CHAPTER 150: STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS

Aegis spread another map across the dining table. This one marked with old temple ruins and faded warning symbols.

Scarlett and Kanna leaned in, studying the location.

"Dawnspark Ruins," Aegis said, tapping the center of the map. "Used to be a holy temple dedicated to some light goddess or another. Got corrupted by Umbral forces about fifty years ago. Now it’s mostly just crumbling architecture and monsters."

Kanna’s eyes narrowed.

"Umbral corruption means shadow creatures. Those are unpredictable."

"Buuuuuuut also means valuable loot," Aegis countered. "Corrupted holy sites tend to have artifacts that got left behind when people fled."

[In the game, there are literally legendary items just sitting in places like this, waiting to become plot-relevant. But I’m not waiting. Fuck the plot. I’m taking what I need now.]

Scarlett grinned, already looking excited.

"Sounds fun. How dangerous are we talking?"

"Less dangerous than that ancient Crystalback you two killed. The creatures are aggressive but predictable. I’ll write up a whole guide for you."

Kanna pulled the map closer, examining the temple’s layout.

"What’s the objective? Clear the site completely or grab specific items?"

"Specific items. There’s supposedly a cache of blessed silver weapons in the main sanctuary. Those sell for stupid amounts of money. Plus take any corrupted crystals you find. Our dear Rosalie can purify and use those. Again, don’t worry too much about the monsters. Stick together, don’t split up, and you’ll be fine."

[They’ll find the legendary items on their own. If I talk about those, they might really start getting suspicious.]

"Maybe they’d be even more fine with some help."

Aegis turned.

Talia stood in the doorway, arms crossed, looking around the half-renovated manor with obvious curiosity.

"Talia." Aegis blinked. "What are you doing here?"

"You told me about this place, remember? I wanted to see how progress was coming." She walked into the room, her yellow eyes taking in the construction work visible through the open doorway. "Also, I overheard you planning a dungeon run. I’m coming with."

Aegis blinked again.

"Just so you know, I’m not going with them."

"I know that. I want to go regardless."

Scarlett’s eyebrows shot up.

"You want to hunt monsters with us?"

"I’m not incompetent in combat, Lionheart."

"I didn’t say you were! I just meant—you’re a princess. Don’t you have... princess stuff to do?"

"It’s precisely because I have princess stuff to do that I’m here. I’ve been drowning in meetings and dates. I need a little... time to unwind."

Aegis studied her.

[So she’s running away? Can’t say I blame her.]

"Okay," Aegis said slowly. "On one condition: bring Liora too."

Talia’s expression shifted immediately.

"What? Why?"

"You need a support caster. Liora’s magic can strengthen the group, heal minor wounds, boost morale. She’s perfect for dungeon runs."

That was partially true.

The real reason was simpler.

[I want to repair your relationship. You two have been awkward since Serilla came, and this’ll probably get you to kiss and make up.]

Talia’s jaw tightened.

"Liora’s not much of a fighter."

"She doesn’t need to be. That’s what the rest of you are for. She just needs to support." Aegis crossed her arms. "Take it or leave it."

Talia and Aegis stared at each other.

Finally, Talia sighed.

"Fine. I’ll go ask her."

"Great. Carriage leaves in two hours."

Talia left without another word.

---

Two hours later, Aegis stood outside the manor watching her retainers, plus two romance interests who desperately needed to work their shit out, climb into a hired carriage.

Scarlett looked excited. Kanna looked focused. Talia looked determined.

Liora looked slightly dazed, like she wasn’t entirely sure how she’d ended up here.

"Three days," Aegis called out. "Bring back loot, don’t die, have fun!"

The carriage slowly rolled away, leaving Aegis standing alone in front of her half-built manor.

She watched until it disappeared around a corner, then turned back toward the city.

[Alright. They’ll be fine. Probably. Now it’s time to get my steward.]

---

House Vermillion’s estate was exactly as ostentatious as Aegis remembered from her first visit.

Marble columns. Manicured gardens. Servants in matching uniforms moving with the unison of a step team.

The kind of place that screamed "we have so much money we don’t know what to do with it all."

Aegis was shown into a sitting room where Lady Cassandra Vermillion waited, reading correspondence while sipping wine.

She looked up as Aegis entered.

"Lady Starcaller. What an unexpected pleasure."

"Lady Vermillion. Thanks for seeing me on short notice."

Cassandra set down her papers.

"Your message said it was important. I assume this isn’t a social call?"

"Not exactly. I’m here to ask a favor."

"Oh?"

Aegis sat down across from her, keeping her posture relaxed but confident.

"I need a steward. Someone to manage House Starcaller’s operations. Finances, scheduling, resource allocation. Someone organized and competent."

"There are employment agencies that specialize in—"

"I would like it if I could hire Evelyn."

Cassandra’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in her eyes.

"... Evelyn Wheeler?"

"Yes."

"My personal assistant."

"Yes."

"With all due respect, Starcaller, why would I give you my personal assistant?"

Aegis leaned forward slightly.

"Because you’re invested in my success. You backed me financially because you saw potential. But potential means nothing if I can’t actually manage what I’m building. I need someone who knows how noble houses operate. Someone who understands accounting, logistics, and protocol."

"Evelyn has been with House Vermillion for five years."

"And she’s brilliant. Which is exactly why I need her."

Cassandra took a sip of wine, studying Aegis over the rim of her glass.

"What makes you think she’d even want to work for you? You’re a brand new house. No history, no established reputation. Why would she leave a Great House for that?"

"Because working for you, she’ll always be an assistant. Working for me, she could be a steward. Real authority, real responsibility. A chance to build something from the ground up instead of maintaining something that’s already established."

"That’s quite an assumption about what she wants."

"Maybe. Would you like to bet on it, madame?"

There was a beat of silence.

Cassandra set her glass down.

"And what are you offering me in exchange for losing my best assistant?"

Aegis stood and walked around the table slowly.

"What do you want?"

"An answer to my question would be a start."

Aegis stopped beside Cassandra’s chair, close enough that she could smell the older woman’s floral, expensive perfume.

"I could offer you first refusal on any rare goods my people acquire. Exclusive access to my alchemist’s products once she’s operational. A percentage of House Starcaller’s future profits."

"You have an alchemist working for you?"

Aegis leaned down, lips just an inch away from Cassandra’s ear.

"Indeed," Aegis whispered. "The. Single. Most naturally talented alchemist in Rosevale."

Cassandra’s breath caught slightly.

"That’s quite a claim."

"I don’t make claims I can’t back up."

Aegis straightened but didn’t step away. Her fingers traced the edge of the chair’s back, close enough that her knuckles brushed Cassandra’s shoulder.

"Exclusive access means you get first pick of everything. Healing potions, enhancement draughts, specialty concoctions. Before anyone else. At preferential rates."

"And the percentage of profits?"

"Five percent of House Starcaller’s net income. Once we’re operational."

"That could be nothing..."

"Or it could be substantial. You would be wise to bet on substantial."

Cassandra turned her head slightly, looking up at Aegis. Their faces were very close now.

"You’re very confident for someone whose house is so young."

"I have good instincts about investments." Aegis’s fingers stilled on the chair. "About people, too."

"Is that so?"

"I think you know it is."

The air between them felt charged. Cassandra’s eyes dropped to Aegis’s mouth for just a fraction of a second before returning to meet her gaze.

"You’re playing a dangerous game, Lady Starcaller."

"My whole life’s been a dangerous game. I’m acclimated at this point."

Cassandra’s lips curved into a small smile.

"Ten percent."

"Seven."

"Eight, and I want detailed quarterly reports on House Starcaller’s progress."

"Done."

Cassandra stood, forcing Aegis to step back slightly. She walked to her desk with measured grace.

"You’re far too much, Lady Starcaller."

"I’ve been told that before."

Cassandra pulled out a piece of parchment and began writing.

"Evelyn will need official release papers. She’s meticulous about documentation."

"I appreciate thoroughness."

"I imagine you appreciate a lot of things."

The comment hung in the air between them.

Cassandra signed the paper with a flourish and held it out. When Aegis took it, their fingers touched for a moment longer than necessary.

"Eight percent of net profits, quarterly reports, and exclusive first access to your alchemist’s products. I expect you to honor this agreement."

"I always honor my commitments."

"See that you do."

Aegis folded the paper carefully.

"Thank you, Lady Vermillion. This won’t be the last time we do business together."

"No," Cassandra said, her eyes holding Aegis’s. "I don’t imagine it will be."

Aegis headed for the door, very aware of Cassandra’s gaze following her.

"Lady Starcaller?"

She paused, looking back.

Cassandra’s eyes dipped down, on some part of Aegis’s body, before coming back up.

"... Don’t keep me waiting too long for those quarterly reports."

"Wouldn’t dream of it~"

As she walked off, Aegis thought:

[Evelyn Wheeler. Wheeler... Wheeler.... Wait a second, don’t I know a Wheeler?]

But, off the top of her head, she couldn’t remember who that was.

[Eh, whatever.]

---

Aegis found Evelyn Wheeler exactly where Cassandra said she’d be—in the east wing, surrounded by perfectly organized chaos.

Ledgers, correspondence, scheduling charts. Everything had its place and purpose.

The woman herself looked up as Aegis approached. Brown hair in a bun, sharp green eyes, and an expression that said she was already three steps ahead in whatever conversation they were about to have.

"Can I help you?"

Aegis held out the release paper.

"Lady Cassandra sent me. I’m here to offer you a job."

Evelyn took the paper, read it, and raised one eyebrow.

"You’re Lady Starcaller."

"That’s me."

"The commoner who won the Winter Trials and somehow convinced Lady Vermillion to back her."

"Also me."

Evelyn set the paper down carefully.

"And you want me to work for you."

Aegis nodded.

"I need a steward. Someone who can manage House Starcaller’s day-to-day operations. You’re the best there is."

"How would you know? You’ve never met me."

"Lady Vermillion runs one of the most efficient houses in the kingdom. That doesn’t happen by accident. That happens because someone keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. That someone is you."

Evelyn leaned back in her chair, studying Aegis.

"What exactly would I be managing?"

"Construction projects, staff schedules, supply procurement, finances. Everything I don’t have time to handle myself. Plus coordinating with my retainers, my alchemist, and whatever other ventures I start."

"That’s a lot of responsibility for a house that’s barely three weeks old."

"Which is why I need someone exceptional."

"What’s the pay?"

"600 gold per month, room and board at my manor, plus a percentage of profits once we’re fully operational."

Evelyn’s expression didn’t change, but Aegis saw the interest there.

"That’s above market rate for a new house."

"I pay for quality. You’re quality."

"And if House Starcaller fails?"

"It won’t. But if it did, you’d have Lady Vermillion’s recommendation and experience managing a startup operation. That’s valuable regardless."

Evelyn picked up the release paper again, reading it more carefully this time.

"When do I start?"

Aegis grinned.

"Tomorrow. Welcome to House Starcaller."