_Baam baam!_
Alaric turned his gaze to the door, the templates that had once covered his entire view disappearing.
"Yes, come in."
The door opened.
Erica walked into the room, her gaze immediately landing on her brother.
'My sister? What is she doing here?'
Alaric remained calm.
"Brother," she called out.
"Sister."
"This is the first time in a long time that I've visited your room."
Alaric glared. "Is that so?"
"I promise I'm not here to cause any type of trouble. I can see how hard you're working for the barony."
Erica looked to the side with a blank expression. "O...r at least it seems like it."
[She can't even convince herself to believe it.]
"Did you come all the way here just to tell me that?"
Erica suddenly shook her head frantically. "No, no, brother. I promise that's not why I'm here."
"Oh? Then why?"
"It's just..." Erica positioned one of her hands between her thighs while intentionally averting her eyes. "The other day, I heard news that you made a magic Montclair cooling box."
'Is that what they're calling it now?' Alaric was surprised.
"Okay, and?"
"I was wondering... if you... could make another one for... me. Only, I want the one that's hot, not cold."
Alaric smiled. "Of course, why not? Anything for my big sister."
Hearing his response, Erica beamed with joy. "Really?! Thank you so muc—"
"That will be 3000 eres." Alaric stretched his palm forward.
Erica's smile died faster than post-nut clarity.
"Eh?"
"Ohhhhhhh? I see how it is..."
Alaric stood up, moving closer to her with a degenerate expression.
"Just because we are related, you think I'll work my ass off for free, huh? Big sis... Do I look stupid to you?" he asked, his face only a hair length from hers.
Erica shook her head, obviously terrified, or perhaps stunned by what her brother had become.
"So why would you ask me to do a tasking job for you... for free?"
"I... I..."
"That's what I thought. Come back when you have 3000 eres. Tsk!" Alaric looked her up and down with a judging glare before walking back to his working table.
Erica could barely say a word. She needed that Montclair box, and she was willing to do whatever to get it.
"I'll... I'll be back with your 3000 eres, I promise!"
With that, she ran out of the room.
Alaric couldn't help but smile.
'And that is how I got my free promotion.' He rested his back on the chair.
There was no doubt if he decided to use the Montclair box as a family business, with a few minor modifications, he could make a ton of money.
But that could only last so long.
Demands would obviously be high. If he didn't continue to raise interest, the business would run into the ground. He needed to come up with something that wouldn't rely on just one source of income.
Before all that—
Getting rid of the shitty Baron Nuak was the first step.
He had gotten Ava strong enough to hold her ground; now he needed to make himself strong.
'Open magic card store. Sort by combat cards only.'
[Magic card store... opening.]
...
"Good morning, Lady Ava."
The maid bowed her head as Ava walked by.
"Good morning to you too, Ester." Ava greeted back. It wasn't news that she was very respected in the mansion.
After walking for a while, she arrived in front of Rashin's meeting room.
She knocked.
"Lord Rashin. It's me, Ava."
From inside, Rashin responded, "Enter."
Ava took a deep breath before turning the door knob.
As she entered, she found Rashin Montclair and Kika Montclair in the room.
While Rashin was standing in front of the window, watching everything happening in the barony, Kika was seated on a chair, clearly worried.
"Ava, sorry I summoned you so early in the morning." Rashin was the first to speak.
"No, sir. It's no problem." Ava walked further into the room. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes, but first, how is my son doing? He's been acting quite differently these past couple of days. Did you notice anything strange with him?" Rashin asked.
Ava stood quiet for a while, recalling everything that had happened since she also noticed Alaric had stopped doing the nasty things he used to.
Her biggest surprise was the fact he was able to raise her a couple of ranks like he promised. That had never been heard of before.
"No, sir. I believe the young master is just growing into his responsibilities as your son. I heard men of his age go through that."
Ava gave the best response she could give. Being a bad liar, she made sure not to speak too much and end up exposing herself.
"I see. Well, if you say so, we trust you, so continue to look after my son for me." Rashin smiled at her.
"I will."
"Leaving that, I need you to take Alaric far away from this barony. I'm drafting an order that everyone should evacuate the barony before evening."
Rashin sat in his chair.
"If you take Alaric to Opoam City, my aunty lives there. He should be able to stay there for now until things get sorted."
"My lord, I don't understand what is happening..."
"Baron Neuk has decided to pay us a visit this evening with his soldiers. And this time, he wants me to come with him, and every other woman in the castle."
Kika spoke, her worry plainly written on her face. "We can't allow that to happen, and we don't have the strength to fight them. Our only option is to flee from this place."
Rashin gave a sad smirk. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more for the barony. The least I can do now is get everyone to safety."
Ava tilted her head to the side. "Why do that? Lord Alaric could easily solve this problem."
"Eh?"
Ava tilted her head again. "Have you not heard about what's happening? Lord Alaric has a plan to defeat Baron Neuk."
"A plan?" Rashin and Kika looked at each other.
"Yes, please give him the benefit of the doubt. Lord Alaric will definitely get us out of this mess."
For Ava to praise Alaric in such a way meant Alaric indeed had a plan, and Rashin and his wife knew this.
"How... long?" Kika asked.
"If you're asking how much time we need, according to Lord Alaric, we don't need more than two hours," Ava responded.
Before she could say another word—
"HOW DARE YOU INSULT A KNIGHT?!"