While Kain was secluded in his study, in a dimly lit room, four men and women were seated. All of them looked displeased, with frowns on their foreheads.
"What's going on today? We can't just leave the guild, you know."
The first to speak was Betty, the deputy guild master of the Adventurers' Guild.
"We've gathered here today for one reason: that lord. He came to the church today and declared he would report us to the capital. If this continues, it's going to be bad. If an investigation comes, all of your schemes will be exposed."
Stagg, who wore rings adorned with colorful gems on both hands, swayed his heavy body and spoke with a breath reeking of alcohol. The other three sighed, thinking that anyone would assume he was a nouveau riche.
"I've also run into a bit of trouble. A new administrator is coming. I think there will be an inspection of the entire city's tax revenue. If things continue as they are, it will become a problem. We might all be arrested. We need to take care of it soon. Rick, I'll leave the arrangements to you. If necessary, get some help from Betty as well."
The man sitting in the center began to speak.
"Got it. I'll gather some faces from the slum's underground guild. We'll carry it out tonight, right? If he returns to the capital tomorrow, it will be a problem for Stagg. We could attack him on his way to the capital, but he's an A-rank adventurer. It would be disastrous for us."
Rick, who was wearing a black hood and trying not to show his face, replied.
"I'll gather a few high-ranking adventurers who can handle underground work. I saw magic used in front of me, and I think that even if we attack him head-on during the day, we'll just be defeated. Attacking him while he's asleep should be fine."
Betty shuddered as she recalled the incident at the guild's training ground.
"I'll open the door when we're ready. The main gate is guarded by soldiers at night, so I'll make sure the back door is accessible. And just in case..."
The man in the center gave a sinister laugh, and everyone nodded in agreement.
◇◇◇
By dinner time, Elive had returned, and they ate together. At the lord's residence, meals were usually shared between the steward and Kain, unless there were guests. They exchanged information while eating.
"Lord Kain, how was the church?"
Elive asked Kain while sipping wine.
"Regarding that church, I intend to report it to the church headquarters in the capital. As I've seen in Gracia, priests should be humble. It's unimaginable for them to wear rings on both hands and drink during the day. I think we'll need to send a new priest."
Kain knew the churches in the capital and Gracia. There were no paintings or decorations, and they lived a simple life. He thought this was the norm.
"I see... It's that bad. I've always tried to make agreements, but they've always been broken, and it's been difficult to meet with them."
Elive looked disappointed and finished his wine.
"Tomorrow, I'll return to the capital early. There are many places I need to visit."
Kain finished his meal early, took a bath, and changed into his nightwear. Looking out the window, he saw the lively night lights illuminating the city. The city, with its many adventurers, had numerous drinking spots and brothels.
While peering out the window, he suddenly felt a gaze from afar.
"World Map - Hostile Display"
When Kain cast the spell, a map of the surrounding area appeared in the corner of his vision, showing several red marks surrounding the mansion. This spell combined a world map Kain had created with exploration magic.
"Right after visiting the church...?"
Kain sighed, closed the window, and changed into his adventurer's gear. He extinguished the lamp, making the room dark, and sat in a chair, waiting.
"I haven't called you before because I didn't want to surprise anyone in this town, but it's fine today."
"Summon 'Haku' 'Gin'"
A magic circle appeared in the room, and the divine wolf Haku and the divine dragon Gin emerged.
"Whuff""Kwee"
Haku and Gin were happy to be called and clung to Kain. Haku was summoned slightly smaller than his actual size, about two meters tall. Gin, who could stretch his wings and neck to about two meters, was smaller, about one meter tall. If needed, they could change their size, so Kain wasn't worried.
"Haku, Gin, listen. This mansion will likely be attacked tonight. I can handle it alone, but there are maids living here, so can you help me?"
"Whuff""Kwee!"
Both nodded. To keep them awake and because he hadn't been able to play with them recently, Kain petted Haku and Gin, enjoying their company while watching the red marks on the map. As midnight approached, the number of red marks increased, surpassing fifty.
"I didn't expect them to gather so many..."
Kain wasn't afraid of such numbers, but he hadn't anticipated this much preparation for one person. As the time crossed midnight, the red marks suddenly started moving. Except for a few at the front, they all circled around to the back door and entered the grounds without incident.
"Someone must be leading them..."
Kain sighed, holding his sheathed sword in one hand, and left the room. Haku and Gin followed behind him. Since Gin couldn't fly inside the mansion, he rode on Haku's back. Kain quietly descended the stairs from the third floor where the bedroom was located. The people marked in red had entered the mansion through the back door and gathered in the hall just inside the front entrance. Concerned that the maids might be attacked if the mansion was searched, Kain decided to confront the enemy himself. He stood at the top of the stairs leading down to the hall from the second floor.
"Ah, visitors at this hour? You're quite well-armed. I didn't invite you, you know."
Kain greeted the fifty armed intruders preparing in the hall with a dark smile.
Instantly, all fifty pairs of eyes in the hall turned to Kain.
Thank you for reading. I am very grateful for the many evaluations and bookmarks. I will be posting two chapters a day up to chapter 36, so I look forward to your continued support.