As Zack led them deeper into the manor, it became more obvious how grand it was. The halls were lined with beautiful tapestries and portraits in gold frames, each fancier than the last.

The marble floors were lit by dim, shifting light from chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. Adrian's steps echoed through the vast space, his senses alert to any sign of danger.

Lilith, always looking for ways to make herself feel at ease, appeared unconcerned, her eyes scanning the decor with mild amusement. Ever the silent warrior, Medea's eyes were fixed front, rendering her unreadable.

Zack's nerves frayed as he approached a nearby servant who bowed upon seeing him. "Where's the Count?" he asked, trying to sound steady.

The servant hesitated momentarily, glancing between Zack and the imposing figures behind him before replying, "The Count is in the study, sir. But I—"

"Good," Zack interrupted, cutting off any further objections. "Lead us there."

The servant nodded stiffly and turned, guiding them through another set of corridors until they reached a set of polished double doors.

The heavy, intricately carved wood loomed before them, an air of authority emanating from beyond. The servant paused at the door, clearly nervous, and motioned for them to enter.

Zack glanced back at Adrian and the others. "This is it."

With a nod, Adrian stepped forward and pushed the doors open.

Inside, the room was dimly lit by a fire crackling in the grand hearth. The study was just as lavish as the rest of the manor. Shelves lined with ancient tomes and scrolls filled the walls, and the man they had come for was seated behind a massive oak desk at the far end.

Count Keyz was a portly man, his face ruddy and slick with sweat despite the coolness of the room. His eyes, however, were sharp, gleaming with the cunning of a man who had spent years pulling strings from the shadows.

"You…" His voice was low, filled with anger. "I thought I ordered you to be killed."

Zack flinched at the venom in the Count's voice, but before he could respond, the Count's gaze shifted to Adrian, Lilith, and Medea. "And who are these intruders?" he asked with a bit of fear, sensing the power radiating from the trio.

Adrian took a step forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "We're not here for pleasantries," he said, his voice firm. "We have questions, and you're going to answer them."

The Count scowled, his face twisting in contempt. "Questions? I owe you nothing. Zack, you've brought these scum into my home?"

Zack took a step back, stumbling over his words. "Count Keyz, I—"

Before Zack could finish, Adrian stepped forward, speaking calmly but authoritatively. "We're here to talk about Meridia," he said, his emerald eyes locked onto the Count's. "What do you know about her?"

The Count's eyes flickered with something—fear, maybe recognition—but he quickly masked it with a sneer. "Meridia? I have no idea what you're talking about. And I don't take kindly to uninvited guests." He looked toward the guards stationed near the entrance. "Seize them!"

But Lilith stepped forward before the guards could move, her hand resting gently on the Count's desk. She leaned forward, her voice dripping with seductive charm. "Oh, Count," she purred, "there's no need to get hostile. Why don't you tell us what you truly desire? Perhaps we can come to a more... satisfying arrangement."

The Count's gaze shifted to Lilith, and for a moment, his resolve wavered. "I… I d-don't know anything a-about Me-Meridia," he stammered.

Lilith's smile didn't waver, but her eyes darkened. "You see, that's not very convincing," she said, her voice still sweet but with a dangerous edge.

She circled the desk slowly, her hand tracing along the polished wood as she leaned closer to the Count. "We all have desires, don't we, Count?" she whispered, her breath warm against his ear. "What is it you desire? Wealth? Power? Pleasure?"

The Count's eyes darted nervously, the temptation in Lilith's words stirring something deep within him. "I… I want more than this town," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want control over the kingdom itself."

Lilith's smile widened. "That's more like it," she purred. "And what about Meridia? Surely someone as ambitious as you must know something."

But as impatient as ever, Medea stepped forward before the Count could respond. "Enough games," she said coldly. Her eyes locked onto the Count with a chilling intensity. "You know what we're asking. Speak, or I'll make you speak."

The Count stiffened, his face paling at the sight of Medea's dark energy swirling around her. "I… I don't know anything," he stammered, his confidence crumbling under her gaze.

Medea's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Wrong answer." She raised her hand, and the shadows in the room seemed to gather at her fingertips, pulsing with raw power.

"You will tell us what you know. Or I'll make sure you never speak again."

The pressure of her power bore down on the Count, his once defiant posture now sagging in fear. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His eyes darted between Adrian, Lilith, and Medea, realising there was no escape.

Adrian stepped forward, his expression hardening. "This is your last chance. Tell us everything about Meridia, or we'll tear the truth from you."

Sweat poured down the Count's face as he crumbled under the weight of their presence. "Meridia... Meridia was supposed to be taken care of!" he blurted out in a trembling voice. "I swear, I didn't know she survived! The orders came from higher up. I...

I was just following orders!"

Adrian's eyes narrowed, the mention of higher powers only deepening his suspicions. "Who gave those orders?"

Count Keyz swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "The Shadow Court... They control everything from the shadows, pulling the strings. I was just a pawn... Please, you have to believe me!"

Adrian's face twisted into a dark smile. "A pawn, huh? But with so much to gain. Then it seems your usefulness has run out."

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