Chapter 137 |
Chapter 137.2. The Third Year at the Academy - Castle of Sorrow (2)
Afterwards, I checked the contents of the rental agreement.
Ted is renting this house and the entire apartment complex, so the rent will be Ted's income.
However, it's a cheap slum, and in the future, it will be filled with family. I can't expect much income from that.
That's why I set the rent at an unusually low rate.
Even combined with the apartment complex, it's cheaper than the rent I used to pay.
Still, ordinary commoners can't afford it, but with two adventurer parties, it won't be a problem.
Once they rise to D-rank, they'll have some leeway, so I think the day will come when they can pay the remaining balance in full.
After signing the necessary parts, I left the appraisal of the spare magic tools to them and went out to the backyard.
Mingling with the evening bustle, I could hear everyone's voices from the apartment complex.
As I listened, I gazed at the snow-covered trees standing in rows.
The recent weather had caused significant deterioration.
Most of the branches had fallen, and it was only a matter of time before the trunks collapsed.
While I was idly watching, everyone returned from the apartment complex.
Noticing me, they excitedly showered me with thanks and impressions.
As I responded, Nails suddenly muttered.
"This will be our base, huh..."
At those casual words, Ted and the others looked around.
It had already been like a base before, but it was still my home.
From now on, there's no need to worry about anyone.
My former home, the apartment complex, and Nails' family's cottage. This corner of the slum will become their base.
And when two adventurer parties gather, and Quince and the others join in a few years, three adventurer parties will assemble here. Though their parties are separate, they are essentially comrades.
I remember such gatherings in my past life too.
They were called by various names, with the most prominent being guilds.
Another famous one was—clans, I guess.
I must have muttered that out loud.
Ted overheard and tilted his head.
Come to think of it, such things don't exist in this world.
Even if adventurers cooperate, they don't form such close bonds.
I explained the concept of clans, prefacing it with, "I heard this somewhere."
"—So, it's a group with the same goals. Like a small guild."
Ted and Elliot exchanged glances.
Then, suddenly, Elliot extended his hand.
"Ted, can we join your clan?"
"It's a bit late for that. You're already in it, aren't you?"
They exchanged smiles, and the two leaders shook hands firmly.
As everyone watched with smiles, for some reason, only Gemma looked troubled.
"Hey, have you decided on a name for this clan? If others make one, how will we tell them apart?"
"Oh, right."
At Gemma's remark, they looked puzzled, and Nails and the others also tilted their heads.
Gemma had a point.
In my previous world—though it was a fictional one—there were names too.
Thinking ahead, we should decide on one.
But... I'm not good at this kind of thing either.
I looked around again.
The setting sun cast shadows on my home and the apartment complex.
Against the red sky, they formed dark silhouettes.
It looked like a castle.
A castle standing in the slums... a rundown castle.
Come to think of it, I read about it in a book in my father's study when I was a kid.
In an old language, it was called—
"Castle of Sorrow."
Everyone's eyes turned to my whisper.
"It's not a compliment. In the old language, 'Sorrow' refers to a dilapidated building. A slum filled with Sorrow. And this is your castle, right?"
"So, Castle of Sorrow?"
"I like it!"
Gemma was the first to agree, and Ted and the others savored the words.
Then, one by one, they nodded.
"It's decided! Our clan is Castle of Sorrow."
"Wait, wait, there's no need to rush. I just said it offhand—"
"No, we're going with Castle of Sorrow. It's decided. Also, keep the second-floor bedroom as it is. That's your room."
At their smiles, I shook my head in exasperation.
Stubborn, this one. Once they decide, there's no changing their mind.
"Fine. I'll rely on you when I return to Seren. Now that it's decided, go sign the documents quickly. Samini's getting impatient. Make sure to read them properly."
"Got it!"
Ted replied energetically and led the way back to the living room.
With the name decided, their unity seemed to strengthen.
Though it was decided hastily from an offhand remark, maybe it was for the best.
Now then—
After seeing Ted and the others go inside, I closed the door to my home.
Besides me, only Lambert and Felix remained in the backyard.
Felix bowed to Lambert and stood at the edge of the backyard.
He placed his hand on the sword at his waist and scanned the alley and surrounding houses with sharp eyes.
[Presence Detection] didn't pick up anything.
Whether there was someone or not, it was a situation that required caution.
It seemed like this wasn't going to be a peaceful rematch.
As I checked that the windows of the house were closed, Lambert spoke.
"Things are as interesting as ever around you."
"It's just a series of coincidences. I'm not planning any of this."
I shrugged.
"So—what was it you wanted to talk about the other day?"
"Right. It's not really suitable for this kind of gathering, but..."
Lambert cut himself off and glanced at Felix.
The master and servant exchanged silent looks.
Then Lambert nodded slightly and turned his usual intense gaze toward me.
"When we return, would you accompany me to Keiten?"
"What's the reason?"
At my question, Lambert's expression flickered with a hint of pain for just a moment.
"I can't say. Please, keep it to yourself."
"Understood. I won't tell anyone."
"Actually—a few months ago, I received a letter from my eldest brother, Kurunes. He said my second brother, Risken, is plotting to kill me."
"...An assassination?"
"I follow our father's will. Kurunes is the heir."
"So, your second brother sees you as a threat. You've grown enough to be targeted."
At my jest, Lambert's lips curled in a faint, humorless smile.
Though the intentions of Viscount Keiten are unclear, it seems both brothers highly regard the current Lambert.
Otherwise, they wouldn't try to kill him or send warning letters.
"When did the letter arrive?"
"Right at the start of this year."
Hearing Lambert's answer, I nodded in understanding.
I had thought his odd behavior was due to the martial arts tournament, but it seems there was another reason.
And a serious one at that—an assassination attempt by his own brother.
I, too, had prepared myself for the possibility of a deadly feud with my brother when I was young.
I never imagined Lambert would find himself in such a situation.
"Any unusual activity around you?"
"Not that I've noticed. Since the letter arrived, I've avoided unnecessary outings. Even Risken wouldn't dare make a move in the crowded academy."
"True. The academy is safe."
There's always security present, and some facilities are protected by defensive magic.
Moreover, causing trouble at the academy could escalate into a major incident involving other nobles.
If they're going to strike, it would likely be in the city—
Wait, if the eldest brother only recently noticed, it's possible they've been waiting for an opportunity for much longer.
I remember seeing a suspicious man once.
He looked like a commoner, but he had skills on par with Oze.
If that man was an assassin... this is a well-laid plan.
Lambert and Felix wouldn't stand a chance against him.
"I'll accompany you. I can't let someone who harms their own brother inherit Keiten. It would ruin my trade plans."
Trying to dispel the unease, I smiled at Lambert.
"What will you do after we return? It doesn't seem safe even if we make it back."
"It'll be fine. In Keiten, my father and eldest brother are watching. If it's discovered that they tried to kill me, the punishment won't be light."
"It'll be too late if they succeed. Don't let your guard down even if we return safely."
"Right. I'll consult with my eldest brother and figure out a plan."
The moment Lambert said that, the living room window was flung open with a bang.
Felix instinctively reacted, reaching for his sword.
"What are you guys doing?! We're toasting to the clan's formation!"
Gemma stuck his head out the window, urging us to hurry back.
I assured him we'd be right there and watched as he closed the window.
"When do we leave?"
"You're the one who asked. I'll adjust to your schedule."
"Then, two days after graduation."
After a brief exchange, we returned to the warm interior.
The contracts seemed to be finished, as everyone was gathered around the table with cups in hand.
Ted, now the clan master, gave an impromptu speech, and the toast was raised.
The bittersweet feeling of parting and the hope for the future.
Two contrasting emotions filled everyone's hearts.
Amidst the smiles, Lambert's expression was tinged with shadow.
"Is the tea too strong, General?"
Noticing that his cup wasn't being touched, Lily asked with a worried look.
I suppressed the turmoil in my heart and forced a smile.
"Not at all. It's delicious."
With that, I tilted my cup and savored the pleasant bitterness.
Joining the lively conversation, Ted started asking questions about Riedwald.
As I talked about the grasslands, the Reknod Forest, the townspeople, the villages scattered across the territory, and the neighboring lands, Ted and the others listened intently.
In a year or two.
The day will come when they walk the streets of Riedwald.
But—there was something I could do.
It was still too early to talk about the future.
Even as I joined the conversation, Lambert's gaze was distant.
Seeing my friend like that, I steeled my resolve.