For the past week, the world had been abuzz with gossip.
Whenever two people gathered, they busily discussed the fall of the Billy family.
Among the topics, the most talked about was the fact that the head of Arahan had gone alone to confront them.
Since I was in Nekar, under Arahan's governance, the reactions here were overwhelmingly positive.
The stronger the influence of a ruling family, the more powerful the city became.
Nekar, already known as the City of Gold for its unprecedented wealth, was destined to soar even higher due to this incident.
"Well, as someone with buildings in Nekar, this is good news for me. More information will flow in. But what about the Emperor's backlash?"
"I've said it before; this building is mine, not yours."
"Ah, regardless. That's not what's important. Are you really okay? Didn't you promise the head?"
I was at Eddie's information agency.
Three hours had passed since I arrived, but instead of doing what I asked, Eddie was busy probing into the details of the incident.
"That's why I need your help. Hurry up and find something."
"Just digging through history books won't yield anything! Besides, there's no way a similar incident has occurred before—going in alone and wiping out an entire family… Ugh! Just imagining it gives me chills. Truly, it's Arahan!"
Eddie shivered as if he were having a seizure from excitement.
I slammed the history book shut.
"The key is the war between families. We need to find out how the Emperor responded to that."
"According to Imperial law, even the winning side wouldn't be safe. Murder is a serious crime, and erasing an entire family… well… It's obvious what would happen! But if Arahan falls, what happens to you?"
"Shut up and look for it! I might just kick you out and send you back to the back alleys!"
"How far back have you looked? Fifty years? A hundred? I'll check everything back to five hundred years today."
Eddie adjusted his posture and opened up a history book right away.
The history books detailed incidents from long ago that we were unaware of; I had only checked records up to 120 years ago in the Empire.
Unfortunately, I hadn't found any similar cases yet.
'There must be some method.'
As Eddie said, Imperial law was quite strict due to the Emperor's nature of valuing balance and harmony.
However, just as self-defense could absolve one from murder charges, there were flexible aspects too.
In a millennium of history, there must surely be cases similar to this one.
And it was likely that the Emperor would respond flexibly rather than strictly adhering to rigid rules.
That was precisely what I sought in these records.
"Master! I've completed my mission!"
While I was deep in concentration, the Kinzerra brothers arrived.
I set aside my history book and asked,
"You handled it discreetly, right?"
"Of course!"
"When we arrived, we already knew Tunda Arahan was imprisoned."
"Word must have spread quickly; he surrendered immediately."
The two remaining buildings belonging to Tunda had already been absorbed into our holdings, allowing us to take over even small-scale guilds.
If I had gone directly like last time, it would have been resolved instantly; however, it took longer due to avoiding any potential scrutiny from his brothers.
"What about the contracts?"
"Here they are."
I checked the documents handed over by the three brothers.
The contract stipulated that each of the two buildings would pay fifty gold coins monthly while the guild would contribute one hundred coins—a total of two hundred coins for these buildings combined with my earnings for a month.
Well, if squeezed enough even dried squid could yield some juice; but I wasn't an unscrupulous landlord.
"If other brothers pressure you here, we'll move elsewhere. We'll have to patrol occasionally but be especially cautious not to draw attention."
"Yes! Understood!"
I nodded and handed back the documents.
Behind the three brothers stood a group looking awkwardly out of place—the Zatma Mercenaries.
"Why are they here?"
As promised, I had handed Grace over to them.
Whether she was sold into slavery or killed didn't concern me; I had no interest in matters that were already beyond my control.
Eddie chimed in immediately,
"Oh! Did I not mention? I officially hired Zatma Mercenaries. They're part of our family now."
"...Looks like you're flush with cash."
"Why would our landlord say such things? To obtain quality information requires investment!"
"So how much did you hire them for?"
"Well… fifty…"
"What happened to two gold coins or whatever? Fifty seems ridiculous!"
Eddie scratched his head sheepishly before suddenly seeming defensive,
"No! You said not just to stay in Nekar but also gather intel from various cities! Additional manpower is only natural!"
"Did you trade bread for this? You got a good option but paid fifty coins instead?"
"Hmph! A man must have ambition; only then can he expand into broader worlds."
"The back alleys are broad enough as is. You could expand endlessly there."
"Hmph!"
Eddie seemed flustered and quickly tried to change subjects.
Truthfully, I understood his feelings well enough.
He had grown fond of those he spent time with and couldn't simply abandon them now.
Paying fifty coins for mercenaries when he could have hired them for ten likely stemmed from this attachment too.
I turned my attention toward their leader,
"What's your name?"
"Oh! Allow me to introduce myself formally! There are no noble houses—just call me Ralph!"
"Now that we're at this point let's work hard together. I owe you all something."
"That's nothing you need worry about! We're just grateful you kept your promises! Thanks to you we can honor our fallen comrades!"
The mercenaries bowed deeply in unison.
I spoke with a slightly serious tone,
"Regardless of anything else—betrayal will not be tolerated. From this moment on Zatma Mercenaries are my allies. Just as you mourned your fallen comrades—no matter what temptations arise—do not betray your fellow soldiers."
"We will remember that, Lord!"
Their voices rang clear and strong; it felt good hearing their resolve.
I patted Ralph on the back and took my seat again.
As I reopened my history book, Ralph approached confidently,
"What are you reading? If there's anything we can help with just let us know."
"Oh right! You guys can do this too. Can all of you read?"
"Of course! Even if I look like this—I can speak several barbarian dialects too! To put it simply—I can manage five languages."
"Wow, that's unexpected!"
"Well… I've traveled around quite a bit!"
Barbarians typically lived on outskirts where Imperial influence didn't reach them much due to frequent incursions by beasts invading their lands.
They lived off hunting monsters or farming on lands abandoned by others—something I occasionally encountered during gameplay while grinding for elixirs near frontlines!
"Great! Take a history book each and search for records similar to this Billy family incident."
"Huh? Was that what you were looking for? Didn't Krang mention anything?"
"Master? He hasn't come by yet due to being busy."
Ralph seemed deep in thought before suddenly snapping his fingers excitedly,
"Oh right! I heard something from a barbarian chief once!"
"Do you know similar cases?"
"It pertains to the Gutra family; it bears striking resemblance to this incident. Apparently that event led them into becoming mercenaries afterward."
That was an unexpectedly fruitful lead!
When I pressed him further he answered confidently,
"I heard that Gutra family had quite an aggressive disposition back then—they were reportedly a formidable force at some point too."
"If we consider Master's personality—it makes sense they'd be aggressive; that bloodline doesn't just disappear."
"I remember their rival family being called… Juple? Jupe? Anyway—they clashed constantly until one day Gutra launched a massive surprise attack against them."
"And then?"
"They say that family was wiped out completely… But honestly beyond that point—I'm not sure."
"When did that happen?"
At my question Ralph wore an awkward expression—it seemed he didn't know either!
But that was fine; such information sufficed for now!
"Alright then! Find those records Ralph mentioned earlier; dig through a thousand years' worth of history if necessary but find them by today! Understand?!"
"Yes! We'll do our best!"
Dozens of mercenaries picked up history books one by one and began searching diligently!
As dusk fell and stars began twinkling overhead…
One mercenary suddenly leaped up from his seat!
"I think… we found something!"
He rushed over excitedly holding out a book towards me!
Pointing eagerly at passages detailing war records between Gutra and Juple families—I felt my heart race with anticipation!
I sighed deeply upon seeing lengthy entries documenting events surrounding those families' conflicts…
'A surprise attack while their forces were absent…'
This record dated back 540 years describing how Juple sent its members northward leaving their territory vulnerable allowing Gutra family's forces opportunity strike decisively killing both their leader and heirs during night raid!
'So what did the Emperor do about it?'
Having found such documentation—but lacking context regarding subsequent actions taken left me feeling frustrated as well!
"I suppose rather than relying solely on history books perhaps asking Master Krang directly might yield better results…"
At Ralph's suggestion—I exhaled heavily nodding along affirmatively knowing full well remaining options dwindled down considerably now!
After all—the fact Master still lived indicated Gutra family managed survive throughout generations until present day implying Emperor hadn't enforced strict punishments against them historically speaking either…
"It's late so get some rest everyone; I must go meet my Master now."
Meeting him should provide answers needed moving forward effectively!
In Krang's secret training area—worn equipment lay scattered about slowly deteriorating over time…
Although merely a week had passed since last visit—Krang felt as though ages had gone by since last used any gear whatsoever…
Regretting purchases made without purpose now…
"Aghh—had known better spent money on beef instead… My apprentice hasn't shown up once since then!"
Muttering alone—his gaze shifted towards storage area where bags filled with 2 thousand gold coins lay untouched within sightline nearby…
Krang hadn't even bothered opening them up yet choosing instead leave them tucked away securely until opportunity arose when could toss them right at Genedine's face someday soon enough!
"…Damn annoying human."
Surely Black Knights must've moved by now…
Returning home after long absence revealed bed awaiting him still untouched since departure earlier recently…
Initially puzzled upon seeing money lying atop sheets wondering where came from—but realization struck swiftly knowing only Arahan possessed means pull off such stunt successfully without fail whatsoever!
Once realizing truth behind funds—Krang felt no desire spend even single coin whatsoever!
"A person oughta end things well…but looks like life has turned awry indeed…"
Krang understood hidden implications behind those gold coins left behind earlier today…
Recalling moment when Genedine warned him consequences faced should ever act stubbornly against him someday soon enough…
Seeing 2 thousand coins meant teaching Zed lessons learned regarding responsibility while simultaneously reminding him never forget promises made previously either way too…
'Hmph! You think I'll just comply willingly?'
Once role as teacher concluded—eventually day would arrive when debts owed would come due sooner rather than later!
Genedine made clear costs incurred wouldn't be light whatsoever either way around here today either…
"Huh?"
Suddenly—a familiar energy washed over Krang unexpectedly filling him with anticipation once more…
The very energy he'd been waiting impatiently for all along!
Stronger than before somehow?
"If today hadn't shown up—I'd feel disappointed indeed!"
"Master."
Having rushed over quickly still dripping sweat all over body from running hard earlier—it seemed Zed didn't notice excitement radiating around him either way whatsoever instead diving straight into topic immediately without hesitation whatsoever!
"What happened 540 years ago?"