"Honored guest, you are the very first to personally request me, Leonbali, as your architectural designer to renovate your home! I sincerely appreciate your trust! From this day forward, Leonbali shall regard you as the most, most, most treasured client, and henceforth, all design costs for you shall be reduced by thirty percent!"

  The moment they met, Kenley was greeted by an architect wearing a black top hat and a brown overcoat over a white shirt—Leonbali.

  At just twenty-five years old, Leonbali was still at the beginning of his career. He was not yet the legendary master architect he would one day become, but with time, his achievements would only continue to grow.

  Leonbali removed his hat and gave Kenley a polite bow.

  Kenley nodded."I appreciate you making the trip all the way to the west side of the city. This is my new home. I know you are a magical architect, and my request is simple—bring your team and make sure I can move in and live here comfortably by tonight. The price remains as agreed. I trust in your abilities, Leonbali."

  "No problem, honored guest." Leonbali turned around and waved his hand."Alright, everyone, let's get to work!"

  Behind Leonbali stood a large group of construction workers. Apart from him, there was also an apprentice mage, likely his assistant.

  As a magical architect, Leonbali's abilities far surpassed ordinary manual labor when it came to cleaning and organizing. However, such services also came at a steep price.

  "Ah! So you hired workers!" Sylph had just stepped out and naturally overheard the conversation between Kenley and Leonbali at the door.

  Kenley turned around and instinctively reached out to pat her head.

  "You—you—you! Don't touch my head!" Sylph dodged swiftly.

  "Why not?" Kenley asked, puzzled.

  "You still haven't told me what you meant by‘golden retriever'! Were you mocking my hair?" That was the first thing Sylph thought of, considering her golden locks.

  Kenley chuckled."I wasn't mocking you."

  "I don't believe you!" Sylph glared at him.

  Just then, Leonbali turned back around."Honored guest, on my way past your residence, someone entrusted me with a letter for you."

  A letter? Kenley frowned. He didn't know many people in the city—who would be writing to him now?

  Hastily, he tore it open. One glance at the contents, and he smacked his forehead.

  He had left Green's place too quickly, too caught up in the moment, and completely forgot to ask about the noble's steward. Fortunately, Green had remembered and sent the information through this letter.

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  "Count Megan? That name sounds somewhat familiar…" Kenley furrowed his brows.

  Leonbali was instructing the workers when he suddenly heard Kenley mention Count Megan. He immediately turned his head."Count Megan? My heavens, honored guest, you must stay far away from that man!"

  Kenley was surprised. He hadn't expected Leonbali to know him.

  "Why?" Kenley asked.

  Leonbali glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice."Count Megan is infamous—people call him the Count of Fear. He is extremely petty, ruthless, and sinister. Everyone around him lives in fear."

  "Is he really that terrifying?"

  "Yes. And please, don't let anyone know I said this. Count Megan is a recluse, and some even suspect he has ties to heretics. In reality, he has only one known relative—his nephew, Lucas, a viscount. But from what I've heard, Lucas somehow offended the church today and was sent to the Inquisition. Given Count Megan's temper, he must be furious right now."

  As Leonbali spoke with Kenley, his eyes inadvertently landed on Tia.

  His gaze suddenly brightened, and he unconsciously started walking toward her.

  "I see… So that explains why those six thieves came after me today. Turns out Lucas, that worthless insect, is his nephew. Truly, like uncle, like nephew. Lucas just got into trouble, and Megan has already traced a connection to me. He must have quite a few informants in the royal capital." Kenley rested his chin on one hand, deep in thought.

  A count, huh? That was troublesome. A count who resided in the royal capital was no ordinary noble. The question was whether he held an official position in the royal court. If he was merely a titleholder with no real power, it wouldn't be a big issue. But if he had actual authority, things could get complicated.

  Fortunately, Kenley had the status of an honorary knight. Even if Count Megan wanted to make a move, it wouldn't be easy. With the church's protection, Megan wouldn't dare attack him openly without a justified reason.

  But in the shadows? That was a different matter.

  Just like today—Kenley had only gone to a potion shop, yet Megan had brazenly hired assassins within the royal capital.

  Perhaps he assumed Kenley was still too weak and didn't want to make too big a scene. So he sent six unremarkable thieves, planning to eliminate Kenley and then find an excuse to dispose of them afterward, ensuring no one would trace it back to him.

  What a vicious plan… Kenley narrowed his eyes.

  The saying goes,"A man is either the butcher or the meat." If he didn't take control of the situation, Megan would come at him again. Right now, the priority was to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

  Given his status as a count, he likely had powerful subordinates. On top of that, Kenley had never encountered Count Megan in the game, so he knew little about him.

  Since Teacher Green knew about him, he'd have to ask for more details later to gauge Megan's true strength.

  "Right, I should also check the game's display for furniture." Kenley suddenly recalled how the women in his old guild used to design furniture. His curiosity piqued, he wanted to try it himself.

  With his attention now on furniture, he failed to notice what was happening right beside him.

  "Ah, sir, please focus on your work. Tia really isn't interested in going on a date." Tia nervously took a step back.

  "Please, my beautiful lady! Accept my request! I shall lay out the finest flowers, light the most dazzling candles, and beneath the reflection of Lake Maierzhu, give you a grand and enchanting evening!" Leonbali was now down on one knee, extending a hand forward as if hoping to take Tia's.

  Sylph stood stiffly at the side, seemingly too infuriated by Leonbali to even speak.

  This was the first time Sylph had ever been at such a loss for words.

  "Master!" Tia quickly scurried behind Kenley, mistaking his glance for a return to awareness (when in reality, he was still looking at the game interface).

  "Ah! My beautiful lady, please don't run! Say yes to me!" Leonbali pleaded desperately.

  It turned out that Leonbali had taken a liking to Tia and was now fervently pursuing her.