Chapter 21: Mansion

It turned out that no one was hurt from the incident. The assassins were all killed except one, and the person who had killed them had disappeared.

Guards came shortly after and took them to a facility for questioning, John was asked questions like "Why were you being targeted or Who killed them?"

John didn't know why so he answered honestly, fortunately they were released once they proved that they were the victims of their attacks.

There were no deaths and around 2 minor injury casualties. One thing John knew for sure was that he needed to find that person. 

'I wonder why she saved me…' John thought,

"Oi, John, We're arriving soon." Said Serena.

"Where?" He asked.

"Haven't you been listening? We'll arrive at Eleanor's house soon!" Said Serena.

"Oh, yeah... Where are we again? The houses around here seem pretty expensive compared to the ones at the entrance." John muttered.

"This Area is safer compared to the entrance, it's mainly nobles and rich merchants that live here." Said Alfred.

"So why is it safer?" John asked.

"The Security Around here is a lot tighter than the one in the entrance, and most of the mansions here have guards that were either adventurers or students who graduated from magic academies," Said Alfred.

"I see..." John muttered.

'Nonetheless, this area is really clean, I wonder if that has something to do with magic…' John thought.

"We're nearly there," Said Alfred.

'Huh? But I don't see any... thing…' John realised.

There was a path right beside them which led to a mansion that was surrounded by a wall and gate.

'This kingdom sure has a lot of territory... How much would you have to pay to get a mansion like that?' John wondered with curiosity.

Now that John thought about it, he had seen quite a few mansions so far.

'This is one big kingdom,�� John thought.

"Eleanor... What's your dad's job..?" Serena asked.

"He's a high-ranking noble, at least that's what I was told." replied Eleanor.

'Well, that explains why she was getting targeted... But if her dad was a noble, why didn't he get her more protection for her journey? I'm guessing that had something to do with why she wasn't living with him even though he had such a big mansion…' John thought.

"I see..." Said Serena.

They continued heading down the path, and shortly after, they had arrived.

"We're here." Said Alfred as he got off the carriage and spoke to one of the guards who seemed to be the one who used the spell to light up the gate.

The guard looked at Eleanor and opened the gates.

Alfred got back on the carriage and they went inside.

"Eleanor, is everything okay?" Ariel asked.

John looked over at Eleanor to see what was wrong and noticed that she was trembling. 

��Is she still scared of the assassins..? No... Even if it's late at night, I doubt she feels insecure with us here... Probably.' John thought with concern.

"I-I'm fine, J-Just a bit nervous..." Said Eleanor.

'Ah, that's right, she hasn't seen her dad in years…' John reckoned.

The carriage stopped once it was right in front of the mansions, and it was their cue to get off.

Suddenly, John got an idea. The four of them got off and stood in front of the mansion doors.

Eleanor seemed to have calmed down, but one could still tell that she was a bit nervous.

"You should relax and try to enjoy it," John said.

"What?" Eleanor asked.

"You should enjoy it more, getting to see your parent after so long, you shouldn't worry too much." John replied.

"Yeah... But..."

Before Eleanor could say what she wanted to, the doors opened.

Inside were maids all lined up and together they said, "Welcome home, young lady."

They were all surprised and wondered how many servants were there.

John guessed that they really wanted her to feel welcomed.

The four of them walked inside, and at the same time, Eleanor said, "T-Thank you" with a nervous smile.

She did not look like she was used to this at all..

"No need to thank us, young lady, allow me to introduce myself, I am the head maid, my name is Pritalia."

Alfred nodded at Pritalia, and she nodded back.

"Nice to meet you, Pritalia." Eleanor greeted.

"Nice to meet you too, young lady."

"Your father was waiting for your arrival, Shall I take you to him?" She asked.

"Y-Yes..." Replied Eleanor.

"Very well" Said Pritalia as she turned towards the staircase.

She clapped her hands and the other servants left their positions and seemed to go back to work. 3 servants however came over to them.

"Young lady, shall I take your bag to your room?" asked one of the servants that came over.

"Eh? Uhm it's fine," Said Eleanor.

"Understood, what about our guests?" He asked as he bowed.

"We're good, thank you," John said.

Their bags and things were all inside of the toolbox, which was easy to carry.

"Understood." He said as he bowed.

"Would you mind showing our guests to their rooms?" Asked Pritalia.

"I-I'd like for them to stay with me, We've come a long way together, and they're the ones who saved me, I'd like to show them to father." Said Eleanor.

"Oh my, where are my manners..? Thank you very much for saving the young lady." Said Pritalia with a smile as she bowed.

"Thank you very much" Repeated the other 3 servants as they bowed.

"You're wel-"

John Interrupted Serena as he said.

"T-There's no need to thank us... We just did what anyone else would do,"

Serena seemed annoyed at what John did but didn't say anything.

"How humble... Not many would be willing to help others..." Said Pritalia with a kind smile.

'She has a point…' John thought.

"I'm sure the lord will find a great reward for you three. Follow me, I shall take you to his room," Said Pritalia as she began heading up the stairs.

"Y-Yes" Replied Eleanor.

'We're finally here, I'm curious to see what her dad is like…' John thought with a little curiosity.