Chapter 104: Probel and his wolf
— Allow me to introduce our new companion.
— George Gill.
— He came from the west and intends to settle permanently in the City of Distant Wind.
I inclined my head slightly.
— It is a pleasure to meet you all.
The other acolytes responded with polite greetings.
Some showed curiosity.
Others merely studied me discreetly.
It wasn’t difficult to understand why.
A new acolyte appearing in a small city would inevitably disrupt a balance that had remained stable for years.
After the introductions, I approached Lurdot.
I lowered my voice slightly.
— A gathering like this... doesn’t it really cause any problems?
Lurdot smiled calmly.
— Don’t worry.
He took a sip of wine before continuing.
— Probel created a few modified humans.
— Their sense of smell easily surpasses that of hunting dogs.
My gaze became a little more attentive.
Modified humans...
Interesting.
— They noticed our presence a long time ago. Everyone in this city knows the others exist.
Lurdot shrugged.
— We simply avoid talking about it openly.
That made sense.
As long as no one caused trouble, maintaining that silent coexistence was far more advantageous than starting unnecessary conflicts.
It was precisely at that moment that...
— Ah...!~~
A woman’s voice echoed through the wall.
— I’m burning...!~~~~
Soon after, more moans followed.
— More...!~~~~
— Ahh...~~
Silence filled the small room.
Everyone remained motionless for a full second.
Slowly, I turned my face toward Lurdot.
He was already completely red.
Without saying a single word, he quickly raised one of his hands.
Countless particles of energy spread throughout the room.
A translucent barrier covered the entire chamber.
Instantly, the sounds disappeared.
The old man cleared his throat.
— It was... an accident.
His embarrassment was so obvious that I almost felt sorry for him.
I discreetly glanced at the other acolytes.
None of them seemed particularly surprised.
Some simply looked away naturally.
I understood.
An extremely rational voice echoed inside my mind.
Don’t expect too much from them.
They are merely acolytes who gave up on moving forward.
People who traded the pursuit of truth for a comfortable life.
On the surface, however...
I continued smiling as usual.
I spoke politely with everyone.
We discussed many things.
Spell models.
Some ancient theories.
Travel accounts.
Failed experiments.
Even without great expectations, I still managed to obtain some useful information.
Knowledge was never a waste.
...
...
...
When the night finally came to an end, the banquet also concluded.
The carriages slowly began leaving the castle.
.
.
.
.
Probel’s POV
As soon as the last guest left the castle, I walked silently through the lower corridors.
Very few people knew that path.
Behind an old tapestry stood a heavy stone door.
I slowly pushed it open.
The secret chamber was simple.
Several tables.
Maps.
Weapons.
Lit candles.
Someone was already waiting for me there.
Or rather...
Something that could still be called a man.
His face resembled that of a massive wolf.
Black fur covered part of his jaw and cheeks.
His yellow pupils glowed in the dim light.
His sense of smell was far superior to that of any ordinary animal.
I crossed my arms.
— What did you think of him?
The wolf-man remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
— His scent is unusual.
He took a deep breath.
— Iron...
— Metal...
I frowned.
— Did you discover anything else?
He nodded.
— Yes.
— He is extremely young.
That confirmed my own impression.
Such a young acolyte...
It was unusual.
The wolf-man continued.
— He is nothing like the other acolytes in this city.
— The others gave up advancing many years ago.
— They live comfortably.
— That one...
He slowly raised his head.
— He still possesses ambition.
I remained silent.
He continued.
— Perhaps he is a fugitive.
— Perhaps he escaped from some war.
— Perhaps he is hiding another secret.
— Whatever the reason...
— His arrival is not good news.
I looked at the map on the table.
For years, we had kept this city away from conflicts.
I intended to keep it that way.
— Can we eliminate him?
The wolf-man answered immediately.
— Yes.
Then he slowly shook his head.
— But we shouldn’t.
— The other acolytes tolerate our presence because we have never interfered with them directly.
— If a conflict breaks out...
— Everyone will begin to grow suspicious.
— The losses will be far greater than any benefit.
I took a deep breath.
That was exactly what I thought as well.
After a few seconds of silence, I gave my order.
— Do not provoke any of the acolytes.
— Especially George Gill.
— I want to know where he goes.
— Who he visits.
— What he buys.
— What he sells.
— But never interfere directly.
I looked into his eyes.
— Just observe.
He lowered his head slightly.
— Understood.
The next instant, his body vanished into the shadows.
I heard only a single leap.
Then another.
Soon, silence once again dominated the chamber.
.
.
.
.
.
George Gill’s POV - MC
Ever since the banquet held at the castle, my plans had begun to move forward much faster than I had expected.
The newly established friendship with Lurdot proved its true value within the very first few days.
With his help, I secured a loan of six thousand gold coins, enough to purchase the mansion Dormato had found.
The old knight truly had good taste.
The estate was spacious.
It had gardens, a lake, a mill, and enough room to expand my facilities in the future.
Then came the shop.
Dormato found an old apothecary that was about to close its doors.
The location was excellent.
Without hesitation, I took over the establishment.
Thanks to Lurdot’s recommendations...
And to the extremely efficient cooperation of the city lord’s own castle...
All the necessary paperwork was completed within a few days.
Not long after the business began operating, the Biochip detected unfamiliar individuals lingering around both the mansion and the shop.
Always the same faces.
Always discreet.
Always watching.
Spies.
But they posed no immediate threat.
They never tried to infiltrate my staff.
They never interfered with my business.
They merely observed.
They were probably carrying out the orders of some curious individual.
I smiled as I reached that conclusion.
It was exactly what I would have done.
As long as they only watched...
I had no reason to act.
Through Lurdot, I also managed to hire several experienced pharmacists.
As soon as they reached an acceptable standard, I entrusted the entire management of the apothecary to Dormato, Jane, Halen, and Miria.
My time was far too valuable to waste standing behind a counter selling herbs.
My real work took place inside the mansion.
After carrying out numerous renovations, I reserved the largest rooms on the top floor exclusively for myself.
My bedroom and a laboratory filled with machinery.
Before even beginning any research, I inscribed several detection spells I had learned at Arcangrove Tower.
Any attempt at intrusion would be detected immediately.
Then I gathered all of my subordinates.
My voice was firm.
— Without my authorization...
— No one enters those rooms.
Not even Jane questioned the order.
Kant and Tinod were assigned to permanently guard the entrance to the third floor.
Meanwhile, Larsy and his mercenaries organized constant shifts to protect both the mansion and the shop.
I also announced a reward that completely transformed their attitude.
After three years of exemplary service...
Any loyal man could receive a small plot of land from my estates.
In addition...
The most capable among them could establish permanent residence there with their families.
To nobles, that might have seemed insignificant.
To mercenaries and farmers...
It was an opportunity capable of completely changing their lives.
I began observing everything through the laboratory windows.
Men working.
Fields being organized.
Buildings being renovated.
People beginning to treat that place as a true home.
Meanwhile...
I hardly ever left.
Except for occasional visits to Lurdot’s residence, I remained shut inside.
As the months passed, a curious rumor began spreading throughout the City of Distant Wind.
People said that the new owner of the apothecary was a remarkably polite young nobleman...
Generous toward his employees...
And far too lazy to show up at his own shop.
...
1341 Words