I follow the old man to a large mansion, the land was surrounded with a high wall, and that wall is surprisingly similar to those that are made for Japanese mansions. You know those that have tiled roofs and one big wooden gate, I think China also has those kinds of walls... yep it's better to say they have an asian vibe to them.

Entering the giant gates I was once again shocked at what I saw. There, a garden that had numerous beautiful flowers and tree's were growing in abundance and a small pond was situated near a large tree that looks to be more than a hundred years old. The tree was full of life and had a wide trunk as well as a bountiful top full of leaves. The tree's branches extended a bit on top of the pond and there vines grew, dropping to the ground and the water. The wind blew on the leaves and it made a perfect scene of peace and serenity. There was a small bridge that crossed the pond and looking closely I can see a few fishes, I think are carps, swiming in the small pond.

I looked ahead of the stone paved walkway and my sight landed on a large building. I could only say one thing about it, Japanese. Yes, the mansion was built imitating an old Japanese mansion is what I'd like to say but I need to confirm my doubts.

"Where did this design come from?"

Asking that question I looked at the old man who seemed to have been waiting for that question. And with a voice full of enthusiasm he answered with a proud laugh.

"This is an old house built during the first patriach's reign. He was titled at that time as the most powerful person alive, he built this house and also this type of landscaping. In truth this is one of the reasons that the Marquee family has become an assasin family. People want to visit the houses and manors of the family that many applied for apprenticeship and other works only to live in the manor."

I was taken back by his words. The family became an assasin family for the sole reason that they wanted to hide their house from society? Isn't that just a stupid idea? I mean they could decline the many applicants and be done with it why did they need to go this far for that simple of a problem?

"What kind of idiot would believe your words is what your thinking right now, am I right?"

The old man changed from his carefree and joyful atmosphere to a more serious one now, he's what I would call a bipolar pain in the ass.

"I didn't exactly think that way but I guess that was pretty close"

I answered truthfully, then looking back at me the old man sighed and explained further.

"Well, that wasn't all the reason. It is true that the radical increase on applicants to work is a factor the main cause is actually deeper. And this has something to do with our founder, the first patriarch."

Hearing his words I understood it immediately. The Marquee family founder, the so called "first patriarch" is sort of similar to me. I am not sure but I guess he is a reincarnated person who retained his memories for some reason. Ansd seeing that the marquee family is this big and important it's not that hard to figure out that the person is exceptional and most of all powerful.

"But there is a catch right"

I told him since he paused for a while. Hearing my words he looked at me and smiled.

"You are smart then I won't stray any further, I will tell you the everything in exchange you will marry Cindy"

"Isn't the sequencing of all these events too fast?"

I said and the old man looked at me and answered.

"I'll give you a week to decide after a week has passed and you haven't made a desicion yet I will have to ask you to leave"

The old man said with a smile as he walked away. The old man disappeared and so did the other people behind me the only one left is Cindy.

Cindy approached me and tapped my shoulder.

"Sorry for that please forgive my father"

The girl said as she bowed her head in apology. Well I was a bit shocked and angry but I can understand the reason the old man was lie that. Seeing that he is still leading the family I guess that his son was a failure or already died. And I think that Cindy here is his last succesory so he wants to see her get married to a powerful and skilled assasin so he made her adventure out in the world. Though I guess that she just started yesterday so I could understand the gist of things and the rushed proposal and all. But what bothers me is that this girl, Cindy Marquee doesn't mind going through all this.

I mean yeah I undertand that they were trained and all but I had a bit of expectation on this girl having actual feelings that she wants to be expressed. Well to tell the truth I only want that so I could help her and get a chance to learn that presence concealing technique without having to marry her.

"No no that's all right, more importantly are you fine with not having the right to choose your partner?"

I asked her the question any 21st century person ask someone who is engaged at a young age.

"I don't and besides I was the one who picked you so I'm sorry for dragging you into this"

She said again lowering her head. Is she trying to appeal to me? If she is I'm not buying it, I can sympathize with her but that's it. Accepting the proposal just because I took pity on her is something that I will never do, even think of doing.

"You don't have to apologize, I did want to go with you so if I have anyone to blame I can only blame myself"

"Thank you, now since I am the only one left let me guide you around the house"

She said as she looked at me while forcing a smile. That smile... it was cold and forced, I am proud to say that I am not easily moved by emotions but seeing her like that... I remember myself back in my previous world. Her actions, her expressions, her atmosphere and her tone, they all show how much she has lost. She knows that she is simply being used as a tool by her granfather and that she would surely try to appeal me everyday for the next week. I understand that if I stay longer she will be forced to do something like sneak into my bed etc.

I don;t particularly care but then... no matter how much I want to say no, a strong feeling inside me is telling me that I should help her.

"Well I'll be in your care"

I just answere her giving a business smile and following her closely behind.

"This is the living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms..."

She walked me all around the house telling me where each room was and what rules are placed on that part. Well all I need to remember right now is three rules; Do not step foot in the girls rooms, do not enter the smithy and do not enter the library, though Cindy told me that I could freely enter her room whenever, I wouldn't even think about doing it. It's not because I'm shy or anything like that but she told me those words like she didn't care. I know some women don't care but me a stranger she just recently met, who she knows is way stronger than her and her father, she would let that kind of person in her room without a care?

"Hey you should not force yourself to do things that you don't want to"

I told her in a way that didn't seem like I waslecturing her or anything like that. I said those words with a sigh and made is sound like my thought leaking out or just me muttering but I made sure that she could her my words. And as I expected she abruptly stopped her feet, as I was going to go in front she turned her head and with the usual cold and indifferent expression...

"I forgot to ask where your room is"

She said as she ran through the halls in a flash. I didn't chase her but I guess she wouldn't be meeting me anytime soon.

"Well since I have nothing to do I guess looking at the training of this families desciples would not hurt anyone"

[clang] [clang] [clang]

The sound of metal clashing and scrapping against each other resounded in the training fields. There many young boys raging from 5 to ten years old were sparring against grown up twice their size.

"Put more force into your strikes, use your momentum to increase the power!"

"Yes!"

A green haired youth was training with his parent I think/ The trainer is obviously a past thrity year old but if anything he should already have a family.

"Kuh"

"You call youself my son, stand up, we aren't going home till you at least make a 1 cm deep cut"

The man said as he put up a doll, though I call it a doll it's just a scarecrow made up of iron. The man left and headed for the manor and the boy clenched his fist and started practice swinging.I was surprised that the boy would continue his training even when his father went away watched him until everyone left and only he was left in the training field.

I learned a few things about this boy, his name is Frugel Marquee, he is an adopted son of the person with green hair. Though I they look like father and son the green haired man actually just dyed his hair to make the boy feel at home.

[thud]

A sound of something hitting the ground was heard. I looked at the training ground and saw the boy lying face down in the ground breathing heavily.

[flop]

I turned him over.

"Hey what happened?"

When he saw me his eyes were filled with fear and he sat up and tried to say something but he's words were stuck in his throat.

"Don't worry I won't hurt you"

I said as I look at him with a warm smile, although he is not a descendant and a simple outsider there is still some things that can be done with him. He will be a good piece in my plan, I grinned stretching out my hand.