The moment they passed through the main entrance of the main building, they found themselves in an enormous hall. Yet aside from Xiao Ran and the few others who had just entered, it was completely empty and devoid of life. Paintings of varying sizes hung all around the hall, and its lavish decorations added a touch of refinement. Though Xiao Ran could not appreciate the paintings themselves, he knew they had to be immensely valuable.
A long corridor lay directly ahead of Xiao Ran, while curved staircases built along the walls rose on either side of the hall. At that moment, Martha's furious, embarrassed shouting could still be heard coming from upstairs.
Cardias seemed not to have heard his sister's cries. He gestured politely toward Xiao Ran and said with a smile, "You have come a long way, so you should rest first. I will have someone call for you at dinner."
"Sounds good." Xiao Ran smiled and nodded. As a guest, he naturally followed his host's arrangements and entered a spotless guest room prepared for him by Cardias. El-Elf and Saki Maski were assigned rooms on either side of Xiao Ran's. Although the two-day journey had not been particularly exhausting, Xiao Ran still lay down on the bed in his clothes and rested for a while.
After arranging accommodations for Xiao Ran, Cardias left and entered a bedroom at the very heart of the main building. An old man with white hair and a long white beard lay reclined on a soft bed in the center of the room. Only when Cardias entered and made a sound did the old man open his eyes.
The old man's eyes were clouded and dull. When he saw Cardias, he slowly spoke in an aged voice. "Cardias... you are back. Have the