Chapter 111: Hellsing Guild

The calm sounds of the carriage wheels followed their course as the birds chirped in symphony, various flocks flew by in migration across the skies while the sun radiated over the landscape. Few times had I had the chance to see myself in these scenes; I had always been sheltered from the whole world while growing up being trained. Moments like these were comforting to my weary heart.

Naturally, I would think of many ways to return to my previous position, but now I just wanted to stay here, not caring about anything, contemplating the graceful landscape of nature around me.

The tranquility was lovely, but my chest still hinted at my duties. I wished to have the chance to enjoy everything like a love-struck maiden, or rather, pretend to be one.

"We're arriving," I heard Simon say, looking out of the carriage window, and I did the same.

Huge, that would be the only description I could give. An entire city, or rather, an imperial capital. Castles and large buildings, very well structured like in fairy tales and medieval RPGs, with wooden structures mixed with bricks, concrete, and the like. Beautiful despite being out of fashion, well-maintained and practically intact.

"It's beautiful," I said aloud, letting my thoughts flow, and Simon agreed. Velryna, who was peacefully sleeping, began to awaken as I admired the scenery.

I had seen many scenes like this before. The city of Kryoris itself was something impeccable, especially during the festival. But seeing something like this again after ten years, seeing only emptiness while being aware of everything that was happening... it was refreshing for my soul.

The carriage moved for another ten minutes and finally, we reached the main entrance. I saw some of the knights going ahead, probably to declare our passage. As a Princess, Velryna had free access to all places, regardless of who accompanied her. Fortunately, this turned out to be true with the entrance knights letting our carriage pass without any inspection. It was reassuring.

Knowing my luck, they would probably try to stop me even though everything was in order. After all, I am the reincarnation of pure chaos in this world. My karma is almost negative from so much bad stuff that has happened over the years.

"I'll drop you off in front of the old Hellsing headquarters, Sir. Ziriel," Velryna said as the carriage traveled through the empire's brick streets. Not only Velryna came for the celebration, but all the nobles were summoned. The city itself was in chaos.

"Thank you, it will be of great help," I said, lightly bowing my head. Although I had always learned not to bow, I had given up on that dogma. I am not my mother. This gesture means nothing to me now.

The carriage rode for more than twenty minutes. I saw various interesting things like spice trade, jewelers, hotels, and various other establishments buying and selling various luxurious materials. It wasn't hard to understand where the capital's income came from. The tax was probably high, but the visitor's purchase rate was too high and did not harm the economy.

On the contrary, the Empire was probably one of the places with the highest concentration of capital in the entire kingdom. Although I find it exaggerated, I am wary of so much money in just one place. A place that, with wrong management, can cause enormous damage. And honestly, despite ten years having passed, I think that coward will destroy this city with his excessive greed and lack of sense.

Unlike Velryna, he lacks the qualities of being a commoner.

"Well, we have no choice, do we?" Seeing the door ahead on the rooftop, I just kicked it open, facing a completely black circular staircase. If there was blood on the steps, it was clearly a scene of horror that I never wanted to witness.

I descended the stairs slowly, while nullifying my presence. At first, I thought it was impossible to see, but the inside had several gaps between the windows that allowed sunlight to enter. It was a frighteningly strange atmosphere, but I couldn't think about it. My first action was to observe the surroundings.

Unlike common guilds where there is only one main headquarters, Hellsing works with branches. All branches have a chief who reports to the main headquarters directly in the Castle of the Blood Rose, as some call Valentina's castle in Nightsphere. Something I naturally discovered over time was that all guilds have a master room and this would be no different.

I descended to the first floor, the reception, where the mission boards are.

Unfortunately, it was empty. The building as a whole seemed like just a haunted house with dust and holes in every corner. The mission boards had some papers still stuck, but time and dirt had worn out the ink and few things could be read. The humidity in the air may have also caused the ink to fail.

After descending to the first floor, I began to ascend the other two. Usually, the branch is custom-built. The first wing is for non-contracted adventurers to take their missions and sell things to the guild. Then, the second floor comes for all those who are officially contracted to be part of the guild as official servants. They gain titles under Hellsing's private contract jurisdiction.

They are usually above-average Rank A and S individuals, people truly competent for official jobs that the Kingdoms would give, requiring real strength and not exploration groups. And finally, the third floor, where the Guild Manager's room is. He has full permission to contact the headquarters and can hold meetings on this floor. He oversees the entire area, and that's where I was headed.

I entered the Guild Manager's room and went straight to his desk, but nothing. All the documents were gone, as if this place had been completely cleaned. I stopped and thought, what could have happened here? Why would they take such an action?

Creak

I heard the door of the hall opening lightly, but nothing passed through it. I slowly turned and looked again now with all my attention focused, but again nothing.

Creak

I heard it again, but now it was the wooden floor creaking. The sound of the wood was clearly a step. It wouldn't make sense for it not to be.

I remained alert, trying to identify the origin of the sound that seemed to slightly change every second, as if there were several invisible people inside the room.

"Voralith," I thought, and the Familiar appeared and surveyed the area for me. My magic wouldn't be able to identify someone's presence.

"A presence," she said and when I turned, a blade once again touched my neck. It seems like my neck started to become quite attractive to the blades of the people around me.