Epic Of The Demonic Sage



The departure of Viscountess Blackshield was not exactly the mightiest of affairs, and when the lack of both the Count and Countess were evident, she only had a smile on her face.

"Perhaps when there is time once again, I will visit if you will have me, Lord Asher." Viscountess Blackshield said.

"It will be an honor to have you here once more, Viscountess Blackshield." Lucius said. "Thank you for entrusting me with your secrets as well as giving me advice."

Viscountess Blackshield cleared her throat, looked at Lord Asher and the Inanis Mansion before she smiled briefly and nodded.

Once the Viscountess departed, it was around the same time that Kiana returned to the mansion.

"Ah, Kiana perfect timing." Lucius said once he noticed her arrival.

"Lord Asher." Kiana greeted. She glanced at the departing carriage and mostly found herself relieved that the people were finally leaving the Inanis Mansion.

'I have not spoken a word, but everyone here has been looking for Lord Asher that he finds himself unable to concentrate on the things that he wishes to do. The biggest perpetrator could have been Miss Lily, but Viscountess Blackshield also overstayed her welcome far too much.' Kiana thought.

"Is there anything substantial to report?" Lucius asked as he and Kiana made their way back to the library.

With both the Count and Countess preoccupied with their own business, it was finally peace and silence for Lucius with only Kiana around to discuss his ideas and plans with.

"I've sent the response to Gellor and his team, and I have also made my visit with Leif to check on how Arius and the rest are doing. So far, they have not sent back anything of worth, but there are reports here." Kiana offered Lord Asher the letter.

Lucius sat down at his study desk and checked on the documents. Things were going well in the Gisir territory and it satisfied him, although there was still one thing that made him consider the situation.

"We have not received any reports about the criminals that are heading in our direction, yet?" Lucius asked.

"Not yet, Lord Asher." Kiana promptly shook her head. "Leif would have informed me otherwise, but that has been far from the case."

'Most often, people would wish for criminals to be kept out of our territory, but Lord Asher knows how to reform these people into something far more useful. And with Baron Hugh hiring a total of six mercenaries, it means that we're in the need to truly add more to our number.' Kiana thought.

"Alright." Lucius nodded. "Have you heard anything from Neta then, Kiana?"

"Not yet. I suppose he is still taking care of both Lord Benjamin and… that of Lady Lily. I will work on informing Lady Alessa about putting her to work then, Asher." Kiana said, already intuiting what Lucius needed from him.

"Yes, thank you, Kiana." Lucius nodded. "Have you also contacted Bishop Reynalds as well? Well, I suppose it would be far better when I have finished my own prototype, but I wish to discuss ideas with him on what might be a commercial success."

Kiana glanced around the area of the library. The prevalence of the light fixtures being artifacts was not lost upon her, they were good artifacts.

"However, the market is already predominated by it." Kiana murmured.

"Which market?" Lucius raised a brow. "We've already known beforehand that the alcohol industry is filled with countless competitors before and we've managed to overthrow them with some clever thinking and preparation, Kiana. Do not automatically assume that we will not do well in a particular market. We simply need to identify a certain niche yet unprovided."

Kiana paused and realized that Lord Asher was right. Back then, the idea of entering the wine industry seemed like a difficult endeavor and task, but Asher was able to use the Carrom Fruits and make them into the flourishing wine industry that they were in now.

"What did you have in mind, Lord Asher?"

"Well, I am considering the idea of making a 'flash-light'… as I've yet to encounter such an item when we worked with Gellor and his team during our time at the Aisse Territory, if not that, well, there is something that perhaps the nobility will like far more." Lucius explained. "And their funds are far larger than that of adventurers."

Kiana looked intrigued and she was once again curious about what Asher had in mind.

"What is something that nobility would like and will be willing to pay for when they've already have artifacts that replace ordinary lamps and lights?" Kiana asked.

"I have not yet finished the planning yet, but one can say it is when most people wish to look at the night sky and realize all of the stars existing far above your head." Lucius said.

While Lucius was not often drawn to sentimentality and such things, the moment that he found himself leaving his past world and being taken into a vast expanse of space far beyond than what he'd ever experienced before spoke of galaxies and unfathomable knowledge beyond what he could dare experience in his mortal existence.

"Look at the stars?" Kiana blinked and frowned a little, as it was something she was unfamiliar with and did not actually do very often. "You mean when people go… stargazing?"

"Yes. I plan to make an artifact, or rather, artifacts that are more, aesthetic driven for a certain clientèle that wish to decorate their room with stars and other shapes that will function not as brightly as the Illumination Gift available in that of lamps and other similar light fixtures, but more akin to softer lights. Something perhaps pleasant to look at when one wishes to navigate through the dark." Lucius explained.

Kiana tried to imagine what it would be like and found herself a little lost in the thought. However, she glanced at Asher's face and knew that he thought about the item greatly and it did seem like something wonderful, even though she had yet to see it herself.

"That sounds incredible, Asher."