City Lord of Nalazi

After tens of minutes passed by Ben was the first the break the silence with a heavy sigh. He put his fake magic staff away and retrieved a bottle of Consumable Lotion and drank.

"Ben, we're..." Vivi was cut short when Ben brought his hand to stop her from saying anything else.

"It wasn't your fault, if it was anyone other person they would have done what you did, and fell for his trap, even his daughter fell for it, so that shouldn't bother you. Next time you have to be able to read between the lines especially with the people you are dealing with." Ben shrug then advised them.

"But how...?" Vivi asked clearly confused. The man didn't look like the one to scheme against them. Ben's words aren't even offensive or rude, yet, the man flared up.

"Well, that's one of the many things nobles and aristocrats like doing most of the time with each other, so you don't need to mind it." Ben answered casually, little did he know that his answer have the two siblings a shock. Doesn't that mean one of two things, either Ben hangs around with nobles a lot or he is a noble man himself. They were more inclined to believe the latter to be more likely the truth.

In less than two hours Ben was able to get out of bed to move around. His injuries weren't that severe anyway, slight exhaustion and a few scratches at most.

Ben made his way out the door and was surprised to find out that the infirmary was that of the City lord, the place was bustling outside while the opposite inside the infirmary.

Neigh!!

Just as he and the siblings stepped outside they heard the neighing of a horse. Looking towards the direction, Ben saw a restless red stallion circling in a fenced space not far away. Smiling warmly Ben walked towards the Stand. Some men who were trying to tame the red stallion had to stop when they noticed Ben approaching the horse, not even batting an eye on the men.

The horse at this moment that was like a raging storm suddenly went calm for no reason. Ben stroke its mane then brought out an apple in his storage bag on his waist and started feeding the horse.

"Thank you for all your troubles, here."said Ben as he handed the three men two gold coins each.

"Thank... thank you very much."

"Ah, it wasn't that much of a trouble, haha." one of them laughed.

"Yes... yes you can come around anytime with whatever fine steed you bring."

The three men were struck dumb before showering Ben with words because of his generosity, they quickly went away like startled rabbits.

Ben watched the men leave before saying in a bored tone to the siblings, "Come on guys, let's go look for a house."

Ben in no time was escorted by a man sent by the City lord to be led to a few places where he can buy a suitable place for the three. The man was a bit confused when Ben told him the type of houses he wanted, he could do nothing but listen to Ben's preference. And that was when Vivi and Stephan were shocked by Ben's choice. He went for mansions, freaking mansions!

Vivi and Stephan were thinking if maybe, during the battle against the men that were hunting Elsa, Ben had hit his head. Vivi looked at Ben in confusion, to be able to give out six pieces of gold to complete strangers can be seen as acts of generosity, but now looking for mansions to buy... Just how much does he have to be able to spend that much? Vivi asks herself. She knew quite well that an average family from the receiving side of society can live on two or three gold coins a month. And that was those with a decent work.

By the time Ben found the one he wanted it was passed 4pm, and since there wasn't anything in the mansion, Ben decided that they could wait till the next day to make the payment. Now that they were done with their first goal, they headed to the City lord's manor.

The City lord of Nalazi had intended to throw a feast in Ben's name, unfortunately, he was outrightly rejected. Ben didn't want to be involved in any political bullshit, so he ruled himself out.

At the dining table only the clankering of their spoons on plate could be heard. Once they were about to finish the City lord spoke.

"Well, since your place isn't ready yet, why not stay here for the night, by tomorrow you can arrange you place much better." Elsa said looking at Ben who sat across her in the table.

"We appreciate the hospitality." Ben stood from his seat and gave the father and daughter duo a nobleman's bow. The two were stumped by this because this meant he was a noble.

Ben was led to a very big and nicely decorated room. It could even be said to be better than that of his back home. It was very well furnished and cozy, he was so carried away that he didn't realize the maid that brought him here was standing outside.

"Hmm? Is there anything else that I need to know?" Ben turned to look at the maid that still stood by the door. Sweat was visibly falling down her face, she was anxious and worried, a bit jittery too. "Hmm, I see. You can leave at once, you are no more needed here." Ben said and entered the room.

"Ple... Please, let me serve you." the maid said almost instantly.

"I said you are no more needed here, so there's no need to serve me. You can go and sleep in your chambers now." Ben said once again in a bit of displeasure.

"But... but I have to. Please, I beg you." the maid fell on her knees at the door. She was crying.

Ben immediately realized what was going on, this was a way to apologize... but inappropriately. But, such a thing wasn't meant to be forced. However, it looks like that wasn't the case, the maid was forced!

Ben was angered by this, it showed that this City Lord wasn't a good person towards his subjects, and Ben wasn't someone to condone such. However, this wasn't his territory, he had no say here. He made a mental note to speak with the City Lord once they meet again.

Ben didn't have time to be occupied with such a thing so he invited the maid in his room and guided her towards the bed. Once they reached the bed, Ben gently stroked her shoulder, as though trying to get a better feel of her.

The maid was tense and nervous all around. But only after a few minutes of gentle stroking her shoulder to ease her, she finally relaxed a little. She heard how this young man has saved their miss and knew he was a good guy, and his earlier actions of rejecting her confirmed her suspicion about him. And now he wasn't rough like how her seniors maidservants normally describe such people who pretend to be kind.

When she relaxed again and when she was about to fall into final acceptance of her fate, she blacked out.

Ben sighed and laid the maid at one side of the bed before sleeping at the other side. That was only after four hours of his daily... more like nightly meditation. Ben was already late to head to his school, The Phantom, so he had to hasten his plans to continue on his journey.

...

The next day Ben was lucky to meet the City Lord of Nalazi having his morning walk.

"Good morning City Lord."

"Ah, good morning Mr. Ben. Hope you enjoyed your night." the City Lord had a wide smile on his face expecting Ben to smile with him.

"Hmm, about that..."

"What? Was there any problems with the gift I presented last night?" his words made Ben clench his teeth. Humans aren't items to be handed over and used as you please! Ben screamed in his head, yet, what could he do? Nothing. Once again he had to remind himself this wasn't his territory. This has been the life of nobles across this medieval world.

Ben took a long breath before speaking. "No, not at all, in fact I'll tell you I enjoyed it. But uh, I was wondering are any of your maids and male servants for sale? I can only look to you since am not that confident looking for servants elsewhere. I promise I'll pay handsomely." Ben offered with a smile.

"Wow, really? I didn't know you enjoyed it so much. Well then since you say so, I'll give... I mean, sell some of my servants to you. However, I can only sell twenty at most."

"That would be wonderful City Lord, that will help me since I'll be buying a lot of goods to put in my new house. Thank you City Lord."

After a few more chats, Ben, Stephan and Vivi went out to buy the mansion they had selected the day before and everything necessary for it to be habitable.

Using his Gold Card, while trying hard to hold his laughter at how it operated, this was because to make any transaction all Ben has to do was to place his own Gold Card over the shop owners Gold Card and just say 'I accept' to the bill given to you, and walah, like magic the numbers in your Gold Card decreases while the one on the shop keeper's increases.

(AN: Remember not every person is capable to handling Gold cards, so every shop Ben went to were very big shops capable to using Gold cards)

After discussing with the agent about the type of business they intend to do, the agent bright then to a place, which Vivi loved, she jumped on Ben and hugged him even in front of Stephan, only to quickly jump off him and hide behind Stephan, blushing hard.

Anyway, with that, Ben bought the place with everything in it. Luckily for them, the place was a restaurant before it was closed down for business. He sighed the papers and gave Stephan the authority to take care of the places in his stead.

As for the food of this world Ben felt that he could improve it... a lot, however he didn't, at least for now. Maybe when he returns he'll add a few changes to the dishes.