THE DIMENSIONAL MERCHANT
Chapter 93 - 92:Arrival and Allegiance

Chapter 93: Chapter 92:Arrival and Allegiance

Ginip – Townhall Square

The heavy clatter of hooves and armor filled the square as Leonard Matgorat’s escort entered Ginip. Dozens of soldiers in silver-and-blue livery lined the cobbled street. The townspeople watched from windows and rooftops, hushed and wide-eyed—many had never seen a noble procession of this scale.

Lysandra stood waiting on the steps of the Townhall, flanked by two city guards.

Leonard stepped down from his carriage, his boots striking the stone with calm precision. His green coat, crested with the Matgorat stag, caught the fading light.

"Lord Leonard," Lysandra greeted with a formal bow. "Welcome to Ginip. We’re honored by your arrival."

He surveyed her. "Mayor Halweir."

"I trust your journey was smooth?"

"Efficient," Leonard replied coolly. "I take it the situation hasn’t improved since your last report?"

"No," she said simply. "It’s worsened."

He raised an eyebrow but said nothing—allowing her to continue.

"Sixty-five percent of the registered adventurers have already left the city," she said grimly. "The rest are packing as we speak. The Guild is sealed. Morale is collapsing. Without the adventurers, Ginip is exposed—panic is spreading."

Leonard’s voice was quiet but edged with steel. "I already know he fled. What I want to hear is how you failed to act before it reached this point."

Lysandra met his gaze evenly. "Because I lack the authority to remove a Guildmaster without a formal inquest. I sent the letter about that. They were ignored." Her voice held no defensiveness—only hard fact.

Leonard’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Any signs of the Guildmaster?"

She shook her head. "None. Gone before dawn the day the treasury was found empty. The staff are in disarray. We’ve questioned them all, but they claim ignorance."

Leonard’s jaw tightened, but he remained composed. "I’ll see it myself tomorrow."

"Of course, my lord. You must be tired from your journey. Please—come inside. Your rooms have been prepared."

He gave a slight nod, then turned to his retinue. "Caldus, post guards at the Guild and the Townhall. No one leaves without my knowledge. And send a raven to Mangort—we’ve taken administrative command of Ginip."

Caldus bowed. "Yes, Young Master."

Leonard looked once more at the city—smaller than he’d imagined. Fraying at the edges. But full of possibility.

♦♦♦

The Red Band came down together.

Darien led the way, fully dressed and wide awake now, his usual lopsided grin back in place. Garrick followed, stoic and calm as ever. Mira practically bounced down the steps beside them, tail swaying, ears perked. Liora trailed last, chewing something and rubbing one eye sleepily.

Alenia led them to a quiet side room. Inside, Kael sat at a small round table, a cup of dark tea in hand. His coat was folded neatly over the back of his chair, rifle propped nearby.

He looked up as they entered. "That was fast."

Darien chuckled and stepped forward. "We’ve decided. We’ll work with you. Few days first, see how things settle—but honestly, we already know you. Trust’s already there."

Kael nodded, satisfied. "Good. I’m glad."

They had done missions together before. Red Band was reliable, competent, and flexible—exactly the kind of people Kael needed as things in Ginip started to spiral. And unlike most adventurers, they didn’t ask too many questions about where his strange tools and supplies came from.

Kael said, taking a sip from his cup, "This city’s about to change. I want you to be part of that change. And I’m not just talking about fighting. There’ll be things—people—who’ll try to stop what I’m building. And when that happens, I’ll need those I can trust at my side. So I choose you guys."

"Thank you for placing your trust in us. We’ll do all we can to be worthy of it—and we won’t let you down."

Kael then said, "Come to Kaelmart tomorrow morning. I’ll walk you through everything—equipment, plans, assignments. And I’ll have paperwork ready."

Liora groaned. "Paperwork..."

"I’ll pay someone else to fill it out for you," Kael deadpanned.

Then Liora straightened, her voice suddenly soft but deliberate. "Also, we want free chocolate."

Kael blinked. "Excuse me?"

"And I want free chips!" Mira chirped, her tail flicking with amusement. "If we’re working for the boss-man now, that means snacks should be part of the deal."

Kael groaned. "If I give you all free things, I’ll go bankrupt by the end of the month. But... I’ll give you a special discount."

"Aww." Mira pouted. "I thought you were rich."

"That’s different."

"But it’s your fault," Mira grinned, nudging him with her elbow. "You gave us the first taste."

"I sold you a bag," Kael muttered. "You acted like I handed you sacred relics."

"That chocolate was sacred," Liora said without blinking.

Garrick grunted, amused, and muttered, "You’ll need deeper pockets just to keep Mira fed."

"I heard that!" Mira said, mock-glaring at him before giggling and stretching her arms overhead.

Kael looked at them—this strange, mismatched group.

Darien glanced around the quiet room, then back at Kael. "So... how many people are you planning to hire? We’re just four. You said this was for your own security organization?"

Kael nodded. "You’re the core. The start. I’ll add more later—slowly. Carefully. I’d rather have four I can trust than twenty I don’t."

Liora gave a slow nod. "Makes sense."

Alenia then said, "So what do we call this new group of yours?"

Darien chuckled. "Give him time. He’s probably got five names already in a journal somewhere."

"I haven’t decided yet," Kael admitted. "But I will. Soon."

"You’d better," Mira said. "We can’t be going around saying ’Hi, we’re Kael’s freelance probably-maybe-official unpaid interns.’"

Kael smiled faintly. "If you’re still this annoying tomorrow, I might reduce your discount."

"Rude," Mira huffed. "Exploitation of the working class."

Then suddenly, she perked up. "Heyyy—... do we get uniforms?"

"Uniforms?"

"With capes!" Mira said, tail swishing. "I want a cape!"

Kael tilted his head, amused. "Why?"

"Because I’d look amazing," she said without hesitation.

Darien deadpanned, "No capes. They get caught on everything."

Garrick grunted in agreement.

Alenia chuckled, her eyes warm.

Kael didn’t say anything, just quietly added "custom uniforms" to his mental list.