Chapter 184: After the Candle Goes Out
"Thank you," Nusayel managed at last, the words thick with emotion. His other hand came up to clasp Zephyr’s shoulder briefly, the gesture conveying more than words could.
Zephyr inclined his head, his usual stoic expression softening just slightly at the edges. Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the shadowed hallway, leaving the baron alone with the unopened letter that seemed to weigh far more than its physical form.
The obsidian walls hummed faintly against the storm’s fury outside as the baron finally broke the seal with trembling fingers, the sound of unfolding paper whisper-quiet in the empty hall.
The wax seal cracked with a soft snap. As the parchment unfolded, something small and metallic tumbled into the baron’s palm - a simple silver ring.
"Hmm?"
With practiced ease, he channeled a trickle of aura into the ring. His hands began to shake as the inventory contents materialized in his mind’s eye - a mountain of gleaming aura coins stacked like a miniature tower, rows upon rows of high-grade recovery potions, healing potions shimmering in their crystal vials, and an entire armory’s worth of enchanted weaponry. And many more.
"T-this..." The baron’s voice failed him.
The money alone could sustain their entire territory for six months, a year if rationed carefully. On the other hand, the rest were even more valuable.
His fingers trembled as he smoothed out the letter, his eyes hungrily scanning the familiar handwriting:
[ Dear Mother, Father,
Thank you for worrying about me - and yes, I’m fine now. I’m so sorry for what happened back then, and for not writing sooner.