Gareth was wondering where the Countess could be. He had an inkling of why she was calling him, but if she wasn't in her office, then where would she be?
"I'll take you to her. Follow me," the head maid said before turning around and leading the way. They made their way to the third floor as usual, but this time, they didn't go in the direction of the office.
As they moved, Gareth was doing the same as usual—observing and taking everything he could into notice. He hadn't realized before, but he noticed that he could see and hear things better. Minute details were no longer minute in his eyes, and his hearing and perception were heightened. Walking behind the head maid, he focused on the back of her head.
He could even notice a few grey hairs peeking through, something that looked like the middle-aged woman was trying to hide. Everything was a wonder in his eyes, and he felt like a person who used to wear glasses but one day suddenly didn't need them anymore.
However, he didn't let his excitement get the best of him. He was merely trying to adapt to his new state while paying attention to his surroundings.
As they made their way around the third floor, they were slowly approaching a room in a corner. Noticeably, there were fewer rooms in this part of the floor.It was already obvious to him that they were going to that room, and he had already figured out what that room was.
However, as they got closer, the door suddenly opened and a young man made his way out of the room. His clothes looked dishevelled and his hair was rough.He looked like he had just gotten ready in a jiffy. When he noticed the two approaching, his gaze darkened, and he started glaring at the two.
No, not the two, but Gareth, who was standing behind the head maid. He walked closer; however, his gaze never left Gareth's.
Gareth, of course, was no wimp. He met his gaze steadily and didn't flinch in the slightest. However, internally, he was wondering who this man was and why he was glaring at him.
He didn't have any enemies—at least not in here—and he had tried his best to be friendly to everyone he met. Even if they were not all his friends, they certainly weren't his enemies.
However, this man was openly staring at him with hostility. With his enhanced perception, he could easily tell that this man hated him deeply.
"Well, whatever. If he wants to die, I'll just eliminate him," Gareth thought, gaining confidence in his newfound power.
As they passed by each other, Gareth simply faced ahead, acting as if he didn't see the man. Seeing Gareth ignore him, the man let out a small huff before walking away.
Meanwhile, the head maid didn't even pay any attention to the man, completely ignoring his presence. As soon as they got to the door, the head maid knocked on the door before speaking.
"My Lady, he is here." They didn't have to wait for long before a reply came.
"Send him in." The voice of the Countess resounded from the interior of the room.
The head maid didn't enter and only simply stepped aside, giving Gareth the space to enter the room.
Gareth entered without hesitation and closed the door behind him.
Sure enough, the room was the bedroom of the Countess. The bedroom was massive with an equally large bed. On the bed lay the Countess, propping herself up with her arms on a pillow.
She was in her nightwear, which consisted of a flowing semi-sheer gown. It was made from a light fabric that was almost transparent. Her lacy underwear could be seen if one stared hard enough, which added to the allure of the moment.
She looked slightly disheveled but had evidently done her best to compose herself. Seeing Gareth enter, she smiled.
"So you really became an Ardent, huh," she muttered, more to herself than anything. In truth, she was greatly shocked.
A few minutes ago, she had been having fun with the young man before sensing the enormous amount of mana pooling above the estate.
This phenomenon was unusual, and on a normal occasion, she would have thought that the estate was under attack. However, Commander Donovan was in the estate, and for such a powerful Ardent, he hadn't made a move.
That meant they were probably safe. Her mind then went to the only other person who could be responsible for this in the estate.
As soon as that thought entered her mind, her eyes widened in shock. She immediately lost the desire to "have fun" and quickly sent the head maid to call him.
She also dismissed her lover, sending him out of her room with little notice. Sure enough, when Gareth entered the room, she was immediately able to sense the power of mana coming from him.
The aura of power that emanated from him was raw, untamed, and wild. He was like a force of nature that had been unleashed into the room. This amount of power was something that no mortal could emanate.
As she was inspecting Gareth, Gareth was also doing the same with her. With his newly heightened senses, he was able to appreciate her beauty even more.
And her current outfit... Damn, was she sexy!
Looking at her, it was no wonder that she was able to have so many lovers.
"Damn! That's probably why that dude was so pissed off earlier. I would be too if someone interrupted me with THAT," he thought to himself.
His eyes wandered toward her sweat-glistened skin, hiding beneath her underwear. The fabric was almost transparent, teasing those who wanted to have a closer look.
Gareth was already getting a hard-on, and the outline was beginning to show on his pants. However, he made no move to hide it, nor did he become embarrassed by it.
He merely bowed his head, and in a sincere and appreciative tone, he spoke.
"It was all due to the grace of my Lady."