Chapter 6: The Straze Manor

***

A man with a dignified posture stood elegantly in front of an exuberant looking store. A storefront sign with the cursive words "Cromwell Royal Garments" was inscribed on it as it rigidly hung on the brick wall just above the store's entrance.

From a distance, the place radiated extravagance as though only people in the higher strata of society could afford to take a step inside.

The man who nonchalantly stood outside while curiously surveying his surroundings was, of course, Mephisto. His exceedingly luxuriant attire garnered him furtive glances from the onlookers. Criticisms would be thrown at him in hush whispers but he paid it no heed, after all, he was one who relish being placed in the limelight.

'It's the price of being fashionable. And without having to speak, people will know who I am', Mephisto thought in contentment, deluded in his self-centered views.

After all, his attire was gaudy, there was nothing else to describe it but gaudy. He was glimmering from his forehead down to his toes. He wore a tuxedo and matching trousers with red and gold as the main theme. The entire set was trimmed with golden colors such as the lapels, collar, and pockets, including his bowtie while the rest was dyed with scarlet. Even his red top hat was adorned with a golden silk band.

A golden monocle that shimmered in the sun was also fitted onto his right eye with chains that slid down to the interior of his vest. Given Mephisto's perfectionist nature, he also bought an antiquated pocket watch and a trusty cane which was a gentleman's armament in dire situations where civil discourse between parties was improbable.

And yes, every single article was dipped in the color of crimson and gold.

Regarding the origin of his funds to purchase his extravagant outfit, let's just say he has a plethora of illicit means under his sleeves.

'Now this is an impeccable style that would last through the ages..' With the ever sense of gratification filling his heart, he strutted through the bustling streets where humans in different walks of life go about with their daily lives.

After a while amidst the questioning gazes of the crowd, Mephisto found himself standing in front of a two-storey building, an excellent structure of masonry with a touch of Victorian-era architecture. It had church-like rooftop finials, ornate gables, and painted iron railings. Overall, it was marked by its unabashed devotion to ornament and flourish and its ornate maximalist exterior design.

'..hmm..such intricacy, humans really had come a long way. The last time I surfaced, the best was of a crude design made of unpolished brick and stones..' He thought with great interest.

Apparently, the County Hall Secretariat - a unit responsible mainly for the municipality's administration, tax collection, and record-keeping also houses the Bureau of State Properties that solely deals with land ownership for its citizens.

As Mephisto confidently entered the building with a groove, the assortment of people instinctively squinted their eyes to shield themselves from the glaring apparel the man wore and the illumination of the sun that pierced into the room from the opened double doors. He made a fine picture of a deity shedding his holy light unto the glum world.

His stylish entrance as if to flaunt his presence had inevitably drawn everyone's attention. Despite their hectic agenda, they all temporarily halted what they were doing to stare at the gilded gentleman, bewilderment visible on their faces.

"Good morning, good morning, sweet humans~!!" Mephisto said jovially as he greeted the crowd.

'humans..?'

'What a freak..'

'...hey, somebody please call the guards'

'Beautiful...!'

However, the reception seemed to be lukewarm at best as he was answered with muffled criticisms and scrutinizing glares. After a few moments of silence, Mephisto broke the unenthusiastic atmosphere with his rich, captivating voice.

"I seek assistance to legally integrate myself to the society and subsequently, purchase a respectable dwelling for myself.." This time, his cheery demeanor was replaced with a courtly temper. And all the ladies inside, including the widows and married alike had inadvertently fixed their gazes unto the man's noble conduct, of course, barring his ridiculous get up.

*gulp!*

A few of the more vulnerable ladies were ensnared by Mephisto's faultless decorum, even more so with his enchanting beauty. It was as though the soothing fragrance of cool peppermint had tickled their nostrils and teased their delicate hearts. Some women felt jittery as they surreptitiously rubbed their legs against each other, teasing their nether region.

"..Y-you need to register your identity first. If you're a noble hailing from another county, we may need to require additional proof of your status such as..", one of the more daring clerks spoke to Mephisto, her face visibly flushed red. Despite her covert attempts at hiding her inner turmoil, the ebb and flow of her ample chest could not hide her true desire.

When Mephisto smoothly planted a kiss on the back of her hand without much of a warning, the clerk had been further lured into the cavern of temptation with little to no hope of disentanglement.

"Your hospitality is quite admirable" he replied appreciatively, shooting a seductive wink that sealed the deal, "I am in your care, then...Ms..?"

"C-Caitlyn!!..Caitlyn Wattson!!" the clerk's high-pitched voice startled the curious onlookers. It seems that her tumultuous emotions would soon erupt with just the gentlest draft on her skin.

"Very well, Lady Wattson, let's get on with our business, shall we?"

"T-this way, p-please!?" It seems that her professionalism had been thrown out the window as she was reduced to a stuttering mess.

Mephisto could not help but arch his lips upward as he was led by the agitated clerk towards a spacious, princely room at the back of the counter. Apparently, the room was where matters of weighty importance were conducted and reserved only to those with prominent backgrounds such as nobles, diplomats, affluent businessmen, and the likes.

During the entire event, one person was watching the entire exchange unfold. His grave expression displayed his muted hostility towards the odd individual who just enraptured Caitlyn's heart like an experienced gigolo.

'She was normally reticent and reserved, so why is she acting starry-eyed before that clown!' He unconsciously tore the sides of the paper he was holding out of anger.

While he was preoccupied with negative thoughts, an overweight yet well-dressed man in a brown suit and top hat approached him from behind and said amicably while stroking his well-kempt mustache, "Shift's ending soon, Daniel. Begin endorsi-"

"LEAVE..ME..ALONE...!!"

Yet out of a sudden, he barked at the man behind him with a dark expression, his emotions in disarray. As his unhinged behavior was laid before everyone to see, all his colleagues including the gossipy onlookers focused their attention on the fuss like some form of attraction.

"..ahh, what in seven hells, did you just say?" the well-dressed man who seemed to be a high-ranking civil servant asked in bafflement, his eyes wide open as his fine mustache seemed to quiver due to the fierce response he just received.

"A-Assistant Manager...I wasn't aware you were-" realizing his blunder, the man named Daniel was grasping for words in a fluster but the man who seemed to be his superior blatantly cut him off with a solemn expression. Obviously, he was unhappy with the man who just disrespected him in front of so many people.

"Come see me at my office.." his serious tone spoke volumes, giving Daniel a cold shiver on his back.

Like a withered leaf, Daniel had shrunk in his seat as his rage was turned into that of helplessness. He then stood up from his desk reluctantly and followed his superior with a heavy heart.

Twenty-five minutes past eleven, Mephisto, along with the young clerk, Caitlyn, was at the County Hall entrance after concluding their business. In his right hand was a pile of seemingly valuable parchments clamped within an opulent binder.

"You were such a great help, Lady Wattson" Mephisto said to the clerk with upturned lips. And as he inched closer, he whispered just a breathe away beside Caitlyn's ear "Remember, your presence is most welcome in my residence, sweetheart".

Mephisto's amorous advances bordering an act of lasciviousness had once again incited the fiery desire within the clerk.

"S-Surely you jest, Lord Straze. A commoner like me-" she remarked, but her diffidence could not veil the excitement whirling inside her upon receiving Mephisto's teasing.

"Say no more, my Lady." He softly interjected Caitlyn while pressing a finger on her delicate lips, and stressed, "I am but a fool if I let our budding relationship wilt due to silly reasons such as social distinction."

"Well, then. If fate allows, may our paths intersect again, hopefully in a more intimate setting."

Mephisto then turned on his heels as he strolled away from the building, still bearing his stately charm. On the other hand, the young clerk could only grip her wildly beating chest as an intense sense of longing overwhelmed her. Most certainly, a fraction of her time tonight would be freed in order to relieve her carnal yearning.

***

'Property Deed of Sale, Certificate of Nobility, all witnessed and sealed by the County's Secretariat.'

Mephisto had successfully obtained the most vital legal documents in order to operate on the surface. Although he would rather do without such piddling matters and just claim everything using his sheer might, he was no better than an imp right now whose array of skills consists of mesmerism, spirit puppetry, and evocation of lesser creatures from Hell. Most depressingly, conjuring the three plague crawlers had almost exhausted his material body's vital force.

Furthermore, the constant activation of his special vision, Maleficent Eyes, was draining not only to his material body but also to his spirituality or commonly termed as Psyche, which had significantly shrunken upon his resurgence into the realm of humans.

'At least, it is in the level of what humans dubbed as the Realm of Heroes..' he consoled himself while pinching his glabella with his thumb. Feeling a throbbing sensation in his head. 'Also, there's the matter of my sudden appearance in this city. With how I deviously manipulated the people according to my will, someone with decent intuition will definitely notice the crumbs I left behind and discover the anomaly.'

'Whatever...It is what it is! I'll deal with the ordeals as they come' He psyched himself up, and tossed the problematic thoughts on the back burner.

His steps then subtly stopped as he found himself in front of a massive, antiquated mansion populated with overgrown vines and shrubs. Evidently, the place has not been tended for quite a considerable time. Directly opposite and adjacent to the building were similar landed estates as they lined up the side of a wide paved road. The estates share similarities in architectural style and dimension but with minor differences mainly in the motif as each mansion pursues a kind of uniqueness.

As Mephisto swiveled his head to the side to look at a pole erected on a walkway made of paving blocks, he silently read the white words printed on a metallic sign with elaborate patterns, "Imperial Swan Boulevard"

And without standing on ceremony, he pressed forward with a bundle of keys in his hand. He then entered his brand new yet desolate abode in a carefree manner, anticipation welling within his body and soul.