Kael Drakon's arrival at the capital of the Re-Estize Kingdom was met with a mixture of awe and curiosity. The moment he passed through the city gates, riding atop Hamsuke, the guards and commoners whispered among themselves. The presence of Blue Rose beside him only fueled the rumors that he was some high-ranking adventurer or an unknown noble of terrifying strength.
As Kael observed the streets, his sharp eyes quickly noticed the true nature of the kingdom. The capital had a grandeur that belied its inner rot. The roads were filled with people—merchants hawking wares, beggars lying in filth, and nobles being carried in extravagant carriages, looking down on the common folk as if they were insects. The difference between the rich and the poor was striking, and corruption was woven into every corner of the city.
He recalled the history of the Re-Estize Kingdom from the fragments of knowledge he had gained. Once a mighty force, the kingdom had long since fallen into decline due to the incompetence of its ruling class. The nobility held too much power, constantly scheming against each other rather than working for the nation's prosperity. Unlike the Baharuth Empire, where the Emperor enforced strict rule and discipline, the Re-Estize Kingdom was riddled with infighting. The strongest nobles formed factions, each supporting different princes in a struggle for the throne.
Bribery, human trafficking, and illegal dealings flourished under the nobles' influence. The law only existed for the poor, while the rich and powerful did as they pleased. Adventurers either turned a blind eye or were forced to comply with noble demands to keep their status. Seeing all this, Kael couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
"This kingdom is a festering corpse," he thought. "No wonder it will crumble before true strength."
A noble from the first prince's faction approached him soon after his arrival, offering a lavish mansion as a gift. It was an obvious move—an attempt to draw him into their camp. However, the noble didn't demand loyalty outright. Instead, he merely expressed goodwill, hoping that if Kael didn't side with them, at the very least, he wouldn't support their enemies.
Kael accepted the mansion without hesitation. The noble was pleased, mistaking Kael's silence for consideration. But Kael had no interest in joining their petty power struggles.
Despite Kael's sudden rise in the kingdom, no one doubted his achievements. In a world where adventurers reached legendary status through sheer power, fabricating such strength was impossible. If someone could wield 5th-tier magic, they either had the talent for it or immense experience—both of which could not be faked. Furthermore, his Adamantite rank was granted by the Adventurer's Guild, and no noble would dare to challenge its credibility without concrete proof. The moment Blue Rose vouched for him, his power became undeniable.
Moreover, the kingdom had long been aware of monsters in the Forest of Tob. Reports of a demonic fog and powerful magic surging in the area had already spread. Seeing Kael return unscathed only confirmed that he had been involved. Some nobles speculated about his origins, but none dared to challenge his legitimacy.
Kael's new residence was extravagant, as expected of noble property. But as he entered, he noticed something unusual—a presence that did not belong. His gaze turned toward a dimly lit corner, where a metal cage stood.
Inside, a young woman with golden hair and bruised skin shivered, her torn clothes barely covering her. She looked at him with vacant, defeated eyes. She was beautiful, despite her disheveled state, but the moment she saw him, her expression darkened.
"So... it's my turn?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Kael understood immediately. This woman had been captured and prepared as some noble's plaything. Her fate had changed the moment he took ownership of the mansion.
"Name?" Kael's voice was indifferent.
The woman hesitated, then muttered, "...Tsuare."
The name triggered recognition in Kael's mind. In the original timeline, she had been saved by Sebas, the butler of Nazarick. But now, her fate was his to decide.
"You are free now," Kael stated simply.
Tsuare flinched, not daring to believe it. But then Kael activated **Devil's Contract**, his newly acquired skill.
"You wish for freedom?" His voice carried a strange weight.
Tsuare nodded hesitantly.
"Then I will grant it to you. But in return, your soul is mine."
Before she could react, the contract sealed itself. The energy of the spell wrapped around her, binding her fate to Kael. Unlike other contracts, this one did not make her a slave—it simply ensured that her life now belonged to him. However, the transaction had a loophole.
"I will take your body for freedom," Kael clarified, "and return it to you. You are no longer a slave. You will be my maid, if you wish to stay."
Tsuare collapsed to the ground, her body trembling. The weight of her fate had shifted so suddenly that she couldn't process it. But she was free.
"Y-Yes... I'll serve," she whispered, tears falling from her eyes.
Kael gave a simple nod and turned away. His business here was done.
Returning to his room, Kael finally had time to check his system. His recent battles and lottery draws had left him with a substantial amount of EXP. He was eager to plan his next steps carefully.
But just as he opened the system interface, a knock echoed from the door.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Who dares disturb me now?"