ONLINE: Blades of Eternity - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: A SIMPLE TOUR

Guinevere stood before Kaelen, her fiery presence radiating an intense heat that seemed to distort the air around her. The amulet hung from her hand, its dark silver chain barely noticeable against her scarlet robes. She held it up to Kaelen, the molten gold gemstone at its center swirling with crimson flecks, pulsing as if it had a heartbeat of its own.

General Cao watched silently from the side, his gaze sharp and unreadable. The amulet’s glow intensified as Guinevere activated it, the ancient runes along its edges beginning to hum softly, filling the air with a faint, ethereal melody. Kaelen could feel the magic in the amulet reaching out, probing him, searching for something hidden deep within.

For a moment, the gemstone’s light brightened, flickering like a flame in the wind. Guinevere’s eyes narrowed as she focused on the amulet, waiting for it to reveal whatever secrets Kaelen might be hiding. But then, just as suddenly as it had flared, the light dimmed. The amulet returned to its steady, gentle glow, the runes falling silent.

Guinevere frowned, frustration flickering across her face. “Nothing,” she muttered under her breath, her fiery aura flaring briefly with her irritation. She turned the amulet in her hand, as if questioning its reliability, before looking back at Kaelen. “It doesn’t sense anything.”

Kaelen let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his posture relaxing slightly. The tension in the air seemed to ease as the amulet’s probing magic withdrew. General Cao’s expression remained inscrutable, though there was a slight shift in his stance, as if he was considering something.

Guinevere lowered the amulet, its light fading until it was nothing more than a dull glimmer in her hand. She gave Kaelen one last, searching look before stepping back. “It seems you’re not what I thought,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and curiosity.

Kaelen said nothing, his thoughts racing as he processed what had just happened. The encounter had left him with more questions than answers, but for now, it seemed, the Dragon-Seeker Amulet had found nothing within him.

“Well am sorry for treating our guest rudely Master, please punish me for my lack of etiquette” Guinevere eventually said in an apologetic tone as she bowed towards General Cao. But General Cao didn’t give her a quick response as he was currently lost in his own thoughts.

“Oh it’s fine Guinevere, you were just being cautious of an unforeseen danger so I totally understand” but it didn’t take too long before General Cao came back to his senses as he gave Guinevere a reply.

“Thank you Master” Guinevere said before she faced Kaelen and said in a more friendly tone “Welcome to my master’s residence which you know as General Cao. Would you like me to give you a tour around?”

“Urmm… Yeah?” Kaelen hesitated to give his reply while he secretly gave General Cao a glance. But when he saw General Cao nodding slightly, he finally relaxed.

“Great, follow me then” But strangely, Guinevere didn’t see the short exchange Kaelen had with General Cao as she said while she turned and began to walk back into the residence.

“Ok” Kaelen muttered as he followed her into the residence. But General Cao still stayed as he began to ponder again with a frown on his face.

‘Why would Guinevere sense dragon mana from Kaelen?’

But Guinevere and Kaelen didn’t know about this as they began the tour around General Cao residence.

While meeting up with Guinevere, Kaelen was still cautious about her but was curious to see more of the place. They walked side by side through the grand entrance, where the doors—tall and made of polished ebony—seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it. The hallway beyond was wide and lined with ancient tapestries depicting scenes of battle, glory, and conquest. Each step they took echoed softly on the marble floor, the sound swallowed by the immense space around them.

“This mansion was gifted to General Cao by the Academy,” Guinevere began, her voice steady. “It’s a place where he can train, rest, and strategize. Everything here is designed to suit his needs as one of the most powerful pillars of the Academy.”

They passed through a large archway into a vast training hall. The walls were lined with various weapons—swords, spears, axes—each displayed with care, as though they were relics from a bygone era. The floor was made of stone, marked by the scars of countless battles fought within this very room. Sunlight streamed in from high, narrow windows, casting long shadows across the space.

“This is where General Cao hones his skills,” Guinevere explained, her voice tinged with admiration. “It’s said that no one can best him in combat within these walls.”

Kaelen glanced around, feeling the weight of the history embedded in this place. He could almost hear the echoes of past duels, the clash of steel, and the roar of victory.

They moved on, entering a tranquil garden nestled within the heart of the residence. The contrast between the garden’s serenity and the intensity of the training hall was stark. Here, the air was cool and fragrant, filled with the scent of blooming jasmine and the sound of trickling water. A small pond lay in the center, its surface like glass, reflecting the vibrant green of the surrounding foliage.

“This is where General Cao comes to meditate,” Guinevere said, her tone softer. “It’s a place of peace, where he can clear his mind and find balance. The garden was designed to remind him of the balance between power and tranquility, two forces he must master.”

Kaelen marveled at the beauty of the garden, appreciating the calm it offered. It was a sanctuary within the mansion, a place where even someone as formidable as General Cao could find solace.

They continued their tour, passing through a series of private chambers. The walls were adorned with ancient scrolls and maps, each one carefully preserved behind glass. Guinevere led Kaelen to a room dominated by a large, circular table. The surface was carved with intricate designs, depicting a map of the continent with various regions highlighted in gold.

“This is General Cao’s war room,” Guinevere said, her voice reverberating slightly in the chamber. “Here, he plans his strategies, studies his enemies, and prepares for the challenges ahead. Every major decision he makes begins in this room.”

Kaelen could sense the gravity of the space. It was a room of decisions, where lives were weighed, and futures were determined.

Finally, they reached a small, personal library. The shelves were filled with books of all kinds—ancient tomes, tactical manuals, and scrolls containing forgotten knowledge. A single window allowed a shaft of light to illuminate the central reading table, where an open book lay waiting.

“This is where General Cao spends his evenings,” Guinevere said, her tone almost reverent. “Reading, learning, always preparing. He believes that the mind must be as sharp as the blade.”

Kaelen took in the room, feeling the quiet intensity of the space. It was a reflection of General Cao himself—disciplined, focused, and unyielding.

As they exited the library, Guinevere turned to Kaelen, her gaze steady. “This residence is more than just a home,” she said. “It’s a place of strength, knowledge, and power. Remember that as you walk these halls.”

Kaelen nodded, absorbing everything she had shown him. The tour had given him a deeper understanding of the man behind the title, the one who had chosen to bring him here. General Cao’s residence was a place steeped in history and purpose, much like the man himself.

“And here comes the end of the tour” Guinevere eventually said as she paused on her tracks.

‘What a grand mansion’ Kaelen thought with a awe birthed within him. But Guinevere didn’t know this as she suddenly continued “Now let me show you to your room”

And so, Guinevere led Kaelen down a quieter hallway, away from the more prominent parts of the mansion. The air grew cooler as they walked, the soft glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows on the walls. The atmosphere was serene, almost meditative, as if this area of the mansion was meant for rest and reflection.

At the end of the corridor, Guinevere stopped in front of a dark wooden door. The wood was polished to a gleaming finish, with intricate carvings of dragons winding along the frame. She pushed the door open with a smooth motion and stepped inside, gesturing for Kaelen to follow.

“This will be your room,” Guinevere said, her voice calm and measured.

Kaelen entered, his eyes immediately drawn to the large window on the far wall. The view overlooked the tranquil garden they had passed earlier, with its lush greenery and serene pond. The moonlight filtering through the leaves cast a silver sheen across the room, giving it an ethereal glow.

The room itself was spacious yet understated in its elegance. A large bed with a dark wooden frame stood against one wall, draped in rich, deep blue linens that looked as soft as they were luxurious. The headboard was adorned with more dragon carvings, each one finely detailed, almost as if they were alive.

A small writing desk sat near the window, equipped with parchment, ink, and a quill. The chair was cushioned, inviting Kaelen to sit and reflect or record his thoughts. Nearby, a wardrobe stood tall, its doors slightly ajar, revealing neatly arranged robes and training attire.

On the opposite side of the room was a small, private sitting area. A low table made of the same dark wood as the bed and desk was surrounded by plush chairs. A single, ornate lantern hung above the table, casting a warm, golden light that contrasted with the cool moonlight from the window.

“You can stay in this room,” Guinevere continued, her tone respectful. “It’s a place where you can rest and gather your strength. If you need anything, simply ask.”

Kaelen walked further into the room, taking in the details. The quiet elegance of the space reflected the disciplined nature of General Cao’s mansion, yet it also had a touch of personal comfort that made it feel inviting.

He turned to Guinevere, who was standing by the door, her fiery aura subdued in the soft light of the room. “Thank you,” he said, his voice sincere.

Guinevere nodded, her expression neutral but her eyes conveying a hint of approval. “Rest well, Kaelen. You have a big day tomorrow.”