Chapter 82: Return to Giaris
After leaving Grass Villa, Raven returned to the Rosehall Inn and sank into deep thought.
[What's on your mind, kid?] Zera asked.
'What happens to the knights if I die in the war?' Raven thought grimly. 'What about Aunt Shirley? What about my sister? Is she safe in the palace… or suffering?'
He clenched his fists. Even with Runeth's memories, fear clawed inside him—fear born from still being a child.
[You're not a Legendary Wizard who can shield an Empire. Stop worrying about what you can't do.]
Zera's tone was calm, firm.
[If you want to protect them, then get strong. Stronger than anyone. Strong enough to end the war with a gesture.]
The anxiety in Raven's chest loosened. He exhaled slowly.
'One step at a time, huh?'
He rested for the night.
…
Dawn came. Raven mounted his warhorse and left Ythendale. Three hours later, Azmar Town came into view.
Before the gate, Quincy, Marcellus, Reece, Leona, Felicity, and the young knights were gathered—armed and ready for battle.
"What happened?" Raven asked as he dismounted.
"Reece found a large Orc settlement to the southeast, My Lord," Marcellus reported. "We're heading out to subdue it."
"Need a hand?" Raven asked lightly.
"I don't think it will be necessary," Marcellus replied with a faint smile. "We're using this chance to train the young ones."
Quincy and the others nodded.
"That's good," Raven said. "Sir Marcellus, please oversee the town while I'm gone. I'll be leaving for a short while."
"Will you be all right on your own, My Lord?" Marcellus asked.
Raven smiled faintly.
Only then did Marcellus process—this young man had walked into a Necromancer's den and returned alive.
"I was worrying for nothing," Marcellus chuckled. "Return safely, My Lord."
The knights waved as Raven departed again.
He didn't linger. Stopping only when necessary, he reached Giaris City by nightfall and returned to the Holmes Mansion on Bristol Street.
Rebecca and Jacob hurried to meet him.
"My Lord—Azmar?" Jacob asked quickly.
"Nothing major," Raven said as he entered. "Marcellus and the Sepoys are training the young recruits using nearby monster settlements."
Stephanie came forward to greet him. Her hands showed faint wrinkles now—reminders of mortality that Walkers rarely thought about.
She's getting old… Raven thought quietly.
He'd never asked about her life directly, but he knew she had a family. Two children—likely teenagers now, studying at the Knights Academy. Her husband, once jobless, now ran a small shop on Market Street.
"Stephanie," Raven said suddenly, "when Azmar Town is rebuilt, I want you and your family to move there. I'll allocate five acres of land to you and build a house. Will you come?"
Stephanie froze.
"I'd love to, My Lord… but my family must stay here for now," she said, voice soft with hesitation. "My husband's shop is finally making profit, and my children's schooling depends on staying in Giaris. I'm… truly sorry."
Raven didn't look disappointed. "That's fine, Stephanie. I understand."
He continued calmly, "But the land and house will still be yours. Whether you move or not, everything will be registered under your name."
Stephanie's eyes widened, trembling.
"My Lord… I—"
"No need," Raven said gently. "You've been with me through everything. This is the least I can do."
He turned toward Rebecca.
"Rebecca, prepare the documents. Five acres on the northeastern edge of Azmar Town—under Stephanie's name. Make sure it's registered properly."
Rebecca nodded. "I'll take care of it tomorrow, My Lord."
"Good."
Raven turned back to Stephanie with a soft smile. "Even if you don't live there, consider it your second home."
Stephanie bowed deeply, eyes shimmering. "Thank you, My Lord. Truly… thank you."
Raven stepped back, letting her gather herself, then shifted to his next concern.
"Rebecca," he said, voice becoming serious, "have the families of the missing victims arrived?"
Rebecca picked up a folder, expression tightening.
"Yes. So far, thirty families have come forward. We believe the rest might be from villages around the county. We're still investigating."
Raven nodded silently.
"Double-check their identities. Once confirmed, compensate the families with one acre of land each. That's the best I can offer for now."
Even Jacob blinked in shock.
One acre in Azmar might not seem valuable, but it could easily fetch forty gold coins—an amount many villagers would never see in a lifetime.
"Register the land under each family head's name and provide official documents," Raven said, waving a hand dismissively. "Whether they move there or sell it is their choice."
Rebecca nodded quickly.
Before she could leave, Raven added, "Also, inform Sir Luke of my arrival. Tell him I want to discuss the road construction project."
"Yes, My Lord."
Raven headed upstairs to rest.
…
The Next Morning
Raven rose early and rode toward the Zenith Royal Bank in southern Giaris.
The white-marble structure stood proudly under the morning sun, its arched windows gleaming. Red-uniformed guards saluted him as he entered.
Inside, clerks and noble clients bustled through the hall. One clerk recognized him instantly and escorted him upstairs.
Raven entered a tidy, ledger-filled office where a familiar man stood behind an oak desk.
The middle-aged banker looked up, smiled warmly, and stood.
"Lord Raven!" he greeted. Raven glanced at the nameplate.
Jack.
"It's been a while," Jack said, shaking his hand. "And congratulations on reclaiming Azmar Town. Quite a sensational accomplishment!"
"Thank you, Officer Jack."
Jack motioned for him to sit. "I also have a message for you. Once Azmar is rebuilt, the higher-ups are considering opening a Royal Bank branch there. Discussions have already begun."
"That would accelerate the town's development," Raven replied. "I'll speak with Count Andres when the time comes."
Jack nodded, satisfied.
Raven leaned forward. "But I'm here for a transaction. Using the VIP account."
"Of course. What amount do you wish to withdraw?"
"One million gold coins."
Jack froze. "…Pardon?"
"One million," Raven repeated calmly. "In platinum."
Jack excused himself so fast he nearly stumbled.
A few minutes later, he returned with the bank manager and several senior officers, all maintaining stiff professionalism despite visible anxiety.
It took an hour of verification before ten thousand platinum coins—packed in rune-sealed chests—were presented before Raven. The bank manager personally handed him the receipt, still sweating lightly.
"Please return anytime, Lord Raven," the manager said.
Raven nodded and left the bank.
Next, he made his way to the Mercenary Guild. Behind the counter stood a familiar man with sharp brows and olive-toned skin.
Jose.
"I never expected you to rise this quickly," Jose said with a grin. "Congratulations, Lord Holmes."
"Without the Sepoy Mercenaries, none of this would've been possible. I still owe you for recommending them."
"I didn't," Jose laughed. "Kyler did."
Raven smiled faintly. "True. How is Head Constable Kyle?"
Jose's expression turned fond. "Recovering from an injury. He tried to chase down some thugs and broke a rib. Doctors say he'll be walking in a week."
"I'm glad he's healing. I made a promise." Raven's tone sharpened with resolve. "Once Azmar is rebuilt, I'll ask Count Andres to establish a proper police station there. I want Kyle to supervise it."
Jose blinked. "I didn't expect you to remember that promise."
"I keep my word."
Jose chuckled. "I suppose I should start calling you 'Lord' now."
Raven shook his head. "My offer still stands. If the Mercenary Guild plans to open a branch in Azmar, come help me build it."
"Tempting," Jose smirked. "I'll speak to the Guild Leader."
Raven didn't linger and soon departed.
It was nearly ten in the morning when he returned to the Holmes Mansion. In the second meeting room, Luke—the owner of Lucas Company—waited with a straight posture.
"My Lord," he said respectfully, standing.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Raven replied as he sat. "Let's get to business. I've received Baroness Elara's approval. You may begin constructing the cobblestone road from Ythendale to Azmar."
Luke's eyes brightened. "That's excellent news. I've already sent men to survey the terrain."
Raven produced a gold card from his spatial ring.
"Baroness Elara advised me to visit the Parish Trade Guild using this house seal. They'll help us hire additional workers."
Luke's reaction was immediate—shock mixed with excitement.
"If we bring the Parish Guild into the project, manpower will never be an issue!"
"Good," Raven said. "I want the road done within three months. Town walls and housing within a year. I will fund the entire project personally—but I expect results."
Luke straightened proudly. "You have my word. I'll mobilize my best workers. Once completed, the road will last generations."
"Also," Raven added, tapping the table, "establish resting posts every ten kilometers. Travelers need safety."
"Understood."
They discussed labor quotas, budget divisions, and terrain challenges for over two hours.
In the end, Raven handed Luke half the amount needed to start construction and ordered him to begin immediately.
After Luke left the mansion, Raven had lunch with Rebecca and Jacob.
The dining room was quiet at first—only the soft clink of cutlery and the warm aroma of rosemary stew filled the air.
Rebecca kept stealing glances at him. She could sense something weighing on his mind.
"You look like you're preparing for something, my lord," she finally said, setting down her fork.
"Is there trouble?"
Raven shook his head. "Not trouble—just something I need to handle myself."
Jacob leaned forward, concern tightening his features. "Are you going somewhere, my lord?"
"I'll be gone for a while," Raven answered calmly. "A month or two at most. There are matters in Bloodstone City that require my attention."
"Please be careful, my lord," Jacob murmured, remembering their last ambush in Bloodstone City.
Raven smiled faintly. "I will. And I'm not the same person I was back then."
Jacob didn't question him further. He understood—Raven was stronger, wiser, and far more dangerous than before.
They finished eating, washed their hands, and headed to the main hall.
As they walked, Raven suddenly spoke.
"Once the road construction is finished, tell Luke to start on the town walls immediately." He placed half the platinum he had withdrawn into Jacob's hands.
Then he turned to Rebecca.
"Send a letter to the mining inspector. Ask them to investigate the nearby mountains for gold deposits. Old documents mention a quartz-rich mountain deep inside the Azmar Forest. There were traces of gold in riverbeds too, but mining was abandoned because of monsters."
He paused briefly.
"With our current strength, we can clear the monsters and secure the area."
"Yes, my lord," Rebecca replied.
"By royal prerogative, gold, silver, and platinum belong to the Crown," Raven continued. "But with a license and a Royal-appointed commissioner, we can earn a fixed percentage from any extracted gold."
Jacob nodded. "I heard a Count partnered with the Royal Chartered Clever Gold Company and earned up to twenty-five percent of the refined value."
"The Chartered companies won't even look our way until we build proper roads," Raven said. "Better to retain mining rights ourselves and pay an annual fee. We could earn up to thirty percent."
The risk, of course, was that the blame for any accident would fall entirely on the mine owner.
"First, confirm the size of the deposit. We'll talk mining methods later," Raven said.
Another thought struck him.
"Visit the Administrative Department when you can and ask about reopening the Wine Factory. I need someone dependable to manage everything."
He also knew Holmes Apothecary, Thomas Book Emporium, The Velvet Millinery, and Dorthey's Confectionery were barely operational.
"Why not sell those properties?" Jacob asked.
Rebecca shook her head. "That would be foolish. We need more revenue-generating assets, not fewer."
Raven silently agreed.
He needed an information network. He could rely on the Velvet Eclipse for now, but not forever.
"Let's create a guild," he said suddenly.
"Guild?" Jacob blinked.
"Yes. A guild similar to the one Franco works for. Many guilds use inns, hotels, and shops as information points. We can do the same."
"An information guild?" Rebecca nodded thoughtfully. "That could work."
"But we can't let just anyone join," Jacob warned. "They'd need years of training. Have you heard of the Cloaks Organization?"
"Archduke Jose's network," Raven replied. "I heard their agents commit suicide if caught."
Jacob nodded. "Archduke Jose trained children from a young age. Some became assassins. The Cloaks operate across the entire Ivory Continent. Creating something similar would require massive resources."
Raven understood.
He needed talent—and the best way to gather it was to create orphanages in multiple towns. That way, he could train and raise people properly.
He thought for a moment and said, "Reopen the factory and start hiring employees. Also hire educated people to manage the shops. Let Stephanie oversee everything. Once you're done, return to Azmar quickly."
"Yes, my lord," both replied.
Raven waved them off and headed toward the staircase.
He changed into his travel attire: a high-collared black coat with silver trim. After dressing, he placed a hand on his face.
His features shifted—rounder cheeks, longer black hair, deep blue eyes, and a thin vertical line across his forehead.
"I should go now," he murmured, placing a bowler hat on his head.
His body dissolved into a streak of shadow.
A breath later, he materialized outside the mansion and began walking down Bristol Road.
He moved through the main avenue toward the southern borough, where the train station stood.
The platform was crowded—merchants with crates, travelers with luggage, and a few nobles with servants trailing behind.
Raven purchased a first-class ticket to Bloodstone City. The journey would take three days by rail.
As the iron train groaned to life, steam hissing from its pistons, Raven boarded and settled by the window. The seat was upholstered in deep green velvet, and a small folding desk was in front of him.
…