'Everything is as planned,' Andrew thought after seeing Freya depart. 'At least I won't have to suffer the schemes of Caleb's pawns during my stay in the merchant guild's premises.'
He smiled and turned his menacing gaze back on Angus, the fatty in his hands.
"Spare... me! Spare me..." The fatty groaned and whined as tears and snot ran down his face. His expression had already turned as red as a pig's liver, and he was probably almost shitting in his pants.
"You should have thought twice before colluding with my cousin to take my life."
Andrew shook his head and tightened his grip on the fatty's neck without minding the merchant guild workers observing through the windows. He ended the man's life before using Aeon's Blessing of Death to turn the corpse into energy for his totem and a tiny pile of ash residue on the floor.
He then entered the merchant guild building, where he killed off four more men that he knew were Caleb's pawns. He again cast Aeon's Blessing of Death to complete the task and left only a few ashes on the floor.
The rest of the merchant guild workers huddled together and looked at him as if he was a fiend after he massacred their colleagues. Some more innocent girls who often tended to the front shops even collapsed while most others started sobbing softly.
The shock was too much for the merchant guild workers. But none dared to raise any voices of complaint as they knew he was a mysterious sorcerer.
In Edhen, sorcerers were an exalted group. They stood above the ordinary people and could kill off anyone who offended them without facing any repercussions. Their powers also remained a mystery to many, and only sorcerers could deal with other sorcerers.
The Red Cloud Merchant Guild workers deeply understood such common knowledge, especially since the boss was also a powerful sorcerer.
Sure, they were afraid of Andrew. But they remained cordial and treated him as an esteemed guest. They even showed him to the waiting room and served him tea and snacks as he waited for Freya to return and organize his role in the merchant guild.
Two hours quickly passed, and Freya finally returned. She entered the waiting room and took a seat opposite Andrew. She crossed her gorgeous long legs and asked softly, "Did you complete your business?"
"Yes, I did," Andrew replied with a smile. "Thanks for your help."
"No need for thanks," she said flatly. "I did nothing but step away from the guild to handle my own matters. What you did in my absence is none of my business. I'll deny any responsibility in case there's any backlash."
"No problem," Andrew said without any change of expression. He summoned another memory crystal from his storage ring and placed it on the table between them. He leaned back into the sofa and continued, "As promised, that's the full recipe of the Phoenix Fire Elixir. You will have to find the listed ingredients yourself. Or do you require my help?"
"That won't be necessary," Freya said while picking up the memory crystal. She swiftly checked the contained portion recipe before nodding and stowing the crystal into her storage bracelet.
Her expression brightened, and she glanced at Andrew with a smile. "You know, Sir Cody is an acquaintance of mine. He must have sent you to me, hoping I could appoint you as part of the Red Cloud Merchant Guild's management. But you don't strike me as one who would waste time doing such a needless chore. Or could I be wrong?"
"No, you're not wrong," Andrew said honestly. "I don't want to involve myself in managing family businesses."
"As I thought!" The corners of Freya's full lips lifted. "If you're not here to manage the family business, what are you here for?"
"I only need somewhere to stay while going about my own issues," Andrew answered. "I don't wish to dip my hands in Red Cloud Merchant Guild's business. At least, not too deeply!"
"That won't do." Freya shook her head. "What would I say if one of the family council members asks what position I assigned you to? You have to take on a position in the guild. Otherwise, you'll have to inform Sir Cody about your decision."
"Such a hassle!" Andrew grumbled and leaned back on the sofa. "What suitable positions are available within the guild at the moment?"
"It depends on what you desire," Freya answered. "There are some available administrative positions like chief accounts officer and head of sales for ordinary weapons and artifacts divisions in some of the cities within the southern part of the Dartolonian Empire. I can arrange for you to take on one of those."
"Those won't do," Andrew said. "I need something much simpler, where I can pass through the motions while concentrating on my stuff."
"You're very different from the rest of the family heirs," Freya commented, her eyes flickering with doubt. "Others would want jobs that give them status and many contribution points, but you want something simpler! Don't you wish to accumulate family contribution points so you can obtain some resources to advance your path of sorcery?"
"I really have no time," Andrew said while fully knowing that there were better offers. "Is there something with much simpler responsibilities?"
Freya sighed. "You can become my assistant here in our outpost in Heathgate Border Town. Your responsibilities will include occasionally helping the rest of the staff during our periodic auctions and routinely checking the ledgers of our beast material purchases and product sales. That's the easiest position I can think of for your case."
"That will do." Andrew's eyes lit up. He preferred the position since it was the same one that he had held during his previous life. He would be just an assistant, but he would have the tall tree that was Freya Mayfair, the soon-to-be rank-two sorcerer, shielding the wind as the merchant guild's branch general manager.
Moreover, Heathgate Border Town was close to Ashwood Forest, where he could constantly hunt fierce beasts to develop his powers. That was a plus for him, making the position the most suitable for his case.
"Since you like the position, you can start tomorrow," Freya said with a smile. Her smooth skin and blue eyes looked especially radiant under the illumination of the afternoon rays streaming in through the window.
"I won't restrict your freedom, but you must handle some administrative affairs occasionally, such as when I'm busy or not around," she continued. "You must also help the front desk staff during auctions or those periods of the year when we are handling large bulks of materials from the Ashwood Forest."
"Concerning remuneration, you'll receive ten gold coins and two contribution points on a monthly basis. The guild will also provide accommodation and daily meals within its premises. However, you will have to purchase other necessities for yourself. All these are standards put in place by your family for its heirs. I'm just following protocol."
"I understand," Andrew said. "I'm okay with all arrangements."
"Good!" Freya beamed and held out her hand. "As the general manager, I welcome you to the Red Cloud Merchant Guild, Heathgate Border Town Branch. One of the maids will show you to the courtyard where you'll be residing later. Let's get along."
Andrew smiled and took her hand. He was happy as he had completed the first step of establishing himself out of the family dimension by taking on the assistant administrative position of the merchant guild.
His next order of business was to fast forward his plans of strengthening himself, including hunting for magical beasts in the Ashwood Forest to accumulate energy for his book totem's use. He also planned to explore the inheritance ground he had learned about from the memories of the assassins that had made an attempt on his life.