Blackwood Estate stood on the northern outskirts of Aurelion.
The drive took Davis nearly forty minutes.
As the car left the crowded financial district, the towering skyscrapers gradually gave way to quieter roads, green hills, and enormous private properties.
Eventually, the driver turned onto a long road lined with ancient trees.
At the end stood a pair of wrought-iron gates.
A faded crest was engraved above them.
A black eagle with its wings spread wide.
Beneath it were the words:
BLACKWOOD — FORTIS ET FIDELIS.
Strong and faithful.
Davis stared at the crest.
He remembered seeing it on his father's cufflinks.
He remembered his mother wearing a necklace bearing the same symbol.
He remembered being carried through these gates as a little boy.
Then everything had changed.
The estate had been sold, according to the official records.
At least, that was what Davis had believed.
He stepped out of the car.
A security guard approached.
"Good afternoon, sir. This is private property."
Davis showed him the ownership documents on his phone.
"My name is Davis Blackwood. According to these documents, the estate belongs to me."
The guard examined the screen.
His eyes widened.
"Mr. Blackwood?"
"Yes."
"Please wait here."
The guard hurried toward a small security building.
Several minutes later, an elderly man emerged.
He had silver hair, a neatly pressed suit, and a walking stick.
The moment he saw Davis, he stopped.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Then his eyes filled with tears.
"Young master?"
Davis felt a strange ache in his chest. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
He remembered that voice.
"Mr. Harrison?"
The elderly man nodded.
"Yes, young master. It's me."
Arthur Harrison had worked for the Blackwood family for more than thirty years. He had been the estate manager when Davis was a child.
Davis approached him.
"I thought you had retired."
"I did, sir. After your parents passed away, there was nothing left for me to manage."
Davis looked at the enormous gates.
"What happened to this place?"
Arthur lowered his head.
"The estate was supposed to be sold. But the transaction was never completed. Your father's lawyers placed the property under a protective arrangement."
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because the people handling the estate were instructed to wait until you reached the age specified in your father's private documents."
Davis frowned.
"Which age?"
Arthur looked directly at him.
"Eighteen."
The words hung in the air.
Davis had turned eighteen only recently.
The system had awakened shortly afterward.
He looked toward the mansion.
"Take me inside."
The mansion was enormous.
Its white stone exterior had weathered with age, but the architecture remained beautiful. Tall windows overlooked landscaped gardens, and a fountain stood in the center of the entrance courtyard.
Inside, the hall was lined with portraits.
Davis recognized his parents immediately.
His father stood in one portrait wearing a dark business suit. His mother sat beside him in an elegant blue dress.
They looked happy.
Davis stopped in front of the paintings.
For several moments, he couldn't speak.
Arthur stood quietly behind him. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
"Your mother loved this house," he said. "She used to say that no matter how successful your father became, this would always be home."
Davis swallowed.
"Why did everyone abandon it?"
Arthur hesitated.
"After the accident, several people came here to collect documents. They said they represented the family's creditors. Your father's lawyers eventually intervened, but many of the original records disappeared."
Davis turned.
"What accident?"
Arthur looked uncomfortable.
"The accident that killed your parents."
Davis's expression hardened.
"You know something."
Arthur gripped his walking stick.
"I know that your father was afraid during the final weeks of his life."
"Afraid of what?"
"I don't know, young master. But he instructed me to keep certain documents safe. He said that one day, you might return."
Davis felt his pulse quicken.
"Where are those documents?"
Arthur looked toward the western wing of the mansion.
"In your father's private study."
The system chimed.
[HIDDEN LOCATION DISCOVERED: BLACKWOOD ESTATE.]
[FAMILY LEGACY QUEST UPDATED.]
Objective One: Locate the sealed study.
Objective Two: Retrieve the missing Blackwood records.
Reward: Family Legacy Key.
Davis stared at the message.
"Arthur, take me to my father's study."
The old man nodded.
"Of course, young master."
As they walked down the corridor, Davis realized that the estate was more than another reward.
It was the first place that connected him to the family he had lost.
And somewhere inside it, the truth might finally be waiting.