Orus, the mayor's residence.
This had originally been the mayor's home, the administrative center of Orus, this border city.
But when Arad Kexite, the supreme commander of the Principality of Libian, arrived here with the national army, the place was temporarily requisitioned and became the commander's lodging.
Arad had just returned from the suburban square where the Sphinx was stationed.
His room was on the highest floor of the residence. It should originally have been the mayor's office, but now it had become his private quarters.
"Clack—clack—clack—clack—"
The loud sound of iron boots striking the floor echoed through the refined corridor in a rhythmic cadence.
Arad greeted no one. Expressionless, he walked toward his room.
Along the way, he brushed past a servant with their head lowered.
At that very instant, something was slipped into Arad's hand.
"This is what we agreed on."
As those words seemed to sound directly in his ear, the servant who had passed him by with their head lowered departed.
"..."
Arad's eyes flickered slightly. He said nothing, merely clenched the item in his hand and continued onward with an impassive face until he returned to his quarters.
As the mayor's former office, this room was not only exceedingly luxurious, but also equipped with many protective measures.
A small barrier operated around the clock, serving multiple purposes such as soundproofing, defense, and warnings. Four Dolls clad in knight armor stood around the room as well, weapons in hand, unmoving.
These four Dolls were no ordinary decorations. They were four Alchemy Dolls.
Should the room's barrier issue a warning or detect unnatural magic within the room, they would automatically activate and immediately enter a combat state.
The Alchemy Dolls were no weaklings either. They could rival Gold Rank.
In other words, every Alchemy Doll here possessed