Chapter 29: Adden's Hospital
August 31st, Rune Era, Year 1420.
9:00 a.m.
A teenage boy slowly opened his eyes. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting soft patterns on the white walls of the hospital room. Every breath reminded him of the stitches across his chest, the marks of the wounds he had inflicted on himself.
His mind was hazy, dulled by the lingering effects of the paralysis potion. Taking a deep breath, he braced himself. He had a role to play—and he couldn't afford to falter.
A gentle knock sounded at the door. A middle-aged nurse stepped in, her kind eyes and warm smile immediately putting him slightly at ease. In her left hand, she carried a newspaper.
"Good morning," she said, placing the paper on the table. "You're in the headlines today, boy."
Raven blinked slowly, feigning confusion.
The nurse set down a stethoscope, checking his pulse, then took his temperature and noted it carefully on a clipboard. "How are you feeling?"
"Where… where am I?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
"You're in Adden's Hospital," she replied, her tone gentle. "You've been through a lot, but you're safe now."
His brow furrowed as fragments of memories teased the edges of his mind. "I… I don't remember what happened."
"You were found injured in an underground basement," she explained. "The investigation suggests you were kidnapped six months ago and tortured. Because of your family background, the news spread fast. The police brought you here after rescuing you. Do you remember your name?"
He shook his head. "No… I can't remember anything."
A shiver ran down his spine as he tried to recall, fragments of fear surfacing. "B-but… I vaguely remember a horrible place."
The nurse nodded sympathetically. "It's normal. Trauma like this can affect memory. Take your time. It'll come back eventually."
Raven's eyes drifted around the room. It was small but comfortable, clearly prepared for VIP patients. Fresh flowers rested in a vase on the bedside table, and the window overlooked a quiet garden.
"You'll be alright," the nurse continued, adjusting the blanket around him. "Doctors will be in soon to check on your progress."
She left, and silence settled.
[You're doing well,] Zera whispered in his mind.
'I know,' he thought silently. 'I just need to stay focused.'
The door opened again. A lean man in a dark green suit stepped inside. His graying hair and calm authority immediately marked him as someone important. Raven recognized him instantly.
"Good morning," the man said. "I'm Head Constable Kyler. Glad to see you awake."
Raven nodded cautiously, keeping up his act. "Hello, sir. The nurse said you found me in a basement… but I don't remember anything."
Kyler studied him. "Not unusual. Trauma can erase memories temporarily. The important thing is you're safe now."
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate what you've done."
Kyler pulled up a chair beside the bed. "I'd like to ask a few questions if you can. Anything you remember could help us piece together what happened."
Raven took a careful breath, keeping his face neutral. "I wish I could help… it's all blurry. I woke up here, and everything before that is blank."
"That's fine. We'll take it slow." Kyler's eyes never left him. "Do you remember your name or where you're from?"
Raven hesitated, then shook his head. "No… it's like a fog."
Kyler nodded, jotting notes on his pad. "Don't worry. Doctors are monitoring you closely, and we have the best specialists in the Borough."
Raven managed a small nod. "I'll do my best to remember."
Kyler rose, pausing at the door. "If anything comes back to you, no matter how small, tell the nurses. We're here to help you, Thomas."
Raven forced a faint smile as Kyler left.
'I wonder how long they'll keep me here,' he muttered.
[More than a week,] Zera answered.
With nothing else to do, Raven picked up the newspaper. The front page showed a photo of him being carried into the hospital by police officers.
'When did they even take this?'
The headline read:
"Legacy News! Breaking! Heir to the Holmes Family Discovered! After a six-month investigation, Inspector Bennett and his team uncovered a lead on the whereabouts of the young noble and acted immediately. Police mobilized all officers from RA-02 Station and raided Steel Mill Road. While the leader and deputy of the Gold Thieves escaped, over a hundred gang members were arrested. Evidence links the Gold Thieves to the 'Vipers' and the illegal production of magical drugs…"
'So Inspector Bennett became the hero, huh,' Raven muttered.
Flipping the page, he found news about the Western Fortress, the Crown Prince, and Giaris City. One article caught his attention:
"Council of Spade Meeting Postponed! The kidnapping of the young Fallen Noble has delayed the meeting to November 12th. Rumors circulate that the 12 Head Councilmen may revoke the Holmes Family membership. Will the family be demoted from Fallen Noble to Commoner Household?"
Raven frowned. 'Is it easy to demote a Fallen Noble to a commoner?'
[Impossible without an imperial decree, lad. Most likely, they'll isolate the family, slowly removing influence until it fades. A house without support becomes a shadow of its former self.]
Raven continued reading: critiques of Count Andres, the Vega Empire envoy visit, and speculations about the Sword Princess. He sighed. Things were moving faster than expected.
He closed the newspaper and leaned back, letting the morning sunlight warm him.
…
For the next week, Raven underwent multiple checkups. Reporters, officers, and neighbors visited. He slowly let fragments of his memory resurface, careful never to reveal the underground basement events.
September 7th, 1420.
"You're free to go, Thomas. No need to worry about hospital bills—Lord Count has taken care of them." Kyler said, standing by the bed.
Raven looked down at his scarred chest, then carefully stepped off the bed. "Thank you, Sir Kyler. I may not remember everything yet, but I will find out eventually."
Kyler placed a stack of papers on the table. "Birth certificate, Warrant of Precedence, Council Membership Card, and Baptism Certificate. I retrieved most from your house, but your birth certificate had to be reissued by the administration office. Thanks to your status, it was easier than usual."
Raven picked up the papers, scanning through them.
Kyler placed a small leather pouch on the table. "Compensation from the Count: fifty gold coins."
Raven ignored the coins, focusing instead on the documents. "What about legal property—Chateau Holmes Wine Factory, the mansion, and other stores?"
"All assets are under your father's name. He made a will right after your birth, stored in the Royal Bank with two executors. Once you present the approval letters and your birth certificate, you can inherit everything. The executors' identities are only revealed when you retrieve the will."
Raven nodded. 'So complicated… but it makes sense.'
He folded the papers neatly and prepared to leave, the weight of the Holmes Family legacy slowly settling on his shoulders.
"If you need help, come to RA-02 Police Station and ask for me. I'll do my best to help you, kid," Kyler said solemnly.
"Okay." Raven nodded quietly and picked up the leather pouch. He organized the documents, the pouch, and the tablets in a separate Gladstone bag, holding it firmly as he turned toward the exit.
"Do you want me to accompany you to Bristol Street?" Kyler asked, concern flashing in his eyes.
"No, sir. I have other plans before going home," Raven replied. After a brief pause, he asked, "Do you know where the Giaris Mercenary Guild is located?"
Kyler's eyes widened. "Don't tell me you plan on hiring a mercenary squad to protect yourself?"
"I'm powerless in the eyes of other nobles, Sir Kyler. I need a strong team to protect myself and my property. I can't risk being kidnapped again." Raven's voice carried a hint of worry.
Kyler studied him for a moment, then nodded in approval. "Then head to Halberd Alley in Eastmine Borough. Look for Jose at the guild and mention my name. He'll help you get acquainted with the Sepoy Mercenaries. They were originally a Guard and Reconnaissance Unit of the Red Sepoys Army with a high reputation, but after a conflict with the vice-commander, they became private mercenaries. Their leader is a Peak Rank Radiant Walker with a Type-U Aether Rifle. With him on your side, even an Expert Walker will think twice before trying to capture you."
"Type-U Aether Rifle? Expert Walker?" Raven tilted his head, confused.
Kyler chuckled. "Ah, I forgot. You lost your memories. The Type-U Aether Rifle is an Uncommon weapon, capable of killing a Radiant Walker in one shot. Rumor has it Jacob even wounded an Expert Walker during a mission in the Shadow Nation, earning the title 'Scarlet Wolf.'" He paused. "But hiring them even for a month will cost more than a thousand gold coins."
Raven nodded. "Expensive… but I'll find a way to get the money."
"You can check your family account at Zenith Royal Bank. Some funds should still be there," Kyler added.
Raven thanked the constable quietly and left the hospital. Outside, a four-wheeled hackney carriage waited across the street. He raised his hand, and the driver quickly noticed, turning the carriage toward him.
"Halberd Alley, Eastmine," Raven instructed.
"That'll be three silvers, sir," the driver replied.
"Quite expensive," Raven muttered. As he reached for the money, he froze.
'Oh no… Thomas' corpse is still in my inventory,' he realized.
"Do you have some water?" he asked.
"There's a leather water pouch in the carriage," the driver answered.
Raven stepped in and washed his hands and the coins, making sure everything was clean.
[The corpse won't rot inside the inventory, but it's safer to dispose of it in a forest or woodland,] Zera advised.
Raven nodded, patient as the carriage weaved through the busy streets of Giaris City. Over an hour later, they arrived at Halberd Alley.
The Giaris Mercenary Guild was imposing. Dark stone walls rose high, narrow windows punctuating the façade. A massive wooden door reinforced with iron bands bore the guild emblem—a pair of crossed swords behind a shield. Two guards, rifles in hand, flanked the entrance.
Raven paid the three silvers and climbed the Perron staircase. The guards watched him warily but let him pass.
Inside, the guild's main hall was alive with activity. High vaulted ceilings and tapestries depicting battles lent it grandeur. The smell of burning wood filled the air. Mercenaries crowded long tables, discussing contracts and swapping stories.
Raven scanned the room and spotted a group he assumed could point him to Jose. He approached and asked above the din, "Excuse me, I'm looking for Jose. Can you tell me where to find him?"
A burly man with a thick beard nodded toward a side door. "He's in the back office, dealing with contracts. Knock, and he'll let you in."
Raven thanked him and approached the door. Taking a deep breath, he knocked.
"Come in," a deep voice called.
The office was cluttered with papers, maps, and a large wooden desk. Behind it sat a man in his forties, rugged, with sharp eyes and gray-streaked hair—Jose.
"Who are you?" Jose asked, motioning for him to sit.
"Head Constable Kyler told me to come," Raven replied, placing his Gladstone bag carefully on the floor. "I need to hire a mercenary squad for protection. Kyler suggested the Sepoy Mercenaries."
Jose leaned back, evaluating him. "The Sepoy Mercenaries, huh? Experienced and well-equipped… but not cheap. Are you ready for the cost?" His gaze lingered on Raven's worn shirt.
Raven smiled awkwardly. "Oh… I'm Thomas Holmes, the one in the news last week."
Jose's eyes widened. "Ah! No wonder you looked familiar. How are you now? I read you lost some memories."
"Some memories are still blurry, but I recall familiar faces. I need strong protection urgently," Raven said firmly.
Jose nodded. "With your household's wealth in the Royal Bank, hiring them for a year won't be a problem."
Raven was startled. 'How does he know my exact funds?'
"Oh! After you disappeared for six months, the Council of Spade submitted your death certificate to Zenith Royal Bank and requested a public announcement of your family's property," Jose explained, pulling a newspaper from a cupboard. "Legacy News, July 28th… see the seventh page, left corner."
Raven flipped to the page.
**"Holmes Household properties are going to be auctioned! Council Leader announces: proceeds to be used for orphans' education. Holmes Household's net worth:
Savings: 12,340 Gold CoinsChâteau Holmes Wine Factory: 280,000–350,000 Gold CoinsMansion: 13,000–16,000 Gold CoinsHolmes Apothecary: 8,000 Gold CoinsThomas Book Emporium: 7,000 Gold CoinsVelvet Millinery: 11,000 Gold CoinsDorthey's Confectionery: 7,500 Gold CoinsAbandoned Azmar Town: To be assigned by the Royal Family."**
Jose leaned forward. "An abandoned town alone is worth millions. Your return ruined their secret plan."
Raven's mind went blank. Why kidnap Thomas instead of killing him? Why torture him? He decided to find out slowly.
"My decision to come here was right. I want a long-term contract with the Sepoy Mercenaries," Raven said firmly.
"How long?" Jose asked.
"One year. Have them come to Holmes Mansion for negotiations."
"I'll notify Jacob when he returns," Jose replied, noting it in his ledger.
Raven paused, then added, "I also need reliable servants and a butler. My staff either died or vanished, and I need help managing the house."
Jose nodded. "Post a notice at the Giaris Employment Office. Some may hesitate due to the kidnapping, but a good salary will attract capable candidates."
Raven nodded, a plan forming in his mind. His first steps toward reclaiming his family's strength were underway.