The Lord’s Estate

After waiting in the reception parlor for a brief moment, a man in his mid-forties stepped into the room.

“I am terribly sorry to have kept you waiting.”

As Vim and his companions began to push themselves up from the sofa to greet him—

“No, no, please stay seated.”

Raising a hand to gently wave them back down, the man seated himself on the sofa directly opposite Vim.

“I am Bernd, a Viscounts by rank. His Majesty the King has entrusted the governance of this city of Heim to my care.” Delivering his introduction, he offered a polite, casual bow.

“I am Vim Arbel. I operate as an S-rank adventurer.”

“I am fully aware of your identity. Reports of your magnificent exploits have reached my ears through various channels. What specific business brings you to Heim?”

“We have arrived to handle the initial investigation of the newly discovered dungeon. I intend to plunge into the site starting tomorrow.”

Vim resolved to report straight to the local Heim guild branch first thing in the morning to present his credentials and secure his formal transit permit.

“Ah, the site that was recently mapped out with an estimated rating of S-class, correct? I calculate that offering safety warnings to someone of your caliber is a completely redundant exercise, but please, ensure you maintain absolute vigilance.”

It was a concrete fact that for any ordinary vanguard unit, merely stepping inside the perimeter of an estimated S-class dungeon would inflict a wave of vertigo from sheer terror.

“Thank you very much for your concern.”

“By the way… have you already secured accommodations for your stay tonight?”

“No, we haven’t selected an establishment just yet.” Vim had intended to simply scout out a decent local inn upon concluding his visit.

“In that case, you should lodge right here at my estate. I possess an abundance of vacant guest rooms, and it will provide a magnificent window of opportunity to introduce you to my wife.”

“If that is the case, I shall gladly accept your generous hospitality.” It would be highly unrefined to unthinkingly brush aside such a well-intentioned offer, after all.

“Excellent. I shall have the quarters prepped immediately.” Viscount Bernd issued the directional orders to an attendant.

A short while later, the attendant returned to the parlor.

“Thank you for your patience, sirs. The guest quarters have been fully prepared.”

“Show them to their rooms.”

“Understood, my Lord. Right this way, please.”

Moving as a unit, Vim and his companions followed closely behind the attendant as they navigated the interior corridors of the sprawling mansion.

After a brief walk, they were guided into a grand sector reserved strictly for high-profile guests.

“Please utilize these quarters completely at your leisure. Should you encounter a single inconvenience, please notify the staff immediately. I shall return to escort you the exact split second dinner is served.”

“Thank you very much.”

Securing the instructions, Vim and the others stepped into their respective assigned quarters. The space was undeniably a textbook luxury suite tailored for visiting nobles and wealthy merchant lords. Exquisite, high-end furnishings lined the walls, and anchoring the center of a room so incredibly spacious that a single person felt entirely dwarfed by the scale was a magnificent four-poster canopy bed.

“Well now, I suppose I’ll just stretch out for a bit.”

Unbooting his feet, Vim collapsed onto the mattress. Having already indulged in a significant midday nap during the carriage ride, drowsiness completely eluded his mind, but merely lying flat did wonders to soothe his physical frame.

After lounging for a brief moment, Vim stepped over to the window to gaze out at the landscape below. A steady stream of citizens clad in distinct adventurer armaments continuously traversed the streets. It truly lives up to its name as the City of Adventurers, he mused. Still, this kind of view isn’t a bad feeling at all.

“I need to ensure I exert every ounce of my strength out there tomorrow as well.”

Anchoring that fierce determination in his heart, Vim pulled his gaze away from the glass window. The exact fraction of a second he did, a polite knock vibrated against the door.

“Dinner has been fully prepared, my Lord. I have arrived to escort you to the dining hall.”

“Understood. I’ll be right out.”

Re-booting his feet, Vim stepped across the threshold and exited the room.