566 Thames (1/2)

Above the warm water's surface, thick water vapor drifted in, slowly rising. It danced on the dome above, which was adorned with porcelain decorations, condensed into water droplets, and finally fell into the pool.

Tick.

The sound was gentle and soft.

Ye Qingxuan opened his eyes and rubbed his face with his hands. In the warm bathing pool, his body, which had stiffened in the sea breeze, warmed up. Tiredness took its toll, and a deep drowsiness engulfed him. He propped himself up, stepped out of the bathing pool, and pulled the towel off the rack to dry himself.

Outside the door, a servant's voice rang out, ”Young Master, dinner is ready.”

”Noted.” Ye Qingxuan finished changing and opened the door.

The servant at the door bowed his head respectfully. ”The Master is waiting for you in the dining room.”

”Alright.” Ye Qingxuan caught a whiff of the scent of incense lingering in the air, and his nose felt itchy.

As one of the founding fathers of Avalon, the Lancelot family owned many properties in Avalon. Even in midtown, which had once been the most prosperous region, they also had a large mansion in the most expensive area. It even came with a wide courtyard and garden, isolating the mansion from the noise outside, making it a tranquil spot amid the hustle and bustle of the city. It was much better than Lola's remotely located mansion which resembled a haunted house.

In the past, when the previous head of the household, namely Ye Qingxuan's maternal grandfather, was still alive, Ye Qingxuan used to come here often, and he could still remember many of the decorations and furnishings here. His grandfather even planned to transfer the house deed to him on his birthday, but unfortunately, what happened later caught everyone by surprise…

It was the first time he revisited the place in more than a decade.

Everything had changed.

Even though the house stayed the same while people had changed, he still couldn't suppress the sense of rejection in his heart. Without requesting the servant to show him the way, he made his way through the corridor and the stairs, towards the dining room.

Due to the mansion's location being easily accessible by various modes of transportation, the Lancelot family had often held their banquets here. After centuries of renovations and constant betterment, every corner of it had been perfected with dedication.

It contained innumerable precious collections. Even a seemingly inconspicuous piece of tapestry on the wall could be a gift from a duke or a rare piece that had once been sold for an astronomical price at some auction.

”It really is a wealthy household.” He glanced at the huge oil painting hanging on the wall of the dining room and couldn't help but sigh softly.

To his surprise, Lancelot was alone in the dining room, and his daughter Christine had not returned. Compared to other aristocrats who generally had dozens of sons and daughters, not to mention countless illegitimate children, the Lancelot family, which had been passing down two Round Table Armors, could be considered as having few descendants.

For many generations, the family had had only one child. The line of descent almost got cut off several times even. For this very reason, they cherished their descendants. Even illegitimate children would definitely be brought into to the household.

The wife of the previous head of the household gave birth to a son and a daughter, which was already considered an unexpected pleasant surprise. As for the present generation, Lancelot only had a daughter, and his wife had died prematurely after being bedridden with chronic diseases. Not counting Ye Qingxuan, the Lancelot household consisted only of the father and the daughter.

Purely speaking in terms of lineage, the family was at its most dangerous position.

After Ye Qingxuan was seated, servants laid out the meal. The layout was simple, the servings not really large, but the food was exquisite enough and sufficient to satisfy one's appetite.

Lancelot did not say anything, nor did Ye Qingxuan take the initiative to start a conversation.

The silent dinner soon ended.

The servants removed the plates and served them black tea.

In the soft lighting that was just a bit too dim, Lancelot took a few pills with another cup of hot water, and he looked much better. The two were separated by the water vapor rising from the teacup. After contemplating his thoughts for a moment, Lancelot began to speak.

He said, ”I know that you must be wondering about what happened while you were gone. Why has Avalon, which has been preparing for this war for a century, been reduced to such a miserable state? In this regard, I have no intention of hiding anything from you. After all, you have returned to Avalon to save the country, you deserve to know everything.”

He gazed at Ye Qingxuan. Looking at the young man's eyes, Lancelot's expression turned to a complicated one of bitterness. ”It all started half a month ago, from the night when Leviathan was about to enter the reawakening phase…”

…

Half a month ago

Heavy rain poured from the dark sky.

Icy rainwater fell nonstop from the sky, covering the lonely city on the sea. The weak lights in the city flickered, as if being crushed under the weight of the rain.

Located at the highest region of Avalon, the palace faced the dead silent ocean in the distance. At the highest point of the throne room, from the weighty throne, one's gaze could pass through the open door and the heavy rain, cross the vast plazas and the long distance, and fall squarely on the sea.

”It's raining.” The weary empress on the throne jolted awake from a long sleep, raised her eyes, and saw the black clouds and flashing lightning above the sea. So, a trace of relief emerged in the green eyes.

”Finally, it's coming?”

”Yes.” Beside the throne, Lancelot nodded, holding a crutch, expressionless. In the heavy pattering of the rain outside the door, he simply gazed at the round platform placed in the center of the room.

On the round table was a square prism resembling a work of art created by the best glass smiths. The core which was as hard as steel looked clear and transparent. One could see the raindrops shattering in the plaza outside through the glass. But at the moment, in the transparent prism, strands of blood vessels covered its inner walls.