The Van Ferra mansion remained the same. However, the two peacoks at the entrance had been replaced by two stone sparrows. After a few months, the de Vonders had a lot of trouble adjusting themselves to the high-class nobleslive style. The whole administrative matter escaped Xavier's ability; he was a mercenary, a thief, and a murderer, but if there was something he couldn't do, it was to administer a vast territory.
'This is hell,' Xavier complained again, as his new "advisers" brought him more documents to review, evaluate, sign, and seal. Habdlan and the prince had provided him with all kinds of "assistants" to help him manage his new domains. Xavier knew they were actually spies, but he had no choice. Sometimes he didn't even understand anything about what he was reading.
Seron, the former Van Ferra buttler, was happy to get his job back. He was afraid that the new master of the mansion would throw the old servants out. Tamalor had been partially managing Van Ferra's land and had retained the staff to make things run smoothly. When Seron recognized Xavier after his brief stay in the mansion years earlier, he was surprised. For obvious reasons, the de Vonder behavior was very different from that of the former lords; for the servants of the mansion, the change was very positive.
'Leader Xavier, we have two problems that require your attention,' said Seron, drawing Xavier's mind out of the paperwork.
'What now?' asked Xavier exhaustedly.
'Sir, a couple of regulators from Orphen Kingdom are asking for an audience.'
'From Orphen?' that made alarms sound in his head.
'That's right, your honor.'
'Are any of the boys at home?'
'Both are present, sir.'
'Well, tell them to come. Regulators can be a problem.'
Uruk and Temma entered the office. Xavier gave them an update on what was about to happen.
'Remember, if the regulators try to use their oculis crystals, stop them. It doesn't matter if you have to hurt them. We'll use the excuse that it looked like they'd use some kind of weapon, or we'll make up any other nonsense. You are titled magicians; no one wants a conflict of that level.'
The two representatives of Orphen's regulators entered the office and sat in front of Xavier.
'Leader de Vonder, thank you for receiving us in such a short time. My name is Terrael, and this is my partner, Murma. ' Xavier looked at the regulator. He was a white man, about forty years old. With short black hair, smoothly shaved, and a strong and well-trained body, he carried two short swords. His partner was of the same age, had darker skin, was taller, had short hair and a dense moustache on the upper lip, and was wearing two dagas on his waist. They both wore the uniforms of the regulators and the earth magician badges.
Xavier smirked. 'Let's get to the point; as you can see, I have a lot of work to do,' said Xavier, pointing to the papers on the table. It was actually a performance; he thought about how an arrogant high-class nobleman would behave. "They sent earth magicians, high defense; they are waiting for trouble."
'Very well. We are investigating a series of crimes that took place in Orphen; we hope you can help us,' commented Terrael.
'We will try to help you, but I don't understand what connection we can have to the crimes that took place in Orphen,' said Xavier.
'Well, it is related to the events of a few months ago. As far as we know, you executed Garland the Red for trying to kill you.'
'That's right. Tamalor, the former lord of Farpas, betrayed us for political interests and paid Garland to do his dirty work. It is a fortune for me that my nephews are powerful magicians and unstoppable warriors.'
With that comment, the two regulators looked at each other.
'Yes. The rumors of the feats of the de Vonder titled magicians have traveled all over the continent and even crossed the other side of the sea. Uruk, "the destroyer," and his battles in the arena are legendary. Though Temma, "the silent flame" is not left behind.
"The silent flame?" Uruk and Temma thought while they looked at each other in doubt. Uruk lifted up his shoulders, not knowing what they were talking about.
'We are aware. After those events, a series of brutal crimes took place in Orphen. A brothel known as "La Carnaza" was the site of a wild massacre. They killed everyone in the building, both the prostitutes and their clients. A few hours later, the tavern "El Bajo Fondo" was attacked, and all those present were violently eliminated.'
'Terrible,' said Xavier, pretending to be surprised. 'But I still don't understand what it has to do with us.'
'Jaffar of Lerca, a nobleman of the lower class, was afraid to be the next. He sent several letters and information to regulators, reporting many illegal activities. Shortly thereafter, he was brutally murdered. Apparently, Jaffar had many contacts, and in the crime world, one of them was Garland the Red.'
'We already knew that. Garland confessed that he was hired by Tamalor through Jaffar. I still don't understand what this has to do with us.'
'The evidence suggests that the three massacres were carried out by the same individual. just one man. We requested the collaboration of the regulators of the dynasty, given the case relationship with Tamalor. That has led us to a possible suspect' Tarrael looked at Uruk.
'I still don't see the relationship with us,' replied Xavier.
Terrael gave a sigh. 'The savage pattern perfectly describes the style of his lordship, Uruk. It is not for nothing that they call him the destroyer.
'Wow! Uruk, do you have anything to do with that?' Xavier asked.
'Not that I remember, Uncle Xavier.'
'There you go, gentlemen.'
'This is a lot more complicated than that, Leader De Vonder,' replied Terrael.
'No. It's not.' Xavier answered. 'They tried to kill me. We're not sure, but Orphen's nobility might be involved in the murder attempt. Even if we know or are involved in what happened, we know nothing. Do you understand?'
'Leader De Vonder. It is not our intention to create animosity between your family and the Orphen kingdom. No kingdom wants such a thing. But we cannot ignore this situation; it could create conflicts and dissatisfaction among the people.
'That is a problem for the kingdom of Orphen and the people of Orphen to solve. We don't know what you are talking about,' Xavier insisted again.
'Moreover. It's not my style,' Uruk added. 'To kill weak men and women gives me no pleasure. But if the regulators are interested in initiating a conflict, I will be pleased to play with you for a while.' Uruk smiled, showing his sharp, pointy teeth. His golden eyes, with their cold, penetrating gaze, gave him the appearance of a bloodthirsty wild beast. The regulators got covered in cold sweat, and the hairs on their skin stood up.
'Uruk,' Xavier called with a reprimanding tone.
Uruk relaxed and ignored the regulators. The tension in the room decreased.
'We are a family of mercenaries. We're not criminals. But we will not hesitate to eliminate our enemies.'
'We will continue to investigate this matter.'
The two regulators rose up and left the mansion. Xavier let out a sigh.
'We have to be more careful; tell Moger to stop the business for some time,' said Xavier.
'That would only attract more attention. Moreover, now that Jaffar is dead, Moger negotiates directly with the nobles. He can't just disappear out of the blue; he could lose the clientele and then have to start a war with other criminals. More bodies, more regulators.' Temma said.
'You're right. At least tell him to try not to kill anyone for some time.' concluded Xavier.
Soon after, Seron entered the office.
'Well, Seron. What is the other problem?' asked Xavier.
Seron doubted for a moment. 'It is the young master Uruk, my lord.'
Uruk clicked his tongue. While Xavier put his hands on his head and Temma scratched his forehead, Seron took out some papers and handed them over to Xavier. These were claims for damages caused.
'Uruk, what is this?' asked Xavier.
'I was bored,' replied Uruk.
Xavier signaled for Seron to leave the office. After his departure, Xavier rose from his seat and approached Uruk.
'This is not a game, Uruk. You draw too much attention; if you create a lot of trouble... if the regulators find out who you are, they'll kill us all.'
'Bah, let them try!' replied Uruk.
Xavier and Temma sighed.
'You are not invincible, Uruk; there are hundreds of magicians, thousands of knights, millions of soldiers, titled magicians, and warlocks in the royal court; we cannot fight against all that,' said Temma.
'You have become a coward, brother.'
'I'm cautious. Uruk, remember how the world of humans is; remember what we've lived through and how treacherous the nobles are. If we want to survive...'
Uruk interrupted him.
'To survive for what?' cried Uruk. 'They're all dead,' he told Temma. 'Our world is gone. We are not dragons; we are not salamanders; we are... this.' Uruk stopped using his shadow magic and returned to his real form.
Temma and Xavier were frightened. Temma ran to the door and looked into the hallway. There was nobody.
'We live in hiding like rats. Playing the stupid games and dramas of humans. I'm tired; I just want to have a little fun.'
'You're going to kill us all, Uruk,' said Xavier.
'Perhaps we shouldn't have survived. Perhaps we should have died in the jungle of Morr.' Uruk used his illusion magic again. He turned around and left the office.
'He will be fine,' said Temma.
'I hope so,' replied Xavier.