Chapter 9: The House Where Shadows Are Born

Ada stepped into the Adventurers’ Guild with firm, unshakable strides.

Her armor was dusty.
Her cape, torn.
Her face, streaked with dried sweat.

And yet… she walked like someone who had just etched her name into legend.

She approached the front counter and slammed the mission poster down with authority.

“Asdreus. I’m here to claim what’s mine,” she declared, voice steady.

The elf behind the desk looked up, slowly adjusting his monocle.

“…Huh?”

He glanced at the poster again. Then blinked.

“…Huuuuuuuuuuuh?!”

Ada clicked her tongue and tilted her head just enough.

“Boy. The proof.”

Ren silently stepped forward, the massive backpack still strapped to his back. He opened one of the compartments and carefully pulled out the Crimson Dragon’s core.

A stunned silence fell over the guild as he placed it on the counter.

In that moment, Atilius Reindhart burst out of his office. He charged over and bumped Asdreus aside with an unapologetic hip check.

“Step aside—let me handle this!”

“Addy-chaaaan~! Congratulations on slaying the Crimson Terror, SSS-rank!” he boomed, puffing his chest like he had done half the work.

The guild exploded in murmurs.

“Wait… the drunk beat the terror dragon?”

“No way. Impossible.”

“She must’ve cheated somehow.”

“But… that’s a real dragon core…”

Atilius picked up the orb with practiced care, inspecting it like a jeweler examining a priceless gem.

“…Fascinating. It’s authentic. The King of Cegris will pay handsomely for this,” he murmured.

“It was tough,” Ada said flatly. “But I managed, thanks to my ultimate move—Rising Sun.”

“Mhm, mhm… not my business anyway.”

Atilius vanished for a few seconds and returned with a hefty coin pouch, dropping it on the counter with a definitive thud.

“Ten thousand gold coins. And…”

He slid over a scroll sealed with the royal crest. Beside it, a jet-black adamantite badge etched with elegant silver inlay.

“Your new plate. With it, you’re authorized to form your own clan. And, of course… your new title: Dame Ada Schubert.”

Ada picked it all up—not like someone claiming a reward, but like someone holding a ticket to a better life.

To a future worth building.
To the day her name would be spoken with reverence.

For the first time, her eyes didn’t glint with nostalgia… But with pride.

“I’ll inform the castle. You’ll likely be formally knighted at the palace within the week,” Atilius said, adjusting his glasses.

Then, something rare happened. His voice turned serious. Sincerely so.

“…But what I’m most interested in right now is…”

“Inviting you out! Come have dinner with me tonight, Ada-chiiiii~! Let’s celebrate your promotion together!”

She didn’t even look at him.

“No thanks. I have other plans.”

She turned around.

“Squire. Let’s go. I’m using this money to buy a base and start building my clan.”

Ren nodded silently and followed her without a word.

Just as they reached the door, Atilius called out—his tone unexpectedly somber:

“Before you leave…”

She turned slightly.

“…What changed? What made you grow so fast, so suddenly?”

Ada was already halfway across the hall, surrounded by stunned adventurers, their whispers filling the room.

She froze in place—but didn’t turn around.

“…Let’s just say I had a revelation.”

“It’s time to stop dwelling on the past—”

“—and start honoring my master’s memory.”

Without another word, Ada, the Sun Paladin, stepped through the doors. She left doubt behind… And ignited rumors no one would be able to stop.

The next day, the two of them stood in front of the former Smart Estate.

A well-groomed man in a finely tailored suit waited for them at the entrance.
He opened the creaking metal gate—rusted with time.

“Welcome, Lady Ada, and… squire. Congratulations on your victory and your new title as Dame.”

Ada, dressed in an elegant ensemble of muted tones, flicked open her fan with practiced grace.

“Edward, please. There’s no need for flattery. I came to do business, not collect compliments.”

“My apologies, my lady. Always so direct, as expected. Shall we begin the tour?”

“Yes. Ren dear, make sure to take note of all the details,” she added without even glancing at him.

“Yes, madam,” Ren replied, not missing a beat—pen and paper in hand, mimicking the eagerness of a dutiful assistant.

“Very good. This way, please,” Edward said, leading them down the cobbled path toward the mansion.

Ren took notes as they passed through the main entrance.

The house was impressive—if somewhat neglected. Loose floorboards, faded paint, tilted chandeliers. And yet… all the furniture was neatly covered, the dishes still intact.
All it really needed was a deep cleaning.

They found a few broken windows, some leaky ceilings—but nothing too troublesome for Ren, who had experience repairing the old Sinclair mansion.

They made their way down to the boiler room. It was partially flooded, but the cast-iron boiler itself was still solid. A simple reactivation would suffice.

The bathrooms were made of white marble—expensive and difficult to replace. Even under layers of dust, they shone.

Then they moved on to the back garden.

There was an open-air tea room with a partially covered roof, a small stable converted into a tool shed, a chapel, and several other noteworthy spots.

Two hours later, Ren had noted everything.

“So… what did you think of the property?” Edward asked, his smile slightly strained.

“What do you think, Ren?” Ada asked, eyes expectant.

“Well, for starters—it’s about an hour out by carriage.”

“That guarantees some peace and quiet.”

“The soil’s fertile. I could prep a garden… maybe even a vegetable patch. But it’ll take time.”

“The mansion itself needs repairs.”

“With good wood and some pipe replacements, it’s fixable. Same goes for the outbuildings.”

“On the bright side… you’ll save on furniture,” he added with a half-smile, gesturing to the covered furnishings.

Ada nodded gracefully.

“I see. And what do you think it’s worth?”

“I wouldn’t pay more than five thousand gold,” Ren said, feigning innocent honesty.

“F-five thousand?! That’s insane! That’s half of what I’m asking!” Edward gasped.

Ada snapped her fan closed with a sharp clack.

“Edward, darling. You and I both know this place has sat unsold for years… ever since the accidental death of the Smart family.”

The seller stiffened. The discomfort was clear on his face.

“…I admit it. But I have strict orders not to go below seven thousand.”

“Boss…” Ren chimed in, thoughtful. “Considering the condition, seven thousand’s a rip-off. Maybe we should talk to the García Velmonts instead.”

“Their estate has a lake… and better land. It might be the smarter option.”

Edward turned, clearly agitated.

“And how would you know so much, boy?” Edward asked, narrowing his eyes.

Ren calmly pulled out his family crest and held it up without a hint of arrogance.

“Ren Sinclair. Son of Baron Sinclair.”

Edward paled slightly. Even if it was a minor house, he was still the son of a noble.
His opinion… held more weight than Ada’s.

“…Very well, very well,” Edward muttered, raising both hands in surrender. “Five thousand gold it is. That’s fair.”

Ada accepted the deed and handed him the coins in a secured box, finalizing the deal.

“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Edward.”

“If I ever need another property in the city, I’ll be sure to come to you first.”

He wasn’t sure whether to feel flattered or intimidated… So he simply took the gold and walked briskly to his carriage.

Once he vanished over the horizon, both of them let out a sigh of relief.

“Well done, Ada… we got the mansion at a great price.”

“Thanks, sensei. Keeping up this ‘noblewoman composure’ is way more exhausting than it looks,” she replied, exhaling deeply.

“It’ll take time, but we can restore it. Might need more help though… more members for Opera,” he said, eyeing the building thoughtfully. “Got anyone in mind?”

“I have a few candidates. But I’d rather not let just anyone into our little love nest…”

“…What?”

“…What?”

. . .

Silence.

Neither of them knew what to say after that sudden moment of awkwardness.

That same night, Ren was in his new room within the eerie old mansion, seated at a desk, writing a letter under the soft glow of a lamp.

**“Dear Mother and Father,

Since arriving in Urus, my life has changed for the better.

I’m now an adventurer, working as a squire and gardener for an SSS-ranked adventurer.

I’m sending all of my earnings home, since my employer covers my living expenses in exchange for my hard work.

So I won’t be needing the money. I know you’ll put it to better use.

I hope your health is well, and as I take on more missions, I’ll continue sending what I can.

With love, Ren.”**

He folded the letter with care, slipped it into an envelope, and sealed it with wax.

At the window, an eagle was already waiting—as if it knew the perfect moment to arrive.

Ren tossed it a small fish, which the bird devoured without hesitation.

“Falco, take this letter and this pouch to my parents,” he said, tying both items securely.

The eagle took them in its talons and launched into the night sky, vanishing among the clouds.

Ren fell back onto his dusty bed with a heavy thud, gazing at the moon through the open window.

…Perhaps this was the only moment of peace he’d had in days.