The morning sun slipped through the window as Saito slowly opened his eyes.
He stretched lightly, then walked toward the window and pushed it open.
Fresh air rushed in.
Outside, the village was already alive.
Children ran across the streets, laughing as they played. Farmers worked the fields, tending to their crops under the rising sun. The voices of merchants echoed through the air, calling out their goods.
Saito rested his arms on the window frame, taking it all in.
A small smile formed on his face.
"…Finally," he muttered.
"Our first territory."
Saito walked through the village, hands in his pockets as he looked around.
The place felt different now.
Peaceful. Alive.
He paused, watching the scenery.
"…This village wasn't this beautiful before," he muttered.
"Sir Saito!"
He turned—
Tina came running toward him, smiling brightly.
"Play with me!" she said, holding out a small stone.
Saito raised an eyebrow. "Play?"
Tina pointed ahead, where another stone was placed farther away.
"You have to hit that one!"
A few other kids gathered around, excited.
"Yeah, yeah! Try it!"
"Sir Saito, do it!"
Saito looked at the stone in his hand, then at the target.
He smirked slightly.
"…Alright."
Saito threw the stone with a precise flick of his wrist.
It hit the target perfectly.
The kids erupted in cheers.
"Wow! Sir Saito, that was amazing!"
"Do it again!"
"Teach me next time!"
Saito chuckled, ruffling Tina's hair lightly.
"Not bad for a newbie," he said with a grin.
A calm voice interrupted.
"You seem to get along well with the children."
Saito turned and saw Takashi standing a few steps away.
"Oh, Mayor! Didn't see you there," Saito said with a slight bow.
Takashi smiled faintly. "If you're looking for your friend, he's eating at Pyvi's restaurant."
Saito nodded. "Yep, that's him. Always has to be eating."
Takashi's expression turned a bit more serious. "About the mansion… the progress will take some time."
Saito waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. Take your time."
With that, he turned and started walking toward Pyvi's restaurant.Saito walked down the village streets, passing houses and smiling at the peaceful morning bustle.
Soon, he arrived at Pyvi's restaurant. Inside, the room was warm and full of life—people chatting, laughing, and enjoying their meals.
Saito scanned the room and spotted Kaito sitting at a corner table, casually drinking sake and biting into a burger.
He walked over and slid into the seat across from him.
"There you are," Saito said, leaning back. "I've been looking for you."
Kaito glanced at him while chewing. "You're the one who woke up late anyway. This burger… still tastes the same."
Saito grinned. "Yep. Some things never change."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "So… what's your plan? Terminate someone?"
Saito shrugged, unfazed. "Why does your head always jump to deadly words?"
He waved at the waiter. "Soup for me, please."
Kaito smirked and took another sip of sake, shaking his head slightly.A villager hurried over, bowing slightly.
"Sir Saito! Sir Kaito! The mayor wants to see you."
Saito and Kaito nodded, finishing the last bites of their meal, then walked toward the outskirts of the village.
They followed a stone path through an open grassland. At the end stood a gleaming white mansion—two stories tall, with a balcony stretching across the front, sunlight glinting off its freshly painted walls.
Saito stopped in his tracks, eyes wide.
"You… you all built this?" he asked, awe in his voice.
The villagers nodded proudly.
Kaito whistled, leaning back slightly. "Well, look at this bad boy… it's huge."
Saito turned to Takashi, raising an eyebrow. "Wait… didn't you say this would take more time?"
Takashi smirked confidently. "Don't underestimate me. I have cement power—progress goes fast when you know how to use it."
Saito's jaw relaxed into a smile. "I'm impressed."
Kaito chuckled. "Looks like our little village is leveling up fast."Takashi opened the door with a flourish and gestured inside.
"Welcome," he said. "This will be your home—our token of thanks."
Saito and Kaito stepped inside, taking in the interior.
The ground floor held a spacious living hall and a fully equipped kitchen. Upstairs were numerous rooms, all neatly arranged, each one larger than most village houses.
Saito raised an eyebrow. "Isn't this mansion… a bit too big?"
Takashi chuckled. "One day, you'll have a lot of members. I decided to build it early."
Saito nodded slowly, impressed.
He then noticed another door slightly ajar. "And this?"
Takashi grinned. "Sauna. Relaxation is important too."
Kaito leaned against the doorway, eyes sparkling. "Yep… this is paradise."
Saito let out a small laugh. "I guess you're not wrong."Takashi led them further into the mansion. "This is the meeting room," he said, opening the door.
Then he guided Saito into a small office. "And this… is for you, Sir Saito."
Saito's eyes fell on a large hole in the wall.
Without missing a beat, Takashi swung his hand. A stream of cement shot from his palm, flying toward the hole and sealing it perfectly.
Saito whistled. "Nice… How did you get that power?"
Takashi shrugged modestly. "Inherited from my father… it runs in our bloodline. Took me a year to control it properly."
Kaito raised an eyebrow, tilting his head. "Huh… didn't know there were people in this world who could control elements."
Saito looked at Takashi with a small grin. "Well, I like this place even more now."
Takashi chuckled. "Glad to hear it. You two are going to need all the comfort and strategy you can get."qSaito sat in his office, flipping through stacks of village records.
His eyes scanned the pages, filled with numbers, trade logs, and reports.
"…Damn," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "This is a big job… I hate numbers."
He glanced over at Kaito, who was leaning lazily against the wall.
"Don't look at me," Kaito said immediately.
Saito sighed. "Figures."
The door suddenly opened.
"Sir Saito! Sir Kaito!"
Tina ran in, holding something in her hands.
"I made this!" she said proudly, showing them a folded paper shuriken.
Saito smiled, his mood instantly softening.
"Wow… that's beautiful. You made this yourself?"
Tina nodded proudly.
Kaito smirked. "Kid, want to see a real one?"
Tina's eyes lit up with curiosity. "A real one?"
Kaito pulled out a metal shuriken and held it up.
"This is the real deal."
Tina stared at it in awe. "Can I touch it?"
"Sure," Kaito said, handing it over.
Saito's eyes widened slightly.
"You know she's a kid, right? She's not ready for your assassination mindset."
Kaito frowned. "What do you mean? It's kid-friendly."
Saito pointed at it. "Yeah, right. I can see the sharp edges from here."
Kaito shrugged. "Hey, the kid wanted to see it. I just granted her wish."
Saito let out a long sigh, shaking his head.Tina held the shuriken carefully, her eyes shining.
"Can I play with it?" she asked.
"No," Saito answered immediately.
"Please…" Tina looked up at him, her big round eyes pleading.
Saito crossed his arms. "No."
Before she could say anything else, he gently took the metal shuriken from her hand and tossed it back to Kaito.
Then he picked up the paper one and handed it to her.
"This is more fun than that," Saito said with a small smile. "When you grow up, you can use the real one."
Tina pouted slightly.
"…Fine."
Kaito watched the exchange and shook his head.
"You're no fun," he muttered.
Saito smirked. "Someone has to be responsible."