Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully
Chapter 123: Alone once again

Chapter 123: Alone once again

"Does it mean something to you?" Riku asked.

"Yes," Seraphina nodded, her expression grim. "That is the crest of Marquis Valerius. An old, influential house known for its discretion and... less savory dealings in the capital’s underworld."

The pieces were clicking together. A disgraced house, ties to the Vaynes, and now directly implicated in the cover-up of the Chamberlain’s disappearance.

"And the Warden," Seraphina continued, her voice low. "He said the Grand Luminar would be pleased. This confirms your earlier accusation. The corruption... it truly reaches the very top." Her voice held a note of profound betrayal.

"We have to go to the Valerius estate," Riku said, his tone urgent. "We need to find out why one of his men was here."

"I agree," Seraphina’s resolve hardened. It seemed like she had to accept the fact that her superior, the Grand Luminar, was indeed involved in this mess.

The time for doubt was over. Now was the time for action. "Marquis Valerius has questions to answer."

They turned to leave the silent, empty study. However, just as they were about to step into the hallway, they heard footsteps approaching from the main staircase. They were calm, measured, and authoritative footsteps.

The study door, which was slightly ajar, swung open.

Standing there, his expression a mask of polite inquiry, was the Grand Luminar himself, along with other acolytes from the church

"High Archon Seraphina," he said, his voice smooth as silk. A faint, unreadable smile played on his lips. "I had heard you were conducting an investigation here. I came to see if I could be of any assistance."

His cold eyes flickered from her to Riku, lingering for a moment. "And who, may I ask, is your... companion?"

Seraphina froze, her blood running cold.

The spectral images from Riku’s vision were still fresh in her mind: the Warden’s casual mention of the Grand Luminar’s pleasure had more or less confirmed everything that Riku had said.

The man standing before her, the pillar of her faith for two decades, was now tainted by the same shadows she had sworn to fight to fight. Every pious word she had ever heard from him, every gesture of authority she had revered, now seemed nothing more than a show of hypocrisy.

Looking at the man she once respected more than anyone, she felt a profound sense of betrayal. However, confronting him without evidence would be useless. She composed herself and faced the Grand Luminar with an apathetic face.

"Grand Luminar," she said, offering a respectful bow. "This is an unexpected honor. My friend was interested in buying this mansion, which had been put up for sale after the Old Chamberlain’s decline. I was just showing him around."

The Grand Luminar’s gaze slid past her to Riku, who remained impassive. "Indeed. A tragic affair, the Chamberlain’s sudden decline." His voice was like honeyed poison. "However, another, more immediate matter has arisen. A most disturbing incident occurred there not long ago."

He paused, letting his words hang in the air. "It seems a spy, a powerful illusionist, infiltrated the inner city. He managed to breach the Vayne manor and subdue my son, Alaric. Left him trapped in his own study." He looked directly at Seraphina, his eyes sharp. "You were in the area, High Archon. You didn’t happen to notice any... disturbances?"

"A spy in the Vayne manor?" Seraphina replied, her expression a perfect picture of concerned surprise. "That is grave news indeed, Grand Luminar. However, I have seen or heard nothing of the sort. This is the first I am hearing of it."

The lie was smooth, delivered with conviction. The Grand Luminar held her gaze for a moment longer, then gave a slow, satisfied nod. "I see. Unfortunate. Well, the matter is being handled."

He turned, gesturing back towards the main hall. "In any case, there are urgent Church matters that require our attention at the main temple. My carriage is waiting. You will return with me now, Seraphina. We have much to discuss regarding the official response to these... disruptions."

It was a command, not a request. Seraphina knew she had no choice. Confronting him here, without evidence, would be suicide. She had to play the long game.

"Of course, Grand Luminar," she said, bowing her head again. She cast one final, conflicted glance at Riku before turning to follow her superior. "I will attend you at once."

Just as Seraphina was about to leave, the Grand Luminar turned his attention to Riku.

"You must be the High Archon’s friend. A surprise that she hasn’t mentioned you for so long," he said, his voice smooth and pleasant, but his eyes were anything but cordial.

"Pleased to make acquaintance with you, Grand Luminar," Riku replied politely.

"Haha, a man with good eyes, I see," the Grand Luminar said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "However, the inner city right now is...turbulent. It might be best to stay away from here for the time being."

"I only go where the winds take me," Riku said, his tone even.

"Of course," the Grand Luminar chuckled softly. "But sometimes, doing nothing is the best action, lest you step onto something much beyond your scope. I trust you understand."

The veiled threat was unmistakable.

"I know, thank you for the warning," Riku said calmly.

"Well then, I will be off. Do not dilly-dally here for too long, lest you come off as someone suspicious. Come on, Seraphina." With that, the Grand Luminar turned to leave the hall.

Seraphina looked at Riku once more and then turned to leave. As she left, Riku could feel her unspoken message: This isn’t over. Be careful.

Riku waited until their footsteps faded completely before letting out a slow breath. He was alone again, however, it did not matter. At least he had a new clue.

Marquis Valerius.

He was just about to leave when the communication stone he had given to Baron Charles pulsed with a frantic, urgent light.

He snatched it from his satchel. "Baron Charles? What is it?"

The Baron’s voice came through, strained and ragged with panic. "Master Riku! The wards... the wards you placed... they actually went off! I can’t believe it, a deafening siren, Master Riku! They actually worked!"

Riku’s heart went cold. "What happened? Are Lila and Elara alright?"

"They are safe, inside the main house," the Baron gasped. "But the wards... they activated with a deafening siren. My men rushed to the western wall. We found two of them... two of our best guards... dead. Their throats were cut. The intruders... whoever they were, the alarm must have scared them off. We were able to catch one of them."

The church is already moving against House Hummer. looks like my earlier confrontation with Vyon has caused them to speed up their plans.

The thought sent a wave of cold fury through him. He had taken precautions, and still, people had died. The Church, Vyon... they were more ruthless and faster to act than he had anticipated.

"Lord Charles, do not worry. Trust no one outside your immediate family. I’m coming back right away," Riku said, his voice hard as steel.

He didn’t wait for a reply.

Teleport.

Destination: Hummer Manor gardens. [-50 Goodwill Points]

[Goodwill Points remaining: 84,150]

A brilliant flash of white light enveloped him, and in the space of a heartbeat, the dusty, empty study dissolved. The world twisted, then snapped back into focus. He stood on the manicured lawns of the Hummer estate. Without wasting any time, he entered the mansion.

Baron Charles met him in the main hall, his face pale. "Master Riku! This way! We have him in the cellar."

Riku followed him down a flight of cold stone steps into a secure wine cellar. Tied securely to a chair was a man in dark, unassuming clothing, a typical assassin’s garb. His face was a mask of sullen defiance, but his eyes held a flicker of fear.

Riku dismissed the Hummer guards with a nod. He stood before the captured intruder, his own expression cold and unreadable.

"Who sent you?" Riku asked, his voice flat.

The man spat on the floor. "Go to hell."

Riku sighed. "I was afraid you’d say that." He raised a hand. Whispers of Unvarnished Truth.

The silvery mist settled over the assassin, who shuddered violently. "Now," Riku repeated, "who. Sent. You?"

"Marquis... Valerius," the man gasped, the words forced from his lips against his will. "He wanted to disrupt the talisman distribution. To steal the supply and the sales ledgers. To create chaos and discredit House Hummer."

The name hit Riku like a physical blow. Valerius. The crest on the cufflink from his vision. It was all connected. They were moving now, so he needed to stay on his feet as well.

"The Valerius estate," Riku commanded, his voice like ice. "Where is it?"

The assassin, under the spell’s influence, rattled off the location in the Noble’s Quarter.

"Thank you," Riku said. He then turned to the Baron. "Keep him here. He’s a loose end the Marquis will want to tie up."

Without another word, Riku strode over to the still-bound assassin. In a swift, efficient motion, he stripped the man of his dark tunic and pants, leaving him in his undergarments.

"My apologies for the indignity," Riku said to the sputtering, helpless man. "But I have somewhere I must be as you. I hope you can understand."

Without waiting for the assassin’s reply, Riku donned the assassin’s clothes. They were a perfect fit.

Disguise. [-10 Goodwill Points]

His features shifted, melting into the face of the captured man. When he turned back to the Baron, he was a perfect double.

"Master Riku...?" Charles breathed, astounded.

"Lock the door behind me, Lord Charles," Riku said, his voice now a mimicry of the assassin’s. "And stay alert, they might attack again. Contact me if there is something you cannot handle."

He then slipped out of the cellar and melted into the shadows of the night.