“Welcome home, Adviser,” said Vice-Guildmaster Soren. “It feels good to be back, Vice-Guildmaster,” I replied to the man.

It really feels good since the assassination attempt. I didn’t sleep properly, had been paranoid every moment; it was really bad.

Not that Greltheaven is safe, but it is a home. It has the inherent feeling of safety that I need very much.

“Adviser, since we have escorted you to the Greltheaven, our contract ends here,” said the burly curly-haired man with a black ax at his back.

He is a mercenary I had hired in the Port Midlet. He and his team had been protecting me every minute since then.

“Thank you, Captain Rosenau, for your services,” I said. He nodded and walked away with his team, while I walked toward the carriage with guards surrounding me from all sides.

Ulnas Regis had been assassinated right in the city; I didn’t want to take any chances and requested extra security.

This time, even Atticus didn’t dare to drag his feet about it, seeing he was already facing quite a lot of heat about the assassinations.

His deputy was assassinated right in the city. Whose security he is responsible for. People already raising doubts, saying if he can’t protect his own people, how he will protect the public?

There is also a murmur in the background about him being not targeted. When commanders of eight cities did.

I sat in the carriage and watched the port, which seemed a lot more restrained than before. The security of the port had been tightened; now the goods and people were being verified more thoroughly.

It is happening with all the ports of the region; they have tightened the security of their ports and cities, but other than Ashton Harbor, nobody was able to catch the assassins.

The carriage got out of the port and entered the city.

Here, too, there are more guards than usual, but it is not noticeable unless one looks at it clearly.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the mansion, and I got out and walked inside while activating Get Ready.

The changes began to appear on me; my suit straightened and the crinkle on it had vanished; all the dirt and sweat disappeared and my face became glowing with travel fatigue, lessening in my eyes.

Soon, I reached the office, and the secretory sitting by it nodded. Seeing that, I entered inside.

“My lords,” I greeted Count Darrow and his son.

“Remus; good to see you back safe and sound,” he said and motioned me to take a seat. “Thank you, my lord,” I replied, sitting in the chair.

“It was quite a journey for you,” he said with his expression turning serious. “It was, my lord, but we had accomplished things far more than we imagined,” I said with a small smile.

Assassination aside, I have accomplished great things.

I have gone to Deerpond, thinking I would be negotiating with one city, but came back negotiating with the seven, and all successful.

The negotiation in Port Midlet, finished quickly than anyone had imagined. Like us, they also wanted to finish the deal quickly and, except for four points, we were able to negotiate on everything.

“The things you have achieved are tremendous, and it wouldn’t look good if I didn’t reward you for this achievement,” he said with a smile appearing on his face, while I waited in trepidation.

Not all things made him happy, made me happy. Sometimes, his rewards are akin to punishments for me.

“I am promoting you to be the director of the trade office.” He informed and my expression turned complicated.

If it had been a week ago, I would have been ecstatic, despite the increased responsibilities. It is the promotion I have wanted; the power I will be able to wield through it will be huge, but now, I have complicated feelings about it.

I am on the assassinations list because of my position in the city and not due to my business and now, with this promotion, I will have a bigger target on my back.

“Thank you for your trust, my lord,” I thanked after a moment of silence.

“I know, you are having reservation about it, after what you have suffered, but let me tell you, you will not regret it,” “With this position, your security with be upgraded and so will your clearance,” he said.

“You are too generous, my lord,” I said politely.

He didn’t say anything, but his expressions turned serious.

“What do you think about the target of people behind the assassination?” he asked after seconds of silence.

Hearing that, my expression turned hesitant, because the conclusion I had come to was dangerous. Speaking out loud might make the Count angry.

“Speak freely, Remus,” he said, seeing my expression.

“Invasion, my lord,”

“They want to invade. All the people they have targeted are cogs that make their cities run smoothly. They are especially helpful in times of crisis,”

“Vice-Commander Ulas was responsible for supplies; he was very adept in his job with great experience. The same is true for High-Mage Beaumont, she is a powerful mage, who has experiences with sieges,”

“These two are invaluable to the city and they already got one,” I said, looking at Mage Beaumont.

“The two are important, but I wonder why they targeted you. With your little power, you won’t be able to do much, and your legal and trade expertise will also be useless in the crisis,” quipped Lancel.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“I am asking that question, myself, my lord,” I said mirthlessly.

Lancel might have said that in poor taste, but the question is valid, even if I am asking that myself.

I may have done wonders in the trade, but I would be pretty much useless when enemies attack the city. I wonder what they were thinking when they added me to their list to kill.

Count turned and looked at his son, before turning to me.

“You are right, in your assessment. The enemies want to invade our region and they are already making a preparation for it,” he said and sighed.

“Were you able to find out who is responsible for it?” I asked. To that, his expression turned a little bad. “I did not, but I have a few guesses.” He replied, without elaborating.

For a couple of seconds, nobody spoke before I opened my mouth.

“My lord. My guards had done a good job of protecting me and everyone. Without them, I wouldn’t have been alive, especially Mage Zela.”

“I hope, you will provide me a few spells for her; it will increase my chances of survival,” I requested, while the man looked at me without any change in his expression.

“You are one greedy bastard, Remus. She is your guard, protecting you. Why should we provide the spells for her? It is your damn responsibility,” said Lancel, while I just bowed at him, before turning to the Count.

“Fine, I will give you the spell. You have done something incredible this time, and this will be your reward.” He said and a moment later, a thin book appeared in his hand, which he slid toward me.

“Thank you for your generosity, my lord,” I said and bowed deeply before swiping away the book off the table, while barely glancing at the name of the spell.

Luminous Surge

A Grade 3 water and light elemental spell. A wide area spell, effective against the undead and minor curses, with healing properties.

I wanted a more targeted spell, but I was also prepared to go empty-handed. So, I am happy to receive it and knew Zela would be able to learn it, despite it being a dual elemental one.

She already has one with dual elements. It is also of light and water, a healing spell.

A few minutes passed, and we discussed many things when the Count brought out another news.

“I have received the message from Count Zanav; his younger son is coming to the region, bringing his men with him for combat exercise with Mirador Hold and Dustorn Fortress,” he informed.

Count Zanav, a powerful eastern noble. Far more powerful than Count Darrow.

He is a warrior; a leader with a large, elite cavalry.

He hadn’t declared his allegiance, and I heard a lot of princes were trying to get him into their fold, including Prince Grelt.

“Taren is a bastard!” said Lancel and this time, when the Count looked at his son, there were sparks of anger in it.

I am surprised, to see the open hostility.

Lancel might hate nobles, but he didn’t show such open animosity toward them. He mostly keeps them in his heart; his showing it means he really doesn’t like this person.

“When he will be in Greltheaven?” I asked.

“By late next month, and I want you to be responsible for him. Make sure, he will want for nothing,” said Count Darrow, while Lancel snorted from the distance,

“I will start the preparations,” I said. A month is more than enough to make preparations.

…

“You have read the report, what do you think about them?” asked Count Darrow as Remus left the office.

“If everything written there is true, then Remus Silver has found people with great potential to protect him.” “Especially the warrior, mage, and the rogue,” replied Mage Beaumont.

“The giant-blood warrior would be a great asset if he was able to complete his awakening. The rogue is good enough that Viscount Atre had praised him, but the one impressed me, the mage,”

“While she had help, it is very impressive that she was able to hold back a High-Mage; it is not easy for those below High-Mage to do that,” she added.

“Make them an offer,” said the Count after a few seconds of silence.

“What about Remus? He will be quite angry with us for snatching his talented guards?” asked Lancel.

“He will be fine, and we will provide him with appropriate security, to his satisfaction,” replied Darrow, not worried about feelings of Remus at all.

…

Click!

The door of the carriage closed, and it began to move.

I have received a promotion, and there is a lot of work to do, but I plan to start with it, tomorrow.

Today, I have other plans.

“Here, I was able to get this for you,” I said as I took out the spell book and handed it to her.

Her eyes widened in surprise before they lit up with joy.

“I wanted this spell for a long time,” she said and this time, it was me who became surprised.

She seemed to be caught that as she turned to me, with a smile.

“This is a very powerful spell to deal against a large number of undead,” she said happily, before opening the book and started studying it.

I would have liked to. If it had been a defensive spell or offensive spell that could be used against anyone, but it is already enough that I have got the spell from the Count.

As for the offensive type of spell that I want; I will have to get it myself and it will be very expensive.