Silas, Thalya and Bedelia were standing at the door, I took a while, but I invited the three of them to come in.
Thalya and Bedelia sat on my bed and Silas sat on a chair near a table, which was next to Jasly's bed.
"I see that you are well," Silas said, he was different. Bedelia was looking at him, it was as if she expected him to say something, but Silas would not speak without stalling a little first.
We caught up and updated each other with the latest events, it took many minutes, or maybe hours. Time passed quickly, Silas was really different, he seemed hesitant.
"He arranged a duel for you," Bedelia was brief, but she said everything Silas wanted to say.
"Yes, that's it, I'll set the day. It will be good for you to show what you are capable of, people need to see your strength."
Jasly laughed, Thalya was worried and Bedelia was indifferent.
So that was it, Silas and the others left.
"What a brief visit," Jasly said.
"Yes, but I think that's just their way."
"Bedelia wouldn't stop looking at you, I think she misses mistreating you."
"Please, I don't even want to think about that."
I went back to my sleep, when I woke up I went back to preparing more salt, I was tired of it, but I wanted that sword. It was beautiful and the name was very familiar, it was as if I had heard it before, but my memory wasn't that good.
The Capital was noisy, you could hear many people shouting in the streets, the bodies of the monsters had not yet been completely collected, there were too many of them. I felt this would hurt the price of meat, there would be a lot of supply and perhaps little demand, luckily we managed to sell all the meat before a possible drop in price.
This went against the forecast, with all the monsters slain, there would certainly be meat for many months. After some time I began to understand, with the excess of meat there would be fewer people hunting, with that food would decrease and they would have to return to the hunts. But still it wasn't certain if that was it, because it still seemed confusing and at the same time easy to solve.
I stopped thinking about it when I realized I already had enough salt, but I should wait until the next day to sell it.
The nights in the Capital were lively, there was always a place to go, you just had to know what you wanted, but not that night. Everything was in chaos, the inn's restaurant was empty, almost all the guests had left for another place.
I heard some employees saying that in other places it was the same, people were in their homes, only adventurers and guards were in the streets.
The attack was unpredictable on many levels. No one expected a surprise attack in the Capital, not even the royal guards expected something like that, since, to reach the Capital, it was necessary to pass through other cities. It was possible to reach the Capital unnoticed, but not with that exaggerated number of monsters.
Besides, the Kingdom lived in peace with neighboring countries, even bordering three other countries, none were at war, which was rare.
Verdania was a very rich and very strong country, that ensured other countries thought twice before starting a war.
Attacking a rich country is very good, if you manage to defeat it. But attacking a rich country that is also very strong is always a terrible idea. Besides, the nobles had factions that always conspired to keep the peace, it was strange, but the old King managed to use a group that was created to usurp the throne to keep himself in power. No one knew exactly what was done, but the nobles always joined forces to ensure everything remained as it was.
Several guards were escorting a noble, the noble's presence was intimidating, he was certainly strong, the escort seemed just a mere detail. He was heading toward the northern gates.
"Looks like there's nothing we can do to pass the time, what's left is to stay in the room," Jasly said.
She was right, the attack had managed to shake the whole city.
The next day I was ready to go to the black market, the streets were still full of adventurers and guards, it seemed that security had been reinforced, at least that's what it looked like.
Jasly wanted to come with me, I didn't complain, in fact it was good to have company in a place like that.
The merchant was sitting in front of the shop, he looked calm, as if the events hadn't bothered him.
"I brought what you asked for," I said as I approached him.
"That's good, come in."
"Put it on the floor," he said while looking for the saleswoman, he had asked her to stay in front of the shop.
I hadn't understood the first time, I thought it was just to always have someone out front, but he didn't want her to see what I was selling. That made sense.
I put all the salt on the floor, it was in a large cotton sack, Baron Hector kept watching, he opened the sack and then tried to carry it, I helped him. He kept thinking for some time.
"Help me put it in that room, please," he said as he pointed.
I put it in the room. He was sitting on a chair while looking for something, he moved through a pile of papers, then opened one of the drawers and took out an envelope.
"I'll get your sword," he stood up and opened the drawer where the sword was kept. "I'll get the sheath," he went to another drawer, searched for the sheath and then handed me both items.
The sword had excellent weight, it felt as if it had been tailor-made, the sheath was also very beautiful, the blue with brown threads made the sword look even better.
"Here is the property title, Evelyn will take you there, from now on it is yours."
The baron handed me the papers, but there was still one detail, he and I needed to sign. We did that and officially I had a house.
Evelyn was Hector's beautiful saleswoman, she took me to the property, the trip was calm and without any conversation. She was quiet.
The house was big, it had a garden and a wall with metal gates. At least ten rooms, it was a perfect mansion. Now I just needed a way to charge the others, I didn't want to take advantage, but I wanted to receive at least some amount from them.
I thought about at least 10 gold coins from each and a usage agreement, where everyone would have equal responsibilities. That was what I thought at the time, I didn't know if it was or wasn't a good idea, but it was what I had, so I wouldn't go back.
Evelyn said goodbye and went back to the shop.
"Are you going to bring the others?"
"Do you think that's bad?"
"No, not at all. I like them, especially Jasmine. I just want to know if you're going to charge them something."
"Is it that obvious that I'll do something like that?"
"Yes, it's written all over your face. You look very much like someone who wouldn't hold back from charging someone. But don't worry, I think it's a good idea, just don't be too greedy or you'll end up driving the others away."
I never worried about money, I always had everything, but I came to this world and lived in a very poor family. That somehow affected me, it was hard to explain and to use it as a justification for wanting more money. So I remained silent.
It was the best I could do not to ruin the friendship.
A loud sound echoed through the city, it was a bell, it was being rung with great intensity, the sound could be heard throughout the Capital, even outside the walls.
Guards ran past, they were heading to the eastern gates, I didn't know what was happening. I stayed by Jasly's side. We decided to return to the inn, since I had forgotten to take the key to the mansion.
Along the way I saw more guards, these were going to the western gates and another group went to the southern gates. The streets were very crowded, adventurers ran and residents entered their homes.
This was certainly an attack, more monsters?
An adventurer recognized me.
"You need to help, go to one of the gates," he said and then ran north.
I put on the adventurer's medal and went to the southern gates, Jasly came with me.
The streets were full of guards and adventurers, some archers were climbing the walls by a ladder. The walls were wide and had a section where you could stand and protect yourself, as well as attack.
The southern walls were almost intact, at least compared to the northern walls which were almost collapsed.
"Mages, climb up and give cover," shouted a general. At least I thought he was a general, his armor was different from the other guards. It had some designs that looked like gold, besides wearing a purple cape.
Another man in golden armor approached the general, he wore a crown, was he the King?
I don't think so, he looked too young, but he was certainly someone of royalty or high nobility.
Jasly and I climbed the walls, I couldn't believe what I saw, at least twice the number of monsters that had attacked the last time.