Chapter 72: Gratitude

The guards opened the gates and let Finnea and Zaos in. Finnea led Zaos through the pathway going across the small lawn to the manor.

Once at the front door, Finnea knocked on the door lightly. A few seconds later, a middle-aged dark elf dressed in a black butler suit opened the door.

The elf casually glanced at the visitors but when his gaze fell on Finnea, he exclaimed in shock.

"Young miss?!" His eyes widened in surprise.

Finnea displayed a small smile as she spoke to the middle-aged butler, "Hello, Uncle Bornard."

"Are you alright, young miss? How are you here? Weren't you abducted by the Spectral Raiders?" Bornard spoke with concern.

"It was Sir Ghost who saved me. For now, let's head inside, I need to see my father." Finnea introduced Zaos tersely before urging the butler.

It was only then that Bornard remembered Finnea wasn't alone. He had forgotten about the second individual in his shock.

"Thank you for saving the lady, Sir Ghost. Please follow me," Bornard acknowledged Zaos with a bow and after the latter nodded, he led the way into the building.

The inside of the manor wasn't as extravagant as most of the buildings Zaos had been to but it was certainly grand.

The hall beyond the entrance was decorated with large paintings of different aesthetic landscapes, statues of majestic beasts, and dull but beautiful flowering plants.

The group walked to the stairway in the middle of the hall and ascended it towards the upper floor.

As they ascended, Bornard spoke to Finnea.

"The master is in the study, he has been depressed since the news of your abduction got to him. I am sure he will be thrilled to know you have returned!" Bornard spoke with excitement.

Finnea on the other hand, revealed a pained expression. She sighed softly as she silently quickened her pace.

Bornard led the group to a door at the far end of the hallway on the upper floor. He knocked softly on the door and announced.

"Master Hamveil, the young miss has returned!" Bornard said enthusiastically.

"Father!" Finnea rushed to the door, not waiting for a reply. She twisted the doorknob open, revealing a neat room filled with bookshelves.

Besides the bookshelves was a wooden desk and chair. Sat on the chair was a man with disheveled short dark hair, a wrinkled face, and clouded brown eyes.

The man held a glass of liquor in his hand as he stared fixed at the door with wide eyes.

"Finnea?" The man asked weakly.

Tears began to stream down Finnea's cheeks as she saw the state the man was in.

"Father!" She called out once more before rushing to the man's side.

She knelt on the floor and hugged the middle-aged man tightly as more tears streamed down her face.

"Is it really you, Finnea?" Choking back a sob, the middle-aged man hugged his daughter back.

Zaos and the Bornard were left as the bystanders to this spectacle. Bornard seemed happy for the duo as he too, shed a tear as he watched the father and daughter reunion while Zaos remained silent by the side.

As Zaos watched the duo, memories of his time with his parents slowly surfaced in his mind.

In his first life as Jack, Zaos was a very pampered child. He was extremely close to his parents and since they were wealthy, he never lacked anything he wanted.

However, those times were short-lived as his parents were murdered by a business rival. The pain from the separation, the fear for his safety, and the thirst for revenge forced young Zaos to seek strength fervently.

He had given up on everything else like love and companionship to focus on this goal, and even after many years, Zaos remained the same.

[How would my life be if my parents hadn't died?] Zaos stared blankly at the father-daughter duo.

He imagined a reality where his parents lived and he followed his dream to become an entrepreneur just like his father. He owned a company and had started a family, having two kids and a beautiful wife.

Everything seemed bliss, his parents were still alive, and he achieved all his goals in life, yet, Zaos couldn't bring himself to enjoy this fantasy.

[Without strength, anything I build will eventually crumble. The world is cruel, only the powerful can attain true happiness,] Zaos shook his head, ridding himself of his melancholic thoughts.

After a few minutes, the somber atmosphere in the room had mostly dissipated. Finnea separated from her father and introduced him to Zaos.

"Father, this is Sir Ghost. He is the one who saved me from the Spectral Raiders," Finnea pointed in the direction Bornard and Zaos were.

The middle-aged man stood up from his chair and walked over to Zaos, ignoring his prestige as a successful merchant, Hamveil took a deep bow and said to Zaos.

"Thank you, I will do my best to repay this debt," Hamveil promised earnestly.

Zaos' expression remained stoic as he replied to the slightly plump merchant.

"I was only doing my job. You posted the bounty and I accepted it, this is merely a business transaction." Zaos spoke indifferently.

Hamveil didn't get offended, most bounty hunters and mercenaries he had worked with also displayed similar traits.

He lifted his head and nodded to Zaos before ordering his butler, "Fetch sixty good-quality mana gems for Mr Ghost."

Zaos raised his brows. The reward for the bounty request was meant to be thirty good-quality mana gems, yet he was receiving double the amount.

[Although, I'm not complaining,] Zaos mused.

The butler bowed in acknowledgment and exited the room.

"Would you like to have a seat?" Hamveil offered Zaos.

Zaos shook his head and responded coolly, "There is no need."

Hamveil smiled awkwardly and returned to his daughter's side. They tried engaging Zaos in a conversation several times but were met with cold responses. They eventually gave up and chatted amongst themselves as they awaited the butler's return.

A few minutes later, the smartly dressed butler returned with a small chest in his hands.

He looked to his master for permission, and after seeing the latter nod, he handed the chest to Zaos.

Zaos received the chest and pried it open, inside the chest were several polished and glimmering black gems. He did a quick count and nodded in satisfaction.

[Sixty good-quality dark mana gems in total,]

Hamveil smiled and spoke, "I hope you are satisfied, Mr Ghost. If you ever need anything, feel free to reach out to me," He spoke earnestly.

"Thank you, Sir Ghost!" Finnea voiced out from her father's side.

Zaos tersely acknowledged as he turned to leave.

Bornard quickly followed behind him, escorting him to the front door. He opened the door for Zaos and also said his thanks as he sent the latter off.

After exiting the premises, Zaos decided to head home for the day since he was drained.