta see how this plays out."

Lena crossed her arms. "She is the Chancellor's daughter. You really think she's gonna listen if you say no?"

Hugo stopped walking. The group halted as well. He turned to face Iris, his white eyes unwavering.

"This isn't some political game, Iris. It's a Dominion infiltration mission."

Iris met his gaze without hesitation. "And you think I don't know how dangerous they are?"

Stella scoffed. "Being the Chancellor's daughter doesn't mean you belong on the front lines."

Iris's playful smirk faded.

"You're right. But it does mean I have inside knowledge on Dominion activity near Republic borders."

Hugo frowned. "...What?"

Iris took a breath, her voice lowering.

"The Chancellor isn't telling you everything."

The air grew heavier.

"The Dominion has been infiltrating Republic territories for months. And this 'research facility' you're sneaking into? It's not just some lab."

Hugo's expression darkened. "Then what is it?"

Iris glanced around, ensuring no one else was listening.

Then, she spoke.

"It's a testing site for Arcana experiments involving Perfect Life Form technology."

Silence.

Then—

Cosmos hummed. But this time, it wasn't mocking.

It wasn't amused.

It was serious.

"...This is worse than I thought," the sword said. "Hugo, if the Dominion has truly uncovered PLF relics, then the Republic is already in danger."

Hugo's jaw tightened. Cosmos rarely ever sounded like this.

Stella narrowed her eyes. "Perfect Life Form technology? You mean—"

Iris nodded. "PLF relics, artifacts from the Eclipse War—weapons and knowledge we were never meant to have access to."

Ethan swallowed. "But that's impossible. The PLFs vanished. No one should have that kind of technology."

Iris shook her head. "That's what we thought. But something's changed. Someone—inside the Dominion—has figured out how to unlock their secrets."

Hugo remained silent, processing her words.

Cosmos's voice returned, lower, unreadable.

"...This world cannot handle the return of that power."

The weight in its voice made Hugo tense.

Cosmos had never feared anything.

But this?

Even it knew this was bad.

Darius ran a hand through his hair. "Alright. So, what? They're making PLF weapons? Super soldiers? Something worse?"

Iris's silver eyes were grim. "That's what we need to find out."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then, finally—Hugo sighed.

"...Fine. You're coming."

Iris grinned, triumphant. "I knew you'd see reason."

Darius chuckled. "Wow, Boss. Folded in record time."

Hugo shot him a look. "Shut up."

Stella crossed her arms, looking annoyed again. "She better not slow us down."

Lena grinned at Stella. "Jealous?"

Stella scoffed. "Of her? Please."

Lena chuckled. "Uh-huh. Sure."

Hugo ignored them and turned toward the cityscape.

The streets of Requiem Prime were still alive with the glow of Arcana-powered lights, the distant hum of airships overhead, and the soft murmur of the city's nightlife.

As the group walked, Ethan stretched, yawning. "Alright, so where are we staying for the night? We need an inn or something, right?"

Lena nodded. "Yeah, we'll need a place to rest before we head out."

Stella glanced at Hugo. "You know any good spots?"

But instead of answering, Hugo simply kept walking.

Then, after a pause, he said flatly—

"I have a house here."

The entire group stopped walking.

Darius blinked. "Wait. What?"

Hugo glanced at them over his shoulder, expression unreadable.

"I own a house in Requiem Prime."

Silence.

Then—

"Since when?!" Ethan practically yelled.

Hugo sighed. "Since the Republic was founded."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "And you never thought to mention this before?"

"It never mattered before," Hugo said simply.

Darius threw up his hands. "So we've been talking about inns and sleeping arrangements for the past ten minutes, and the whole time you just owned a house?!"

Hugo ignored him and kept walking.

"Follow me."

The group exchanged bewildered glances before hurrying after him.

But just as they started moving—

Iris suddenly latched onto Hugo's arm again.

Stella immediately frowned.

Hugo, already annoyed, sighed. "You have a house here. Go home."

Iris grinned mischievously. "Oh, I know! But I'd much rather stay with you~."

Hugo stopped walking again.

He stared at her, his white eyes blank with exhaustion.

"...What?"

Iris tilted her head innocently. "What, you think I'd let my darling stay all alone after being gone for years?"

Stella's eye twitched.

Darius wheezed, trying not to laugh.

Ethan stared at Hugo like he just grew a second head.

Lena, of course, just grinned, enjoying every second of this.

Hugo exhaled sharply and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Iris."

"Hmm?"

"Let go of my arm."

Iris tightened her grip.

"No~."

Hugo closed his eyes, regretting every choice that led him to this moment.

The others watched in pure amusement.

Finally, Hugo sighed.

"...Do whatever you want."

Iris beamed. "Knew you'd come around!"

Stella crossed her arms, scowling.

Lena nudged her playfully. "You okay there?"

Stella huffed. "I don't care."

Lena chuckled. "You so care."

With that, the group continued walking, now with one very smug Iris and one very annoyed Hugo.

The group followed Hugo through the winding streets of Requiem Prime's upper district, the towering skyline casting long shadows under the glow of Arcana-powered lanterns.

After a while, Ethan frowned, looking around.

"Uh… this is the rich part of the city."

Darius snorted. "No way Hugo owns a place here."

Lena smirked. "You sure about that?"

Then—Hugo finally stopped.

Before them stood a massive, elegant mansion, its ornate gates lined with Arcana-infused metal, shimmering faintly in the night. The structure itself was a blend of old-world craftsmanship and modern Arc-tech, towering over the surrounding buildings.

Silence.

The entire group stared.

Ethan's jaw dropped. "Wait. THIS is your house?!"

Stella blinked. "…You own a mansion?"

Darius ran a hand down his face. "Boss. What the actual hell?"

Hugo, as always, looked completely unbothered. "I needed a place to stay."

Ethan gestured wildly. "Yeah, but why is it this big?! This looks like a damn noble's estate!"

Iris grinned. "Ooooh~! I forgot how nice this place was!"

Stella immediately turned to her. "Wait—you've been here before?"

Iris smiled way too smugly. "Of course~! I used to visit all the time~."

Stella's eye twitched.

Lena leaned in, whispering. "You good?"

Stella huffed. "I don't care."

Lena grinned. "Uh-huh. Sure."

Hugo, ignoring all of them, stepped forward, placing his hand on the gate's Arcana lock.

A soft hum echoed as the mechanism recognized his mana signature—

And with a faint glow, the gates swung open.

Without another word, Hugo walked in.

The others hesitated for a moment, still processing the absurdity of the situation—

As the mansion gates swung open, a soft hum echoed in Hugo's mind.

Cosmos.

"Ah… home sweet home."

Hugo exhaled sharply. "Don't start."

The sword hummed in amusement. "Oh, but how could I not? A grand estate for the mighty Hero of the Eclipse… truly fitting."

Darius snorted. "Even the sword thinks this is ridiculous."

Ethan still looked completely stunned. "Seriously, Hugo. Why do you even have this place?"

Hugo, as always, ignored them and walked inside.

The others followed, stepping into the mansion

As the group stepped inside, the mansion's interior loomed around them—pristine, untouched, as if time itself had never passed.

The air was eerily still, yet there was no dust, no signs of decay. Everything was exactly where it should be.

Ethan shivered slightly. "Okay, I take it back. This place is way too clean for an abandoned house."

Darius glanced around. "Yeah, this feels… weird."

Stella frowned. "Did someone maintain it while you were gone?"

Hugo remained silent, his white eyes scanning the grand foyer.

Then—

A low chuckle echoed through the air.

The group froze.

Then, a voice—refined, smooth, and oddly warm.

"Ah… Master Hugo. It's been far too long."

Before anyone could react, a ghostly figure emerged, stepping through the grand staircase.

An elderly man in a fine but slightly worn butler's uniform, his form slightly translucent, yet his presence felt very real.

Ethan yelled and jumped back. "HOLY HELL—"

Darius grabbed his Arc-Lance. "WHAT—IS—THAT?!"

Stella instinctively reached for her weapon, while Lena just stared in shock.

Iris, meanwhile, clapped her hands together, grinning. "Oh! Reginald, you're still here!"

The ghostly butler smiled. "Lady Iris. A pleasure, as always."

Hugo finally exhaled, rubbing his temple.

"…Reginald."

The butler gave a small bow. "Master Hugo. Welcome home."

Silence.

Then—

Cosmos hummed.

"Ah… Reginald. It truly has been too long."

Reginald chuckled. "Indeed, old friend. I was wondering when you'd return."

The group stared.

Ethan wheezed. "Okay. Pause. What the actual hell is happening?!"

Reginald placed a hand over his chest, his ghostly form flickering slightly.

"I understand your confusion. Allow me to introduce myself properly."

He straightened his posture, giving them a polite smile.

"I am Reginald, the former head butler of this estate. And, as you can see… I am also quite dead."

Darius blinked. "Yeah, no kidding."

Stella frowned. "You're a ghost? How is that possible?"

Reginald's expression turned somber.

"Because I was once an experiment of the Genesis Order."

The room fell silent.

Lena narrowed her eyes. "The Genesis Order? As in one of the Five Nations from the Eclipse War?"

Reginald nodded.

"Indeed. I was once a prisoner in their laboratories. Subjected to… inhumane experiments with Arcana. The details are unimportant, but the result… well—"

He gestured to himself, his form flickering faintly.

"I died. But my soul never left."

Ethan shuddered. "That's horrifying."

Reginald, surprisingly, smiled gently. "Oh, it wasn't all bad. After all, it led me to serve Master Hugo."

Darius raised an eyebrow. "And you're… cool with being a ghost?"

Reginald chuckled. "Oh, absolutely. Takes some getting used to, of course, but one makes do."

Iris beamed. "I always liked Reginald! He's the best ghost butler ever!"

Stella muttered under her breath. "How many weird people does Hugo know?"

Reginald turned back to Hugo, his expression growing more serious.

"But I must ask, Master Hugo… if you have returned, then something truly dire must be happening, mustn't it?"

Hugo nodded.

"The Neo Arcane Dominion is making moves. And we need a place to plan."

Reginald smiled.

"Then this home is yours, as it always was."

He stepped aside, gesturing toward the rest of the mansion.

"Make yourselves comfortable, honored guests. You shall find everything in perfect order."

He turned back to Hugo, his eyes glinting faintly.

"And if there is anything else I may assist you with… you need only ask."

Reginald clasped his hands together, his ghostly form flickering slightly, but his presence remained warm and welcoming.

"Well then!" he said cheerfully. "Since it has been so long since Master Hugo has entertained guests, allow me to give you all a proper tour of the estate."

He turned with a graceful motion, leading them down the grand hallway.

"This way, if you please."

The group exchanged glances before following.

The Kitchen

Reginald pushed open a set of ornate doors, revealing a massive, fully stocked kitchen. Sleek countertops, Arcana-powered stoves, and enchanted cooling units lined the walls. Everything was immaculate, as if it had been used just yesterday.

Ethan's eyes widened. "Okay, why is this nicer than some royal palaces?!"

Reginald chuckled. "A well-stocked kitchen is essential for any respectable home. And before you ask, yes—all ingredients are replenished automatically. The house maintains itself."

Darius raised an eyebrow. "Wait. So even though Hugo was gone for a thousand years, this place just kept running?"

Reginald nodded. "Indeed! It would be improper for the house of the Eclipse Hero to fall into disrepair."

Stella glanced at Hugo. "You really just left all this behind?"

Hugo shrugged. "Didn't need it."

Iris giggled. "He's so humble~."

Stella rolled her eyes.

The Dining Hall

The next stop was a massive dining hall, complete with a long banquet table, towering windows, and a grand chandelier. Paintings of historic Eclipse War figures lined the walls—some of them unfamiliar, some of them very familiar.

Darius leaned in toward Ethan. "Bet you he's never actually used this place."

Reginald chuckled knowingly. "Oh, Master Hugo has never once hosted a formal dinner here. A true tragedy, if you ask me."

Ethan grinned. "Called it."

Hugo sighed. "Can we move on?"

The Library

The group stepped into an enormous library, the scent of aged books and Arcana scrolls filling the air. Towering shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, some even floating, shifting on their own as if rearranging knowledge constantly.

Lena whistled. "Well. Didn't take you for a scholar, Hugo."

Hugo crossed his arms. "I'm not. Most of this was left behind by the Republic's historians."

Ethan eagerly grabbed a floating book. "Some of these are pre-invasion era! This is insane!"

Reginald smiled. "Knowledge is a valuable weapon, Master Ethan. Even more than a blade."

Cosmos hummed in agreement. "A rare moment where I agree, ghost."

Reginald chuckled. "Ah, but of course, dear Cosmos. We scholars must stick together."

Hugo muttered under his breath. "This is the worst alliance I've ever seen."

The Outdoor Training Grounds

Reginald led them through a side door, revealing a vast courtyard under the starlit sky. It was designed for combat practice, with dummies, weapon racks, and even a small battle arena.

Darius grinned. "Now this is what I'm talking about."

Reginald smiled. "Master Hugo, of course, used this often in his prime."

Ethan snickered. "So you mean he actually used this part of the house?"

Reginald nodded. "Indeed! Though I must say, I was not fond of the damage caused on several occasions. Some of Master Hugo's training sessions ended with—how shall I say—collateral destruction."

Hugo rolled his eyes. "Not my fault everything kept breaking."

Reginald sighed fondly. "Yes, of course, Master Hugo. Never your fault."

As the tour came to an end, the group finally gathered in the main hall.

Ethan, still bewildered, finally asked—

"Okay, I have to know. How in the hell did you even get a place like this?"

The others turned to Hugo, equally curious.

Hugo sighed.

"This used to be Eclipse Requiem's main base during the war," he said plainly.

The group froze.

Reginald nodded. "Indeed. Before the Republic was officially founded, this estate was the command center for the Eclipse Requiem rebellion. It was here that strategies were formed, battles planned, and… ultimately, where the war came to an end."

Darius slowly turned to Hugo. "...So, you're telling me the Republic just gave you their old war base as a gift?"

Hugo shrugged. "The First Council thought it was appropriate."

Ethan looked like he was going to explode. "Appropriate?! They turned a military stronghold into a damn mansion for you?!"

Hugo crossed his arms. "I didn't ask for it."

Lena smirked. "But you didn't say no, either."

Hugo didn't respond.

Iris clapped her hands together. "It's fitting, don't you think? The great Hero of the Eclipse, living in the house where the war ended~!"

Stella folded her arms, frowning. "Seems excessive."

Reginald smiled. "Oh, I assure you, Lady Stella, if it were truly excessive, there would be golden statues of Master Hugo in the courtyard."

Darius snorted. "Man, I wish that were true."

Hugo sighed. "We're done here. Everyone, find a room and get some sleep. We leave at sunrise."

Reginald gave a small bow. "As always, the estate is at your disposal. Sleep well, honored guests."

The Night Settles

One by one, the group headed to their rooms, each still processing everything they had learned.

Stella hesitated for a moment, watching Hugo from a distance before disappearing into her room.

Iris, of course, tried to follow Hugo.

He stopped at his door, turned to face her, and glared.

"Iris."

She smiled innocently. "Yes, darling~?"

"Go. To. Your. Room."

She pouted. "Fine, fine~. But don't be surprised if I visit in the middle of the night~!"

Hugo slammed his door shut.

Lena cackled from down the hall. "I love her."

As the mansion fell into silence, Hugo finally sat at the edge of his bed, letting out a long breath.

His fingers brushed against the pendant Stella had given him, still tucked inside his coat pocket.

Cosmos hummed quietly.

"Quite the lively group you've gathered."

Hugo closed his eyes.

"...Yeah."

There was still so much ahead of them.

But for now—

They would rest.