Volume 10, Chapter 22 – Ruins of the Kingdom of the Gods?

After receiving the medal from Adonis, Yisi and her group quickly returned to Cornelia’s Mansion.

Contrary to her expectation that Adonis would spend a great deal of time focused on Laxy, Adonis merely presented the medals of valor to Yisi’s group on behalf of City Lord Schumann and gave Yisi some material rewards. She didn’t even mention the First Princess before hurriedly leaving the city lord’s mansion, leaving Yisi feeling bewildered.

Normally, a city lord like Schumann could have handled the awarding of medals. The group hadn’t protected the entire Norta Empire, just a small portion of Wilfred City’s residents. There was no need for the Emperor to appear personally. However, the Emperor had personally bestowed the medals. Added to the fact that Adonis hadn’t made any other suspicious moves, Yisi could only chalk up the commendation to Adonis’s whim, a spur-of-the-moment act.

“Ah! Miss Solanya, why are you still waiting here?”

Spotting the elven woman, Solanya, still standing by the gate of Cornelia’s Mansion from a distance, Yisi hurried forward to greet her.

Solanya, who had been leaning against the mansion’s outer wall, stood up straight, her mouth slightly agape in surprise.

“Little lady, how are you all back so quickly? It’s not even noon yet.”

“Eh?”

Yisi glanced at the Omniscient Map. It showed the current time as ten in the morning.

They had spent more time traveling to and from the mansion than they had on receiving the commendation.

“Ahaha, Lord Schumann seemed to be very busy, so we came back right after the ceremony ended.”

“Tsk. I’ve lived in Wilfred for so long and never had the chance to speak to the city lord. You little ladies have some enviable luck.”

As if in a huff, Solanya took a deep drag from her pipe and then slowly exhaled a ring of smoke.

“Your companions aren’t here yet. Are they lost? Wilfred is one of the largest cities in the empire. If they’re not familiar with the roads, you all should probably go back and look for them. Only the city center is safe. If they wander into a remote place like this estate, the security isn’t as reassuring.”

“Thank you for your concern, Miss Solanya, but I think they probably just went shopping.” The map feedback showed Pepe and Refina were in the marketplace. Yisi changed the subject. “Miss Solanya, how long will it take to get the deed for the house?” If it takes more than three months, I’d like to entrust the entire process to you. We won’t be staying in Wilfred for too long.”

“No need to worry about that. It can be done in two days at the fastest. Well, before His Majesty Adonis reclaimed the land, we just needed to sign a sales contract, and it would have been over in half a day. Now we have to file a report with the city lord’s office.”

Much faster than I expected.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Miss Solanya. Also, the maids, gardeners, and guards… I’d like them to come to the mansion as soon as possible.” Yisi smiled wryly and gestured with her eyes for Solanya to look at the courtyard——it was overgrown with weeds and in desperate need of tending. “It would be even better if you could find a bricklayer and a stonemason while you’re at it. I’d like to repair the courtyard as well. As for the commission fee, Miss Solanya, please just charge as usual.”

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“Of course, no problem! Leave it all to me!”

As if seeing gold coins falling from the sky, Solanya agreed to Yisi’s request with astonishing enthusiasm.

After that, Solanya discussed some details with Yisi, such as how many people were needed for each position, whether there were specific requirements for their family backgrounds or races, the salary for each worker, and how long they would be needed at the mansion. Since matters like how much to pay the workers involved common sense, which was precisely her weak point, Yisi had Camilla, who was more proficient in this, negotiate with Solanya. Judging from Solanya’s expression, which was beaming with joy, Camilla probably hadn’t proposed harsh conditions and the wages were set at a normal standard.

How rude of me to assume Camilla would offer the workers low wages.

“Well, they will be long-term staff living in the mansion, after all. If the pay is too low, it will spoil the master-servant relationship.”

Yisi nodded as she muttered to herself.

It was worth noting that although the empire explicitly forbade discrimination between races, Solanya still asked, in a businesslike tone, if Yisi had any aversion to hiring demi-human maids. When Yisi asked Solanya about the race issue, Miss Solanya replied that many employers disliked using daily necessities touched by demi-humans, believing it would bring them illness and was a symbol of bad luck. The common populace’s views on race in the empire were quite stubborn.

With Camilla’s help, the details were quickly settled. Although Yisi had no requirements regarding race, her other requirements were rather stringent, such as must have work experience, be tight-lipped, and so on. But with high wages as the premise, Solanya promised to find the required number of maids by the afternoon at the earliest.

According to Solanya, the reason she could gather the people so quickly was that Adonis had abolished the nobility, causing many nobles to become increasingly impoverished. Consequently, the maids who could no longer receive their salaries had no choice but to find other work. However, in this trade city, what people needed were men who could do heavy manual labor; the demand for female workers was low. So, maids with no other skills could only stay at home, unemployed, relying on their husbands for support. Solanya’s registry was already filled with countless maids desperate for work.

After hastily writing down the results of their discussion, Camilla handed the white paper to Solanya.

“The monthly salary for one maid is one gold coin, and for a gardener, one gold coin and two silver coins. If they have other skills, their salary can be increased accordingly. Other, more detailed requirements and matters are all written on this paper. After you return, you can recruit people according to the requirements on the paper.”

“Ahaha, I’m a professional at this. You don’t need to write it down specifically, miss, I can remember it. But speaking of which, what was that pen you were using just now? I don’t think I saw you dip it in ink.”

“This is a gift from Onee-sama, called a pencil. It can be used anytime, anywhere. It’s very convenient.”

Camilla puffed out her chest slightly, a hint of pride on her lovely face.

Solanya’s eyes stared intently at the pencil, as if estimating its value.

“A pen that can be used immediately… If this were sold to merchants and scholars… Little lady, can I buy this pen from you?”

Camilla held up one finger. Solanya raised an eyebrow.

“One gold coin? It’s a bit expensive, but not unacceptable.”

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“No. I mean, I wouldn’t sell it even for one gem coin. This is a gift from Onee-sama.”

“Is that so.”

Solanya’s face showed disappointment, but she wasn’t angry at Camilla’s seemingly teasing behavior. Camilla had said from the beginning that it was a gift from her sister. She herself knew this but still made an offer to buy it; she was the one being rude. Adjusting her mood, Solanya proposed with a charmingly mature smile.

“Would you young ladies like to join me for lunch in the city? Although this mansion has been protected by a barrier and no one could get in, after more than ten years, the kitchen utensils inside must be broken and unusable. If you don’t mind, you all can rest at my place for a while. After I find the maids and gardeners, it won’t be too late for everyone to return to the mansion together. As my biggest clients ever, I have to show off my skills and treat you all properly.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Solanya, but the barrier on this mansion has been lifted. If we don’t leave someone here, I’m afraid people might go in and break things. It’s better for us to look around the mansion for a while and make some preparations. That way, when the maids arrive this afternoon, it will be easier for us to assign them tasks.”

Yisi politely declined Solanya’s offer.

To be honest, Solanya’s proposal, combined with her mature and charming smile, was indeed very attractive. However, Yisi had noticed more farmers and idlers from the surrounding roads and distant fields looking their way. Their gazes held both worry and curiosity. She was concerned that if they left, the nearby residents might sneak into Cornelia’s Mansion out of curiosity. No one knew what was inside Cornelia’s Mansion; it would be terrible if it caused trouble.

“Alright, then. I’ll try to gather the people before dark. Ah, right. Excluding the housing transaction fee, the commission fee is one gold coin and three silver coins in total. Just give me the deposit of three silver coins first. Once I’ve found everyone, you can pay me the remaining gold coin. Also, if you’re not satisfied with the servants I find, any subsequent searches for replacements will be free of charge. Consider it my guarantee for the people I find.”

As she spoke, Solanya unceremoniously held out her palm to Yisi.

Yisi couldn’t help but smile, having Camilla pay Solanya the full commission fee.

“Then we’ll be counting on you, Miss Solanya.”

“Hoh, paying the full amount upfront? As expected of a young lady, so generous. Then, please rest assured, leave this matter to me, Solanya.”

Mischievously retracting the silver coins, Solanya winked her right eye at Yisi, casting a glance charming enough to make a man’s heart skip a beat, before turning to leave.

As for that predatory glint in her eyes, like a carnivore stalking its prey, I’ll just pretend I didn’t see it. Elves from another world are so… forward.

Tiffany asked in an emotionless voice.

“Anticipation?”

“Nothing like that. Alright, let’s go inside and see what’s in the mansion. Remember not to touch things randomly, okay? There are—”

“Are?”

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“No, it’s nothing. Tiffany will find out if she tries.”

“Hmph.”

“Don’t be upset. I’ll tell you a secret. There’s a lot of treasure left by the owner in the underground storage room. The first person to get there can pick any treasure they want, okay?”

Instantly, Tiffany’s expression, which had been pouting just a moment before, became full of motivation. Yisi even felt that Tiffany might shout “Oooh!” in the next second.

“Treasure hunting in an abandoned mansion? This one finds that interesting as well.”

Tina also showed an eager look, the tail hidden under her dress wagging excitedly from side to side.

Back in the Demon Lord’s castle, the only way Tina could pass the time was by watching the world through a crystal ball. The place she watched most often was the labyrinth built by the previous Tartaros in the Taris Marquisate. She had long looked forward to the sense of accomplishment adventurers felt after overcoming great difficulties to finally obtain treasure.

“Well… it’s not as interesting as you imagine, Tina.”

The thing she had hidden was that there were traps in the house. These traps were all non-aggressive, merely mischievous pranks, such as rope net traps that would hoist people into the air, and maze traps that would automatically change the layout of the floor. Cornelia seemed to have been quite the prankster.

“Now, let’s go.”

In an urging tone, Tiffany pulled Mary and Tina toward the mansion. Yisi turned to look at Camilla and Laxy.

“Let’s go in too.”

“Yes, Onee-sama.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

◇

After entering Cornelia’s Mansion, which had an interior no different from a normal mansion, Yisi let the “younger group”—Mary, Tiffany, and Tina—explore the house freely. She then took Camilla and Laxy straight to the underground storage room. Although the memories Cornelia left her didn’t include a map, meaning she had to explore everything herself—those traps were probably designed to prank the successor—she had the Omniscient Map, which displayed the entire mansion’s layout and traps. Therefore, it took her less than a minute to arrive at a master bedroom on the third floor of the mansion. The Omniscient Map showed that there was a magic circle on the wall of this master bedroom that led directly, and only , to the underground storage room.

Tensing her whole body and remaining alert to her surroundings, Laxy spoke in a low voice.

“My Lord, this mansion is full of traps. Is it too dangerous to let Mary and the others walk around freely?”

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“These traps aren’t aggressive. Besides, with their strength, even if they fall into a trap, they can break free quickly. Well, even if they can’t break free, the traps will automatically deactivate in fifteen minutes at most.”

“But if there are so many traps, what about the servants who come later? Onee-sama, should we raise the strength requirement for the servants…”

“No, no, as long as we go to the underground storage room and find the notes Cornelia left, we can turn off the traps in the mansion. Wait a moment, I have to move this wardrobe, nh—”

With her 427 levels of strength, Yisi easily moved the wardrobe, which would have taken four adults to budge. Then, she placed her right hand on the wall, infusing magic power into the magic circle within it. Under the astonished gazes of Camilla and Laxy, the wall emitted an increasingly intense blue light. Then, the blue light “melted” a pitch-black void in the wall, its border fluctuating slightly.

“This is!” Her voice was filled with intense amazement. Laxy was so shocked that her wings spread to their widest, and her breathing quickened. “My Lord, this is a permanent portal that can directly connect two places! It’s incredible! This is technology from the Age of Gods! This mansion is filled with a magical aura. Its owner must be someone related to the Age of Gods, possibly even a First-Order Angel! If we can obtain the knowledge left by the owner, it will surely be of great benefit to your strength, My Lord!”

“Alright, alright, let’s go in first. It’s definitely more interesting inside than outside.”

“Yes!”

With a strong sensation of falling, the three of them moved from the third floor of the mansion to the first basement level. Their vision went from light to dark. The entire space was pitch-black, except for a stone pillar in front of Yisi that emitted a faint blue light.

“□□——’Eternal Light’.”

Camilla naturally chanted the spell, and a strong white light shone from her hand. However, before the group could adjust to the brightness, the light vanished. Immediately after, Camilla’s body swayed violently for a moment. Noticing this, Yisi turned back to support her.

“Camilla.”

“Magic deprivation!? Onee-sama, don’t use magic!”

“I understand. Camilla, drink this magic potion.”

“Thank you, Onee-sama.”

Using her vampire night vision to give Camilla the magic potion, Yisi looked at Laxy, who had been frowning ever since they entered. The latter seemed to have discovered something and was slowly walking toward the stone pillar emitting the faint blue light.

“This is a barrier used in holy lands… My Lord, this place is inextricably linked to the Kingdom of Gods. It is very likely a ruin left by a predecessor from the Kingdom of Gods.”

“Mm. Leave the rest to me.”