Simmons stood there with his mouth agape, amazed, as he saw an exquisite silver-and-bluish barrier spread. The shimmering, ethereal shield enveloped the entirety of the estate—the whole vineyards, the lush fruit orchards, and the very grounds upon which the grand manor stood.
Sienna-Rose's four wives looked on in awe, their expressions a blend of wonder and astonishment. For the barrier Sienna-Rose had conjured was unlike anything they had seen before. Usually, her protective magic had only reached the outside of the grand mansion, but now it had grown to cover the whole domain.
Yet, what truly astonished them was the almost effortless relaxation after Sienna-Rose had cast this enormous spell. There was no visible strain or fatigue upon her refined features, only a serene confidence that radiated outward like the barrier itself.
After a moment of reverent silence, Sienna-Rose turned to Simmons, her voice firm yet laced with kindness. "Simmons, listen closely. From this day forth, you shall heed the guidance of my wives. Think of what is best for them; your job is to tend to their needs and make sure all the servants regard them as my wives. Same respect! That's why I made you a butler."
The loyal butler bowed deeply, his features etched with respect. "Yes, my Lord. I shall."
Sienna-Rose also gives a nod to Sophia and Claire, entrusting them with a vital mission: to assist Haley in establishing her sister's new boutique. She tasked them with seeking out the most desirable shopfront in town, a location that would capture the essence of the estate's elegance and charm.
Furthermore, they were to procure all the necessary materials, ensuring that the boutique would be stocked with the finest fabrics, embellishments, and accoutrements, befitting the discerning tastes of the nobles or upper-class common people.
With the protective barrier Sienna-Rose had cast over the entire estate, her wives and employees with their families would be protected in the safety and security around the domain.
Meanwhile, Sienna-Rose herself would venture forth, going down into the valley's mines. This subterranean realm had long been plagued by a dark, demonic presence, with malevolent creatures roaming freely. Constant subjugation teams were required to maintain the safety of the surrounding valley and its people.
But these terrible threats did have some good points as well. They produced rare materials, precious gemstones, and other expensive goods that were highly sought after by the nobles and royalty.
This was one of the key reasons Sienna-Rose had no desire to relocate; the valley's resources provided a valuable source of income if she could tame the darkness that had taken root within the mines.
"Come back home intact; walk! Not unconscious!" Haley's voice rang out with a fierce urgency, her gaze piercing through the tension that hung in the air. The weight of her words was heavy, the plea for safety and well-being palpable in her tone.
"I swear, if you come back half-dead like before, I won't speak to you for a month!" Olivia interjected, her voice trembling with unspent emotions. She struggled to hold back tears, her vulnerability evident as she fought against the rising tide of worry that threatened to overwhelm her. The thought of losing her spouse once again was a wound too raw, too fresh.
"Just cancel it!" Sophia exclaimed, her voice rising with frustration and pain. She clutched Sienna-Rose's coat. "I'm fine! I've come to accept that I may never see my parents again!" Her admission hung in the air, not wanting to see her wife go and come back dying like before.
Sienna – Rose looked down at Sophia to Claire, her expression softening with understanding. "Are you going to say something to me, Claire?" she asked with a gentle smile, her eyes flickering toward Claire, who had remained silent throughout the exchange.
Claire, caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, finally managed to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. "No," she replied, a hint of sulkiness creeping into her tone. She tried to mask her feelings, but the effort only highlighted her internal struggle.
"Alright, I promise to return within two weeks, or perhaps even sooner," Sienna-Rose said, her voice soft yet assured.
A gentle smile graced her lips, displaying her face with warmth as she turned to embrace each of her beloved wives. Each hug was tender, a silent promise of her firm devotion, followed by soft kisses that brushed against their cheeks like the delicate flutter of a spring breeze.
"Take care of the estate while I'm away, my dear wives," she urged, her tone laced with both affection and a hint of responsibility.
She's wearing a form-fitting leather outfit. The predominant colour is dark, with gleaming metallic accents throughout. The high-collared jacket that hugs her torso, accentuating her athletic frame.
Detailed crafted buckles and straps cross the jacket, adding a rugged, utilitarian aesthetic. Her arms are covered in supple leather gauntlets that extend past her wrists, providing protection while maintaining dexterity.
The lower half of her attire features a skirt-like leather panel that flows down her legs, allowing for freedom of movement. Beneath this, tight-fitting leather pants hug her legs, leading down to sturdy boots with metal reinforcements.
Behind her is strapped a huge black sword. The blade itself emits an ethereal, glowing blue energy, giving it an otherworldly and powerful appearance. The blade has an angular, serrated design that suggests it is intended for both slicing and piercing attacks.
Following closely behind Sienna-Rose were six of her elite battle guards. Their alert presence functioned as a powerful escort, with acute eyes and sharp reflexes constantly on the lookout for potential threats. Meanwhile, the remaining guards would stay behind to safeguard the estate and the mistresses of the estate during Sienna-Rose's absence.
The journey from the estate to the mines would normally take an hour on foot, but with the help of horses, it could be reduced to just fifteen minutes. This efficient means of transportation would ensure that Sienna-Rose and her entourage arrived at their destination quickly and with minimal effort.
As they approached the mine's entrance, a busy guild building came into view, its doors constantly in motion as a flock of adventurers came and went. When Jim, the guild's leader, saw Sienna-Rose, he ran forward, relieved.
"Sienna-Rose! You're fine! I thought you'd take more time to recover," Jim exclaimed, his words tinged with genuine concern.
Sienna-Rose's lips curled into a wry smile as she replied, "I guess it's hard to kill me, huh?" Her confident tone belied the trials she had faced in her previous ventures.
Jim's gaze shifted to the horses, and he asked, "So, you're going to try again? Got all the rations stocked up?"
"My wives have stocked me with enough food to last a month," Sienna-Rose answered, before reaching into her pack and retrieving a few pieces of jerky and hard biscuits. "But I'll need a few of these from you as well." She extended two gleaming gold coins to Jim, a silent request for his assistance.
Jim's face lit up with a grin as he accepted the coins. "Glad to have a business with you, sorceress," he said, his words tinged with a hint of amusement and respect.
As Sienna-Rose and her entourage approached the mine's entrance, the rugged, unforgiving landscape surrounding it came into sharper focus. The entrance itself was a gaping maw carved into the side of a towering, jagged mountain, its edges reinforced with sturdy wooden beams to prevent collapse.
The air was thick with the scent of earth and the faint tang of metal, hinting at the rich mineral deposits that lay buried deep within the mountain's core. A steady stream of adventurers, miners, and labourers flowed in and out of the entrance, their faces etched with a mixture of determination and weariness.
Around the mine, the terrain was harsh and unforgiving, with sparse vegetation clinging to the rocky outcroppings. Towering peaks, their snow-capped summits reaching towards the heavens, loomed in the distance, casting long shadows over the area.
The ground was uneven and treacherous, dotted with jagged boulders and the occasional patch of loose scree, making navigation a precarious endeavour. "Watch your back, shall we?" She smiles before heading to the platform that will bring them deeper inside the mine.
"Yes, master!" The guards following behind her.
The memory of her previous ventures into the mine's depths weighed heavily on Sienna-Rose's mind as she prepared to descend once more. She recalled the countless hours spent delving ever deeper, driven by an unwavering determination to uncover the remains of Sophia's long-lost parents.
Despite her best efforts, her previous forays had only taken her as far as the 10th layer, where the darkness and the monstrosities that lurked within had proven too formidable to venture any further. The whispers of what lay beyond the 12th layer, in the unfathomable depths, only added to the sense of trepidation that now gripped her.
"Let's go to the 11th," Sienna-Rose said, her voice tinged with a resolve that belied the uncertainty churning within.
Sienna-Rose's gaze swept over her six elite guards, sensing their hesitation as she proposed venturing into the treacherous depths beyond the 10th layer. The whispers of the horrors that lurked in the darkness of the 11th layer and beyond weighed heavily on their minds.
"If you're scared, stay in the 10th and wait for me," she said, her tone firm yet understanding.
The guards exchanged a look, the pride of serving alongside a renowned sorceress like Sienna-Rose burning in their eyes. "No, master!" they answered in unison, their resolve hardening.
Sienna-Rose nodded, a slight smile on her lips. With a graceful gesture, she started casting protective barriers around each of her escorts. The shimmering magical shields would protect them from the deadliest threats that lay ahead.
"Remain vigilant and attentive," she cautioned.