Remnants.

The plan was perfect, half of the traitors are now being sold to different tribes or noble houses and with the slave collars, it is impossible for them to disobey, although of course the method was not the most orthodox it was worth it, and seeing that house in ruins does not exactly bring back good memories, but I do know that it was a poorly improvised base of operations, but it was useful in its time.

The return trip was followed by many complaints from the girl, who at this point I felt was more my daughter than my fiancée, and how things ended, perhaps having her on my side would not be as favorable as I expected, but it does not change the fact that she is someone with quite a bit of common sense, contrary to her tribe, which made it difficult for some extra slaves to be sold and upon arriving we saw it, those in charge of reconstruction saw the house half fallen down, surely savoring the sight of a large payment or so I thought when I saw their faces.

“Young Abaddon, the house is beyond repair,” said the gentleman in charge of the fine clothes.

"I see." I didn't give it much thought; we're probably on the verge of the entire kingdom falling, so repairing it wouldn't be necessary after all. "Then I can entrust its final fall to you."

“Excuse me?” I look at the boy in confusion.

"He has assessed that he has no means to repair it, remove everything useful, and then demolish what remains of the house. That is his request, and payment will still be due."

“B…but has the house been…?”

"Don't contradict your words, sir," he said with the calmness he had displayed at every company presentation. "If there's no remedy, it's just a matter of starting over, there's nothing more to say."

He turned to the rest, while they discussed the subject of the house and as ordered, they took out everything that had not been looted by the Arbos tribe, while he looked at the sky, the eclipse was approaching, in theory, it will arise before he turns 12, as in the main game.

“You really don’t want to keep the place?” the girl asked, following the path.

“There’s no reason for that, and more importantly, we must find our new residence while we wait.” I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad since the beds cost so much, but I let it go, remembering that those walls would soon be besieged. “Besides, I’ve already promised to work on the house, there’s nothing more to say about that.”

“If you say so,” he seemed indifferent to the topic. “But the fact that you've emphasized this Vlad guy who built the house and whatever else strikes me as a bit hypocritical.”

“If you want to see it that way, I don’t see a problem with it.”

As luck would have it, we met the merchant on the road, and the answers were clear, as his assistant stopped his list.

“Young Abaddon, I heard the savages have left. I hope your house doesn’t require too much repair.”

“It's unsalvageable, those in charge of restoring it made that clear.”

"Oh." I look at the young man in bewilderment. He looked at his company, and in light of the recent favor, an idea came to him to return the favor. "I have a couple of construction slaves, and one of them participated in the construction of a castle, from what I mentioned, so I could take them to work on the house and see if it can be saved." I watch the boy shake his head sadly, unlike the girl, who seemed happy.

“Abaddon, we could save the house, even if it's just a little…” After watching him shake his head, she frowned in disgust. “Why not?” she asked with what seemed more like a complaint than indifference.

"I've already instructed you to dismantle the house once you've removed everything that might be useful. While I appreciate your offer, it doesn't change the fact that I might need your help with the rebuilding next month."

“So much?!” The girl was startled when she heard the news. “Why do we have to wait so long to build the new house?”

"It's disconcerting to know that he's throwing it away, and regarding my offer, maybe when I get back from my trip it'll be the best thing, don't you think?"

"I don't deny it, and I won't keep you any longer. With your permission, I must attend to my own business. It was nice to be able to chat." They bowed slightly in reverence and farewell.

“Abaddon, you didn’t answer me. Why should we wait so long for the new house?”

“We don’t have any money,” I said with a shrug, though it was true since I didn’t have any of the sanctified currency. “What we paid for the demolition and the next few days is fair.”

“Can’t you ask your family at the castle for help?” he repeated the question from the last month and a half.

“I've mentioned it to you in the past, it's…”

"Yes, yes, I know. Because of exile, you don't have the right to be in the same house and all that nonsense. I'm not interested." He didn't give it much thought, as he watched her stomach growl.

“It seems like food is a priority right now.”

"I want meat," he demanded, with as much respect as he could muster without sounding childish.

“As you wish.” I didn't give it much thought; I had plans to attend to, and letting her eat was the best option so far so she wouldn't interfere.

After arriving at the restaurant and being surprised by a guard who called us mid-meal, I left my plate with the girl and was instructed to meet at the entrance to the house to supervise, and I left with the calm that I was beginning to feel characterized me.

When we got to the entrance, I remembered and left some money for him to eat something else and paid for both plates, while I quickly drank a jar of juice and caught up with the warrior.

Our arrival in the slums only increased my confidence in secrecy and in a brief instant darkness enveloped him, removing his white armor and changing into black robes.

“My lord is waiting for you inside, I will keep watch.”

“Thank you.”

I walked inside without much thought, and as I expected, there were the three of them, plus a few more I didn't recognize, but who might be of no relevance in the future.

“Greetings young Abaddon, we were waiting for you.”

“The South and North Entrance Robber.”

"In person, and you were right. They are ordering us to retreat, but we have set up the last tent for the demonstration. The herald Calixto will be present for the event. Your people will be able to follow the shadows and calmly depart for our lands."

“I appreciate this courtesy.”

“More than that, your help has been invaluable, so I see it as fair, but more important.” I sipped my tea, thinking things through. “How much do you know about the academy?”

“Which of the three?”

"There are two heralds willing to recommend you enter the one you prefer. Here's the invitation." He extended the dark-infused blade, and the white sheet with the golden seal was revealed. "Be careful not to lose it; it's worth almost as much as the castle over there." He pointed out the window.

“I am aware of this and I appreciate your help for the people of Lasha.”

“Escort him back.”

“No need, my next destination is the castle in fact.”