Here is the translation of your story into English, maintaining the descriptive depth and the specific tone of the dialogue you requested.
Chapter 3: The Shadow of the Manor
In the deepest layers of Hohenberg Manor, in those damp cellars where even sunlight dared not seep, the rhythm of time had long since broken, replaced by the weight of an eternal darkness. The scent of mold and rust had infused every crack in the stone and every spiderweb like a creeping poison; so much so that every breath taken left a heavy, burning trail in the lungs, like coarse sandpaper. At the ends of rusty chains hanging from the ceiling, two arms—identifiable as human only by their pained twitching—hung lifelessly. Erhard's head had fallen to his chest as if his neck could no longer bear the burden of this endless agony. His feet could no longer feel the stone floor beneath them; his body appeared like a wreck that had long since lost its futile war against gravity. The whip marks on his back stood raw and vivid like bloody signatures upon the skin, while the magic seals etched into his body like black stains were silent but screaming witnesses to the savage rituals he had endured.
The ancient iron door of the cellar opened with a high-pitched creak that made one's teeth clench. Into the midst of this decay stepped his brother, Tobias, with a divine grace, though his steps were hurried and irregular, far from his usual dignified pace in the marble halls. "ERHARD!" Gathering the last remnants of his being, the younger boy lifted his head in a movement so slow it seemed to take a century, and looked toward the light—toward his brother. The mask of palace aristocracy on Tobias's face had shattered, replaced by pure grief and horror. "My dear brother, look what you have become..." he whispered, his hands trembling as if touching a sacred relic while reaching for Erhard's wounds. The seals carved with the precision of art but the cruelty of an executioner, the bruised burn marks left from the ceremony... "Does it hurt very much, Erhard? From here, it looks as though your burns have begun to heal..."
Erhard parted his lips with difficulty, as if tearing open a wound that had fused together: "They don't hurt anymore."
Tobias pulled his hands back in a moment of horror and buried his gaze in the darkness of the floor. "I should have known," he said, his voice echoing against the cold walls. "After you lost consciousness, the Chosen of Seraph came and poured that holy Zephyra water over your wounds." This name struck Erhard's numbed mind like a bolt of lightning. His eyes turned toward his brother instantly, as if finding life once more. "T-the... the one with white hair?" Tobias nodded softly, noticing the hidden wonder in his brother's reaction. Erhard turned his eyes back to the darkness and imagined her; the grace of that moment, the enchanting scent of their first encounter in the depths of the forest... "Zühra..." Tobias raised an eyebrow in surprise, scrutinizing the mournful glow on his brother's face: "Pardon?"
The silence was cut like a knife by the pathetic rumbling of Erhard's stomach, disciplined by days of hunger. Tobias felt his heart tear like paper at his brother's wretched state and hurried out without a word. He returned shortly with a steaming tray, freeing the shackles not with a key, but with the profound compassion in his soul. As his brother collapsed into his arms like a rag doll, the damp and freezing cold of the stone wall burned Tobias's palms. He placed a hand against the wall and released a wave of heat magic; the moisture of the wall dried up as if before a sun. He draped his own heavy wool coat over Erhard's bare, wounded shoulders and began to feed him as if conducting a ritual, spoonful by spoonful.
"They aren't even feeding you properly, are they?" Erhard didn't bother to answer; the truth was as plain as the rust on the bars. For days, he had neither found the peaceful harbor of sleep nor had a single morsel pass through his throat.
"I will definitely speak with Father, Erhard," Tobias said, his voice imbued with unshakable resolve. "I will ask him to take you out of here; I can no longer turn a blind eye to this." Erhard sealed his lips and looked into his brother's eyes; in that look was both a child's plea for help and a man's deep disappointment: "Do you think he will?" Tobias swallowed but did not step back: "I will make him, Erhard! I promise you, you will get out of here."
In the vast greenery of the garden, Adeline stood with her arms crossed, absently watching the grass wave like a sea in the wind. "Adeline!" Elora's voice echoed as if coming from far away, behind a veil of mist. The girl startled; she hadn't even noticed her arrival. "What's wrong? I've called you ten times."
Adeline gestured to the empty space beside her, asking Elora to sit; she was searching for a sanctuary. Elora anxiously placed her hand on her friend's forehead. "You don't have a fever... Did something happen? Are you sick?" Adeline replied with a faint smile. "I am well, but that Hohenberg... That boy, the state he was in during the flames... It's stuck in my mind," she said, her voice mingling with the howl of the wind. Elora shrugged with her usual indifference: "It's been almost two weeks since the ceremony; noble children heal quickly."
"I don't think so," Adeline replied. "Those burns were deep enough to separate flesh from bone."
"Don't worry, the Zephyra surely healed those burns!" At the sound of Johann's voice, both girls startled and looked behind them. Johann approached with the air of a sage, the usual arrogant but reassuring smile on his face. "I've been here for an hour, Lady Rabbit... Please, continue your slumber."
"I've been trying to tell her you were here all morning, but she's wandering in other realms," Elora said. Adeline turned her eyes back to the past hidden within the grass; Erhard's desperate cry would not fade from her ears. "Johann, having matched with a Rabbit... what use will this spirit called 'Seraph' be to me?"
Johann looked at her, unable to comprehend the innocent ignorance behind the question. "A Rabbit? That is your Side Spirit, the 'Guardian of Pure Emotion,' Seraph! You need to realize your social standing, the new power in your blood, Adeline. You are no longer a simple village girl; you can stand before the King himself with your head held high." While Adeline was locked onto Johann's fervent explanation, a voice as clear and thin as the ringing of crystal echoed in the most private corner of her mind, audible only to her:
"Do you think it is not enough?"
Adeline shivered and looked around; it was as if someone had whispered right behind her shoulder. "Did you hear that voice just now?" Johann asked curiously. "What voice? Only the wind is blowing." With a thoughtful expression, Adeline said, "I heard a girl's voice while I was wondering if my status was enough. It was very close, very clear." Johann and Elora exchanged a long, worried look. When Elora reached out to check Adeline's fever again, Johann stopped her by the hand: "She is fine, Elora—better than she has ever been. That voice you heard was Seraph itself, sealed within your soul." Elora's eyes widened: "You mean the holy rabbit speaks? Truly?" Johann replied in his classic mocking tone. "All Side Spirits speak; if yours doesn't speak to you..." Johann put on his annoying but clever smile: "Then it means you are not yet worthy of that rank, Elora."
Adeline stood up with the determination of that foreign but empowering voice. Her gaze was sharper now, her posture more dignified. "If my status has risen this much, if this power will open a door for me; then prepare yourselves; we are going to Hohenberg Manor." Elora and Johann shouted simultaneously, as if hearing of a catastrophe: "WHAT?!"
As the carriage moved toward the arrogant, magnificent structure of Hohenberg Manor—each stone of which was woven with nobility and coldness—the silence inside possessed a palpable weight. Adeline watched the world outside through the window, trying to suppress the wave of restlessness within her, rehearsing the conversation she would have in her mind. When the carriage stopped, the manor stood before them like a giant, with its massive iron gates and trees pruned in perfect symmetry.
The guard at the gate blocked their path with the authoritative clatter of his steel armor, striking his spear against the ground with a dull thud: "Who are they, and what do you seek in these holy lands?" Elora stepped forward, trying to escape the pressure: "We need to speak with Erhard von Hohenberg. It is very important." The guard scrutinized them from head to toe, as if despising every stitch of their clothing: "Three low-borns? Not every wanderer can enter this manor. Leave at once, or I shall be forced to use strength!" Johann pulled Elora back gently but firmly and looked the guard straight in the eye, fearlessly: "Even if you do not respect us, you must respect the Chosen of Seraph, the bearer of a holy spirit." He pointed to Adeline. The guard burst into a mocking laugh that shattered the silence of the garden: "Chosen of Seraph, eh? I'm the Chosen of Golden then, pleased to meet you. Go on, try another door!"
Johann maintained his icy professionalism: "Don't make it so obvious that you didn't attend the ceremony or that you are blind, guard. Anyone inside can recognize who she is at a glance. Go and inform your masters if you wish, and try your luck... if you care about keeping your head, that is."
The guard's mirth extinguished like a candle flame against Johann's unshakable confidence. He signaled the other sentry with a nod to look inside. After ten minutes—each second passing like an hour—the guard returned; the arrogant expression on his face had been replaced by a tentative respect. The gates opened with a dignified creak.
When Tobias heard that the Chosen of Seraph had come to his door in person, he took a deep breath to suppress his noble surprise and unexplainable excitement. He surveyed the group as the great door opened; but when Adeline crossed that threshold, the slight flush that rushed to Tobias's cheeks betrayed the irregularity of his heartbeat. Salutations were exchanged, and Tobias welcomed them, placing his hand over his heart. "What is the reason that brings you to our manor, Chosen of the Great Seraph? You are welcome." Adeline bowed her head gently, replying with a grace befitting her status: "My Lord, we have come to inquire after the condition of Lord Erhard. Is it possible for us to see him?" Tobias replied with equal courtesy. "We are honored that you would concern yourself with my brother Erhard's condition, Chosen of the Great Seraph." Adeline, in a tone weary of formality, said, "Please, no need for such formality, you may call me simply Adeline." Tobias was struck by the sound of the name as it fell from her lips. "I am pleased, Adeline. Your name truly sounds lovely... As for my brother, unfortunately, his condition is not good." Adeline's expression changed for a moment, but she regained her composure and spoke. "May we go to him? I need to see him in person." Tobias gave a mournful nod of approval: "I can take you, but he is being held in a cell by my father's order. Do you still wish to enter there?" Adeline answered with determination. "Yes, my Lord, I must see him."
Passing through long and magnificent corridors where portraits of stern-looking ancestors hung, Tobias's furtive and admiring glances were constantly upon Adeline. Johann noticed this silent interest immediately and smiled mischievously under his breath. As they descended the stairs, the atmosphere grew dark as if the throat of a living creature were being squeezed; the dampness weighed down Elora's shoulders. When they reached the front of the cell, Tobias stopped, his voice turning serious: "Adeline, let your friends wait here. It is very dark and somber inside; it might be better for Erhard if you enter alone."
With Johann's approval, Adeline stepped into the dark cell, Tobias holding her hand gently as if to give her strength. The energy inside was so intense that the girl could not help but grimace; it was as if the air were kneaded with thousands of years of sorrow. When she saw Erhard hanging by his wrists behind the bars, her heart began to flutter like a bird in a cage. Everywhere was filled with bruises and the metallic scent of dried and fresh blood.
"Lord Tobias, why is he in this state? To treat a son this way is truly tragic..." she asked Tobias, her voice trembling. "Unfortunately, Adeline, my father was furious when it was learned that his Side Spirit was Ridas, the Lord of Darkness. He keeps him here as a source of shame." Adeline whispered without taking her eyes off Erhard's weary face: "Can we not take him out of here? This is truly a cruelty." Tobias gave Adeline a reassuring, mournful but determined look: "I promise you, Adeline, I will save him from this captivity no matter the cost." Adeline moved closer to Erhard. Erhard opened his eyes and scanned Adeline's clear, almost glowing face; the dark silhouette in his mind dissipated for a moment. Adeline shivered for a second when she felt the deep darkness in his gaze, but she quickly recovered and placed her hand on the bars: "Lord Erhard, I promise you; we will do everything in our power to save you from this dark dungeon." A faint smile, as rare as a resurrection, appeared on Erhard's face. Just then, a servant appeared at the door, breathless and with terror in his eyes. When Tobias received the poisonous news whispered in his ear, his face froze and shook like a piece of marble. "We must leave here at once. Erhard, I will come again; stay strong, brother." Before Adeline knew what was happening, they were hurried out by Tobias.
When they returned to Tobias's study, the silence in the room was as heavy as a scream. Adeline could bear it no longer and asked: "Please forgive me, but what did the servant tell you? You turned as pale as a ghost."
The life had completely drained from Tobias's face; he replied, trying to hold back the tears in his eyes. "Unfortunately, my brother Erhard... is to be executed at dawn in seven days. A definitive death sentence has been issued." The news hit those in the room like a sledgehammer; none of them expected such an early and certain end. Adeline's eyes filled with tears instantly, her throat tightened, and her gaze remained fixed on the pattern of the rug. Tobias clenched his fists to suppress his sobs, yet he could not stop the tears from flowing.
Would you like me to continue with the next chapter, or perhaps focus on Adeline's plan to save Erhard during these seven days?