The calm sounds of the carriage wheels followed their course as the birds chirped in symphony, various flocks flew by in migration across the skies while the sun radiated over the landscape. Few tis had I had the chance to see myself in these scenes; I had always been sheltered from the whole world while growing up being trained. Monts like these were comforting to my weary heart.
Naturally, I would think of many ways to return to my previous position, but now I just wanted to stay here, not caring about anything, contemplating the graceful landscape of nature around .
The tranquility was lovely, but my chest still hinted at my duties. I wished to have the chance to enjoy everything like a love-struck maiden, or rather, pretend to be one.
"We're arriving," I heard Simon say, looking out of the carriage window, and I did the sa.
Huge, that would be the only description I could give. An entire city, or rather, an imperial capital. Castles and large buildings, very well structured like in fairy tales and dieval RPGs, with wooden structures mixed with bricks, concrete, and the like. Beautiful despite being out of fashion, well-maintained and practically intact.
"It's beautiful," I said aloud, letting my thoughts flow, and Simon agreed. Velryna, who was peacefully sleeping, began to awaken as I admired the scenery.
I had seen many scenes like this before. The city of Kryoris itself was sothing impeccable, especially during the festival. But seeing sothing like this again after ten years, seeing only emptiness while being aware of everything that was happening... it was refreshing for my soul.
The carriage moved for another ten minutes and finally, we reached the main entrance. I saw so of the knights going ahead, probably to declare our passage. As a Princess, Velryna had free access to all places, regardless of who accompanied her. Fortunately, this turned out to be true with the entrance knights letting our carriage pass without any inspection. It was reassuring.
Knowing my luck, they would probably try to stop even though everything was in order. After all, I am the reincarnation of pure chaos in this world. My karma is almost negative from so much bad stuff that has happened over the years.
"I'll drop you off in front of the old Hellsing headquarters, Sir. Ziriel," Velryna said as the carriage traveled through the empire's brick streets. Not only Velryna ca for the celebration, but all the nobles were summoned. The city itself was in chaos.
"Thank you, it will be of great help," I said, lightly bowing my head. Although I had always learned not to bow, I had given up on that dogma. I am not my mother. This gesture ans nothing to now.
The carriage rode for more than twenty minutes. I saw various interesting things like spice trade, jewelers, hotels, and various other establishnts buying and selling various luxurious materials. It wasn't hard to understand where the capital's inco ca from. The tax was probably high, but the visitor's purchase rate was too high and did not harm the economy.
On the contrary, the Empire was probably one of the places with the highest concentration of capital in the entire kingdom. Although I find it exaggerated, I am wary of so much money in just one place. A place that, with wrong managent, can cause enormous damage. And honestly, despite ten years having passed, I think that coward will destroy this city with his excessive greed and lack of sense.
Unlike Velryna, he lacks the qualities of being a commoner.
"Miss Ziriel, the old Hellsing branch is at the end of that street... we would go there, but... it's a risky place for us, I hope you understand," Velryna said, and I nodded. Unlike the other places, this one seed more... poorly maintained? If I may call it that.
"I'll go to a nearby establishnt near the main square. The building's na is Golden Threads. When you're done with your business here, et us there," Simon said, and I nodded. "Thank you very much, see you soon," I replied and got out of the carriage with a wave.
"Take good care of the Maiden. If I hear that you have failed, I will correct your reins," I said to the knights, and only the captain did not tremble. He just smiled and said, "See you soon, White Dragon," giving a nickna.
"White Dragon in..." I murmured as I walked ahead, leaving them behind. "Isn't it ti for you to show up, lizard?" I said and she appeared flying beside . "I thought you were dead," I said, smiling. It's been a while since this annoying dragoness appeared in my mind to disturb my thoughts.
"Humph, unlike you, I am going through tamorphosis. Soon I will be a living Dragon again," she snorted proudly. She really wanted to feel alive... what nonsense. She's over a million years old and now she acts like a ten-year-old.
"Where are we going?" she questioned. "You can read my mories, I'm sure you know." "Humph, I haven't been doing any of that! I only did it once because I needed to understand you! And even then, I don't understand anything!"
"That's good. I'm so amazing that the old lady over a million years old can't understand . Hahaha, it feels good to be aweso," I said mockingly and looked at the almost red dragon with irritation.
"Hehehe," I laughed like a milf for the first ti. Okay, that was very satisfying. I should use it more from now on!
I continued walking in search of the building of the old Hellsing headquarters. Honestly, I wanted to find soone who knew one of the shadows so I could be faster. Naturally, I wanted to find Aaralyn, the Assassin Shadow. It would be easier to gather information while walking through the Palace corridors.
Fortunately, the wisdom of the won my mother sheltered was limitless and their loyalty, as such. Little did I know, but one of the things I always had total certainty about was that no one around my mother was normal and if she trusted five people to literally live in her shadow, that ans there was no chance of them rebelling and betraying her, so I hope, at least.
I walked and ca across a building, an old construction, sealed with boards over the door. The walls were slightly worn while the paint cracked. The entire facility was completely sealed, as if it were abandoned, sothing I expected, but not to that extent. The red paint on the walls was already in faded orange tones and had no chance of being habitable.
Still, I faced it head-on and knocked on the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
Four well-placed knocks, but no sign of life around. However, I looked at Voralith who nodded. She was using her senses to check if there was anyone around watching , but no, I was alone. It wasn't difficult.
I stepped back a bit and looked around the building, but found nothing. I looked at Voralith and she flew up to the building and looked at . I understood promptly and, using a bit of mana in my feet, propelled myself to the top.
"Well, we have no choice, do we?" Seeing the door ahead on the rooftop, I just kicked it open, facing a completely black circular staircase. If there was blood on the steps, it was clearly a scene of horror that I never wanted to witness.
I descended the stairs slowly, while nullifying my presence. At first, I thought it was impossible to see, but the inside had several gaps between the windows that allowed sunlight to enter. It was a frighteningly strange atmosphere, but I couldn't think about it. My first action was to observe the surroundings.
Unlike common guilds where there is only one main headquarters, Hellsing works with branches. All branches have a chief who reports to the main headquarters directly in the Castle of the Blood Rose, as so call Valentina's castle in Nightsphere. Sothing I naturally discovered over ti was that all guilds have a master room and this would be no different.
I descended to the first floor, the reception, where the mission boards are.
Unfortunately, it was empty. The building as a whole seed like just a haunted house with dust and holes in every corner. The mission boards had so papers still stuck, but ti and dirt had worn out the ink and few things could be read. The humidity in the air may have also caused the ink to fail.
After descending to the first floor, I began to ascend the other two. Usually, the branch is custom-built. The first wing is for non-contracted adventurers to take their missions and sell things to the guild. Then, the second floor cos for all those who are officially contracted to be part of the guild as official servants. They gain titles under Hellsing's private contract jurisdiction.
They are usually above-average Rank A and S individuals, people truly competent for official jobs that the Kingdoms would give, requiring real strength and not exploration groups. And finally, the third floor, where the Guild Manager's room is. He has full permission to contact the headquarters and can hold etings on this floor. He oversees the entire area, and that's where I was headed.
I entered the Guild Manager's room and went straight to his desk, but nothing. All the docunts were gone, as if this place had been completely cleaned. I stopped and thought, what could have happened here? Why would they take such an action?
Creak
I heard the door of the hall opening lightly, but nothing passed through it. I slowly turned and looked again now with all my attention focused, but again nothing.
Creak
I heard it again, but now it was the wooden floor creaking. The sound of the wood was clearly a step. It wouldn't make sense for it not to be.
I remained alert, trying to identify the origin of the sound that seed to slightly change every second, as if there were several invisible people inside the room.
"Voralith," I thought, and the Familiar appeared and surveyed the area for . My magic wouldn't be able to identify soone's presence.
"A presence," she said and when I turned, a blade once again touched my neck. It seems like my neck started to beco quite attractive to the blades of the people around .
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