The group had infiltrated the capital of Chesire Kingdom called, Chesal. It was a castle town with a large moat and the castle was built on the side of a mountain, where the royalty lives. Bridget has several targets within her head and wants them alive.
They managed to get themselves a house in the residential district for commoners by unsavory means. It had been two weeks since the move in. Kei had summoned shapeshifters and spies to gather intelligence. It's only a matter of time but first, it's the time to relax!
In their humble, two-floor home with two bedrooms upstairs, a small kitchen, a dining table not far from the kitchen itself, and a living room.
"Breakfast is served!" Kei yelled.
Everyone were already taken their seat, growlings of everyones' stomach can be heard.
Scambled eggs, bacon, sauages, and buttered toast. The smell of food was spreading to every corner of the house. Once food was placed in front of them, they gave their thanks to Kei for making this and began taken the liberty of chowing down.
"Darling is the best cook ever!"
Living by yourself it is essential to learn to cook. I was sick of eating instant noodles and take outs everyday. I can't even go to a family restaurant without peace! Also, why do I have to cook little wifey?
"Yes, my lord. What you make is top quality." Bridget said.
"Thanks Bridget. But isn't this normal stuff?"
Progess of Bridget's health: she was no longer skin and bones, and more of a beauty. Definitely a noblewoman who exude charm and elegence. Able to move her fingers, lift her arms, and able to speak. When she was standing she wobbled but able to walk slowly. She was a strong mage and she has a rare element - lightning. We sometimes go outside of the castle walls for training. Sometimes she used a kitchen knife and meat cleaver on small and large wild animals for 'practice.'
And so everyday was normal.
Everytime they walk outside, Elen would hide herself under a cloak to avoid unnecessary attention. It's kinda common to see visitors and tourists hiding under their hoods but it was the peak of hottest season.
During the two weeks of normalcy, Elen was getting impatient. Elen loudly chewing on her food, like pouring all her angry into each bite.
"Hey Kei, I know that you are relaxing and all but... can you start destroying the capital now?"
"Wow, since when you become bloodthirsty?"
Elen banged the table!
"I'm not! I'm worried about my kingdom being under tyranny!"
"Ever heard the saying, patience is a virtue?"
Elen then began grumbling while eating.
"All things will come to an end. Just let me enjoy the moment, please."
Kei was really grateful for this normalcy. Instead of living in a life of solitude, he has people he can cherished and people that can cherished him. At least that's what he felt from Polin and Bridget.
The neighbors and citizens were tolerable of him. The capital put some effort to enforcing a non-discrimination policy but it's mostly protecting elves, dwarves, and beastmen. It's sad to see it all go away but the Demon Race used to own a third of this continent, including the majority of Chesire Kingdom territory before the Holy War.
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Kei left the girls to their own devices with some spending money.
Kei was having a meeting with Bagit at a high-end restuarant at noon.
Yes, that Bagit. His slave trade wasn't destroyed and was warned of an upcoming 'storm.' Bagit took that warning to heart and flee town with all his assets, belongings, and employees in the night.
Kei's spy recognized Bagit's Slave Trade in the capital and saw another business with a sign said: Bagit's Emporium!
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How many businesses does this guy have!?! Slaves, jewelries, and retail? What's next? A shipping company! Humble and small my ass!
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Later...
Kei and Bagit sat facing each other, sitting at the corner in a lavish restuarant: carpet flooring, silver wares, magic fueled lights, cloth covered tables, and live music. Very, very ritzy.
"I hope you have the items I requested." Kei said.
"Yes, sir. It took a bit of time but as per your request, here there are."
Kei had to meet Bagit and luckily he fleed to be here. Kei sold the stolen valuables like furnitures, paintings, or left over weapons to Bagit to earn additional money. This was one of the reasons why Kei was biding his time, he requested for customized two storage rings into engagment rings and a simple gold band for himself.
Two small, square black boxes are placed on the table before Kei and both are opened.
One was a three-stone gold ring with round cut rubies embedded into it, which two rubies being smaller than the center one. The second one was a gold bypass ring with two tear shaped, purple sapphires. The sapphires are side-by-side in the opposite direction of each other, located at the center of the ring. Each ring has particluar engravings on the interior on the ring.
Kei doesn't know if he should get customized rings or simple rings. It felt obligated to put a little effort into such things especially since he's loaded at the moment. Why not do something special and spoil them?
"They look perfect and now for the other matter?"
"Yes, sirrrr."
Bagit look around to make sure there was no eavesdroppers and passed a envelope with a black seal on it. Kei grabbed it and slipped inside his pocket casually.
It was an invitation to an underground slave auction hosted by a criminal organization named Zuther Gents. The auctions opened regularly every month and they had their own inventory of slaves that doesn't show up at auctions. Only an invitation that you can attend one or see the other slaves. This was what Kei desired. To purchased slaves that can't be seen in public and to see what type of criminal organization it was.
Bagit usually don't associate himself with shady matters and had to bring up old contacts and favors in exchanged for a one-time favor from Kei.
"Here's another warning. You should pack up and go like in a week."
"Sir Kei, can you perhaps inform of places that you won't appear?"
"I'm traveling north, that's all I could saw."
"Thank you sir."
"If you are planning to go west, be careful. A scary army is roaming the west."
"Y-yy-yes sir. Thank you once again for this intel."
Bagit has his businesses practically in every nation but with Kei and his army wrecking havoc as they go, where would he go? How about his businesses? The drawf's country seems to be the best option until everything settles down and then return to daily business operations.
They got their food and ate, talking about various topics and news.
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Night came and everyone has bad tasting dinner made by the girls.
There was a fireplace in the living room for cold winters but he started it. Elen got a stomachache from the food and decided head to bed earlier.
Bridget and Polin thought it was odd to start a fire during a warm night, but then they saw Kei tossing two pieces of paper into the fire.
SNAP
Polin's and Bridget's slave collars snapped open!
"Oh no! My wedding ring!" Polin was in extreme distressed.
Bridget was slightly shocked at this development. Kei took the slave collars into his storage ring and placed his hands on Polin's shoulders to clam her down.
"Don't worry little wifey, I got something better for you."
Even though the wedding rings were in Kei's possession, the idea of a real marriage between himself and Polin, then adding Bridget into the cauldron wasn't the right time at the moment. The slave collars were removed because they weren't merely slaves and people outside had the attitude to mock and hassle them.
Polin and Bridget were sitting down and Kei sat in front of them trying to come up the words to say.
"I... think the collars are just not needed no more you know."
While Bridget didn't react much, Polin responded: "Really?"
Without any further explanation, Kei pulled a small black and opened it towards Polin. "Will you marry me?"
He thought he should preformed a proper proposal.
"We're already married! Why do you ask?"
"Because I never really asked you. Think of it as your second chance to say no."
Polin shook her furiously. "You idiot. Now I can't really say no!" She took a deep breathe and softly said yes with a small chuckle.
Kei took the ring with rubies and placed on on her left ring finger. It was a little loose but it was a bit bigger for the foreseen future that she will grow into it.
Polin can't help admired it and hold it close to her heart.
Now, it's Bridget's turn. Kei and Brifget looked into each other eyes for a moment.
"I won't ask you now since things are busy right now. Until then, it just something to think about."
Bridget was slightly astonished. She was already loyal to Kei and she didn't mind wearing a slave collar to prove it. She really didn't think much of Kei's protective and caring nature for her. She thought he was getting her back in health so she can serve him properly and get her revenge with her bare hands. After that...
Unexplained feelings were whemling up inside and her head was getting clouded.
"I see." Bridget only let out those words.
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As everone else was asleep, Kei had something of great importance to do.
ROB ALL THE NOBLES!
Kei has little wealth compared to the nobles and the aution will require an abundance of funds that can reach the moon!
"Okay everyone, I want you to robbed the wealthiest, fatest, disgusting nobles you can find. Kill when necessary and focus on coins and sellable valuables."
Kei and his spies transformed into shadows and began a mass robbing.
The next morning there was an uproar at the noble residential district. Some crying, some enraged, and some lifeless. Chests of gold coins - gone, family heirlooms - gone, silver wares and some clothing - gone, jewelries and precious stones - gone.
"Who could have done this!?!" Said one noble.