7 Chapter 7 — The Mansion

Chapter 7— The Mansion

Behind me I hear a voice. I turn my head and find myself in front of a cook according to his apron.

"Did you like the meal?"

He points to my empty plate, repeating his question, and I nod several times.

—No need to stress yourself about that, I'm Falco, I'm the cook of the household. You can tell me if you don't like it too much, I can do something else for you.

—My name is Nomad, I arrived last night and no it was perfect.

—Well, you'll excuse me I have a lot of preparations to do in the kitchen, but if you want something don't hesitate to ask. The others will soon get up.

With these words, he retrieves my plate and goes back to the kitchen. This is where I notice something that I had read in the book. On his left wrist is some sort of mark or tattoo. If I am not mistaken, it is a sign that he has lost his freedom. All the adventurers who lost theirs have this mark on their wrist to recognize them.

Apparently losing his freedom does not turn you into a slave, but the person has to pay a debt to the tower and therefore has to find work in order to regain his freedom according to how he lost it. If I believe the book, someone who steals or does something prohibited and gets caught has to do community service equivalent to the act committed. There is also a prison for the most serious cases. However, if someone stays five years without doing anything at the foot of the tower, he also loses his freedom and has to work for five years before he can regain his status as an adventurer. Apparently, the time spent in the worlds is returned in years of freedom at the base of the tower.

Committing a murder at the foot of the tower is, on the other hand, the highest level of crime possible and falls into the category with the worst tasks to be done without the possibility of becoming free again. It also involves a prison sentence, but justice at the foot of the tower looks complicated so I wouldn't dwell on that.

To put it simply, since the tower is omniscient, there cannot be a convicted person without being guilty. However, the law is designed so that thieves can get their hands on real conditions without being punished too harshly for their actions. Basically, 'not seen, not punished' unless it's serious. However, the rules are only valid at the foot of the tower from the moment you enter one of the world-floors, the rules no longer apply.

Falco is therefore someone who has lost his freedom. I wonder what he did, but I imagine it's misplaced curiosity from me. In prison the question that must be avoided at all costs is 'What are you here for?' For good reasons. It is better that I abstain.

I go back to my room and put the book down. I decided to take a shower. I don't really feel dirty, but I don't have anything to do right now as long as Emy is asleep and given how early I saw her I don't know how long it's going to take.

After spending a good hour in the shower, I go back to the dining hall and I can see a few people eating in silence. I decide to take a tour of the manor suddenly, to kill time. The upper floors are reserved for bedrooms, but the ground floor has a reception, a dining room, a library, a living room and a kitchen, even if I have not seen anyone go there except Falco. Everything remains rustic, but warm. There is also a bathroom which probably have a giant bath, otherwise there would probably be no point in having personal showers. I do not intend to go there for the moment anyway. If I had known a little earlier perhaps, but now…

I'm going to sit in the living room not knowing what to do, I could very well grab a book from the library, but I've read enough yet and the morning is already well underway. On the wall is a kind of stone clock that looks like a kind of sundial. There are two 'shadows' on it that should represent the hands and they indicate that it is around 11:15 a.m.

It's like the shower in my room or again with the lights, most of the things that should work with electricity or even with hydraulic pressure seem to work thanks to magic here.

After several minutes of waiting, trying to figure out what kind of spell can cause a clock to tell the time, Cyrus walks into the room with a sigh.

'Emy is still not up, is she?' Come with me."

I get up from the chair and follow him up the stairs. I don't really know what to expect, but at the speed at which he walks he almost seems irritated. On the second floor, he stops in front of a door and gently bangs on it. He waits about thirty seconds, sighs again and starts banging frankly on the wooden door. Inside, I can hear movement.

— Emy ! It's time now, so get up!

—CYRUS, shut up your big F—

—Big what ?!

—.. No, no I didn't say anything, I'm coming…

"I'm sorry. She knows very well that if I make her get up it's not for nothing. It's her role as the eldest in the mansion, even if that bothers her, but don't worry about it, she's very friendly the rest of the time. "

Just when he's finished talking the door opens on Emy's face, who doesn't look very awake.

—Can I know why you are knocking so kindly on my door, Cyrus?

—You saw the new guy, Nomad, this morning when you got home. I would like you to accompany him to the ranger tower if that doesn't bother you too much?

—But Cyrus, well, you know that it's part of your responsibility to "guide" people, so why come and ask me to do your job?

—I have to go and welcome any new arrivals. I don't have enough time for that and I don't know how long it will take for them to pass the tests.

—So you ask me to take care of him while you walk around waiting for them to pass the tests, even if it's not sure, and that for several hours, right ?

—That's it.

—Hmpff, I wait eagerly for the moment when I will be out of here and start my first floor so that you won't push your work on me like that…

Emy then close the door probably to get dressed. I wonder how old she is. Cyrus on his side sighs for a moment before turning to me.

"I have to go, don't worry if she's cranky with you, she's not mean and she should be able to help you without a problem." I'll see you later. "

He set off then and three minutes later Emy opens the door wide in the same armor I had seen this morning.

—Sorry for the wait, I'm gonna eat a bit and then we leave.

—It's my fault I'm sorry for that…

—Nah, it's not, it's Cyrus's fault. He does this to me from time to time to annoy me. I guess he thinks it's part of my training to get up at any time. Since I will be entering the tower soon, it is his way of helping me. Anyway, Nomad right ? Did you arrive yesterday? Why do you have to go to the ranger tower?

—From what I understand, I'm supposed to be a 'Tamer.'

—I imagine Cyrus showed you the card trick, right? Tamer… I don't see them often… Tamer… I think this is one of the less used classes if I'm not mistaken. ? I dont know too much so do not ask me any questions.

—Same as Cyrus.

—He told you more than me I imagine, so much the better.

Arriving at the refectory, Emy goes to get something to eat and I go get myself a piece of bread before sitting down in front of her.

—Well, I did not introduce myself, you know my first name, I am 24 years old and I am from the Paladins class. Since you don't know about it, getting inside the paladins class is extremely difficult. That's all.

—Congratulations?

—Thank you. I imagine you read the book Cyrus gave you? You have questions?

—No, not really, I know that it will eventually fall into place for most things. If I have any, I'll ask Cyrus. But now that I think about it, out of curiosity, is it normal that there is no life bar in the status?

—It has always been like this. Anything else?

—N-no.