Chapter 16: Deep Grudges

Zaos slowly headed to Grandum City, the city ruled by the Grandum clan. As Zaos traveled, he couldn't help but be excited to witness a genuine elven city.

Although he had memories of the holy city of Jangur, he hadn't been there himself.

[It should be larger than the mercenary city, right?] Zaos speculated as he traveled.

The mercenary city was the largest settlement in the dark elven tribe, Zaos expected an elite clan's city to be larger than it.

After a bit over six hours, Zaos arrived at the city. The imposing city walls made the mercenary city's wall look small in comparison. Even with his incredible eyesight, Zaos could not see the end of the walls.

The large gates of the city were currently shut while guards patrolled the walls observing the area around.

Having already activated his elemental weave to turn invisible, Zaos approached the wall cautiously. Knowing he was about to assassinate a member of the Grandum clan, he couldn't afford to enter the city casually. He pressed his hand against the wall and activated another elemental weave, granting his invisible form, phantom properties.

He phased through the city wall and found himself within the city's confines. The immediate contrast struck him: the city's elegance stood in stark comparison to the mercenary city he was used to.

The cobblestone streets of Grandum City were dark and broad, with ample room for a car from Zaos' old world to pass through. On either side of the streets stood similar-looking Tudor-style buildings. In contrast to the mercenary city, these structures were neatly arranged, creating a picturesque scene.

[It's indeed much nicer than the mercenary city,] Zaos thought as he stealthily navigated the empty streets.

[It's late now, so Kolvar should be at his residence.] Zaos speculated. He recalled Kolvar's description of his residence and headed straight there.

On the way, Zaos passed by multiple city guards, but none of them could detect his presence.

After navigating through the streets with the help of various signs he found along the way, Zaos finally arrived at Kolvar's residence.

However, when he saw the house, he was dumbfounded.

Compared to all the buildings Zaos had seen since he arrived on Krulon, this manor was the most majestic.

It was a two-story gray manor with pointed arch windows and doors. The building also featured two large spires situated on the left and right sides of the rectangular mansion.

Surrounding the manor was a medium-sized cobblestone courtyard that was barricaded by a dark metal fence.

Overall, the manor gave off a gothic vibe, and the dark environment added to its haunting atmosphere.

[Wow… ] Zaos marveled at the manor's design for a full minute. Although he was wealthy in his former life, he had never seen a building with such aesthetics before.

Normally, a human would be creeped out by such a place, but his taste had also become more inclined towards the dark and eerie style of art with his rebirth as a dark elf.

Zaos eventually snapped out of his daze and quickly carried out his plan. He headed directly into the mansion, stealthily avoiding the numerous guards stationed around the courtyard with his elemental weave.

Zaos phased through the front door and found himself in a great hall. At the center of the hall was a majestic stairway that led to the upper level.

[Where do I go now?] Right at that moment, Zaos spotted a female dark elf in a maid outfit with a tray of food in her hands.

[Kolvar's dinner maybe?] Zaos guessed as he tailed the maid to the upper level.

The maid moved through the grand hallway and eventually stopped at an elegant-looking wooden door.

"Young master Kolvar, dinner has arrived!" She announced in a respectful tone.

"Bring it in," a soft male voice sounded from within the room.

Zaos, who was a few meters from the unsuspecting maid, smiled.

[I've got you, you little sh*t!]

"Yes, young master," the maid replied as she proceeded to enter the room with Zaos following right behind her.

As soon as Zaos entered the room, he spotted a skinny dark elf youth about the same height as himself. The youth was gazing out his window with a hint of anxiety in his expression.

After the maid entered, the youth turned to her and asked, "Has Shadow returned, yet?"

The maid who was setting down the tray of food on the bedside table quickly responded.

"Lord Shadow has not returned since he left in the morning, young master." Said the maid as she finished setting down the food.

The youth's expression changed but he quickly regained his composure.

"You may leave," Kolvar ordered.

"Yes, young master." The maid gave a respectful bow before exiting the room.

Zaos silently activated an elemental weave before deactivating his invisibility.

Kolvar, who had been watching the door, was shocked to see Zaos appear in his room.

"Who are you?! How did you get into my room!?" Kolvar quickly got into a defensive stance as he screamed, "Guards!! Guards!!"

"There is no one coming to your aid." Zaos smiled as he slowly approached Kolvar.

"That voice… impossible!! You're Zaos?! Where is Shadow?!!" Kolvar fell to the ground as he looked at the approaching Zaos in disbelief. His thoughts fell into turmoil.

"He is dead, and you will join him soon." Zaos calmly stated as he drew his dagger.

"Impossible!! That's impossible!!! Shadow is a high-elf, how can he die in your hands?!!! I know this must be a dream, hahaha!!!!" Kolvar quickly began crawling away, his expression deranged as he looked at Zaos in fear.

"Before you die, why did you ask Shadow to kill me?" Zaos asked as he stood before kolvar. Although he didn't care too much, he at least wanted to know if there was something else going on.

After hearing Zaos' words, Kolvar paused, before he began laughing hysterically, "I did it because you stole everything from me!!! You knew how much I wanted to join the church's ranks, but you took it from me!!! But, I returned the favor, I took something else from you too, hehe…" he stared at Zaos in anger and fear.

Zaos frowned and asked, "What did you take?"

[What the hell is he talking about?] Zaos was starting to doubt Kolvar's mental state.

"Hehehe, how did it feel to lose the people you held dear? You took away my life, and I took away your parents' lives!!! Hehehe…" Kolvar hugged his knees as he spoke in a deranged manner.

"Huh?" Zaos stared at Kolvar in disbelief.

"Hehe, that's right, I did it!!! I made Shadow kill your parents!! Now you can suffer like I did!!!" Kolvar spoke with a smug smile on his deranged face.

[Well, this is interesting...]