The building I purchased was a two-story structure. Though small, it made me smile just by looking at it. Perhaps it was even more enjoyable knowing I had taken it from Tunda.
On the first floor, Eddie operated an information organization disguised as a detective agency. As soon as I entered, he pointed upstairs and complained.
"Can you do something about that? It's so noisy I can't concentrate at all!"
I patted his back, and he looked miserable.
"Do you know how terrifying floor noise is? I'm going to lose my mind..."
"I've already addressed that. It will be resolved soon."
The second floor was occupied by Lakto, whose blacksmith workshop inevitably created noise. However, with no immediate place to stay, it was a necessary choice.
As I climbed the stairs to the second floor, Lakto greeted me with a cheerful face.
"Oh, you've arrived!"
"You still seem busy."
"I have something to show you! Take a look at this!"
Lakto proudly presented his first creation like a pure child showing off a drawing.
Tools were scattered everywhere in the chaotic space, and the walls were covered with soft materials.
"This is perfect soundproofing! Eddie, stay outside for a moment. Let's see if any noise gets through."
"Come on, there's no way this will actually work! It was deafening just now."
"What do you know about the craftsmanship of the Chervil family? Now get out!"
The noise from the workshop had inadvertently disturbed the surrounding buildings. Yet, no complaints were made because this was my property.
What kind of insane Westerner would dare complain to an Arahan?
Still, it was a nuisance, and I needed to address it first.
Bang!
As soon as Eddie left, Lakto picked up his hammer and struck down with all his might.
The sound was deafening enough to make me wince.
Lakto grinned at my reaction.
"The soundproof wall is just an accessory; this is what really does the job."
"What's that?"
Lakto pointed to a long device that looked rough but was installed all over the walls.
"Hehe. This device creates barriers that form a silent space."
"Creating barriers artificially... Is that even possible?"
"To Chervil, it's child's play. There are various types of barriers, and I can create them all."
Lakto's pride swelled as he spoke.
Barriers usually required four or five mages maintaining a uniform mana flow. Occasionally, exceptionally skilled mages could create one alone, but that was rare.
"By the way, do you know of a barrier called 'Silent Space'?"
"You mean a barrier that doesn't allow mana to flow?"
"Yes, exactly. I understand it's one of the highest forms of barriers."
"If I have enough time, I can make one easily. But why do you ask?"
"I'd like you to create one for me."
"Huh? Why would you want a barrier that's poison to mages?"
"It serves as an advantage for me."
Lakto seemed puzzled but eventually nodded in agreement.
"It'll take about a week. Is that alright?"
"Perfect timing for the ceremony. Please do it."
"Haha! Of course! I'll make it for you!"
I remembered I also needed to clear Chervil's name...
Once I became the heir, I'd find a way to resolve that issue too.
I recalled my promise with Lakto as he enthusiastically prepared.
"Oh wow! It really doesn't make any sound? Is this possible?"
When I stepped outside, Eddie was waiting for me.
Seeing beggars around indicated he had gathered some information.
Sure enough, Eddie grabbed my arm and hurriedly led me back downstairs.
"What's going on that has you so worked up?"
"I hooked something big! Do you know where Tunda's men are headed? Declan City!"
"Declan?"
The name sounded familiar but elusive.
"You don't know Declan? It's where the Billy family is located!"
"Oh right."
"Do you understand what this means?"
I tilted my head in disbelief; it seemed absurdly far-fetched.
"Are you saying Gracie asked for help from the Billy family? Is that what you're implying?"
"It's obvious! Declan isn't even a commercial city; there's no reason for Tunda's men to go there."
"There's no way they'd do something like that unless they were out of their minds."
"You said she's crazy. Based on past experiences, I'm sure of it. I'll bet two gold coins on it."
"Only two coins?"
"Hey! You underestimate how much gold is worth in Arahan! Two gold coins can feed you for a month!"
True enough; even stale bread fills your stomach if eaten in large quantities.
Yet this situation felt too grand to believe easily.
Involving another family meant risking death without hesitation.
'If Eddie is right…?'
On one hand, I could see Gracie doing something so reckless after losing her most profitable building and failing an assassination request.
Money is essential for maintaining and expanding influence.
The fact that she had committed murder without hesitation weighed heavily on my mind too.
'If she were sane, she wouldn't dare cast spells on Tunda. That alone is shocking.'
As I pondered this further, my judgment began to tilt toward caution.
Whether Gracie contacted the Billy family or not didn't matter; I needed to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Eddie asked me next,
"The ceremony will only involve housekeepers, right?"
"I believe so. The mercenaries are also prohibited from attending. Housekeepers can only go as far as the entrance of the tomb."
"So there won't be any guards around?"
"The guards will be there."
"They're just low-level soldiers who can't use mana. That gives us an opening! That crazy woman is probably targeting the ceremony!"
I thought similarly; the only time the Billy family could interfere would be during such an event.
The Arahan tomb is located at the top of Mount Trimun on the western outskirts and has powerful barriers inside it—outside of that area, it's practically defenseless.
'If played right, this could be killing two birds with one stone.'
The Billy family had deep ties to Chervil's false accusations against me. If handled correctly, I could resolve both issues simultaneously.
'To do that, I'd need to play dumb for now.'
Being overly greedy often leads to disaster.
Gracie would soon realize this lesson painfully enough.
Time Passed
Time flew by quickly; tomorrow was the day of the ceremony at the tomb.
In preparation for this event, I meticulously planned how to absorb Tunda's remaining influence while ensuring everything was in order beforehand.
Disbanding his power would be simple; however, absorbing it required careful consideration since most of Eddie's information came from beggars who might not provide accurate intel.
Thus thorough verification processes were necessary; coupled with limited funds and trustworthy allies meant I'd have no choice but to gather information myself diligently over time before making any moves against him or Gracie directly later down line...
"Tomorrow is it?"
"Yes, Master."
It was late evening when I received Klang's summons and hurriedly arrived at our meeting point again where he seemed pleased with himself having found another location away from prying eyes since previous ones had been compromised already due exposure recently...
"How do you like it? You can see all of Neca from here."
"Please tell me you didn't call me here just to show off your view."
"What's wrong with appreciating beauty? You lack any sense of wonder?"
"I don't have time for that."
"Enough already! You need some leisure in your life..."
Klang led me toward where several mana stones were set up around us in various sizes ranging from ping pong ball size up through basketball-sized ones too!
"I want you to break this one."
He pointed at the smallest mana stone which should be breakable by someone at 1-circle level once they reached it...
I hadn't thought about converting my magic power stats into circles until now either...
"Are you suggesting using lightning? That'll expose us here too."
"Eh...that's not ideal either but listen closely kiddo—your mana quality increased significantly earlier during our last encounter didn't it?"
Was he referring specifically back towards 'The Challenger of Tenacity' trait?
He must've noticed how much stronger my stats had become since then!
When I didn't answer right away Klang narrowed his eyes suspiciously toward me again…
"There should never be secrets between master and student—it helps tailor lessons appropriately!"
"Um...well...it feels like my determination has fueled my strength lately?"
Even though there wasn't much else left unsaid between us still felt hesitant about sharing everything openly given how unpredictable Klang could sometimes act unexpectedly!
"Oh? So your resolve strengthens your abilities?"
"Something along those lines seems accurate."
"Indeed bloodlines hold power beyond comprehension sometimes—consider yourself fortunate indeed; such strength isn't easily attained!"
Fortunately Klang nodded understandingly acknowledging these truths without further questioning them directly...
He shifted topics quickly asking another question instead:
"You seem quite adept at hand-to-hand combat techniques—did you practice intentionally?"
"You noticed?"
"Didn't take long given how specialized your stance appeared initially—it's clearly tailored towards close combat scenarios."
"How did you know?"
"Ha! You're covering vital areas—your chin/solar plexus/ribs—all while keeping feet positioned ready for swift movement too—something typical mages wouldn't adopt!"
Klang recognized my guard stance immediately!
It caught me off guard honestly considering how much insight he possessed just from observing briefly earlier…
"Your observational skills are impressive."
"If that's all there is then I'm disappointed—let's see if there's anything hidden beneath surface level!"
Klang settled down casually while sitting cross-legged waiting patiently as if expecting something else entirely different from before…