Having purchased the space we bid farewell to Fredrick. Being located in the guild district, we went to see our new base. Arriving at the front gate Alice and I marvelled at the size of it.
Solomon: it's huge. To think this was the smallest mansion.
Despite being called the smallest, it was still colossal. Compared to the chieftain's mansion from last mission, It was no smaller. Around the whole mansion was an 8-foot tall brick wall. The entrance to the mansion was a 12-foot tall golden gate.
Written on the gate was the name clearwater.
Alice: it's a huge improvement from that hotel room.
Solomon: no kidding.
The mansion was at least three houses wide and 4 houses long.
Solomon: let's take a look.
During this whole time, Pluvia seemed unimpressed. As a formerly S rank Dragon, she had probably stayed in opulent places. To her, this little mansion was nothing special.
Walking in we were greeted with a grand lobby. In front of us was a set of double doors, to the right and left of it were staircases. To the right side and left side of the wall were more doors.
Alice: wow, it's beautiful.
Looking around at the wall, they were decorated with several ornate patterns and paintings.
From the floor plan, the room to our sides should be the kitchen and living room.
Solomon: I'm going to have a look around.
Walking over to the left door, I entered the living room. It was no less flashy than the lobby. There was a huge TV on the wall, as well as a sofa parallel to it. There was also a circular coffee table surrounded by 5 reclining chairs. Sitting in one of the chairs I felt like I was sitting on a cloud.
The difference between this chair and the ones in the hotel was like heaven and earth. not wanting to loose myself in the comfort, I forced myself to get up. Another set of doors were joined onto the living room. To the right, if you walked through the lobby doors.
Walking through them, I entered the dining room. It was a huge room spanning the rest of this side of the mansion. As there were supposed to be many people living here the dining room was more of a banquet hall.
From where I was at one end to the other end was an extremely long table. Periodically above the table was spectacular chandeliers. Other than the table and chairs the walls were decorated with the finest decorations.
Solomon: wow.
Having looked on this side of the building I went back to the lobby, Alice and Pluvia had gone through the middle doors. Looking through them it was the entrance to a hallway. The hallway ran from the front lobby to the garden in the back.
Walking back I entered the kitchen door. The kitchen was huge, with several of the best equipment you could find. It was obviously built so that many people could work simultaneously.
At the other end of the kitchen was a door that opened out into the hallway. It was there so food could be brought through to the dining room quickly. Other than that there was a stairway leading downward, to the basement.
Solomon: hmm, I wonder what the barracks looks like.
Though it was shown on the floor plan, there was no picture of it. Walking downwards I entered the barracks. it spanned the whole area under the mansion. As I walked in I noticed I was in a long hallway, it was probably directly under the ground floor hallway.
Walking down I saw that there was a door on the sides of the hallway, every ten-ish meters. Opening one of the doors I saw that it was a plain room. With a chair desk, wardrobe and bed. It was a room for one.
Having explored the basement I went back up to the kitchen, entering the hallway from there. As I did Alice and Pluvia walked out of the next room along.
Alice: Solomon, come check this out.
Solomon: what is it?
Walking over I entered the room. It was one of the bedrooms. It was furnished with huge amounts of furniture. It had bookcases, a huge desk, a massive king sized bed, a Chester drawers, a wardrobe and a 7-foot mirror.
Solomon: it's quite luxurious, it seems like were moving up in the world.
Alice: yeah, soon we'll be living in a place.
Pluvia: hahaha, don't get ahead of yourself, let's finish looking around first. Leaving the bedroom, we went down the hallway to the garden. Other than the bedroom we looked at the only other rooms were a bathroom and bedroom.
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Already knowing the first floor was just bedrooms and on suites, we didn't bother checking on them.
As we reached the end of the hallway, there were French doors entering the garden. Walking through the door we looked at the garden. It had a pond in the centre with living fish as well as benches around it. At the far end of the garden was a pagoda tent.
Solomon: it's got a nice atmosphere here. And we don't even have to tend to it.
The garden, like the rest of the house, had an array to keep it at its best.
Solomon: all right then, I've looked around enough. I'm going to do the last job.
As we had previously discussed, Alice and Pluvia would sort out the house while I recruited new members.
Solomon: here Pluvia, use dragons fire to transport our items.
As we would have to move our things from the hotel, it would be one trip with dragons fire.
Pluvia: I can't take it, you’re the owner.
Not wanting to waste time arguing I forced it into her hands.
Solomon: it's as safe with you as it is with me. Keep it safe till I come back.
Looking at the book, Pluvia responded.
Pluvia: I will keep it safe until your return
Feeling the change in atmosphere, I made myself scarce. I did not want to create an awkward situation between Alice, Pluvia and me.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but Pluvia seemed to be acting differently around me lately. Leaving those thoughts for later, I headed went to recruit new members.
Arriving at the building I entered. Like all the other buildings it was run by robots. However, right now it was packed. Looking at the signs I made my way to one of the many receptionists.
Receptionist: what can I help you with sir.
Solomon: I would like to recruit some people.
Like before I had to fill out a document of basic information.
Receptionist: thank you, sir, the room marked with G has what you're looking for. Anyone in there has decided to join a G rank guild.
Looking over I saw the room she meant. It was next to several doors with letters. I guessed each door was for guilds of that level.
Walking into that room I attracted the attention of the people inside. There were only 25 or so people inside.
Seeing me they looked disappointed.
Looking at them I realised a few people were out of place. unlike me who had come alone, another G rank guild had come as a group. They would approach people arrogantly, acting like they were gods. Like joining them was a miracle for these people.
With these tactics, they were forcing people to join them. Of the people here they had already "convinced" 5 of them.
Walking to a corner of the room. I spoke to the people inside.
Solomon: G RANK GUILD! LOOKING FOR RECRUITS, GOOD PERSONALITY PREFERRED OVER STRENGTH!
Having made my intentions clear, I lay back against the wall. If any of the people here wanted to join, I would let them join our test mission. It made no difference to me if 1 or 100 joined. After all, I could fail them in the test mission.
Unfortunately, I did not get the response I hoped. The guild that was already here walked over. The arrogant guild leader spoke to me.
Guild leader: HEY, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? DO YOU NOT RECOGNIZE ME!
Glancing at him, I made a passing remark.
Solomon: a pompous asshole.
Hearing my quick and clean insult, the man's face filled with anger.
Guild leader: WHO ARE YOU TO CALL ME AND ASSHOLE. I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD.
Ourous: hostile intent detected, penalty removed.
Hearing the words of Ourous, I was surprised. To think that someone so stupid was still alive, let alone a guild leader.
The man drew a sword, charging at me. Taking him seriously, I assessed his strength. He looked like a normal human, so he probably only had an energy enhancement. The weapon he held was a standard sword you could buy for 40 points. Along with two-bit armour, he was truly pitiful.
Not wanting to create a commotion, I drew my sword. Dashing forward my speed was easily twice that of his. Reaching him in the blink of an eye, I stabbed my hand through his sword's crossguard, pulling it away from him. Then just as fast I brought my hand down, cutting off that same hand.
Guild leader: AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHH
Along with the echoing scream of the guild leader, his follower's expressions paled.
Solomon: leave now, before I change my mind.
Once again not understanding his situation, the guild leader spoke.
Guild leader: FUCK YOU, I'LL RIP YOUR FUCKS, AAAAAARRRRRGGGHH
Before he could finish speaking, I cut off his other hand.
Solomon: the next time it's your head, fuck off.
Bored with the idiot's actions, I gave him one last chance. Realising I was not kidding the man left with haste, followers in tow.
Having seen me act so mercilessly the rest of the people there didn't dare approach me. They probably thought I was an evil person. Then again maybe I was. I had just cut off a man's hands.
Just as I was about to leave, two people approached me. A young man and a little girl.
Young man: we'd like to apply.
Solomon: that's fine, but first you must answer my questions.
I had come up with a few basic questions to get rid of the obviously un-trustable people quickly, however, the more crafty ones would be weeded out later.
Young man: okay, but first I have to explain our circumstances.
Before I could question them, he wanted to tell me about his situation.
Solomon: is it so important?
Young girl: mister, it's my problem. My brother just won't leave me alone. You see, an old man from a guild said he liked me. He wanted me to become his pet.
Speaking up, the girl explained their issue. Looking at her she was probably only around ten, yet from her eyes, I could tell that she understood the old man's words. This was probably the effect of living in domain.
Solomon: okay, I understand. what guild is it? And how strong is the old man?
Though I could probably protect them from most guilds, the level of the old man would depend on how much the guild would help him.
Young girl: it's the capitalist mages guild, the old man is one of the four F ranks.
Solomon: HAHAHAHAHA.
Seeing me burst into laughter, they both looked at me oddly. It must have been fate that we, who both hate the capitalist mages guild. had met.
Solomon: it seems our meeting is fortunate, I also have issues with the capitalist mages guild.
Continuing on, I questioned them. Obviously they both past.
The just as we were about to leave, a man entered through the door. Standing at almost 7 foot, he even dwarfed me.
Huge man: I'm looking for a guild.
Seeing as he had only just arrived, I thought maybe I could recruit him as well.
Solomon: I'm recruiting, but that doesn't mean you can join. You must pass my test first.
Facing me, the man gave me a grin.
Huge man: a test? I'm sure I can pass any test with these muscles.
It seemed the man had mistaken my meaning.
Solomon: you misunderstand, I mean a few question, nothing like a physical test.
The man seemed disappointed by my words, but nonetheless, he passed the test. So with the new recruits in tow, I made my way back to the mansion.