Chapter 604 - 603: A Brand New Residence

Chapter 604: Chapter 603: A Brand New Residence

"Of course, Mr. Colin," the butler said with a smile. "We’re very pleased that you’ve agreed. If everyone is on board, please head to the Weston Clan’s city manor. We’ll use a Teleportation Array to send you all directly to the forward castle, so you can reach the front lines right away."

"Alright. We’ll be ready soon," Colin nodded.

Three days after his conversation with the butler, Colin was brushing his teeth in the bathroom one morning when he suddenly heard a loud BANG BANG BANG at the door.

The noise agitated the little owl perched on the towel rack. It hopped from side to side a few times, as if urging Colin to deal with the source of the racket.

"Coming!"

Colin wiped his face with a towel and walked to the door. When he opened it, he saw Kase had returned.

The Half-Orc’s boots were still caked with mud; it was obvious he had just rushed back.

"What’s up?" Colin asked, rubbing his wet hair with the towel.

"There’s a mission, isn’t there? The Ranger who’s teaching us told me to come back," Kase explained. "I went to practice with our instructor not long after I got back. I didn’t tell you about that."

"Forget about that," Colin said. "We got promoted again. We’re Tier Four Shields of Strength now, so we can move to a new dorm. Our monthly stipend went up a little, too."

"Really? I was just getting used to this place."

"Do you have any idea how many people are jealous of how fast we’re getting promoted? And here you are, complaining," Colin said. "Let me get my Armor on, and we’ll go check out the new apartment. By the way, I need to give you the ring."

"Should we get Dorn?"

"Do you think he’ll live with us this time?" Colin mused for a moment. ’Ah, forget it. We should just ask him.’

After saying that, Colin told Kase to have a seat in the living room while he quickly finished getting ready to leave.

As soon as he and Kase stepped outside, Ale, who lived across the hall, opened her wooden door and joined them. The three of them then went to Orelia’s room to get the Tiefling.

The young girl was only just getting out of bed.

Ever since her training began, Orelia’s instructor had been putting her through a specialized regimen to address her weaknesses. The young girl endured intense physical training every day, so she looked drained nearly every time they saw her.

The group made their way to the sewers, picked up Dorn, and then headed for the Trade District.

Colin looked back at Dorn, who was trailing behind the group. "Are you going to live with us?" he asked.

"It’s free, isn’t it? It’d be a waste not to go," Dorn said. "You don’t actually think I *like* living in the sewers, do you?"

"Then why didn’t you live with us before?"

Dorn’s bald head flushed slightly. "Because I’d only just joined the squad back then. I felt like that was all your loot, and I couldn’t just freeload."

"Saying something like that... you haven’t been possessed by a Ghost, have you?" Ale asked with a frown.

"You think I didn’t prepare myself at all after joining this squad? For you two girls’ sake, I’ve even stopped cussing," Dorn said indignantly. "Otherwise, you think I couldn’t out-swear you?"

"So you can’t out-swear me now?"

"Of course I can! Who says I can’t!"

Bickering good-naturedly, the group stopped to buy some cheap and convenient roasted meat wraps, eating as they walked.

Before long, Colin led the others to Black Robe Alley in the Trade District.

The alley was lined with three-story brick and stone apartment buildings. Dark brown timber frames were embedded in the walls. Judging by the condition of the masonry, the apartments weren’t too old—or at least, they were regularly maintained.

The apartments were arranged in clusters of three around small courtyards, lined up neatly along the alley. They looked like miniature castles.

Much like their previous apartment, this place was located in the Trade District, but it was far quieter than the main street. All in all, it was a rather nice spot.

Following the information a rat had delivered to his door some time ago, Colin led the others to the end of the alley.

He walked into the small courtyard enclosed by the apartments.

The courtyard contained a single, spacious stable, where two Grooms were busy handling feed.

Colin led the others to the apartment building on the left.

Inside the building’s main entrance, the layout was similar to their other apartments. There was a window set into the wall of the entryway corridor, and a middle-aged man sat behind it.

"Are you the Foreigner Squad?" the man asked as they entered. "Show me the rings, and you can move right in. I’m sure you’re eager to see your new rooms."

The man’s tone was friendly; just from the sound of his voice, no one would have taken him for a bad person.

Colin took the wooden box of rings out of his [Dimension Bag] and opened the lid for the man to see.

"Alright, I’ll get your names registered," the man said. "You have one week to clear out your old place. I remember you have a Hoar Horse, right? Our Grooms will care for it free of charge. Maintenance and upkeep are completely free as well.

Also, you probably saw the tavern at the entrance to the alley when you came in. That tavern provides free breakfast for you all. Just show them your Seal Ring to get a meal."

As the man spoke, Colin noticed that he was missing his right arm.

When he was done, the man used his remaining left hand to place six keys on the counter.

He quickly noticed Colin’s gaze and said with a smile, "I used to be a City Guard. Lost my arm handling a case, so Thousand Masts City assigned me here to look after the apartments."

"Oh... I’m sorry," Colin said.

"Nothing to be sorry for," the man said. "I read about you in the papers. I’m happy to be of service to the Dragon Slayer Squad. It’s an honor."

The praise made Colin a little awkward.

He picked up the keys and led the others down the corridor to inspect the rooms.

The building had three floors with a central staircase. The rooms were on either side of the stairs. In total, the building had six rooms: five bedrooms and one empty storage room.

Since the man had given them keys for it, the storage room was presumably for them to use as well.

Too lazy to climb stairs, Dorn immediately claimed a key to a first-floor room. The others, considerate of his short legs, didn’t argue. Kase and the others felt the second floor would be more convenient for coming and going, so they chose to live there.

Colin, who was used to living on upper floors, simply took the key to the top-floor room.

He went upstairs and opened the door. Inside was a living room.