Extra's Revenge: Reincarnated As A Slave

The next day, all arrested Red House operatives were released without charges.

Sergeant Torvin personally delivered them to a neutral location with profuse apologies about the "misunderstanding." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He also provided a detailed report on the Blue Lotus House’s activities in district nine—a peace offering and demonstration of his new allegiance.

Within the week, district nine’s Category C Guards had quietly shifted from hostile to cooperative. Not overtly—that would attract too much attention—but enough that Red House operations could resume without interference.

Cassius, who had been monitoring the situation on Lady Z’s orders, was astounded.

"How did you—" he started to ask when Rey finally visited Red House headquarters to report.

"Details don’t matter," Rey interrupted. "What matters is the result. Our people are free, district nine is secure, and we’ve gained leverage over Guards who were previously working against us."

Cassius looked at Rey with new eyes, admiration mixing with something approaching awe.

"You did in three days what I would have had to settle after a few weeks of negotiation. Lady Z needs to hear about this directly."

"She already has," Rey replied. "I’ve been sending her regular updates. But I’ll prepare a formal report."

Lady Z received him in her private office that evening. She listened to his detailed account without interruption, her expression unreadable until he finished.

Then she smiled—genuinely, warmly.

"Exemplary work, Advisor Helt. You’ve demonstrated exactly the kind of capability I was hoping for when I recruited you."

"I simply solved a problem," Rey demurred.

"You did more than that. You demonstrated strategic thinking, resource manipulation, and most importantly, you understood that sometimes you need to be ruthless to be effective." Z stood, moving to look out her window at Elkrim’s night sky. "Cassius is a good man, loyal and dedicated. But he’s too bound by conventional thinking. You’re not."

She turned back to Rey. "That’s valuable. That’s what the Red House needs right now."

Rey nodded acknowledgment. "I’m honored by your confidence."

"Prove it continues to be justified," Z replied. "We have many more challenges ahead. The Fanged Serpent won’t take this setback lightly, and the other Houses are still circling. But with advisors like you..." She trailed off meaningfully.

Rey departed feeling satisfied with the outcome.

He’d accomplished multiple goals simultaneously—resolved the immediate crisis, demonstrated his value to Lady Z, earned Cassius’s respect, and established himself as someone capable of decisive action.

The next morning, as Rey opened Helt’s Scrollworks for business, one of his enslaved workers brought him a letter bearing the Red House seal.

Inside was a formal invitation: Advisor Modred Helt is invited to attend the Monthly Advisors Meeting of the Red House, to be held three days hence at the designated location. Your presence is mandatory.

Beneath the official invitation, in different handwriting—clearly Lady Z’s personal script—was a brief note:

Thank you. You’ve given me hope that the Red House can not only survive, but thrive. I look forward to seeing what else you’re capable of.

- Z

Rey smiled as he folded the letter carefully.

The situation was progressing exactly as he’d hoped. He’d infiltrated the Dark Commerce District, secured a position of real authority, and demonstrated capabilities that would make him increasingly valuable—and therefore increasingly trusted.

All while maintaining his hidden identity and keeping his stolen Desgarron treasures safely concealed.

At least, for now.

’The Advisors Meeting will be interesting,’ Rey thought, already planning how to leverage it. ’Meeting the other senior members of the organization, understanding the full scope of Red House operations, identifying potential allies and threats within the structure itself.’

He looked around his shop—the legitimate front that masked so much illegal activity—and felt satisfaction at how perfectly everything was aligning.

’I wonder how much longer this will continue...’

********

The designated location for the Red House Advisors Meeting was not the underground headquarters where Rey had first met Lady Z, but rather a converted warehouse in district four—neutral territory that belonged to none of the major Houses but was secured through the Red House’s connections.

Rey arrived precisely on time, his elderly merchant persona fully in place.

Two guards at the entrance verified his invitation before escorting him through a maze of storage areas to a concealed stairwell leading down.

The meeting chamber itself was surprisingly sophisticated—a large circular room with a round table at its center, chairs positioned around it with careful attention to hierarchy.

Mystical wards lined the walls, ensuring privacy and preventing eavesdropping. Illumination came from enchanted crystals that cast steady, shadowless light.

Eleven people were already seated when Rey entered, and twelve pairs of eyes turned to assess the newcomer.

Lady Z sat at the head of the table, her position unmistakable. To her immediate right was an older man with graying hair and calculating eyes—clearly someone of significant seniority. To her left sat a younger woman with sharp features and the bearing of someone accustomed to violence.

Cassius occupied a seat three positions down from Lady Z on the right side—Rank 4, Rey noted. The positioning itself was a statement of hierarchy, with those closest to the leader holding the highest ranks.

"Advisor Helt," Lady Z greeted him formally. "Welcome to your first Advisors Meeting. Please, take your seat."

She gestured to the chair furthest from her position—Rank 12, the lowest in the hierarchy.

The seat reserved for the newest member.

Rey moved to it without protest, settling into the chair with the dignity of someone who understood that rank was earned, not given.

"Now that we’re all present," Lady Z began, "let us commence. For those who haven’t yet met him, this is Modred Helt, our newest advisor. He’s already proven his worth by resolving the district nine situation that had been plaguing us."

A few nods of acknowledgment from around the table, some curious glances, one or two skeptical expressions.

The older man to Z’s right spoke next. "I am Aldric, First Advisor to Lady Z. I handle strategic planning and coordination with our Noble sponsor." His tone was professional but carried an undertone of authority that made it clear he expected deference.

The introductions continued around the table.

The sharp-featured woman was Vera, Second Advisor, responsible for enforcement and security.

A portly man named Brennan held Rank 3, managing finances and resource allocation.

Cassius at Rank 4, as Rey already knew, handled diplomatic relations and negotiations—a position his recent failure made somewhat ironic.

The remaining advisors occupied roles covering intelligence gathering, territory management, recruitment, logistics, and specialized operations.

Each one represented a critical function of the Red House’s operations.

But as the introductions concluded, Rey couldn’t help making an assessment that left him concerned.

’If Cassius is Rank 4, this organization is in worse shape than I thought.’

Not because Cassius was incompetent—he clearly wasn’t. But because a diplomatic specialist who had just failed a basic negotiation shouldn’t be in the top four positions of a functional criminal organization.

It suggested a severe shortage of talent, a lack of capable people at senior levels.

’I’ll need to climb these ranks quickly,’ Rey thought. ’Not just for the authority and access, but because if I don’t, I’ll be trapped in a sinking ship surrounded by people who aren’t capable enough to keep it afloat.’