Chapter 12: [Lake Scenery]

Lauren lifted the teacup, took a gentle sip, and looked at the uncle he hadn’t seen in years.

“Uncle Kaer, no need to be so courteous.”

His voice was very calm, reaching Kaer’s ears without the awkwardness of childhood or the coldness of adolescence.

Lauren seemed to have changed again, becoming more composed, or perhaps more relaxed.

His voice no longer carried the weight of deep-seated grievances.

Without paying attention to what was running through Kaer’s mind, Lauren continued:

“I came today because I do have a favor to ask.”

“Is it about Yuli’s marriage? Is it that urgent?”

Kaer racked his brain.

The only thing he could think of that was worth Lauren personally visiting and deeply involving himself with was this matter.

Recently, Yuli had been clamoring for a broken engagement.

Could it be that she had gone to confront them without his knowledge?

Kaer didn’t doubt that possibility.

After all, he knew his daughter’s personality—she was just that impulsive a girl.

Just as Lauren was about to speak, Kaer jumped in:

“Young Master, rest assured.”

He placed a hand over his chest, pledging solemnly.

“You don’t need to pay attention to that girl’s nonsense. I, Kaer, am a loyal and faithful knight. I will never betray the agreement I made with the Master back then.”

“When Yuli turns twenty, I guarantee the engagement between her and you will be fulfilled. You have no need to worry.”

Hearing the mention of the engagement, Lauren didn’t react much.

He was simply curious why Kaer’s first guess was that today’s purpose involved the engagement.

Even though the one who wanted to break it off was himself.

Since this wasn’t under the influence of a system quest, could it be that Yuli herself wanted to break it off?

She had been spreading the word because her father wouldn’t agree, trying to build momentum to pressure him.

That would fit perfectly with Lauren’s expectations.

It looked like today’s broken-engagement trip would go smoothly.

‘Thinking of it this way, it seems today’s broken-engagement trip will go smoothly.’ He nodded to himself, affirming his thoughts. Without much emotional fluctuation, he spoke calmly:

“The reason I came today is actually to catch up with Uncle Kaer and also to discuss the engagement with Yuli.”

“But it’s not what you think.”

Lauren raised one hand, signaling Anne.

“Anne, bring it out.”

“Yes, boss!”

Anne immediately understood and pulled out what she had prepared long ago.

It was an exquisite white jade box, a treasure long preserved in the Skomet Mansion.

It was a sword case, depicting a scene of slaying a dragon.

Beneath a sky darkened by clouds, blood-red light dyed heaven and earth.

Countless corpses formed a small mountain—humans, elves, demons, dwarves, all mixed together.

Standing atop the pile of remains was a ferocious dragon.

But this dragon lay powerless on the ground, its eyes wide with terror as it stared ahead, its gaze nearly splitting.

Because in the very center of the painting, a sword light that pierced through heaven and earth drove away the surrounding darkness and mercilessly struck the head of that massive, vicious dragon.

Above the sword light stood a handsome man who overshadowed an era, causing heaven and earth to pale.

He was bathed in filthy dragon blood, his eyes filled with sorrow as he stared at the dragon before him.

If you looked closely, his facial features bore an eighty-percent resemblance to Lauren.

Yes, this was the ancestor of the Scotmart family, the legendary dragon-slaying hero, Adrian Scotmart.

The scene depicted on this sword case was the legendary feat of Adrian Scotmart slaying a great dragon and ascending to the Legendary realm.

Naturally, what was preserved inside was no ordinary item.

“This… this is…”

Kaer stared at the white jade case, then turned to look at Lauren. He was completely focused, unable to believe it.

“The legendary dragon-slaying holy sword, [Lake Light]!”

Lauren nodded to confirm Kaer’s guess, then threw cold water on him to extinguish the wild hope.

“To be precise, it’s a replica of [Lake Light].”

Think about it—how could it be the real Legendary holy sword [Lake Light]?

If the Scotmart family had really preserved such a thing, they wouldn’t have ended up in their current state, nearly extinct.

The authentic [Lake Light] had been taken somewhere unknown by Adrian Scotmart back in the day.

After all, that ancestor was famous for loving adventure.

Hearing Lauren’s words, Kaer’s expression finally calmed down.

But along with the relief, there was a barely noticeable trace of disappointment in his eyes.

Seeing Kaer’s emotions change like a roller coaster, Lauren went on to comfort him with a smile:

“Uncle Kaer, don’t be disappointed either. Although this [Lake Light] is a replica, it was made by our ancestor back then, one-to-one copying the original [Lake Light] for us descendants.”

“It contains a Legendary-grade sword intent left by ancestor Adrian.”

Staring at the lifelike [Lake Light], Kaer’s emotions settled.

He seemed to realize something and let out a light sigh.

After all, one doesn’t visit a temple of three treasures without a reason—and especially not carrying such a precious treasure.

Kaer dared not imagine how serious things were.

Could it be that the curse of the demon dragon had finally caught up with the last bloodline of the Scotmart family?

Thinking that Lauren had come to entrust his legacy, that this young master he had watched grow up and loved like his own son would soon die, Kaer could hardly bear the overwhelming grief.

So, with tears in his eyes, he said to Lauren:

“Young Master, for you to bring this [Lake Light] here, it must be a matter of life and death, right?”

Thinking this, Kaer wiped his tears.

“Say no more. Your old servant knows your difficulties.”

“Whatever your final request may be, I, Kaer Florent, will agree. Even if it costs me my life, I will not refuse.”

“And my useless daughter Yuli—I’ll have her marry you immediately.”

Seeing Kaer’s sudden reaction, Lauren was frankly surprised.

He had only given him a [Lake Light].

What was all this about?

Unlike ordinary people, he didn’t see [Lake Light] as a precious heirloom, but as a common item he could pull out anytime.

That was because, unlike normal people, he had a game system.

After all, the system store also sold [Lake Light].

Against enemies with dragon-type attributes, it was a divine weapon, but otherwise it was pretty average.

Although the price was steep—99,999,999 Flower Crystals—that didn’t matter.

There was a seven-day trial version for 999 Flower Crystals.

It wasn’t like he couldn’t afford it later.