Chapter 36 – The Price of the Unknown
William wandered around the mansion for several minutes, looking for any of his companions. He knocked on several doors, checked the library, peeked into the gardens, and even asked the staff, hoping to find someone to explore the city with. But there was no trace of anyone. It was as if they had all disappeared at the same time, like they'd agreed to leave him behind. He sighed, grabbed his coat, and decided to go out alone.
As he passed through the gates, something he had overlooked became clear: the mansion was completely isolated. There were no nearby houses, no busy roads, no walls or neighbors. Just a vast stretch of trees, manicured grass, and white stone paths fading into the horizon. During his arrival, the sheer size of the property had overwhelmed him so much that he hadn't noticed its location.
After almost an hour of walking through green areas and a few low hills, William finally began to see signs of urban life. The city of Caerlin unfolded before him like a vivid memory of a more primitive past: stone streets, fabric canopies, street stalls packed with goods, and merchants shouting deals. It was a full-blown medieval market.
He passed a blacksmith hammering red-hot swords, a group of children throwing flour bags at each other, and a stall where a tall woman sold reinforced leather breastplates. Further ahead, an old man offered scrolls with supposed ancient spells, and a couple of medics traded herbs and extracts in tiny vials.
With an empty stomach, William bought a hot pastry stuffed with spiced meat—sweet and spicy at the same time. He devoured it while curiously observing everything around him. It was another world. One where, for the first time, he felt free.
Eventually, he found a small, slightly run-down shop. The sign was crooked, the door creaked when opened, and the inside smelled of dust and old wood. The shelves were piled with ancient figurines, wooden boxes with rusty locks, and trinkets that didn't seem worth anything at first glance.
Then, Ángel's voice alerted him:
—Alert! A wave of magical energy has been detected from the red pendant.
William turned his head. In a corner, half-hidden behind a pile of junk, hung a black-chained necklace with a red gem. It looked aged, but something in its center shimmered with subtle intensity. Pretending disinterest, he strolled through the shop, browsing casually before finally approaching the counter.