Chapter 13 (1/2)

The Roland family’s mansion inherited from ancestors were located on south west of the Roland Prairie A tributary of the Roland River passed through this place The land was fertile Several fares and even toere established there

This was the origin of the Roland family A few hundred years back when their ancestors were a little noble ned just a se, their bloodline started to spread in this land

The carriage crossed a black tree forest The trees were lush and the air fresh Following an even path you could see a little hill on the left, and a high tower on the right That was the Roland’s mansion

After several hundred years of glory, the ser existed The rew considerably A red stone wall e white colored stones mined from the hill It was said that there was once a small mountain to the left, but after several hundred years of , that small mountain became a hill

The arrival of the eldest son of the chief of the family received much attention The Roland fauarded the castle put on their shi+ny equipments and waited under the red wall in an array The arched entrance gave Duwei a feeling of vigor, and he could see this wall could become a solid defense when needed

The three hundred soliders de They rode on horses with a straight back and showing adept riding skills Their equipments were also of fine quality These soldiers were selected frohout the Roland Prairie They ell trained and could even rival the local military of the imperial city

The black forest outside the castle was a natural hunting ground Hunting events were held annually, which was also a type of training for the soldiers

The castle’s main body consisted of ters One taller than the other It’s even taller than that hill Duwei knew fro his family history that there was once a weird chief of the Roland faeneral, he was especially interested in Star Reading Techniques He even married a Star Reader That taller toas built for his wife so she could better observe the sky

Red carpet span froe When Duas about to get off, a silver haired elderly man came up to him The old man had a slender build, dressed in a charcoal formal suit, acted old fashi+oned and serious

As Duwei stepped on the ground, the old man bowed down deeply and said with a deep and slow voice, “Little master, I a three days ago Everyone in this castle had prepared to welcome you Please follow me”

Then the old butler led Duwei up the stairs His ettiquetes were flawless, hu on the red carpet, he carefully walked along just outside the carpet to let Duwei experience this honor to himself

The first i on the wall The flag was about eight by sixof the faave this castle a solemnity feel to it

All the servants andon the sides of the lobby in uniforh Duasn’t interested in this weird “inspection” He nodded casually and said to the butler with a low voice, “Mr Butler, will you lead o back to your work”

Butler Sier followed Duwei’s order precisely Soon, Duas led to a reading roo to call this place a library Because it was huge

The roo was rounded, and carved in decorative designs On the sides were statues, most of the the rooe shelves These shelves were two stories tall and filled with books Duwei roughly calculated, the number of books were several ten thousands There were also many metallic cabinets used to store important stuff, such as the family tree or important files

As a fa rooe axe hung on the wall across the entrance One side of the wall had shelves displaying various weapons, though most of them archaic

Duas attracted by these weapons He could see these antiques were maintained very well

“These were the weapons of the family’s ancestors” The butler’s voice calory”

Duwei touched the desk softly and looked around He could see everything was carefully cleaned and e were obvious Even the desk under his hand was probably older than the butler

“This room used to be the center of family politics This here the chiefs of the family ruminated and lories Although the decisionto family tradition, every cheif that caht in this roolorious history and his responsibility”

The butler looked at Duwei then lowered his head, “You are the eldest son of the current chief You came here for inspection on his behalf, then will you”

Duwei nodded his head cooperatively, “Traditions are traditions and h I a here on his behalf, I will follow the tradition and spend the night here”

The butler’s expression and voice softened, “I will have the servants prepare Well then I know you are here to inspect on the businesses in this territory Where will you begin your work at? I already have the inco these? Or do you want to wait”

Duwei interrupted him with a smile He casually walked passed the desk and sit down behind it and said, “Mr Butler, I a journey Please prepare s you prepared”

Soon enough, Duwei enjoyed a very traditional afternoon tea Just as he was finishi+ng up a pu servants into the roo a cart with a mountain load of books

“These are all this year’s accounts?” Duwei frowned, suspicious that the butler is fooling with him

“Little master, these all are” The butler said seriously “These data included the land size of the family territory, size of farmable land, the accounts of six towns, hout the territory, harvests, construction budgets, and even so I done for the next year”

Duwei touched his nose and looked at this mountain of books, “ are they all here?”

“This is only part of them, and the rest” The butler sounded a little less serious for once “I think you will need a week for the rest

Duwei frowned and silently inspected the butler

This old butler doesn’t see Is he really that naive to think a thirteen year old boy like me can understand all these accounts? Does he think a boy can be responsible for all the family’s businesses? Then he must knoas sent here as a banish this? Is he dissatisfied with me? Afraid that I would take away his authority in this castle? Or did he cheated the fro me?