Chapter 62: Royal Bank

"I'll keep that in mind," Raven said as he grabbed the Gladstone bag and stood up from the seat.

"I'll be off then, Mr. Jose. Thanks for the help." Raven said with a bow.

"It's nothing much. I'm doing my usual job." Jose waved his hand and then continued.

"But if you reclaim your family honor in the future, do me a little favor, lad."

"Reclaiming my family honor?" Raven asked with a frown.

"I'm talking about reclaiming your wine factory. With a single glance, I can tell that you are a peak-rank Official Walker. A peak Rank Official Walker at the age of 17? That's the birth of a genius. Whenever a genius is born in a Noble Household, that household will soar high in the sky and go through a big transformation." Jose said as if he had already predicted the future.

[He has sharp eyes and a genius mind, like a merchant, lad. Get him to your side.] Zera said in his mind.

Meanwhile, Raven gave Jose a deep look and asked.

"So, what is the favor, Mr. Jose?"

"Get Kyler a higher position in the police department. He has been working as a head constable for over 20 years and accomplished many things, but he has not risen in rank because of nepotism and corruption. Help me with that when you become more stable."

Raven could tell that this man was making a gamble.

"You should know nothing is free in this world, sir."

"What do you want?" Jose asked.

Raven pointed his forefinger at Jose and spoke.

"I need a lot of helping hands, Mr. Jose. When I reclaim my territory, quit this job and work for me. I'll pay you double."

Jose was stunned by his words and soon burst into laughing.

“Hahaha, interesting. Reclaim your territory? I never knew you had such a fantasy dream, kid. I'll do it when you make such a thing possible."

Raven nodded with a smile and turned around before walking towards the exit.

"Don't forget your promise." Saying so, he left the room, leaving Jose alone.

"Reclaiming the Azmar Town, huh?" Jose couldn't help but chuckle.

"This kid has no idea about the current situation. I heard Falcons are eyeing for that place." He shook his head and decided to mind his own business.

After all, he knew that poking his nose in the Nobles' matter would only lead to more trouble.

…

Meanwhile, Raven left the Giaris Mercenary Guild and went to the Employment Office on the same street. He then paid ten gold coins in advance and put a notice for hiring servants.

Once he was done, Raven made his way towards the Zenith Royal Bank, two streets away from Halbert Alley.

The grand building, constructed from polished white marble, featured large arched windows adorned with intricate stained glass. Atop its impressive façade was a clock tower, its hands ticking precisely. The bank's entrance boasted towering Corinthian columns that led up to large, heavy wooden doors with ornate brass handles.

As Raven approached, he was struck by the opulence surrounding the bank. A pair of liveried footmen stood at attention by the entrance, their red uniforms crisp and immaculate.

Stepping inside, Raven was greeted by a vast, open lobby bathed in warm light from chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. The polished marble tiles covered the floors, reflecting the space's elegance and grandeur. Rows of wooden counters lined the hall, each manned by a meticulously dressed clerk who handled transactions calmly.

The walls were adorned with framed paintings of past bank directors, their stern gazes watching over the patrons. A massive oil painting of a two-headed serpent dominated one wall, its eyes seeming to follow Raven as he made his way to a vacant counter.

Raven approached one of the clerks, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache and sharp eyes. The clerk glanced up, offering a polite nod as Raven set his Gladstone bag on the counter.

"Good day, sir. How may I assist you today?" the clerk asked, his tone both formal and welcoming.

"I need to access the Holmes family vault," Raven replied, taking out his birth certificate, Council Membership Card, and Order of Precedence and placing them on the counter table.

"Holmes Family?" The clerk looked surprised and took the documents from the counter.

Stolen story; please report.

"Let me take a look at the documents, sir." Saying so, the clerk first checked his birth certificate.

"Thomas Holmes, 15.05.1404, born in Giaris Elite Public Hospital, Male child, father: Walter Holmes, mother: Dorthey Holmes, address..." The clerk read the document while cross-checking the information from a large book and soon nodded.

Then, he took the Council Membership Card and checked the unique number written on the left corner. After that, he took the Order of Precedence document and read it out loud.

"The Holmes Family: A Knightly Lineage

Family Name: Holmes

Title: Knight

Family Motto: "Virtue Above All"

Crest: A lion rampant holding a sword, symbolizing courage and honor.

Seat: Holmes Manor, located on Bristol Street.

Family Overview

The Holmes family was a distinguished knightly family with a rich history dating back to the Middle Rune Era. The Family's reputation was built on its dedication to the Crown and notable military and public service contributions. As Knights, the Holmes family held a respected place in the social hierarchy, with connections to other noble and gentry families. But after the Azmar Town incident, the Family met its decline.

Current Head of the Family

Sir Walter Holmes

Title: Knight

Birth Year: 1381

Education: Spade Knights Academy

Military Service: Served with distinction in the Western Army and participated in the Crimson Battle. Knighted for bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

Interests: Passionate about agricultural advancements and a keen supporter of local charities.

Lady Dorthey Holmes

Birth Year: 1385,

Family Background: Orphan girl from Giaris Local Orphanage.

Interests: She loves painting and has a passion for tailoring.

Children

Thomas Holmes

Birth Year: 1404

Education: Spade Knights Academy.

Occupation: None

Marital Status: Engaged to Lady Catherine Sinclair, daughter of Knight Sinclair.

Family Properties:

Azmar Town and its surrounding lands. (Lost due to the Red Goblin incident)

Château Holmes Wine Factory...

Holmes Household Mansion...

Holmes Apothecary...

Thomas Book Emporium...

The Velvet Millinery...

Dorthey's Confectionary...

Order of Precedence: As Knights, the Holmes family ranks below baronets but above esquires and gentlemen. They frequently participate in local and national ceremonies and are invited to court functions and society events."

"The Order of Precedence wasn't renewed after Sir Walter Holmes' death. Please wait here for a while, Young Master Thomas. I'll go upstairs and update the current information for you."

Saying so, the clerk moved away from the counter and soon went upstairs through a spiral staircase.

An hour later, the clerk returned with a new document and gave it to him along with an iron key.

"Very well, sir. If you sign here, I will have someone escort you to the vault," the clerk said, sliding a ledger across the counter.

Raven quickly signed his name, and the clerk gestured to a nearby bank guard, who stepped forward with a courteous bow.

"Please follow me, sir," the guard said, leading Raven through a set of doors that opened into a dimly lit corridor.

The passageway was lined with reinforced doors, each leading to vaults belonging to various noble families and wealthy patrons. Their footsteps echoed softly against the stone walls as they walked deeper into the bank's secure depths.

After a short walk, they arrived at a heavy steel door. The guard inserted a key and turned it with a loud click, swinging the door open to reveal a room filled with safety deposit boxes and a large central safe.

Raven stepped inside, feeling a sense of relief as he approached the family vault. He inserted his key into the lock, turned it, and opened the door to reveal the contents.

The space was filled with stacks of gold coins, 50-plus platinum coins in a small wooden box, neatly bundled documents, and several small, ornate boxes.

"I'll take all the platinum coins and the ‘Will’ document with me," he told the guard, taking the small box and a file with him.

After that, he locked the vault and returned to the counter with the bank guard.

Meanwhile, the clerk checked how much money he had taken from the locker and also took the golden key from him.

The clerk quickly recorded the transaction, his quill scratching across the ledger with precise efficiency. "Everything seems in order, Young Master Holmes," he said, finishing his entry. "Is there anything else we can assist you with today?"

Raven shook his head, tucking the small wooden box of platinum coins securely into his Gladstone bag.

"No, thank you. That will be all for today," he replied, politely nodding to the clerk and the guard.

With his business at the bank concluded, Raven left the bank and stepped out into the bustling streets of Giaris City. The afternoon sun bathed the city warmly, casting long shadows on the cobblestones. The sounds of vendors calling out their wares and the clatter of horse-drawn carriages filled the air, creating a vibrant tapestry of urban life.

"What should I do next?" Raven asked.

[You should change your identity and dispose of Thomas's original body.] Zera spoke in a calm tone.

"Do I need to change my identity again?" Raven frowned. While it wasn't a difficult task—since the spell model in his mind had already copied the facial structures of the homeless boy, Aron, and Thomas Holmes—he was still reluctant to go through with it.

[Many eyes are monitoring you at this moment, lad. And I'm 100% sure some people are watching you every second and sending reports to their bosses.]

'True. I also want to know why the Vice Leader of Gold Thieves acted alone and killed Thomas. Now that I think about it, she has another identity, right? She is also a member of Vipers.' Raven suddenly thought of a possibility.

'Thomas's kidnapping has something to do with Vipers? It is possible. And I also need to look into 'Falcons."

[Maybe Count Andres has an involvement in this?] Zera said.

'How did you come to this conclusion? If not for him, the policemen wouldn't have acted that fast and tried to rescue Thomas.'

[No. Do you believe the Count acted just because you offered him some money? That's a naive assumption. He was worried that this information might leak to the press and damage his reputation. Think about it logically. What does he gain from rescuing Thomas? The Holmes family is already in decline, so there's no benefit for him. But imagine what he could have gained if Thomas had died during the police rescue—he would have secured a substantial share of the wine factory and Azmar Town. Even though it's a ruined town, its value remains significant.]

'Indeed. Does that mean I can get kidnapped or killed at any moment?' Raven cautiously glanced around and soon approached the carriage parked on his left side. It was a completely enclosed Hackney carriage with only a tiny window gap on either side.

As he approached the carriage, the driver tipped his hat and greeted him.

"Afternoon, sir. Where to?"

"Southward," Raven instructed, climbing into the carriage and settling into the seat before closing the door. The driver nodded, flicking the reins to set the horses in motion.

As the carriage rolled through the road, Raven leaned on the seat and touched his face. A second later, his face started to change to his original appearance.

…