Lilia's POV
After Dora and I left the Guild Master's office, we bid farewell to Rita and departed from the Guild.
Once outside, both of us began to wander the city.
"So, what's the plan now, Lili?" Dora, who was clinging to my arm, asked me.
"I'm thinking of buying a house for us."
The thought had been on my mind ever since we came to this city. I want a place where Dora and I can call our own.
Dora smiled at that. "That's not a bad idea. What kind of house do you want to buy?"
"A mansion!" I answered without hesitation.
Dora gave me a funny look. "Why a mansion, Lili?"
I blushed at her question but still answered,
"All my life, I have been living in a small cramped house with my mother in my previous village. I've always wondered what it was like to live in a mansion like some rich kid. Now that I have the money, I want to fulfill that wish of mine."
Dora laughed. "Well, I don't see a problem with it, but weren't you going to explore the world?"
"I plan on doing that, but we will need a place to return to after our missions. This city is nice and cozy; it is the perfect place for us to stay, don't you think?"
I explained my plans to Dora.
"You're right about that. Well, if we are going to buy a mansion, then we might as well go with the best one in the city,"
Dora said with determination.
"Sounds good to me."
So, Dora and I asked for directions from passersby and were directed to the House Agency on the other side of the city.
We walked for about thirty minutes before reaching the building. People were coming and going, showing that business was going well for the House Agency.
Dora and I entered the building and saw a blond-haired man dressed in a black suit standing at the counter.
The man saw us approach him and gave us his business smile.
"Good day, ladies! Welcome to the House Agency. How may we assist you today?"
Dora let go of my hand, allowing me to do the negotiation.
"Good day to you too. We would like to buy a mansion, and I heard that your agency is in charge of managing and selling houses in this city."
The man nodded. "That's correct, madam. Our agency handles the business of selling houses to all those who wish to buy them in this city. We also have branches in other cities and kingdoms as well."
"That's good then. Can I see the available options you have?" I asked him.
"That will depend on the type of mansion you are looking for," the man told us.
"We need one that is very big with about seven rooms, not including the living room, dining room, and kitchen. It also needs to have all the furniture and kitchen equipment already in it. Do you have a house like that?" Dora asked.
The man looked surprised and keenly observed us before continuing.
"It's not that we don't have a mansion like the one you described, but it is extremely expensive, even for nobles."
"Don't worry about the payment. Just show me the available houses," I told him.
The man nodded before bringing out a magazine with pictures of different mansions. He opened a certain page and showed us a picture of a house.
"How about this one? It is large and meets all the requirements you want."
The house he showed us was a grand mansion, white in color, with a large compound, a beautiful garden, and an expensive gate. The pictures of the inside were also stunning. The living room had beautiful black cushions and a chandelier. The dining room had a nice white glass table with chairs. There were eight rooms, each with beautiful beds, and the master room had a walk-in wardrobe.
Dora and I were amazed at how beautiful the mansion was. It was beyond anything we had ever seen before.
"Well, what do you think? Do you like this mansion?" the man asked us.
Dora composed herself and looked at the man. "Can we see your other options?"
"Certainly!"
The man showed us pictures of other mansions. They were all beautiful, but the first one was better in my opinion. Luckily, Dora agreed with me.
"How much is the first mansion?" I asked the man.
"50 gold coins," he answered.
"What? That is extremely expensive," Dora said to the man.
The man scratched his head with a little sweat drop.
"I did say that the kind of mansion you are looking for is expensive, even for nobles. That mansion is one of our finest because it is close to the Adventurer's Guild, meaning that security is ensured there."
"Even so, 50 gold coins is a lot," Dora said before turning to me. "What do you think, Lili? Can you pay?"
"Sure. Since that mansion is the best they have, we might as well buy it. Besides, I want a mansion that we both will be comfortable living in," I told her.
Well, 50 gold coins is quite a lot of money for regular people, but it is only a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of money in my personal dimension. Paying for it won't matter to me.
I turned to the man who was eagerly waiting for us. "I'll buy that mansion at that price."
I handed a sack containing exactly 50 gold coins to the man, and he took it and placed it in a box below where he was standing.
"Thank you for your purchase. Here are the documents for the house, and this is the parchment that we will require you to sign," he said, handing the documents to Dora and giving me the parchment to sign.
After we were done, the man called one of his female workers to show us the house.The female worker, adorned in a tailored charcoal-gray suit, exudes an air of sophistication. Her attire, impeccably pressed and tailored to perfection, accentuates her slender frame and hints at a keen eye for detail. A crisp white blouse peeks from beneath the jacket, adding a touch of refinement to her ensemble.
Her hair, a cascade of chestnut waves, is swept back in a sleek ponytail, framing her delicate features with effortless elegance. Wisps of stray hair dance around her face, softening the sharp angles and lending a touch of whimsy to her appearance.
Her gaze, framed by long lashes, is warm and welcoming, her eyes sparkling with intelligence and professionalism. A gentle smile graces her lips, inviting clients to entrust their housing aspirations to her capable hands.
Dora and I followed the female worker who was leading us to the house. The road we followed was the same road that would lead us to the guild, but we took a left turn just before arriving at the Guild. After we crossed some roads, we saw the mansion at an estate. The distance of the mansion to the guild is about a 10-minute walk, so it was very close to the guild.
The lady unlocked the gate, and we all entered the compound. Seeing the beautiful garden in a picture is very different from seeing it in real life. It was beyond beautiful in real life than in the picture.
The garden has a cobblestone path, lined with meticulously trimmed hedges of verdant green, winds its way through the garden, leading visitors towards the imposing facade of the mansion. Along its edges, vibrant flower beds burst with life, each bloom a riot of color and fragrance. Roses of crimson and ivory, lilies of purest white, and tulips of every hue sway gently in the breeze, their petals kissed by the golden rays of the sun.
Statues of beautiful mythical creatures, crafted from marble and stone, stand guard amidst the foliage, their forms frozen in time, silent witnesses to the passage of ages. Water fountains, adorned with intricately carved figures and adorned with cascading vines, send crystalline streams tumbling into ornate basins below.
Majestic oak trees, their branches reaching towards the heavens, cast dappled shadows upon the emerald lawn below, providing shelter to delicate ferns and moss-covered stones. Arbors draped in ivy and climbing roses form natural archways, inviting guests to explore the hidden corners of the garden and discover its many secrets.
But perhaps the most captivating feature of the front garden is the centerpiece—a majestic marble fountain, its waters shimmering in the sunlight, adorned with sculpted figures of cherubs and nymphs. Surrounded by a halo of fragrant blooms and lush greenery.
Seeing the garden, I couldn't wait to see inside the mansion in person. I was full of expectations as I followed the lady alongside Dora.
The lady led us inside the mansion, and I couldn't believe how beautiful and fancy everything was. The living room, dining room, and kitchen were just as beautiful as the magazine showed.
Dora left me with the lady to go and explore the house in excitement. I sighed after seeing her run off and turned to the female worker, who smiled at me.
"I hope everything is to your liking, ma'am!" she asked me.
"Yes, everything is okay. I appreciate you guiding us to this place,"
I said to her as I handed her a gold coin.
She blushed and began to wave her hands.
"Please, you don't need to. It is an honor for me to direct a powerful A-rank adventurer such as yourself to your new home."
I smiled at that. "Even so, I insist that you have this. Think of it as my way of saying thank you."
The female worker smiled and nodded. "Well, I graciously accept your kindness."
She accepted the gold coin before bringing out some documents. "Here are the documents of the mansion. You can keep them as evidence for doing business with us."
I nodded before taking the documents. The female worker bowed to me before she left the house.
After she left, I placed the documents inside my personal dimension and went to the living room and comfortably sat down on one of the black cushions. Dora entered the living room and sat down beside me, leaning on me with her whole body.
"Now that we have a mansion, Lili, what do you plan on doing next?" she asked me.
"I don't plan on doing anything today except relaxing and sleeping. Tomorrow, I plan for us to take a high-rank dungeon quest," I told her.
"High-rank dungeon quest sounds dangerous. No question about you, but what about me?"
"You worry too much," I smiled at her. "I'll protect you from whatever you can't handle."
Dora smiled and buried her face on my chest. "My hero."
We stayed like that for some time, chatting with each other before falling asleep together.
At the castle in the Kingdom of Eclipsora
In the throne room of the majestic castle, bathed in the soft glow of flickering torches and the warm hues of stained glass windows, sits a male figure of regal stature. Exuding an aura of power and wisdom, his finely chiseled features speak of lineage and nobility, each contour sculpted with the precision of an artist's hand.
Dressed in garments befitting of a royal station, the man cuts a striking figure against the backdrop of the ornate throne. A crown of gilded filigree rests upon his brow, its intricate design catching the light and casting shimmering reflections across the room. A mantle of deepest sapphire, embroidered with threads of gold and silver, drapes across his broad shoulders, a symbol of his sovereignty and authority.
Beneath the regal attire, the man's attire is equally impressive. A tunic of rich velvet, the color of midnight skies, adorned with jewels and precious gems that glint with every movement. Sleeves of finest silk cascade elegantly down his arms.
His eyes, a piercing shade of azure, betray depths of wisdom and intellect far beyond his years. They flicker with a keen intelligence as he peruses the letter in his hands, absorbing its contents with a measured intensity. His jaw, strong and resolute, is set in a firm line, betraying none of the emotions that churn beneath the surface.
But it is not only his appearance that sets him apart. It is the air of quiet confidence that surrounds him, the aura of strength and determination that radiates from his very being. He is a king Eclipsora kingdom, destined to lead his kingdom into a future bright with promise and possibility. And as he sits upon his throne, reading the letter before him, his face did not betray any emotions.
Standing in front of the king was a red-haired lady of about 16 years of age with hair tied back in a high ponytail, her hair frames a face of striking beauty, freckles dusting her nose and cheeks like constellations in the night sky.
Dressed in attire that speaks of wealth and privilege, she wears a fitted tunic of supple leather, dyed a deep scarlet to match the fiery hues of her hair. Embroidered with intricate patterns of gold thread and adorned with jewels of the finest quality, the garment hugs her form like a second skin, accentuating curves that speak of strength and agility. Trousers of ebony silk cling to her legs, tucked into boots of polished leather that bear the marks of countless journeys.
But it is not her attire alone that sets her apart. It is the twin swords strapped to her back, gleaming in beauty with blades as sharp as her wit. Crafted from the finest steel and forged with runes of ancient power, a legendary weapon. They are a testament to her skill and prowess as a warrior. Each hilt bears intricate carvings of dragons and serpents, symbols of the battles she has fought and the victories she has won.
The king of the Eclipsora Kingdom, finished reading the letter, which was sent to him by the guild master of the Adventurers Guild in Mufti city and sighed.
The red-haired lady addressed the King.
"What does the letter say, your majesty?"
The King looked at the girl with a calm expression.
"It would seem that our Kingdom has finally produced another A-rank besides you, Jeanne Baret."
Jeanne Baret is the only A-rank in the Kingdom of Eclipsora and is said to be among the top ten strongest A-rank in the human realm due to her being in the upper realm and a step away from reaching the master realm of A-rank.
Jeanne smiled at the king. "That's good news for our kingdom, your majesty. It also explains the massive gust of mana we felt yesterday."
The King nodded. "That is true. Since we have a new A-rank in our kingdom, I'm thinking of requesting her to join the kingdom ranking challenge that will be held among all the kingdoms in three months."
Jeanne nodded. " You mean Grand Conquest Challenge. I can see why you want her to join since the other kingdoms have managed to produce many A-ranks, and our kingdom has only managed to produce one, which is me. With this new A-rank, our kingdom can finally have a firmer footing in decision-making among the nations."
The king looked away sheepishly. "Anyway, I would like you to travel to the Mufti city and meet this new A-rank girl to assess how powerful she is compared to other A-ranks."
"And now you confess your true intention," Jeanne sighed. "I guess I'll have to prepare for my departure. If you'll excuse me, your majesty."
Jeanne bowed and turned to leave the throne room. The King watched her leave before he leaned into his throne and looked up with a contemplative look.
"Things are going to get more interesting in this kingdom. I look forward to it," he said to himself.