After buying the mansion, due to its sheer size, the need to employ people to take care of the vast estate became undeniable.

Since I had to inform Count Jinat about the purchase and thank him for his introduction to the broker, I couldn't start right away. He was quite happy to know that I had purchased the house from Count Hovenheim. He commended him as an outstanding political ally. Amelia having learnt of the purchase, also informed me that she would soon come to view the house. It wasn't that far from their house as her grandfather's house was also in the northern part of the city. When I walked to their residence, I was surprised to find that it was just five streets away.

So, after two days, I eventually made my way to the Employers Guild. Count Jinat had told me that the Employers Guild was a good place to find qualified people and that most of his servants were referrals from the guild. You need to post a requirement and competent people will apply, was what he said. It was conveniently right next to the adventurer association so I didn't have much difficulty in finding the building.

It was a blue building with three floors and Employers Guild written in gold colored letters on the sign hanging outside the building. When I went inside, I saw many people in maid uniforms and butler uniforms. I figured they were here to find jobs. As I looked around, I saw that the left side of the hall was occupied by a reception desk. I slowly went there and spoke to the receptionist named Hozi who smiled as I approached. I could make out the name tag stuck on his uniform even from afar. I informed him about my requirements and posted my request with him and paid 5 gold coins as requested. I was asked to wait for 3 days and that people will be sent to the estate starting from the third day for interviews. Since I was the one who had to interview them, I consented. A buffer of three days was not bad.

After thanking him, I made my way to the adventurer guild. Airi has been nagging me to take a quest so I had come here to do so.

(Master, at last!)

(Yeah, yeah.....)

The receptionist Lakisha was talking to other adventurers so I made my way to the quest board. As I scanned the quest board for a suitable request, my eyes were drawn to a quest in the Frithrin forest. It was an escort request to guard a team going to explore a ruin. Having never seen ruins in Thieca, I excitedly took on the request. If I look at my earth memories, the Egyptian ruins comes to mind. Though they were excavated long before I was born, I always wondered what the explorers would have felt as they were uncovering a buried piece of ancient history.

After confirming it with Lakisha, I went out of the adventurer guild and strolled around the city to have my breakfast. The request stated that I should meet the explorer team near the city gate in the afternoon. So, I still had time to spare. I soon reached a beautiful cafe in a corner of the street next to the guild. I went in and they were serving cakes and tea. I soon made my way to an empty table and placed my order with the waitress that came to get my order. As I looked around, I could see elves, dwarfs and humans talking and eating. Even teenagers in uniforms were there. I figured they were from some academy nearby.

In one such table near me, an elf and a dwarf was talking. It was not that loud but due to my enhanced hearing I could very easily make out the words.

"Were you aware that the Kosoto Empire has closed off its borders?" The elf asked.

"Really? I had a feeling something was off." The dwarf said thoughtfully.

"You know, just last year, when Lothar delivered armors to the Kosoto Empire, they were oddly friendly and suggested opening a smithing shop there. It made me very suspicious." The dwarf added.

"Yeah, they have never been kind to non-humans." The elf agreed.

"Hmm....I smell war."

"I don't think it would spread to Astrya though. We have Sir Valian and Sir Egrus. Sir Valian is still the best swordmaster on the continent and Sir Egrus is one of the only two 10th circle mage on the continent."

"I heard they tried to recruit him but failed." The dwarf whispered.

"Who?"

"Sir Valian."

"Haha...That must have been embarrassing. I would've rejected them as well. Kosoto Empire has a reputation of cruelly killing the people of any land they conquer. Don't you remember what happened thirty years ago when they tried to conquer Ebria. They killed people from all the villages they conquered."

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"Of course, who could forget that war. The great sage Ildor put an end to their ambitions."

Suddenly, the dwarf's voice became low.

"By the way, have you heard the news? The sage Ildor has been missing for almost five years now." The dwarf whispered almost faintly.

"Is that the reason the Kosoto Empire is daring to initiate the war again?"

"Who can say? Perhaps he'll reappear unexpectedly, just like last time."

"No, I feel somewhat uneasy. It's like something's off this time."

"Hmm....an elf's intuition, huh?"

"Do you think Quizen kingdom and Ebria kingdom will be able to repel them? They have been vying for the Durnola mountain range for decades."

"Is something interesting there?"

"Hmm...I'm not sure. There was a dwarven settlement there almost a century ago but most of them migrated to other cities. That place didn't even have an iron mine. The only thing worth noting there is the Rohini lake. It's said to be the oldest lake on the continent."

"I feel like something is amiss." The elf said.

"Yeah, it's not looking good. I have heard that even the grey dwarves were commissioned by the Empire. As you know they stay in the northern most part of the continent."

The elf nodded.

"I even tried to ask one but they aren't that talkative and just brushed me off. Something's off, I tell ya."

"Will you elves be joining the war?"

"Not as of now, we have been warned by His Majesty Algar to not join any human conflicts. But it may vary if Astrya is threatened. As you know His Majesty Algar has a good relation with His Majesty Patrik of Astrya."

"Hmm...then, I don't know how the humans will be able to face off against the Kosoto empire, to be honest. I heard they had already started mobilizing the armies and that the research division has been making new weapons."

As they talked amongst themselves, a feeling of unease washed over me. I could clearly make out that this continent will soon be shrouded in war.

(Master, would you like to join the war?)

(Hmm...no. but if Count Henry asks for help, we'll see what we can do. And these are probably just everyday gossip.)

(But this might be a good chance to make yourself well known in the continent.)

(Sigh, I'll pass on that. I'm not even sure how strong the Kosoto Empire is. I had just barely reached the 6th circle. I won't be able to contest if there are monstrous peoples.)

(No, master. Your body has perfectly adjusted to this world this past month. Soon, you will be able to reach the 9th circle. I'm sure you'll be able to defeat most enemies then. Your energy reserves are the highest of anyone in this world due to the goddess.)

(What do you mean?)

(I......mean the energy that you can emit is more than enough to conquer this world if you wish. Since the calamity that you have to face eventually that will be much more stronger than any humans.)

(What do you know about the calamity?)

(I..... don't know anything, Master. But I'm sure they are growing stronger as we speak.)

(Hmm ... I hope that event happens after a few years until I have enough strength to fight it.)

(.......)

Soon, the food arrived. It was tea accompanied by two different types of cakes. One was surprisingly filled with meat. It tasted like pork but it was probably some animal I've never heard of.

After finishing the meal, I paid the waiter and got out of the cafe. Then I strolled around aimlessly looking at wares various shopkeepers were selling on the side of the street. The buildings glowed in the sunlight almost lending the streets the vibe of a vintage painting. A car or a bike will zoom past occasionally. But carriages were a frequent sight.

I kept walking around in the busy street filled with people of all races. Until I heard a distant sound of metal.

Thung, thung.

It sounded like a hammer. And sure enough, right around the next corner, I could see rows and rows of blacksmith shops. The street was filled with dwarves running around carrying packages. Some were unloading ores from big hollowed out busses which were being used like a truck and many others were transporting them inside their workplaces.

It was almost afternoon. And as I was about to turn towards the city gate, a small shop caught my attention. It was quite small compared to the bigger smiths nearby. A modest sign saying "Orrick smithing shop" hung on the small two storey building. Something about it intrigued me, so I slowly made my way towards the shop.

(Master, I think you should buy some ores. I don't know if we'll be able to get Mithril or Adamantine but we should be able to get some decent ores.)

(Hmm, alright.)

As I opened the small door leading inside the shop, I could hear sounds of metals striking faintly. A bell rang as soon as I opened the door.

"Be' right ther."

A small voice came from the inside.

I looked around the shop. There wasn't much to write home about. Most of the weapons and armors showed that they were of poor quality when I appraised them with my skill. Except a strange dagger that laid on a small velvety pedestal. It easily repelled my appraisal and was shining as if calling to me. I moved closer and could see letters inscribed into the dagger. The dagger wasn't actually shining but those words.

"For ye who wandert, the darkness shalt divide. Hold me tighte, ye shalt see the light."

I brought my hand closer to touch it. It seemed to vibrate almost faintly as my hand moved nearer.

(Master!)

(Wh-What?)

(Don't go touching strange things.)

It was only then that I backed away. The dagger intrigued me since I could not pry the dagger's information using appraisal.

"Ahem"

A sound came from behind me.

I turned around and a small dwarf girl was standing there, her gaze fixed on me. I was so engrossed in the dagger that, I did not even feel her approach me.