Novel Full Chapter 1039 The Grand Heliox Estate
[Eon’s POV: ]
“It happened before we met.
When I was going to come to the academy through one of the airships that takes you directly to the academy on a distant island, I ran into some thugs that were picking on a young girl.
They were harassing her so it was obvious to me that they were doing something that girl obviously did not want, so I helped her, and then I ran into this person who was looking after that girl…
Well, we didn’t know each other but since we met like that, we were together for a while, before we parted ways and I came to the academy.”
“I was in a disguise so I didn’t think she would recognize me this quickly but, she did, and it’s alright.
I was looking after Kiri that day and we were playing by ourselves. So… please don’t tell Mime or I’ll be in trouble.”
Great uncle… well, he looks young so calling him that doesn’t seem like either. Anna calls him young grandpa, but I can’t call him that either… I will call him Elder uncle from now on.
‘So, since Elder uncle looked just a few years older than Uncle El, it was pretty difficult to tell his actual age.’
He was going to be fifty soon so he certainly was much older than our parents. His son was also a few years older than us so that was that.
‘Mime was his wife, and Kiri was the daughter of his wife’s sister, so his niece in a way.’
If Elder uncle Luthor was famous as one of the youngest swordmasters, his wife was also one of the candidates for the elder position like our dad.
Your next journey awaits at empire
Her sister, on the other hand, was a priestess, and Kiri, the famous troublemaker of Sumer family, had inherited holy powers from her mom and martial powers from her father who is a knight of Heliox and Elder uncle’s second in command.
“It was a coincidence that we met back then, or at least I thought it was a coincidence but, seeing you again, young miss, makes me wonder if it was some sign from Fate all along.”
Elder uncle was accompanied by a few of his retainers and not the servants.
“Well, whatever it may be, it is nice to see you again, young miss.”
Though the island that we are on itself is a masterpiece of nature, with rugged cliffs and lush greenery intertwining to create a haven of tranquillity and splendour, what makes this island stand out the most among the other nine is not the nature and the giant lighttower, but the very attractive estate that seems nothing less than a royal castle.
“Let us all go in. Mime is waiting… you all must be tired as well. Rest is needed.”
We started moving towards the house, setting aside the introductions for the time being.
The estate was mesmerising for those of us who had only seen it in pictures and descriptions, so just witnessing this castle resembling our own estate in the capital was a new experience…
Even Anna’s eyes were stuck at the very edge of the cliff where a towering lighthouse stood sentinel, its beacon cutting through the approaching night’s light like a celestial sword, guiding mariners to safety.
The lighthouse, with its ancient stone construction and weathered charm, somehow added a touch of timelessness to the estate, making it a landmark visible even from distant shores.
People of the city below could definitely see the estate located on this higher ground, however, though the estate might not be visible to a few of shipmen sailing at a distance, the light of this old structure crafted by the hands of our ancestors was the guiding light that they admired within their hearts.
“Axion, isn’t it.”
“Yes, Elder uncle.”
“Hmmm? Elder uncle? That’s a new one.”
The estate was surely a marvel of architectural grandeur, its imposing structures blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the island.
The mix of white and dull blue, the scattered spots with bright colors, the statues located in the various positions, the many balconies present in this castle, the flowers that has a fragrance detectable all the way here, and… and however much I describe this place, I know it is not going to be enough.
“Since Anna calls you Young grandpa, I found it more appropriate to call you Elder uncle.
I would call you by your name, but I do not find it comfortable. If anything, I wish to address you more formally… however, I know not just you but even grandma and my mother would not like that.
So, I will continue calling you Elder uncle. Please tell me if you do not like it so that I can come up with-.”
“Oh, no no. Young man I’m not scolding you for a new name or anything. You can call me whatever you like.
You’re technically my grandson anyway so you certainly have all the right to talk to me as informally as you wish.
Though…”
It was evident from his gaze that he also would not like being addressed formally.
“We are family, Axion.”
Technicalities were on one side, and a private time with the family was on another.
“Since this is not any official setting, I would like it if you were as informal as that red headed bunny.”
He was obviously talking about Carla who did not use any formalities with him. She even called him Thor as if he was her close friend instead of an elder relative.
‘I knew she was close to him and also the fact that she called him by that nickname, but the fact that she used that certain casual tone when talking with him just did not sit right with me.’
There’s nothing I can do about it anyway, but I know I will not be able to be as casual with him as her… I just won’t bring myself to do it, and I know the others around me know that already.
“Well, boy. You can be casual without using casual speech as well.”
The main residence that we now stood before was a palatial manor, crafted from the finest stone over eight centuries ago and adorned with intricate carvings that told ancestral tales of valour and heritage.
Tall, arched windows present all throughout this castle allowed sunlight to flood the interiors, casting a warm glow on the opulent furnishings within.
However, as old as this castle may look…
[{ *This is a difficult one.* }]
The magical security system casted with the blessed powers of our ancestors was something that even Lucy could not understand at a simple glance.
“Right, this is your first time here, right Axion?”
As we entered through the grand gates that were nothing less than a history book encoded with much more knowledge than what my family might have known, we witnessed the vast hall flanked by majestic columns, leading into a vast foyer with a sweeping staircase.
“Wow…” this was a breathtaking view.
“Isn’t this pretty, big brother~?”
Each step on that staircase was a journey through history, with portraits of our ancestors and their adventures lining the walls, and the scattered chandeliers that sparkled like constellations above.
The great hall, with its vaulted ceilings and massive fireplace, the many doors hiding many fun places, and tools that we rarely see in the outside world framed around the large hall, this was a place where true heroes used to gather
“Hmmm… looks like Mime went to the back thinking we would come from the back. What should we do now?”
“Oh! Oh! Young grandpa! I’ll go with my big brother and bring her~! You all can wait here~!”
“Oho? You’d do that big girl?”
“Yes~!” she really is excited about this one, alright.
And I can definitely understand that excitement.
“Then be careful out there. You do know the way around this place, right?”
“Of course I do! Hmph!”
Beyond the manor, the estate extended into lush gardens meticulously designed to delight the senses.
‘From what I know, this whole place used to be a secret organisation’s gathering point. In fact, in the past, at one point, this estate even used to be a prison for the high ranking leaders.’
Zigzag pathways passing through vibrant flowerbeds, ancient oak trees, and serene water features that mirror the sky.
“Isn’t this palace amazing, big brother~?”
There is a sense of enchantment in every corner of this lush garden, from the secluded rose garden where lovers steal moments to the expansive lawns perfect for grand outdoor soirées, even I couldn’t help my awe at this amazing place…
“Oh! Anna!”
There were more than a few gazebos present all around this garden, and waiting for us on the furthest one connecting to the backside of the estate where the path to the shore stated and where one of the greatest stables of the entire empire was located, our Elder aunt was waiting for us.
“Mime~! Hehe, what are you doing here~? We came from the other side~.”
“What~? I thought you all would roam around a little like usual~.”
A (tier-7) master, a high ranking mage pretty close to reaching (tier-9). She was only a few years older than dad, quite younger than Elder uncle, but still, she was a unique one in this family as well.
“Smff, smff~? Smfff~~!”
Her familiar was a unique (Blue) rank mouse like creature. A simple looking energy beast that might seem the most normal among the various familiars that we had in this family…
“Sammi~! I missed you as well~!”
But, this simple looking creature was in fact as rare as Uto, or, in some cases, even as rare as my SanSan.
‘And this is crazy since, well, isn’t it obviously crazy?’
A mouse and an Ocagi that possesses a pinnacle skill.
Isn’t simply comparing these two polar examples a crazy thing?
“Oh… who do we have here, pretty Anna?”
“That’s big brother! Haven’t I told you about him~?”
For me at least, that little creature is a fascinating entity that I’ve always wanted to meet.
‘Lucy.’
[{ *Already on it, master.* }]
And now that I was seeing this creature, I obviously had to see the thing that made that little one as unique as it was for myself, right?