Chapter 6: "Where Did This Mansion Come From!?"
It was perfect.
I was lying on a comfortable bed, the kind only nobles could afford.
The sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow over the luxurious room.
Everything was clean, elegant, and peaceful.
And best of all?
I had no debts, no guild issues, and no insane misunderstandings.
---
A soft knock came at the door.
I sat up gracefully (because in dreams, I could be dignified) and called out—
"Yes, please come in!"
The door opened, and a kind, normal-looking maid entered, carrying a silver tray with fresh tea.
"Good morning, my lord," she said with a warm smile. "Your breakfast is ready."
I beamed.
"Ah, excellent! Please set it down."
I stood, stretching.
"Today is a great day," I declared.
I turned toward my imaginary wife, smiling warmly—
And was met with Velzaria's crimson gaze staring straight at me.
---
I froze.
The entire dream shifted.
The warm, peaceful atmosphere vanished.
The elegant mansion walls loomed ominously.
Velzaria, standing too gracefully, smiled.
"Good morning, fated one," she purred.
I screamed.
---
I jerked awake violently, flailing.
"AAAAAAHHH—"
I tumbled out of bed and face-planted onto the floor.
The soft, expensive carpet barely cushioned my fall.
For a moment, I lay there, groaning.
And then—
I realized something.
---
This… wasn't my house.
My eyes snapped open.
The ceiling was too high.
The walls were too clean.
The bed was too fancy.
I slowly pushed myself up.
The room was massive.
The kind of bedroom that only nobles or royalty would have.
There were no servants or attendants.
But the furniture alone looked like it cost more than my entire net worth.
My stomach dropped.
"…Oh no."
---
Seraphina's voice came from somewhere nearby.
"Ah. You are awake."
I snapped my head to the side.
She was sitting calmly in a chair near a small table, drinking tea.
She didn't look even remotely surprised to see me wake up.
"How do you feel?" she asked casually.
I blinked rapidly, still trying to process.
Then I took a deep breath and asked the only logical question.
"WHERE AM I!?"
---
Seraphina took another sip of tea.
"Your new home," she said plainly.
I felt my soul leave my body.
"MY WHAT!?"
She nodded toward the lavish room.
"Your dwelling has been upgraded."
---
My stomach dropped.
I threw off the blankets and stumbled toward the nearest window.
I grabbed the heavy, expensive curtains and yanked them open—
Only to find a massive, sprawling courtyard.
A perfectly maintained garden.
An ornate stone pathway.
It looked like a mansion straight out of a noble's estate.
I staggered back.
"…No."
I turned toward Seraphina, voice shaking.
"NO."
---
Seraphina calmly flipped to a new page in her notebook.
"Subject Eldric experiences delayed processing of major life changes. Predicting further emotional distress."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
---
I spun around wildly.
"Where is she!?"
Seraphina sipped her tea.
"If you are referring to Velzaria, she is in the main hall."
I stumbled toward the door.
"This can't be happening."
---
I rushed out of the bedroom, nearly tripping over myself.
The hallway was even worse.
Giant, golden chandeliers.
Expensive-looking carpets.
Walls lined with priceless artwork.
And worst of all?
It was empty.
No servants.
No bustling house staff.
Just a big, eerily quiet mansion.
That somehow belonged to me.
---
I stumbled into the massive front hall.
And there she was.
Standing calmly, completely composed, like she had lived here for years.
Velzaria.
She turned to me gracefully, her crimson eyes warm.
"Ah. Fated one."
She smiled faintly.
"You are awake."
---
I marched toward her, flailing my arms.
"WHAT. IS. THIS!?"
She blinked calmly.
"Our home."
I felt my soul shatter.
"NO IT'S NOT!"
---
Velzaria took a slow step forward.
"You seemed unsatisfied with your previous dwelling," she said smoothly.
I clenched my fists.
"That doesn't mean you could just BUILD A MANSION OVERNIGHT!"
Velzaria tilted her head slightly.
"Why not?"
"BECAUSE THAT'S NOT NORMAL!"
---
Seraphina had followed me into the hall, still taking notes.
"Subject Eldric exhibits severe resistance to sudden lifestyle improvements. Predicting prolonged adaptation difficulties."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I glared at her.
"STOP DOCUMENTING MY BREAKDOWN!"
---
Velzaria stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Calm yourself, fated one," she murmured.
I felt my eye twitch.
"DO NOT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!"
Velzaria smiled faintly.
"You will adjust in time."
I wanted to scream.
---
A loud knock suddenly echoed through the mansion doors.
A deep voice shouted from outside.
"OPEN IN THE NAME OF THE GUILD!"
My blood ran cold.
Velzaria remained completely unbothered.
Seraphina continued writing.
"Subject Eldric now faces external consequences for his sudden status change. Predicting high levels of suffering."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I collapsed to my knees.
"This is a nightmare."
---
The knocking continued.
"OPEN UP, IN THE NAME OF THE GUILD!"
I stumbled backward, panic gripping my chest.
Velzaria stood calmly, completely unbothered.
Seraphina sipped her tea, still taking notes.
"Subject Eldric exhibits visible signs of stress under authority pressure. Predicting increased distress."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I whipped around, frantically gesturing.
"WHY ARE YOU STILL WRITING!?"
---
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"ELDRIC, WE KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE!"
My stomach dropped.
I knew that voice.
Reina.
Reina.
Seraphina's knight.
And the only person in the guild who could kill me by sheer intimidation alone.
I swallowed hard.
Then turned to Velzaria.
"We're not home," I whispered.
Velzaria tilted her head.
"…This is our home."
"NOT RIGHT NOW IT ISN'T!"
---
Before I could argue further, the front doors swung open.
And standing in the doorway—
Was Reina, Garret, and several high-ranking guild members.
Behind them?
The Guild Master himself.
His massive frame barely fit through the doorway.
His scarred face looked deeply, deeply exhausted.
His eyes locked onto me.
"Eldric," he grunted.
I gulped.
"H-Hey, boss."
His gaze shifted to Velzaria.
Then back to me.
Then—
He let out a long, pained sigh.
"…Kid, what the hell did you do this time?"
---
Garret snorted.
"Well, first he got engaged—"
"I AM NOT ENGAGED!"
Velzaria nodded.
"We are fated."
I grabbed my head in agony.
"STOP SAYING THAT!"
---
Reina pushed past Garret, arms crossed.
Her sharp gaze swept across the mansion.
"You left the guild in the evening."
She gestured to the massive, elegant interior.
"And by morning, you're living in a damn mansion!?"
I swallowed.
"…Yes?"
Reina's eye twitched.
"HOW!?"
I turned to Velzaria.
"Please. Tell them."
Velzaria smiled pleasantly.
"I built it."
---
Silence.
---
Someone dropped their weapon.
Garret choked.
"You… built it?"
Velzaria nodded.
Reina pinched the bridge of her nose.
"And how," she asked, voice dangerously calm, "did you do that in a single night?"
Velzaria's crimson eyes gleamed faintly.
"Magic."
I grabbed my face.
"THAT'S NOT AN EXPLANATION!"
---
The Guild Master rubbed his temples.
"Okay," he muttered. "Okay, let's go over this slowly."
He pointed at me.
"You lived in a shack yesterday."
"…Yes."
He pointed at Velzaria.
"You met her yesterday."
"…Yes."
He pointed at the mansion.
"And now you have this."
"…Correct."
He closed his eyes.
He took a deep, deep breath.
Then—
He turned toward the wall and punched it.
---
BOOM!
A shockwave rattled the floor.
But—
The wall didn't break.
Not even a dent.
The entire guild party stared at the completely unharmed surface.
Garret whistled.
"That's some sturdy construction."
Reina's eyes narrowed.
"That is not normal."
Velzaria smiled faintly.
"Of course not."
I felt my stomach drop.
---
Seraphina flipped a page.
"Subject Velzaria constructs near-indestructible architecture overnight. Predicting future resource allocation imbalance."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I threw my hands in the air.
"CAN YOU STOP BEING FASCINATED FOR FIVE SECONDS!?"
Seraphina blinked.
"No."
I collapsed onto a chair.
---
The Guild Master sighed heavily.
"Alright, kid. Here's the deal."
He leaned forward, placing both hands on the table.
"We don't know who or what she really is."
Velzaria watched him calmly.
The Guild Master continued.
"And since you're the only one she acknowledges, you're responsible for her."
I felt my soul leave my body.
"WHAT!?"
---
Garret grinned.
"So, what I'm hearing is—Eldric is now a noble?"
I whipped around.
"NO I AM NOT!"
Velzaria tilted her head.
"If that is what they call it, then so be it."
"YOU'RE NOT HELPING!"
---
Reina glared at me.
"Do you understand the problem here!?" she snapped.
I threw up my arms.
"YES! I HAVE A FANCY HOUSE I DIDN'T ASK FOR, A WOMAN WHO THINKS WE'RE FATED, AND A RESEARCHER WHO WON'T STOP TAKING NOTES ON MY MENTAL BREAKDOWN!"
Seraphina calmly flipped to another page.
"Subject Eldric is experiencing emotional collapse. Predicting prolonged suffering."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I grabbed my head and screamed.
---
The Guild Master sighed again.
"Alright, listen."
His voice turned serious.
"The King's Council is already asking questions."
My stomach dropped.
"The nobles have noticed," Reina added.
Garret grinned.
"And your fan club at the guild is getting bigger."
"THAT'S NOT A FAN CLUB! THAT'S A MOB!"
---
The Guild Master stood up.
"You need to get your story straight," he grunted.
His sharp eyes locked onto Velzaria.
"And you—whoever you are—you're on watch."
Velzaria smiled pleasantly.
"You may try."
The room went dead silent.
---
I grabbed Velzaria's arm immediately and started pushing her toward the exit.
"OKAY, TIME TO GO, THANK YOU, GOODBYE—"
Behind me, Garret wheezed from laughter.
"Have fun, Lord Eldric!"
I wanted to die.
---
I barely managed to shove Velzaria out the door before the guild could decide on anything worse than "You're responsible for her now."
Not that I had any control over the situation.
Velzaria, as always, moved at her own pace—calm, composed, and utterly convinced that all of this was normal.
Seraphina followed behind, still writing notes.
As we stepped into the street, I inhaled deeply.
Finally. Some air.
Then I realized—
The streets were packed.
With people.
Staring.
At.
Me.
---
Whispers rippled through the gathered crowd.
"That's him."
"The guy with the mansion?"
"I heard he seduced a noble's daughter!"
"Idiot, that's not a noble, that's some kind of sorceress!"
"Didn't he used to live in a shack?"
"Maybe he sold his soul?"
"I heard he married a demon!"
I felt my stomach drop.
"WHY DOES IT KEEP GETTING WORSE!?"
---
Velzaria looked around calmly.
She didn't seem bothered at all by the gathering crowd.
In fact—
She smiled slightly.
"As expected," she murmured.
I whipped my head toward her.
"AS EXPECTED!?"
She nodded.
"It is only natural for the masses to take interest in their future lord."
I nearly choked.
"WHAT. LORD!?"
She gave me a small, knowing smile.
"You, of course."
I screamed internally.
---
Seraphina flipped a page in her notebook.
"Subject Eldric is struggling with sudden rise in social status. Predicting prolonged denial."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I groaned.
"CAN YOU STOP FINDING MY SUFFERING INTERESTING!?"
Seraphina blinked.
"No."
I wanted to die.
---
And then—
A loud horn blast echoed from the marketplace.
I froze.
That sound.
That was…
"By order of the King's Council!"
My blood ran cold.
Velzaria simply tilted her head.
Seraphina tapped her notebook.
---
A group of knights in royal blue armor marched down the street, pushing aside the gathered crowd.
At the front stood a stern-faced nobleman, his uniform pristine and heavy with medals.
His gaze locked onto me immediately.
"Eldric Vayne!"
I swallowed hard.
"Y-yeah?"
He lifted a scroll and read aloud.
"By decree of the King's Council, you are hereby summoned to the palace for urgent discussion regarding your recent… life changes."
My soul left my body.
---
Velzaria smirked faintly.
"As expected," she murmured again.
I glared at her.
"STOP SAYING THAT LIKE YOU PLANNED THIS!"
She simply smiled.
"I did not need to plan it," she said smoothly. "It is the natural outcome of our bond."
I grabbed my head in agony.
"THERE IS NO BOND!"
---
Seraphina flipped another page.
"Subject Eldric is now officially recognized by the kingdom. Predicting complete loss of autonomy."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I stomped my foot.
"CAN YOU STOP—NO, NEVERMIND, OF COURSE YOU WON'T!"
---
The noble in charge sighed.
"We don't have all day," he muttered. "You'll be escorted immediately."
I panicked.
"WAIT! WAIT! CAN'T THIS WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW!?"
The nobleman frowned.
"You're a potential security risk."
My stomach twisted.
"SECURITY RISK!?"
The noble gestured to Velzaria.
"You are living with an unknown entity of immense power, and the palace is very, very concerned."
I froze.
Slowly, I turned toward Velzaria.
She smiled gracefully.
And said nothing.
I felt my soul leave my body.
---
Garret, who had somehow been following from a distance, leaned in from the crowd.
"Oh, buddy," he whispered, grinning.
"You're so screwed."
I glared at him.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE!?"
He shrugged.
"Wouldn't miss this for the world."
I wanted to throw myself into the nearest well.
---
Velzaria stepped forward.
"We accept," she said smoothly.
I snapped my head toward her.
"WE DO NOT ACCEPT!"
Velzaria placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Fated one," she murmured. "It is time to embrace your destiny."
I screamed internally.
---
Seraphina flipped another page.
"Subject Eldric is experiencing deep psychological resistance to his inevitable fate. Predicting further suffering."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I threw my hands in the air.
"CAN SOMEONE JUST KILL ME NOW!?"
Velzaria smiled pleasantly.
"That is no longer possible."
I fell to my knees.
This was a nightmare.
---
I was not okay.
I had woken up in a mansion I didn't ask for.
Got dragged into a guild interrogation.
And now?
I was being escorted to the royal palace because apparently, I was a security risk.
All because of her.
Velzaria walked beside me, completely composed, as if she had been expecting this.
Seraphina walked behind us, writing notes again.
I was surrounded by knights, marching in perfect formation.
The gathered crowd whispered as we passed.
I felt my soul dying a little more every second.
---
Garret, who had somehow tagged along, leaned in and grinned.
"Hey, at least you get to see the inside of the palace."
I glared at him.
"WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE!?"
He shrugged.
"Free entertainment."
I wanted to throw him into a moat.
---
As we approached the palace gates, I looked toward Velzaria.
She was calm. Too calm.
I narrowed my eyes.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Velzaria smiled faintly.
"Is that a question?"
"YES!"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Then yes."
I gritted my teeth.
"OF COURSE YOU ARE!"
---
Seraphina flipped to another page in her notebook.
"Subject Eldric continues to struggle against inevitable fate. Predicting further humiliation."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I whipped around.
"CAN YOU STOP BEING FASCINATED BY MY SUFFERING!?"
She blinked.
"No."
I wanted to cry.
---
The palace loomed over us, its golden gates opening as we were led inside.
Everything was pristine, elegant, and ridiculously expensive-looking.
The kind of place where one broken vase could cost more than my entire life.
Knights stood at every hallway, their gazes locked forward.
I walked stiffly, trying not to look like a terrified peasant.
Which, to be fair—I was.
---
We were led into a massive chamber with an enormous throne at the end.
A long red carpet stretched across the polished floor.
And at the far end, sitting in full royal attire, was a man who radiated authority.
King Aurelius Everhart.
The ruler of this kingdom.
The most powerful man in the land.
And the one person who could probably have me executed for existing.
I gulped.
"…Oh, I'm so dead."
---
The king's sharp golden eyes studied me for a long moment.
Then he turned his gaze toward Velzaria.
And I swear—for just a second—I saw his expression shift.
Like he had just realized something horrifying.
Velzaria simply smiled politely.
The king's fingers tightened slightly on his armrest.
Oh.
Oh no.
---
The nobleman who had escorted us stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Majesty, we have brought Eldric Vayne as requested."
The king nodded slowly.
"Good," he murmured. "There is much to discuss."
His gaze locked onto me.
I froze.
"Tell me, adventurer."
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"Do you have any idea what kind of situation you've created?"
I gulped.
"…Can I plead ignorance?"
The king sighed.
---
Garret, standing way too close behind me, whispered, "Hey, is it too late to run?"
I whispered back.
"YES, YOU IDIOT!"
Velzaria, still perfectly composed, stepped forward.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Your Majesty," she said smoothly. "Is there a reason we were summoned?"
The entire room tensed.
The king's expression remained carefully neutral.
He leaned forward slightly.
"You are an unknown entity," he said.
"And this kingdom does not handle unknowns lightly."
---
Velzaria simply smiled.
"I see."
She looked completely unbothered.
Like she was talking to a regular merchant instead of the most powerful ruler in the land.
The knights shifted uneasily.
Even the royal advisor at the king's side looked nervous.
But Velzaria?
She was enjoying this.
I could feel it.
---
The king's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You are powerful," he stated. "That much is obvious."
"But power without allegiance is dangerous."
Velzaria's crimson gaze flickered slightly.
Then she smiled faintly.
"You are worried."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
I sensed the tension rising.
I needed to stop this before someone declared war.
I stepped forward quickly, waving my arms.
"OKAY! LET'S ALL CALM DOWN!"
The knights immediately tensed.
The king raised an eyebrow.
I laughed nervously.
"Uh—w-what I mean is!" I gulped. "There's no need for all this tension! Right? Haha! Haha… ha…"
Silence.
Then—
The king sighed heavily.
He rubbed his temples.
"You are an absolute disaster," he muttered.
Garret snorted.
"Yeah, we've been telling him that for years."
I wanted to strangle him.
---
The king exhaled slowly.
"Very well," he muttered. "For now, we will monitor the situation."
I felt a tiny sliver of hope.
Maybe, just maybe—
"And you, Eldric Vayne," the king continued, locking eyes with me.
I froze.
"You will personally ensure that this woman does not become a threat to the kingdom."
My hope died instantly.
"…Wait, WHAT!?"
---
Seraphina flipped to a new page.
"Subject Eldric is now directly responsible for a kingdom-level crisis. Predicting extreme levels of suffering."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I stared blankly ahead.
This was it.
This was my life now.
A walking disaster.
And somehow—it was getting worse.
---
I stood there, frozen.
The king's words echoed in my head.
"You will personally ensure that this woman does not become a threat to the kingdom."
…This was it.
This was rock bottom.
I was now officially responsible for someone who could probably destroy the kingdom with a flick of her wrist.
I opened my mouth.
Then closed it.
Then opened it again.
Then—
"…What."
---
The king sighed heavily.
"Do I need to repeat myself?"
"NO, I HEARD YOU!" I shrieked. "I just—I just—WHAT!?"
The nobleman standing next to the king cleared his throat.
"If it helps, you may consider this an honor."
I snapped my head toward him.
"HOW IS THIS AN HONOR!?"
The noble adjusted his monocle.
"You have been entrusted with the safety of the kingdom. Surely, you should be proud."
I grabbed my head.
"PROUD!? I AM A FAILED F-RANK ADVENTURER!"
---
Velzaria tilted her head slightly.
"You are far more important than you realize," she murmured.
I whipped around to her.
"YOU KEEP SAYING THAT, AND I STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHY!"
She simply smirked faintly.
"You will understand soon."
I felt my stomach drop.
"THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL BETTER!"
---
Seraphina flipped to another page in her notebook.
"Subject Eldric is now in a politically volatile position. Predicting prolonged psychological distress."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I turned to her, exasperated.
"STOP DOCUMENTING MY DESTRUCTION!"
She blinked.
"No."
I wanted to scream.
---
Garret, who had somehow not been thrown out of the room, leaned in next to me.
"So," he whispered, grinning. "You're, like, a national hostage now?"
I whipped my head toward him.
"DO NOT CALL IT THAT!"
Garret chuckled.
"But it's true though, right?"
"NO!" I paused. "…Maybe. I DON'T KNOW!"
Garret grinned.
"Oh, buddy." He patted my shoulder. "You are so screwed."
---
The Guild Master, who had been quietly observing this entire time, let out a long sigh.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's cut through the nonsense."
He looked directly at the king.
"You want the kid on watch duty because you don't know what she is."
The king nodded.
"And because she won't listen to anyone except him."
I froze.
Then slowly—very slowly—I turned toward Velzaria.
She smiled pleasantly.
I felt my soul shatter.
---
Reina, who had been holding back this entire time, stepped forward and crossed her arms.
"This is insane," she muttered. "We can't just leave this to Eldric! He's—he's Eldric!"
I waved my arms dramatically.
"THANK YOU!"
Reina turned to the king.
"We should at least be monitoring them closely!"
The king nodded.
"Agreed."
I froze.
"…Wait, what?"
The king's gaze locked onto me.
"We will be assigning official observers to your situation."
My stomach dropped.
"…What do you mean, 'observers'?"
---
The noble next to the king cleared his throat again.
"We believe it would be best to ensure that you and your… companion—"
He gestured at Velzaria.
"—are not left unchecked."
I felt my eye twitch.
"You mean—spies."
The noble adjusted his monocle again.
"We prefer the term official monitors."
"SPYING!"
---
Seraphina flipped another page.
"Subject Eldric is now under direct government surveillance. Predicting complete collapse of privacy."
She clicked her pen.
"Fascinating."
I turned to her, horrified.
"WHY DOES THAT SOUND EVEN WORSE WHEN YOU WRITE IT DOWN!?"
She blinked.
"Because it is accurate."
I clutched my head.
"STOP BEING ACCURATE!"
---
The royal advisor continued.
"For now, we will begin with simple routine check-ins."
I stared blankly.
"How 'routine' are we talking?"
The noble adjusted his monocle.
"Twice a day."
I felt all the blood drain from my face.
"TWICE A DAY!?"
---
Velzaria, still perfectly composed, turned toward the king.
She smiled faintly.
"You are quite cautious," she mused.
The knights shifted uncomfortably.
The king's jaw tightened slightly.
"You are quite unknown," he replied evenly.
Velzaria chuckled softly.
"Then this should be interesting."
I felt my stomach drop.
---
Garret, who had been watching everything like it was a play, leaned toward me again.
"So," he whispered, grinning.
"Does this mean you're, like, a state-sponsored disaster now?"
I turned to him, dead inside.
"…Yes."
Garret burst out laughing.
I wanted to die.
---
The king sighed heavily.
"For now, you are all dismissed," he muttered. "We will reconvene soon."
I exhaled in relief.
Finally.
Finally, I could—
"Oh, and Eldric?"
I froze.
Slowly, I turned back.
The king's sharp golden eyes locked onto mine.
"If anything happens…"
The air felt heavier.
His voice was calm, but beneath it, an unmistakable warning.
"We will take immediate action."
I gulped.
"…Understood."
---
Velzaria simply smiled.
"You have nothing to worry about," she said smoothly.
"We are quite happy together."
I choked.
"NO WE ARE NOT!"
The king rubbed his temples again.
"Just—get out."
I saluted awkwardly and fled.