Siderius rode into Avadine once again on his trusty steed, Red. The head of the vulture hung at the side of the horse.

He wore the Joker Mask to conceal his identity. His white hair flowed freely behind him.

Immediately, the guards noticed him. They were already well aware of a mysterious High Lord with white hair.

"Lord Nyx! You return so soon?"

The guard finished his sentence and froze in place as he saw the big vulture head.

"That… That is?"

"The Chaos Beast that had been disturbing your city." Siderius smiled under the mask.

He continued into the city. The people of the city gathered around the streets to look at him and admired the trophy he brought back from the forest.

In the Arist's estate, a guard hurriedly ran into Ruben's office.

"My lord… My lord…" The guard breathed heavily.

"Catch your breath, boy. What the rush?" Ruben said.

"Lord Nyx has returned with the Chaos Beast!"

Ruben widened his eyes. He quickly ran out to the courtyard to see Siderius get off of his horse.

Siderius nodded at Ruben and threw the head of the vulture on the ground.

"As promised, Lord Arist. The beast is slain."

"Unbelivable."

Ruben squatted down and examined the Vulture. He was still at a loss for words.

"You just left a few days ago. I thought it would cost you at least a few weeks to kill the beast."

Siderius shrugged. "I am an efficient man."

Ruben laughed out loud. "Come, Lord Nyx. You must stay at our estate as a guest. We must have a banquet to celebrate this! In the meantime, I will arrange the rewards for you!"

"Glad to be your guest again."

Siderius walked inside the estate with Ruben. Once again he was treated with warmth and hospitality.

Ruben went around to prepare for a small banquet. This event was also to inform the local merchants and nobles of the issue that had been dealt with.

Siderius spent his free time having another bath again.

"I might have developed an addiction to bathing."

In the afternoon of that date, Siderius lay in the bathtub chilling, his mouth puffed the pipe, releasing endless smoke to the room.

The blonde maid once again entered the room. She brought some clothes for him again.

"Lord Nyx. It is me again."

"You can leave the clothes on the chair."

"Yes, my lord!"

The maid didn't leave after she was done. Siderius turned to her.

"Yes? Is there anything else you need?"

The blonde maid walked seductively to Siderius. She went behind him and put her hand on his shoulders.

"You must be very tired from all the fighting. Everyone already knew that you slayed the beast."

Siderius chuckled. "What do you want?"

"Can I serve you, my lord?"

"I told you before, I am not interested."

"I know, my lord. What I meant was… Can I massage your shoulders? To relieve some of the tiredness?"

Siderius tilted his head. "What is your name?"

"Rea, my lord."

"You know massage?"

"I know a thing or two, my lord."

"Alright. You can help me with my shoulders."

"I am honored, my lord!"

Rea gently stroked his shoulders. Her hands were soft and nice. She really did have some experience in relieving stress.

Her movements were extra provocative and sensual. She didn't even hide her intention anymore. Siderius didn't scold her because she didn't do anything out of line.

"Spring is coming soon…" Siderius mumbled.

"That's right, my lord. Will you be staying with us till Spring?"

"I'm afraid not, Rea. Even though Lord Ruben will be more than happy to let me stay. I can't exploit his hospitality.

Besides, I have places to be."

At that moment, Nina barged into the room.

"Nyx! I heard you came back!"

She froze at the door when she saw Siderius in the bathtub with Rea behind him.

She blushed immediately and stumbled backwards.

"I… I…"

"I'm taking a bath, Nina." Siderius smiled and acted like nothing was weird. "We'll meet at the banquet tonight, yeah?"

Nina nodded and rushed out of the room, forgetting to shut the door.

Rea chuckled. "Lady Nina really likes you, Lord Nyx."

"That I can see, Rea."

"If I may. Can I ask you a question?"

"You may proceed."

"Why don't you accept her, my lord? The Arist might only be a normal Clan and not a High Clan. But they are very wealthy.

Lady Nina is also very beautiful. They say that she is the prettiest Rose in all the tri-counties."

"You won't understand, Rea. For people like me, a wife would only become a burden. My enemies will try to get to me through people that I am close with."

"So you just decided to stay alone, my lord?"

Siderius nodded.

"That sounds… Lonely, my lord. A very lonely life."

"One must do what needs to be done to be powerful, Rea. Everything has a price."

After the bath, Siderius put on some noble clothes and prepared himself for the banquet. He didn't wear the Joker Mask as it might be considered impolite for an event like this.

Additionally, he also intended to gain some connections through this party. He couldn't do that with the mask on.

Siderius did bring his sword with him.

On the way to the banquet, he noticed two guards were secretly whispering to each other.

When they saw Siderius, the guards immediately separated and went away.

Siderius squinted his eyes. He climbed onto a roof and looked around the area surrounding Arist's estate.

"Ruben did say that he will invite all the nobles and merchants of the city. But why are there more soldiers then there are nobles?

Something is off. Very off."

Siderius jumped down from the roof and hurriedly went away. He must warn Ruben about what was going to happen.

On his way to the office, Siderius noticed even more soldiers that didn't belong to the estate.

Ruben was still in his office when Siderius arrived.

"Nyx, my friend! What makes you come here? I have already ordered my men to arrange your reward."

"Do you have any enemies?" Siderius said.

Ruben froze in place. His lips trembled.

"What am I even asking. Of course you have enemies. All nobles have enemies." Siderius continued without letting Ruben answer. "Someone is probably thinking of attacking your estate tonight."

"How do you know?"

"Come and see." Siderius walked to the window and pulled the curtain slightly to the side.

Ruben joined him.

"The nobles brought a lot of bodyguards with them…" Ruben mumbled.

"Not bodyguards. Killers." Siderius shook his head. "Tell your men to prepare for battle. Do not drink or eat anything at the banquet. And remember to keep everything a secret.

The enemy must not know we have known."

"I will have my men transfer Dolores and Nina away!"

Siderius shook his head again. "No! The enemy will know if you do that. And what stops them from attacking your family while you aren't there?"

"Then what should I do now?"

"As I said. Prepare for battle. Keep Dolores and Nina close."

"If you help me, I'll pay you 50 gold coins!"

Siderius smiled. At a time like this, squeezing more coins from Ruben could gain Siderius more wealth. But wealth was a fickle thing. Only power, influence, and ally persisted.

"I will help you, Lord Arist. Not for a reward. But because we are friends. Do you think I am that kind of man that would request coins from you in a time like this?"

Words and only simple words had gained Siderius total loyalty from Ruben.

The lord of Avadine tapped his chest. "Nyx. If we are able to survive this, you will forever be an ally of house Arist."

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