Chapter 66 - Shadows at the Mansion

After taking care of a **Minotaur** and a couple of **Arachnes**, Miss Kaelyn finally returned to us while catching her breath.

"Seraphina, I think we should head to the dungeon core," she said.

Miss Sera nodded, her expression still sharp and focused. 

"Yeah… the number of monsters has dropped. It might be the best time to try."

Then she turned toward me. 

"What about you, Alve? You were mainly guiding the magicians since we were busy fighting, but now that things have settled… what's your plan?"

I exhaled, debating whether I should mention it. 

Then I said, "Do you know where **Duke Kurtis** lives? Prince Edward asked me to check on him."

"Duke Kurtis? Yes, I know his estate," Miss Sera replied, her brows furrowing. "Last I heard, His Majesty was unable to contact him—even through the communication orb."

"Then… can you tell me how to get there?" I asked.

She hesitated. "Alve, I don't think that's a good idea. I've met the Duke once before—he's a capable man. I'm sure he's fine."

"I'm not planning to stay long," I reassured her. "Just a quick look. If he's not there, I'll head back to the palace."

She let out a long sigh. 

"You never sit still, do you? Fine. But take a couple of knights with you. Monsters are still lurking."

With her directions in mind, I took **three knights** with me and made haste toward the Duke's mansion.

---

"Strange..." I muttered as we arrived.

There were no signs of damage—no shattered gates, no breached walls, no bloodstains. 

Everything looked… untouched.

"Be on alert. I don't like this," I warned the knights quietly.

As we stepped through the front gate, an eerie silence wrapped around us. 

Should I really just knock on the front door like this place wasn't in a city under chaos?

I pushed the large wooden door open without knocking. 

It creaked loudly as we entered the dimly lit hall. Dust particles floated in the still air. No servants, no signs of life.

"Sir Alve, maybe the Duke has already evacuated?" one knight suggested.

"Yeah… maybe. Let's—"

I stopped mid-sentence. 

Something was **off**. 

A strange **flow of mana** pulsed faintly from a shadowed corner of the room—subtle, but not natural.

"Let's head back," I said calmly, turning my body toward the exit… 

But just as I turned, I reached for my sword, spun, and **hurled it** toward the corner at full strength.

_Clang!_

From the shadows, a figure emerged—my sword had missed him, but only just.

"You noticed me… even while I was cloaked with an artifact?" he said with a mocking grin.

I narrowed my eyes, swordless but ready. 

His face was unfamiliar, but the mana from him felt dangerous. Calculated.

"It's you… the outsider brat, Alve," he sneered.

I clenched my fists. 

"Who are you? And where is Duke Kurtis?"

The smirk on his face widened, and the shadows around him seemed to swirl in response.