Me and Ruina arrived at the real estate office and were introduced to three mansions and several plots of land by the agent.
The three mansions were previously owned by noble families or merchant lords, but they became available when their owners moved to other cities.
Surprisingly, there were also quite a few vacant plots of land scattered throughout the kingdom.
We selected a few places worth visiting in advance at the real estate office, and the total time spent inspecting them was three hours.
In the end, Ruina and I decided to purchase an empty plot of land in the southwest district and build a new mansion there.
“It should take about two years to build a satisfactory mansion, so let’s live in a cabin until then.”
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea, Kael. The mansions that had previous owners… they still carried too many traces of them.”
We had originally considered buying a mansion to save time, but as Ruina pointed out, the abandoned mansions left behind by their previous owners didn’t feel appealing when we saw them in person.
So, we decided to purchase an empty plot and build a house ourselves.
If we entrusted the construction to reputable builders, it would certainly be completed within two years, so during that time, I could stay in the cabin and teach Elia swordsmanship.
After all, two years was just a fleeting moment for Ruina and me.
“Hmm… so you’re purchasing the land in the southwest district.”
“Is there something wrong? Is there a problem…?”
However, when we informed the real estate agent of our decision, he scratched his head with an apologetic expression.
He seemed to be hesitating, as if wondering whether he should have recommended this place to us.
But after looking at our faces, he let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“Um… I must apologize in advance, Kael, Ruina. After showing you all the properties I could recommend, I only just remembered something after you left.”
“Remembered what?”
“A major fight broke out between underground organizations in the southwest district recently. Three civilian homes were destroyed because of it.”
“Ah, I see.”
With that, I understood why the agent had been looking so apologetic.
Since a recent incident had occurred in that district, he was reluctant to recommend the land to us.
It made sense—suggesting such a location to important clients like us would be a difficult decision for him both professionally and morally.
“Of course, a request was issued to the Mercenary Guild two days ago, so none of the underground thugs who used to linger around have been seen since. But it has only been two days, and who knows what those demon-like people might do next.”
However, based on what he said next, it seemed like Martin had done a good job cleaning up the aftermath.
Through a guild request, he had set bounties on the underground criminals—one silver coin per troublemaker and ten silver coins for anyone captured alive—essentially using the mercenaries as law enforcement.
As long as that guild request remained in effect, at least for now, there was no need to worry about the underground organizations causing more trouble.
And now that an incident had already occurred, it wasn’t just the Mercenary Guild on alert—the royal palace would have raised its vigilance as well.
No matter how reckless those underground organizations were, they wouldn’t be insane enough to rampage through the kingdom under these circumstances.
“Alright… I understand what you’re saying. But we like this land the most. We’ll take responsibility for our decision, so please proceed with the contract.”
“A-Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m not the type to lie, so you can trust me.”
“A-Ah, no! Of course, I trust your words, Sir Kael! I was just worried… but if you insist, I understand. I’ll prepare the contract right away.”
The agent was visibly concerned about my decision, but when I firmly insisted, he suppressed his worries and went to fetch the contract.
Once he returned with the contract, I completed the purchase and, having no more business at the real estate office, left without hesitation.
“Then, we’ll be on our way. We’ll send the full payment, including construction costs, within three days, so please handle everything well.”
“Yes! Leave it to me! Since this is the residence of Sir Kael and Lady Ruina, I’ll make sure the construction is done properly!”
“Alright, then.”
Ruina and I waved at the real estate agent, who bowed deeply to see us off, and then we stepped out onto the street.
After blending into the crowd with our robes, Ruina, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
“By the way, it seems like the underground thugs have been causing quite a stir lately. From what I’ve heard, they’re clashing in other cities too and causing all sorts of problems.”
“Really? It’s not common for underground organizations to fight among themselves.”
They were usually tightly connected, so why were they suddenly clashing so often?
…Well, it’s probably because of Worst.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have been able to figure out the reason, but I was certain of it.
These conflicts were most likely happening because Worst, that sinister organization, was trying to unite the underground groups.
A few years ago, when Zenre first told me about it, it was just a theory, but now, with full-scale clashes between underground factions, I had no doubt.
At the center of all these incidents was Worst.
“But since Martin issued that guild request, the kingdom won’t have to deal with any bigger problems.”
“Yeah… even crazy people wouldn’t be stupid enough to cause trouble in the kingdom under these circumstances.”
Ruina and I both believed that no further incidents would occur within the kingdom.
After all, this wasn’t just any city—this was the kingdom’s capital.
Naturally, the kingdom would increase security with soldiers, and if necessary, they would even deploy the Shardena Knights.
And with the Mercenary Guild already stepping up, any underground group causing trouble now would basically be turning themselves in.
So we assumed that the underground organizations wouldn’t stir up any more trouble.
That was the logical expectation.
But what we failed to anticipate—
BOOOOOOM—
“—!!!!!”
“Kyaaaaaa!!!”
“Graaah! Run!!”
“W-What the hell is happening!?”
What we didn’t expect was that the underworld members were crazier than we could have imagined.
A massive explosion, ringing in my ears, let out a deafening sound that, together with the harsh wind, drew screams from the citizens strolling through the street.
At the same time, black smoke and the flames of burning civilian houses appeared in the distance.
“G-Gellia Guild! The Assassin Guild members detonated a bomb!!!”
With the shout of someone saying that the Gellia Guild, one of the underworld organizations, had detonated a bomb, the citizens began to flee from the direction of the explosion.
Such a huge incident had occurred. Naturally, the priority was to escape and assess the situation.
However, neither Ruina nor I could bring ourselves to flee.
Because the direction the bomb had exploded was in the northeastern part of the kingdom.
To be more specific, it was the place where Elia had gone—the Mercenary Guild.
“…Elia.”
In a daze from the explosion, I whispered Elia’s name.
And every time that name echoed in my mind, my thoughts became clearer.
For a moment, my entire body seemed to dry up, and chills ran through me starting from the back of my neck, but along with that, I felt a mental clarity sharper than ever before.
My head felt as if it was boiling, yet my mind remained as cold as ice.
In the midst of this conflicting emotion and sharp clarity, I raised my head, and in less than 10 seconds, I turned to Ruina and spoke.
“Ruina… let’s go.”
“Yeah, let’s go right now, Kael.”
No need for long explanations.
In this situation, both Ruina and I knew exactly what we needed to do without saying a word.
We had to rush to the Mercenary Guild, save Elia, and clean up everyone responsible for this disaster.
Before the kingdom’s soldiers or the guild’s mercenaries could seize the opportunity, we needed to act faster than anyone.
Flap-
The hood, blown by the wind, flew off, and Ruina and I disappeared from the spot.
None of the underworld members responsible for this incident would make it out unscathed.
And today, I would engrave an unforgettable warning to the ‘advisor’ who caused this incident.
To ensure that no one would dare to cause chaos in this kingdom where my family and I live ever again.
In this kingdom, where Worst tries to rampage, I stand.
And if they try to cause trouble, my blade will be a clear warning that it will be at their throat.