I step over the unconscious form of the idiot and start searching the house.
Walking through the first room, I find a half-finished game of cards, a cheap-looking closet, and an equally cheap-looking pair of chairs.
Walking up to the closet, I unlock it and see a pouch, some cheap clothes, and a broken knife.
Looking inside the pouch, I see 3 gold, coins. Whoever hired these guys is clearly very stupid. If I were in their shoes, I wouldn't hire these idiots in the first place, let alone give them 3 gold. This implies that the nimwad that hired these goons is probably inexperienced and young… yeah, It's definitely someone from the academy. Damn it, can't these people mind their own business.
Walking up to the next room, I find that the door to it is locked. Not being in the mood for such things, I merely kick it in, making the crappy lock crumble under my sheer greatness.
Inside I find a tied-up Keswick with a gag in her mouth and a couple of intimidating-looking torture tools on the wall.
I walk up to her and remove her bounds, but she's still sitting there shivering, She looks scared, probably the first time she's ever been in danger… Well, boo hoo, what are you gonna do cry about it?
*Sigh whatever, what are you even supposed to do in this situation. I give her a hug and say the most generic line I can think of "You're safe now Clara, they're gone, they can't hurt you.".
She starts crying onto my expensive shirt, and I regret giving her a hug in the first place. After a while of her, covering my beautiful shirt with her snot and tears, eventually she stopped crying and put herself back together.
"Th-Thank you.".
I walk back to the hallway and I see guards, useless bastards there here now. Probable damage control, by the idiot that planned this. Altho they don't seem to be wearing common guard outfits, their whole appearance seems to be more polished and clean, compared to the common dimwit with a sword people here call a guard.
One of them pulled out a sealed scroll, marked with a stamp that seems quite familiar. He starts reading "As ordered by Edan Keswick, the future head of the Keswick household, we have been tasked with clearing this evil and disgraceful mercenary hideout, and ensuring it no longer poses a threat to the safety and security of the realm whilst also rescuing the nobles kidnapped by the misfits, however, it does seem that this matter has sorted itself out."
"We will be taking the role of managing this area, you two will be escorted back to the Keswick estate.".
This is quite annoying, I was about to interrogate the two idiots lying unconscious on the ground, but I don't really think I need to interrogate anyone anymore. Considering the fact that the guards shouldn't have known that there were exactly two nobles who were supposed to get kidnapped by the mercenaries, it is likely that the rescue was staged by Edan. How annoying.
We follow along with the guard leading us, and eventually, we make it to the Keswick estate. It is a big and nice mansion decorated with fine and expensive items, there are maids and servants going about, doing their duties, and to think one day I am going to surpass these dorks.
The guard leaves us off at the front door of Eden's office. I knock at the door, and after a little of waiting a man about 18-19 opens the door. He's probably this Eden idiot, I've been hearing about.
"Oh! I am so glad you two are safe, come in, come in.", he beckons us in and we all take a seat.
He starts talking again, "The moment I heard word from the commoners, that two nobles were kidnapped in broad daylight, I sent men out to search the whole city. ". Clara's hands started shaking, which probably is not a good sign.
"Thank the gods they were able to find you two in time, or else I don't know what they would have done.".
He proceeds to talk about filthy commoners daring to touch royal blood and all whilst looking straight at me. yeah, this man is planning something stupid, probably something about our "friendship". Well, as long as it's not too stupid, I'm willing to act along.
"Anyhow, Ustos could you kindly leave us, I want to chat to my dear sister about some important matters.", I start to stand up to leave but Clara lays her disgusting hand on to my lap and says "No, Ustos you can stay . ", I and Eden both frown at the same time. This is annoying, did she see through the idiot's scheme?