"Wow, that's pretty impressive," Kaylee responded with polite understatement."It's nothing to write home about," Noelle said nonchalantly, glancing at the building behind her."Kaylee, this place looks like it's about to fall apart. You really should think about moving. If money's tight, you could always get a mortgage—it's not that much.""Hehe, sure thing," Kaylee said with a sigh of relief.Noelle's gaze shifted back to Howard, who was tickling Riley into fits of giggles. "And who might this gentleman be?" she inquired."He's my daddy!" Riley chimed in with a big voice."Talia's husband, huh?" Noelle took a brief pause before addressing Kaylee once more. "Well then, he can just foot the bill for a new place for you guys. Young folks can scrape together a down payment if they hustle a bit."Before the Holdens could even respond, Noelle was on to her next point."Come on, Kaylee, we should head out. The villa complex is just a quick drive from here.""Noelle, we've got other
Yankel quickly introduced them, "This is my girlfriend, Calistra, and her parents."Benicia Reath gave Calistra a once-over and said, "Ah, Mr. Wright's girlfriend. Welcome, come on in.""Thanks!" Calistra glanced at Benicia, a hint of a frown crossing her face, before she and Yankel walked on, arm in arm."And you are?" Benicia turned to Howard's family with curiosity."They're here to give us a hand with the house-hunting," Noelle chimed in, then looked at Kaylee. "Kaylee, why don't you all take a seat and relax? We'll go have a look at the house in a bit.""Sure," Kaylee said flatly.She had not been keen on coming, and it showed in her mood."Mrs. Jenkins, since we're here, how about we check out the scale model? Might as well, since we're not doing anything," Howard suggested, cradling Riley."No thanks, you go on without me," Kaylee declined with a wave of her hand."Mom, let's just have a look. Who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to afford one of these places," Talia
"Please, what a joke!" Benicia sneered with a roll of her eyes. "Can you believe this ragtag bunch even dared to show up at this swanky development?"Whack!She did not get to finish her thought before Howard's hand swung out, connecting with her cheek.The crowd inhaled sharply in shock.That guy was intense, quick to throw a hand without batting an eye."You... You actually hit me?" Benicia stood frozen, then shrieked like she had lost her mind."I'll say it one more time." Howard glared at her. "Apologize!""You jerk, I..." Benicia was far from sorry, and she started hurling insults the moment she opened her mouth.Whack! Whack!Two more slaps echoed, hard enough to draw a thin line of blood from the corner of her mouth."Kaylee, you're not going to step in? Your son-in-law is out of line, hitting someone out of the blue!" Noelle said, barely containing her fury as she turned to Kaylee."And why should I?" Kaylee shot back. "She got exactly what she deserved for treating
"Sure." Talia nodded."Master Howard, right this way!" Cingen gestured after pointing at Benicia and the others. "Keep an eye on her. I'll be back to handle her shortly.""Got it!" Two men clad in black acknowledged with a nod.A couple of minutes later, Howard and Cingen entered a spacious office.Cingen bowed deeply, his body shaking, "My apologies, Master Howard. I had no idea my people would dare to act this way toward you.""Look at me when you're talking," Howard said, raising his hand slightly. "How do you know who I am?""I work for Mr. Caunter. I saw you that night at the diner!" Cingen answered."Jayden?" Howard's memory clicked. "This building is run by JC Real Estate Agency?""Yes, that's right!" Cingen nodded earnestly."That explains it," Howard said calmly. "So, this is the kind of professionalism your sales team exhibits?""I'm terribly sorry... It's my fault for not keeping my team in line. Please, Master Howard, accept my apologies..." Cingen shook again wit
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, eyes wide with a mix of envy and resentment as they stared at Kaylee.Given the villa's price tag, that prime building was easily a couple hundred million. Just like that, it was hers. Talk about hitting the jackpot!Noelle's lips twitched as if she had bitten into a lemon. Remembering her own show-off moment earlier, she wished the ground would swallow her up.Talk about a slap in the face.There was Benicia, watched by two stern-looking guys, shaking like a leaf, her face a mask of terror.The very person she mocked as a pauper snapped up the priciest property in cash!As she thought about what she had said and done before, despair washed over her. She had crossed a line with someone far out of her league!"This is amazing! We're going to live in a big house now!" Riley twirled around, unable to contain her excitement."Howard, you... You bought that incredible building?" Yuffie finally managed to ask after a long pause, her voice
Benicia looked around desperately and, spotting Yankel by Calistra, cried out again."Mr. Wright, your dad's got connections! Please, call him, ask him to talk to Cingen for me...""Huh?" Yankel's brow creased, cutting her off mid-sentence. "I barely know you. Why should I help?"He could not believe it. His dad was a respected professional, sure, but he was no heavyweight like Cingen. Even if his dad could pull some strings, he was not about to make that call.With his girlfriend and her family right there, why would he stick his neck out for a salesgirl he hardly knew?"Yankel, you heartless jerk! How could you just watch and not lift a finger to help me!?" Benicia's voice tore through the air, raw with emotion. "And when we were together, you did not seem to think we were strangers, did you?"The room went silent, the tension so thick it could cut it with a knife. That was the kind of bombshell that could detonate any moment."Yankel, is she telling the truth?" Calistra's voi
"Fantastic! Just fantastic!" Holden's laughter was infectious, echoing the joy of the moment."Awesome, awesome, we're really a family now!" Riley exclaimed, bouncing happily in Talia's embrace. Tears quickly filled Talia's eyes…At four o'clock in the afternoon, the family made their way back home from the park.Howard had been meaning to talk to Talia alone, but his phone rang with a call from Yoel."Something up?" Howard asked as he picked up."Sir, there's been a breakthrough on that thing Terry was talking about!" Yoel said."Oh?" Howard's interest was piqued. "Did you find the guy?""Not yet, but there's someone who might know a thing or two!" Yoel paused before asking, "Sir, ever heard of Andrew Hawk?""Andrew?" Howard was momentarily surprised. "The old kingpin of Mendorra's underworld?"Even before the Ziegler family's troubles, Howard was not too involved with the criminal scene, but he knew of Andrew.Back then, Mendorra's underworld did not have a Layton. He was p
"Easy there. Let's not tip our hand too soon," Howard cautioned with a subtle shake of his head."He's holed up in this little town for a reason, probably laying low. Bet he's got a getaway plan all set.""We'll scope out the casino first, see what we're dealing with.""Got it," the Judge replied, flooring the accelerator.20 minutes later, the Land Rover pulled up to the gates of a not-too-big, not-too-small estate on the outskirts of South Deben."Membership card, please," a brawny guard halted them at the entrance."We've heard good things. How do we sign up?" Yoel inquired."No insiders vouching for you, no entry," the guard answered with a firm tone."Come on, give us a break," Yoel said, slipping a few stacks of cash from the glove box."Hold on," the guard said, examining the bills before making a call on his cell.Two minutes later, he was back. "Leave the car out here. Follow me.""Thanks," Yoel said gratefully.In no time, they were issued plain-Jane membership ca
"And look at that bracelet, it's stunning! Oh, and the compact has such a unique charm! Should we get one of each to decorate our homes?""Yuffie, you're still in school. How can you afford all this?" Talia chided gently. "You have a hundred fifty-dollar budget. Spend more, and it's coming out of your allowance.""What? Only a hundred fifty dollars? You're being too tight-fisted, sis!" Yuffie's complaint was lighthearted as she playfully turned to Howard. "Howard...""Don't even think about it. His wallet is in my hands!" Talia cut her off, fully aware of her little sister's ploy."Fine..." Yuffie's pout was all in good fun."Haha! It's not every day we get to do this, honey. If Yuffie finds something she loves, let's get it for her. Who knows if it'll be here next time?" Howard chuckled."Yay! You're the best, bro-in-law!" Yuffie cheered, her face lighting up with joy."You're just making her more spoiled!" Talia gave Howard a playful eye roll and turned her attention away from
Howard's willingness to visit the antique market was not solely to assist the sisters in their quest for a legendary blade. Such weapons were treasures often stumbled upon by chance, rarely found by those who sought them.His real intent was to immerse the sisters in the rich culture of the martial arts clans they were then a part of. More exposure to the ways of the warrior guilds could only benefit them on their chosen path.The following morning, Howard's group of five set off in the direction of Nathanael. Talia and Yuffie buzzed with excitement throughout the journey, their minds alive with wonder.Nathanael, nestled in the mountains to the northeast of Mendorra and a couple hundred kilometers away, awaited them.By 10 a.m., they arrived, parking at the gates of a sprawling estate on the city's outskirts—the site of the famed market.Stepping out, they were greeted by a lively throng at the estate's entrance, many adorned in traditional robes, weapons hanging from their belts
"And that's not all. They might even be a bona fide king-level warrior." Howard's brow furrowed with uncertainty."It looks like The Dark World is a whole lot more tangled than we thought," Yoel mused aloud.Then, turning back to Howard, he inquired, "Sir, did the old man ever share anything with you about The Dark World?""Not a word," Howard replied, shaking his head."Sir, do you think our mystery person could be from one of the elite families or sects, maybe just there on some errand?" Mystical Chubby chimed in.His speculation was not unfounded. Most of the king-level warriors from Rackaham were known to hail from the secretive clans and sects."It's unlikely." Howard dismissed the idea with another shake of his head. "From what Sabertooth described, our guy seems to know The Dark World like the back of his hand.""Who's that supposed to be?" Mystical Chubby scrunched his brow in confusion."Let it go for now. We'll head back to The Dark World in a little while," said Howa
"Um..." Blood Rakshasa nodded, the woman's earlier words still ringing in her head."Sir... Sir, was what you said earlier true?" Blood Rakshasa asked Sabertooth, her voice barely above a whisper."What did I say?" Sabertooth looked puzzled for a moment."You said... You said next time, we'd go back home together to get married..." Blood Rakshasa's cheeks turned a soft pink."Hehe, absolutely," Sabertooth chuckled, his smile warm and genuine. "The boss gave me the order, and I've given my word."Blood Rakshasa's smile was shy but filled with joy.Soon after, Qemal strode in."Sabertooth, I've tracked down the hideout of the Slaying Heaven Palace," Qemal announced upon arrival."Is that so?" Sabertooth's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Tell the crew to take a two-hour breather, then we move out!"The Slaying Heaven Palace's goons had nearly wiped out them today. Payback was due.With the Palace's top fighters gone, the rest were hardly a threat. It was time to cross the Slay
"Shadow Demon Shrine?" The woman's brow creased for a moment, but she quickly dropped the subject.She then turned to Sabertooth and observed, "You and your group have the vibe of soldiers. You're not originally from The Dark World, are you?""Speaking to our savior," Sabertooth gave a respectful nod, "we were part of the Rackaham Western Region's military before we came here."He was open with the woman who had saved over a hundred of his comrades."The Western Region's military?" The woman paused, a hint of recognition in her voice, "You're with the Blood Shadow Force?""That's us," Sabertooth confirmed with another bow."Is your leader the King of the West, Master Howard?" she inquired further."You know my boss?" Sabertooth looked surprised."Not personally, but I've heard the name," the woman replied with a shake of her head. "What's he got you doing in The Dark World?""Over the past couple of years, the world's heavy hitters have been funneling their muscle and resource
"You'll live to regret this, Dark Demon Lord!" Blood Rakshasa declared, locking eyes with her adversary. "Kill us, and Master Howard will avenge us by wiping out every last one of you in your cursed palace...""Ha! That Master Howard of yours better think twice before stepping into The Dark World again, or it'll be his grave!" The Dark Demon Lord mocked with an icy laugh."You're the fool!" Sabertooth growled. "No one in The Dark World has been born who can take down our boss. Your time's coming!""Is that so?" The Dark Demon Lord sneered with disdain. "You're clueless, all of you. You have no idea how powerful the Shadow Demon Shrine truly is!""Enough babbling. Time to end this. I'll send you both to join your boss," he declared, his presence intensifying as he prepared to strike them down."I love you," Blood Rakshasa whispered, her eyes closing."No, don't!" Qemal and others shouted in despair.Then there was a thunderous boom.However, the expected tragedy did not unfold.
Sabertooth sneered, watching the man's futile efforts. "You're such a fool!"He then declared solemnly, "Blood Shadow Technique, second form, Sky Slash!"With those words, he summoned all his strength, his saber carving a fierce arc of light through the air, striking like thunder at his foe.The Blood Shadow Technique was known for turning the tides against stronger adversaries.The white-haired elder's eyes narrowed in alarm. Caught mid-leap, he desperately wanted to dodge but could not. The saber's light bore down on him, a chilling aura of death shrouding him completely.In that instant, a wave of energy crashed through the air like a tidal wave, bringing a howling gale with it.Crash!Suddenly, Sabertooth was hurled away like a shell fired from a gun, blood spraying from his mouth as he flew, before he slammed into the earth, leaving a huge crater and falling silent."Sabertooth!" Blood Rakshasa's shout pierced the chaos as she spun and dashed to his side.She barely made
The man in black was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into the ground with such force that he lay there motionlessly, struggling to rise. A gaping wound, carved by the relentless sword, oozed blood profusely from his abdomen."What in the world is that sword technique?" he gasped after a torturous effort to stand, his face ashen.He had underestimated Blood Rakshasa's swordplay. Since her breakthrough to a higher echelon of mastery, her blade's might had surged, utterly dominating her seasoned adversary."The Sword Without a Name," Blood Rakshasa declared icily.Without wasting another second, she launched another assault. Sabertooth was in dire straits, and she was determined to aid him.Her blade danced again, weaving a web of sword energy that shot toward the white-haired elder, ensnaring him in an instant.The old man's eyes narrowed in a flash of panic, realizing he was trapped with no way out."This is it!" he snarled, brandishing his blade and lunging forward.How
With a thunderous explosion of energy, Blood Rakshasa's power surged, forcing the old man before her to stagger back in disbelief."Impossible! Have you broken through?" he gasped, steadying himself, his face a mask of astonishment."You bet I have!" Blood Rakshasa's face lit up with triumph.She had done it, just as the old man had surmised. Amid her swordplay, she felt a dormant core energy within her erupt, catapulting her to the zenith of martial knight at peak mastery stage.Master Howard's words rang in her head. The core energy left in her by a once-mighty warrior was too much to absorb at once. Back in that cave, she only managed a minor mastery in martial knight. However, Howard had predicted further advancements, and he was right."Let's see if you can handle a few more of my strikes!" Blood Rakshasa challenged, her spirit soaring not just from her newfound strength but also from a deeper connection to her swordsmanship."Bring it on!" the old man bellowed, his blade re