In Search of Kasena (ONC 2024) | ✓

Chapter 10

The Ravillet Manor looked different in the dark—more like a towering collection of twinkling lights in the distance rather than a massive house that it actually was. Just like the last time Niel had visited, there were two guards stationed at the gates, although these two were not familiar to him.

"Stop! State your name and the purpose of your visit," one of the guards said when they approached them.

"Niel Sarfort and Alarie Deville," Niel said calmly as Alarie's eyes flickered between him and the guards. "I believe Mr. Ravillet is expecting us."

To his surprise, the guard gave in immediately. "Oh, Mr. Sarfort. Yes, young master is expecting you. Please, come in."

Pleased that Kardin at least warned the guards about their arrival this time, Niel led Alarie into the courtyard. She gaped at the building that towered over them like a menacing giant. His first reaction—although more discreet—wasn't much different from hers.

The doors opened before they even reached them, and the same butler from before extended his greetings. "Welcome. The young master is currently in the training room. Please come with me."

He didn't expect to be received so soon, which only furthered his worries, because whatever Kardin wanted seemed urgent enough for him to drop what he was doing without even knowing they were here. Alarie seemed just as nervous, but he didn't expect any less from someone who was about to meet one of the richest men in the entire kingdom.

"Please wait a moment. I will inform the young master of your arrival," the butler told them when they stopped in front of a large teal door, identical to many others in this house. Niel had no idea how they differentiated the rooms when there were no numbers or signs on the doors. However, the butler didn't leave him much time to wonder because he quickly returned and led them inside.

The room was way less embellished than he expected, empty of furniture save for practicing targets and a few swords hanged on the wall. Kardin turned from his target to greet them. "I didn't expect to see you here at this time," he said as he sheathed his sword. Niel didn't miss Alarie's poignant look that was—luckily for him—interrupted by Kardin. "Miss Alarie Deville, I presume?"

She got flustered almost immediately and quickly curtsied as she said, "Pleased to meet you."

"Congratulations on your win," Kardin continued, but his voice didn't sound as amiable as usual. He glanced at her sword. "I don't practice as much as I used to before, but perhaps you could indulge me in a friendly duel later? I rarely have an opportunity to test my skills against other talented swordsmen."

Alarie's eyes bulged. "O-Oh, no, you flatter me too much, sir. I don't think that would be appropriate—um, it was just an amateur competition." She let out a nervous chuckle, but Kardin's insistent gaze didn't waver. "Maybe another time," she muttered in the end.

"Why did you ask to see us urgently?" Niel cut in, saving Alarie from her flustered rambling.

"How is your investigation going?" Kardin returned the question.

What was he trying to do? Did he really just invite them all the way back to Avisir just to ask him that in person? "We were following a trail in Villart." But not anymore.

"Oh, really? Following the trail by standing in the audience the entire day?"

What?

Kardin unsheathed his sword again, leisurely trailing his fingers along the edge of the blade. "I've had my people in Villart even before you arrived. They were keeping a watch on everything that was happening." His cold gaze moved to Niel. "Including your whereabouts, as well as the fact that you used the money I allotted you specifically for the purposes of investigation to ensure your dear friend over here"—he looked at Alarie—"could compete in the tournament."

So it was about the tournament, after all. Niel cast a panicked glance at Alarie, but she didn't look back at him. "Sir, it's not what you think. I-I reimbursed him with the money I received as a reward. I understand why you feel suspicious, but I don't need his money—or yours, for that matter."

"Alarie, wait." Niel protectively stretched out his hand in front of her and turned to Kardin. "Yes, I paid for her entrance fee, but that's because I was the one who convinced her to compete." Kardin raised an eyebrow at his words. "She didn't want to rescind her help and leave me to investigate alone, but we thought Kasena might be among the participants, so she was helping me investigate from the inside. That's all there is to it."

"Then where is my sister?" Kardin's voice cut through the room like a sword, sharper than the one he was holding.

Niel tried to keep his voice steady as he said, "Our, uh... our theory proved wrong."

"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Kardin asked. "Do you think I have time to waste while you frolick around the kingdom with your new friend and waste my money instead of looking for my sister?" His voice raised more and more with every new words, sending chills down Niel's spine.

"I apologize," he stuttered out. "We were trying our best with the amount of clues we had—"

"Enough!" Kardin's voice rang through the room, and time seemed to slow down for Niel as he watched him raise his sword and charge forward, getting closer and closer... until another blade blocked his.

Kardin's attention shifted completely to Alarie, his blade swishing around, only to be blocked by her again and again. He looked oddly bored as they fell into a steady rhythm, their moves becoming more coordinated—almost effortless, even.

It wasn't long until he finally backed away, sheathing his sword with a snicker. "You're getting rusty. I don't think your new sword suits you that well."

Niel looked at Alarie, who shot daggers at Kardin with her eyes. She didn't look as gentle as she usually did with a scornful sneer tainting her face. "That's not a very nice thing to say, brother."

***

Tadaaaaa

I'm sure most of you already saw this coming but wait for the next chapter okay. Our girl has so many things to say.

Speaking of which, I have no idea when the next chapter will be done. Could be later today, could be tomorrow, could be next week. But whenever it is, I'll just yeet it out. No updating schedules, we die like men out here.