Chapter 194: The Continuation of Foundations

Chapter 194: The Continuation of Foundations

Time doesn't stop for anyone or anything.

At first, Luk had hung a calendar in his room, flipping a new page each day. However, after a trip out with Trella, he stopped, and the calendar remained untouched.

The calendar eventually became a mere decoration in their room, blending in with the other unchanged furniture until Luk discovered it one day, realizing it had been there for ten years. He finally discarded it.

Today, Trella chose a brown, classical long dress, adorned with a hat and a black half-veil, a highly versatile outfit.

As she aged, Trella, who once loved dressing up, gradually lost interest in her own appearance but became more focused on Luk's. She selected a proper and elaborate noble outfit for him, helping him dress piece by piece.

"Actually, I wanted to dress more simply."

"Anri has grown up under your watch. As an elder, you should make a grand appearance at his wedding."

Trella tried on various men's hats, but in the end, she couldn't bear to cover Luk's elfin hair. Instead, she tied it back with a red ribbon into a ponytail.

"Besides, dressing you is my pleasure... stretch out your arms."

Luk complied with Trella's movements and gently said, "But wouldn't it be a bit over the top to steal the show on the wedding day, especially since Anri doesn't really like me."

"How could he not like you? He was always so attached to you as a child. Who knew that the girl he liked would dump him after seeing you?" Trella couldn't help but laugh.

At the time, Amir's expression when he heard his son's complaints was priceless. He never imagined that the same thing he experienced in his youth would happen to his son, nearly making him cry at almost sixty.

"Is it just that long-lived races are naturally good-looking? I've heard that the demons are also very attractive."

"Appearance is a subjective thing, and dwarves aren't particularly favored by humans," Luk said matter-of-factly, glancing at Trella. "You don't seem very upset?"

"It's hard to be jealous of twenty-something girls now."

Trella fastened the last button, her eyes smiling as she looked at Luk.

"Human emotions are truly fascinating. When I was in my thirties, I used to get angry if another woman so much as glanced at you. Now, I only feel proud... Perhaps you should study this phenomenon."

Hearing this, Luk turned to look at Trella, his expression peculiar. "You're not raising me like a son, are you?"

"Recently, some people have mistaken us for mother andson. Would you like me to call you 'Mom'?"

Trella said calmly.

At first, they were often mistaken for a normal couple. Gradually, it shifted to a sister-brother dynamic, then to Luk being herkeptlover, and most recently, tomotherandSon.

Luk shook his head, eliciting atrella'sigh.

"That's not fair. I've called you 'Daddy' plentyoftimes."

"I've told you before not to call me that."

The two of them held hands and walked out, boarding the prearranged carriage. They swayed back to the Campbell manor, which had become increasingly unfamiliar over the years.

At the entrance, Amir and Sally were waiting for them.

"You're quite late."

Amir still carried the dampness of theearly autumn morning, having stood there for quite some time. His voice, now aged and worn, carried a hint of displeasure.

"Aren't we the earliest to arrive?"

Luk raised an eyebrow, noting that no other carriages were parked near the manor.

"I've been waiting for you since dawn. It's been five or six years. Couldn't you be a bit more enthusiastic?" Amir complained, leading them tothe inner room.

It had been twenty years since they moved out of the man.or, and Amir was now fifty-Eight. His once robust build had shrunk, his golden hair turning gray and white. In a world where theaverage human lifespan was less than seventy years, he waspurelyan old man.

Sally and Trella, on the other hand, were faringbetter.Both were well-preserved, not showing the premature aging that had plagued Lady Roine. They had wrinkles and fading beauty, but theirBodies remainedhealthy.

"We won't intrude you men's reminiscences."

Sally and Trella walked over, discussing the wedding details while laughing and chatting.

Once they left, LukTouched Amir's head, feeling the changes in his old friend. Amir had aged significantly since their last meeting.

"Next time, I'll be sure to come earlier."

"You better!"

Amir glared at him, complaining, "Why dress up so nicely? Trying to show off to my son too?"

"Trella insisted. If you don't like it, take it up with her."

"I wouldn't dare. Angering her would only anger you, and then you'd beat me up again."

"I wouldn't touch you now. I'm too scared to."

"Who are you calling old? I can still fight!"

Amir snorted, pretending to get up and make a move. Seeing that Luk wasn't stopping him, he quickly lostSteam, grumbling a bit.

"Forget it, today..."

LukInterrupted him, feeling a rare urge to tease, "The weather isn't suitable for a fight today. The grass is too slippery, and yourCondition isn't great..."

ThefamiliarWords made Amir pause. He didn't laugh or change the subject as Luk expected. Instead, heStared Lukintently, staring at him for a while before speaking.

The manor had aged significantly over the years. It underwent a renovation recently, and many parts were dismantled. The grassy field where we used to spar as kids is gone, but I did manage to save a few things and put them in the storage room. After the wedding, let’s go take a look, okay?”

Lu Ke, a bit puzzled by his reaction, nodded. “Sure.”

They sat for a while longer, and the sounds outside gradually grew louder as the guests arrived. Once everyone was there, the two of them walked out of the house to the wedding venue.

Trella and Sally were both giving detailed instructions to a young man in a groom’s suit. The youth had striking blond hair and fairly handsome features, resembling Amir when he was younger. This was the grown-up Anri.

Anri’s face showed clear signs of impatience, but he forced himself to listen. When he saw Lu Ke, a glimmer of joy appeared on his face, but then he seemed to remember something and turned away with a scowl.

Amir, who was not pleased, walked up to the young man and, disregarding the fact that it was his son’s wedding day, gave him a hard tap on the head.

“Your uncle came all the way back for your wedding. Who do you think you’re snubbing? Call him!”

Anri glanced at Amir fearfully and reluctantly called out, “Uncle Lu Ke.”

Lu Ke didn’t mind the boy’s slight rudeness. He smiled and handed over a certificate.

“This is a gift for you. Congratulations on your wedding.”

Anri took the certificate and scanned it, his eyes widening. “A share of the patent for the Improved Basic Attack Spell?”

“As long as I’m alive, the Magic Association exists, and the Improved Basic Attack Spell hasn’t been replaced, you’ll keep receiving payments. It should cover the Cambell family’s daily expenses without much trouble.”

Without the threat of the Demon Clan, the Magic Association was unlikely to make changes, and the Corrupt Sage, along with other major demons, was holed up in Eorzea. The next magic improvement was a long way off, making this patent the most solid foundation for the Cambell family.

“No, this is too valuable.”

Amir shook his head and tried to return it, and Anri also refused, apologizing sincerely.

“Uncle, I’m already happy you came. You don’t need to give me such an expensive gift.” Anri glanced at Lu Ke’s attire and his face fell. “If you could dress a bit more simply, that would be even better. You’re going to steal all the attention from me.”

“On that point, he’s not wrong.”

Amir, who had had a similar experience, nodded in agreement.

Despite their protests, Lu Ke insisted, and the patent was eventually given to Anri.

The wedding was formal and meticulously planned, to the point of being somewhat tedious.

Watching Anri and his blushing bride exchange rings and kiss, the officiant declared the ceremony complete, and the couple officially became husband and wife. Trella sighed.

“I suddenly think a normal wedding isn’t so bad.”

“Most people would probably say a meteor shower or a flower field spell is more romantic than this.”

Trella smiled and lowered her eyes. “You’re right.”

After the wedding, Amir led Lu Ke to an empty room.

Inside, some items were stored, but the room was neatly organized, likely due to someone’s careful attention. The most prominent objects were two small wooden swords, seemingly meant for children.

He picked one up and handed the other to Lu Ke, much like the elderly Roine used to ramble on.

“These are from back then. One for you, one for me. Remember to take yours when you leave tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“I wanted to keep the steel swords we used afterward, but Uncle Arno had them disposed of because they were broken. You remember Uncle Arno, right? He was our family’s butler, always so serious.”

“I remember.”

“You used to dislike the food at home and taught the chef Bal some strange recipes. I guess Trella took over cooking for you afterward. Did you get used to it?”

“Thirty years is a long time. You get used to anything.”

“Recently, a painter mentioned that Mother had arranged for the preservation of a painting of you. It’s been restored and looks brand new. I’ll take you to see it later.”

“Sure, I’ll go see it.”

“The armor and sword Mother prepared for me are damaged. Is your sandalwood staff still in good condition?”

“It’s been with me all this time.”

As he spoke, Amir sighed and touched a peculiar pendant around his neck. It was the graduation certificate Lenis had given him when he joined the military.

“I miss Teacher Lenis. I’ve sent many people to look for her, but she’s nowhere to be found. It’s been thirty years, and she hasn’t come to see me. Even if she doesn’t come for me, she should at least come to see you.”

Lu Ke replied calmly, “Thirty years isn’t much to her.”

“I know, but it feels like I’ll never see her again.”

Amir looked at his childhood friend, recalling their infant days, their teenage sparring, and now this timeless youth. His eyes grew a bit watery.

He turned away, wiped his face quickly, and then faced Lu Ke again, his voice trembling.

“Lu Ke.”

“Come visit me often. I don’t have much time left.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end