色戒无删除版

It was an old story but it was not known to the masses because everything about it was covered with a lie. The only people who were clear about what had happened were only the Ginehart and Blackwell Dukedom. The Magic Tower did everything they could to cover up the incident and passed it up as an accident but all the people involved knew what really happened.

Shortly after Ulysses was named as the new head of the Ginehart household, the former head suddenly died and the family did not let the world know what had happened. They silently mourned for the former head and only let the Blackwells attend the funeral.

Then they shunned all of the mages in their territory. Now their entrance and stay in the dukedom was strictly monitored.

"It was a pity, but actually I don't know the details. If there are people who knew about what exactly happened it would be the main family. This was the only fact that was passed down through the branch families. They don't have any issues with magic users but it is different with mages that were under the tower. I bet right now, the news has already reached my uncle and he must be grinning right now." William chuckled and the heavy atmosphere that formed around them disappeared.

Just as the cousin said, the news reached the Ginehart Dukedom and Ulysses was in a good mood after reading it. The misfortune of the tower was his happiness. If not for their grave mistake that time his father would have been alive until now.

"Why are you grinning so widely?" Linette asked after she saw that his husband was in high spirits. She was out in the garden and was picking flowers when the man came to hug her tightly.

"Well, that's because the tower got what they deserve," he chuckled. He helped his wife and held her hand as they walked towards the gazebo. They sat down and admired the rose garden that was still in bloom.

"What happened to the tower?" she asked with curiosity. She knew the hatred that he harbored against them and to see him this happy something major might have happened to the tower.

"I think that child has made his move. The tower suffered two attacks within a week, they suffered losses and I'm sure that those bastard geezers are in chaos right now." Ulysses was grinning but gritted his teeth when he said the word bastard geezers which pertains to the elders of the tower.

"Is that so, but I thought they had a plan to follow? Why so soon?" Linette was puzzled. She was happy for his husband but she was still at a loss.

"That man would never follow a plan. He is unpredictable and moves at his own pace. You've already witnessed it so you shouldn't be confused right now." Ulysses looked forward beyond the gardens and beyond what the eyes can see. "I don't know what his real purpose is for coming here but if we can use him to destroy that tower, then everything else is negligible."

The reason why they could only stay angry at the tower was because they don't have the power to topple a big organization like theirs. Those mages also threatened the lives of the people of the dukedom just to escape from what they did and they can't risk those lives. He might have battled against high rank mages before but the battle was so grueling and deadly that he almost lost his life.

He was for and foremost the leader of a territory and was looked up by many citizens as their protector and against mages who were proficient with destructive spells he can't just decide on his own. Thus, the tower got away with what they did but with the help of Rigel, they might be able to defeat the tower and expose its dark secrets.

Ulysses could already tell that the tower's days of glories would be shattered in the near future. "I'm looking forward to what he can do."

Cygnus sneezed while he was drinking tea in a small restaurant. Mr. C looked over at him and stared for a while, "The weather has become a bit chilly since the end of the year is coming. Please wear something thicker next time."

"I'm not cold," he narrowed his eyes, "someone is talking about me behind my back and they might be even cursing me."

"That is not something new master. You should've gotten used to it by now." The butler commented as he pushed another plate of cake in front of Cygnus.

"Where is Nina and Astrophos?" He asked after a while. His gaze was focused on the people who were walking outside the restaurant.

"I haven't heard from the two of them but I'm sure that they'll be back once they feel like it," the butler answered.

After the visit and confirmation that Ezio was safe, Astrophos bid them a temporary goodbye because he has something to do. Nina on the other hand disappeared while leaving only a note.

"They are too willful. They didn't even stay to watch the show." Cygnus frowned but his expression immediately eased. "Well, I'm sure that they will be here once the main show is about to air."

"Do you have other plans for today?" Mr. C asked after a short moment of silence because the master seemed to be in deep thought.

"Let's go and look for a suitable place to open my bakeshop. I miss my sweets," Cygnus answered. It was one of his side plans anyway so there was nothing wrong if he wanted to prepare early.

"Aren't you going to ask for the major's help?" The butler wondered, his master was a bit lazy so he could understand if he didn't want to go around.

"No and I am not lazy, I'm just not motivated to do anything but right now I just want to take a walk," Cygnus tilted his head to the right. "I wanna explore this place thoroughly."

The butler got the message so he stood up and walked with the master around the city. They even reached the least developed part of the capital. In that place, they looked very misplaced with their high-end clothing and noble bearing.

People couldn't stop looking at them, some with admiration while others with envy, some with malicious intent. Cygnus looked at the place with a smile on his face.

"This is the perfect place, don't you think so?" He looked behind at his butler, looking pleased with himself for choosing the right location for his business.

"I don't have anything to say, master since it is your decision," was his only answer. Even if he voiced his dissatisfaction, the master wouldn't really care.

They walked around a little bit more when they were suddenly surrounded by a group of gruff looking men. They were grinning like they hit a jackpot. Cygnus could also see that they were holding knives and bats, typical of any gang of street robbers.

"Give us your money. You are rich so whatever you have right now will surely be returned to you once you go home to your luxurious house," one of the men spoke. He was eyeing the master's clothing.

"But, I don't have money with me and these clothes won't fit you no matter what you do." Cygnus still looked relaxed while speaking with those dangerous men.

The one who spoke looked at his buddies and grinned. He didn't care whether they had money on them or not because he knew someone who buys noble children to be their slaves.

"Don't worry, even if you don't have money, you'll still sell for a high price." He signaled for his people to capture Cygnus but before they could even get near the master, Mr. C was already blocking their way.