Chapter 187: A Dreamlike Descent

Chapter 187: A Dreamlike Descent

Stepping into a new phase, time seemed to lose its meaning.

It wasn’t until Luk noticed many unfamiliar faces in the manor that he felt a sense of passing time, as if an era had passed. He called for the butler, Charles, to inquire.

"Has there been a recent change in staff?"

"The servants here are hired for a thirty-year term, and once their term is up, they retire."

"Oh, thirty years."

Unlike the pampered lives of the lords, thirty years was the maximum a servant could work. Any longer would be a form of torture, the kind that only existed in the sweatshops of the lower classes, not in noble households.

Luk waved Charles away. When he first arrived, it was the third year of a new batch of servants. Now, thirty years had passed, and he was twenty-seven.

Six years had elapsed since the wedding, and with no major incidents during that time, Luk felt as if time had stood still.

He looked into the mirror, and the person inside seemed frozen at twenty years old. Pale skin, a lean build, and sharp, handsome features—except for the change into more fitted silk clothing, nothing had changed. It was hard to believe he was nearly thirty.

In recent years, he had gradually reduced his physical training, focusing instead on magic research, achieving significant success.

After mastering the highly complex flight magic, creating less challenging spells became easier. Even without Frellean’s help, he successfully improved basic attack and defense spells by increasing their magic density and speed.

This couldn’t compare to the future, where the entire nation would pour resources into cracking the ancient corruption of the powerful mage Guval, but he had made notable improvements by enhancing the basic spells.

Combined with his later development of "Aiming Magic," he could lock onto an enemy’s vital points, making it nearly impossible to dodge unless the attack was destroyed.

Perhaps influenced by his belief that improving magic was the right path, a wave of researchers began to emerge, optimizing existing spells.

Though it was just the beginning, it was a promising start. Under the guidance of the Magic Association, Luk was hailed as the "Father of Modern Magic" and bestowed the title of Lifetime Honorary Mentor.

The mayor of Barum City, upon hearing this news, personally awarded him the title of "Viscount" and granted him a plot of land near Barum.

Luk didn’t mind these unexpected riches and casually assigned two trusted subordinates to manage the land.

Over the past six years, the Hero Squad and the army had brought a steady stream of victories, pushing the main forces closer to the Demon King’s Castle, Eud. As more lost territories were reclaimed, the people rejoiced, feeling that better days were on the horizon.

Commerce flourished, and the people lived in peace, sparking a baby boom that nearly doubled the population.

But Luk always felt something was off.

The demons were too compliant. Losing more often than winning was normal, but losing every battle was suspicious.

But that was the reality. The reclaimed territories were now fortified with defensive barriers, making it difficult for the demons to retake them, even if they were feigning defeat.

"Are they feigning weakness, or is there something else they fear?"

Luk was deep in thought when a clear, gentle voice broke his concentration.

"Admiring yourself in the mirror, are you?"

He looked up to see Trela approaching in a black lace dress.

At twenty-five, Trela’s appearance hadn’t changed much. Her beautiful face was even more radiant, and her figure had matured, exuding a charm that was distinct from her younger self. However, her face now carried a visible hint of melancholy.

"Nothing much."

Luk stepped away from the mirror and led her a few steps out. "Have the monks arrived to treat Lady Rhoin?"

"Already treated."

Trela’s expression darkened, and she hesitated before speaking.

"The situation isn’t good. Lady Rhoin’s illness isn’t sudden; it’s common among older people. The monks said... it might be just a matter of days."

Luk pursed his lips, his brow furrowing.

Lady Rhoin was fifty-three, which, for a noble lady, wasn’t particularly old. However, she had aged faster than others, especially after Amil left home to join the army.

She only smiled and regained her spirits when Luk visited her or when she received letters from Amil, but even then, it was only temporary.

"Have you heard from Amil?"

Luk asked, continuing.

With the northern countries gradually being reclaimed, communication had improved, no longer as one-sided as it once was.

"No, he seems to have been promoted to captain, and his movements are highly confidential."

Trela sighed, her worry evident.

Luk’s frown deepened at this.

Amil’s letters had stopped four years ago, with the last one mentioning the northern highlands. He had informed them of his promotion and the stricter communication protocols, but it was unexpected that no further news had come.

Considering the demons’ consecutive defeats, the likelihood of his death was low, but the lack of contact was a significant concern.

"I’ll go see her."

Luk walked to Lady Rhoin’s room, and the familiar decor momentarily made him feel disoriented, memories flooding his mind.

Lady Rhoin had always suffered from respiratory issues. When he was younger, to practice his magic, Laines would have him go to Lady Rhoin’s room to cast ventilation and dust-removal spells.

It was in this room that Lady Rhoin had asked him to prevent Amil from leaving home too easily.

As he grew older and purchased a magical device for ventilation and dust removal, he no longer visited as frequently as he did in his childhood.

Lady Roine lay in bed, her gaunt cheeks resembling dried apples. Her breathing was shallow, and her face looked particularly haggard. Her eyes fluttered anxiously, as if she were having a bad dream.

Luk silently extended his hand, which was immediately grasped.

Feeling the warmth and pulse from his hand, Lady Roine's anxious expression eased slightly.

Time slowly passed. The sun's rays no longer pierced the sky, and nightfall descended quietly. It was then that she opened her eyes and saw the figure by her bedside.

"Is that you, Rog?"

Her voice, dreamy and soft, echoed in the darkness.

"It's me."

Luk answered in a low voice.

"No, that's not right. Rog is gone. You're Amir."

"It's me."

The same answer came again, and Lady Roine followed with a second denial.

"Amir isn't here. It's Luk, right?"

"It's me."

Lady Roine let out a muffled, labored laugh. "Light the lamp, Luk. I'm awake."

Luk flicked his finger, and a small flame of magic ignited the candle.

The dim light illuminated the faces of the two people. The one by the bed was young, handsome, and tall like a pine tree. The one in bed was old, gaunt, and curled up in a ball.

They were in the same space, but time had treated them differently.

"How long have I been asleep?"

Lady Roine asked after a moment of silence.

"About five or six hours."

"Old age brings less sleep." Lady Roine stared at Luk for a moment. "You haven't changed."

"Elves' appearances are fixed at their prime. I told you that before," Luk replied gently.

"Yes, you did. Lainis told me too."

Lady Roine's lips twitched, and she took a few labored breaths before patting Luk's hand urgently. Understanding her, Luk brought the trash bin closer.

She covered her face, coughed twice, and spat out a thick phlegm, then took a few more breaths before lying back down, exhausted.

"Lainis probably hasn't changed much. I, however, have become an old woman."

"You are still as beautiful and elegant as ever."

"You're just trying to make me feel better."

Lady Roine smiled, then suddenly trembled and lowered her head, gripping Luk's hand tightly.

"Luk, I'm sorry. I've wronged you."

Luk shook his head calmly. "I don't understand what you mean."

"I did love you, and I did care for you deeply." Lady Roine's breathing grew heavier, and she looked lost, like a child who had made a mistake.

"But in truth... I always saw you as a substitute for Amir."

"I had the servants call you 'young master,' watched your training, gave you a staff, and arranged your wedding. Besides loving you, I also saw Amir's shadow in you."

"I knew." Luk gently caressed Lady Roine's gaunt cheek. "I always knew your thoughts."

Lady Roine slumped back on the bed, her voice weak. "That's why you never wanted to be my adopted son, to take the Campbell name."

"It wasn't because of that. The name Luk has a different meaning to me. If you just want to be my mother, you can be now."

Luk smoothed her hair and smiled. "Do you prefer the noble term 'mother' or the more common term 'mom'?"

Lady Roine smiled and shook her head. "I would love to hear it, but I don't have the face to ask you to call me that."

"Can you forgive me?"

"You've been good to me and more responsible than Lainis. You've never done anything wrong. There's no need for me to forgive you."

Luk sighed. "But if you want to hear it, I'll say it."

"I forgive you."

With a relieved breath, the backbone of the Campbell family began to crumble.

...

When the morning sun illuminated the inner room, Luk gently pried open the cold, stiff hand that had clung to his. The figure who had played the role of a mother in his life had left, and he felt no real sense of loss, no overwhelming sadness, just a lingering melancholy.

Luk stepped out of the room, and Trella, who was waiting outside, looked at him with concern.

"How is Lady Roine?"

Luk shook his head and walked downstairs, hearing Trella's sobs behind him.

The servants greeted him as usual, and he nodded in return, just as he always did.

It felt like a dream, surreal and unfocused, with dulled senses and a hazy mind.

As he stepped out of the mansion, he heard cheers and people running around, as if some great news had spread.

"What's happening?"

Luk grabbed a passerby and asked.

The man's face immediately turned respectful, and he bowed deeply. "Master Luk, you haven't seen today's newspaper yet."

"Is there some big news?"

Luk asked woodenly.

The man thrust a newspaper into his hand, his voice excited and his face flushed.

"The Hero Squad and the army have reached the Demon King's castle!"

"Erd is about to fall!"

"Victory for humanity is near!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end