"You wish to see all of the properties under your name?"
Vincent rubbed the back of his neck under Julius's gaze. He quickly pulled the laptop closer, set it on the table, and opened the files.
"According to this, Young Master," Vincent began, "you currently hold ownership over five major properties across Germany. All of them are fully developed expansions. Three have been commercialized, while two are presently in active use."
Julius leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "Show me."
Vincent turned the screen toward him. Julius studied the list, rubbing his chin.
Everything was as he remembered. One was a casino and hotel complex under his name he had frequented far too often in the past. Another was a commercial hub he'd purchased back in his university years, more to impress his friends than for any real return.
The rest followed a similar pattern.
But these weren't what Julius was looking for.
"If I were to demolish and remodel one," he said, eyes still on the screen, "which would be the most cost-effective?"
Vincent began calculating in his head. He clicked through several tabs, reviewed the maintenance logs and valuation charts, and finally pointed to one on the list.
"This one."
Julius raised a brow. "The Kinderheim, huh?"
Vincent nodded.
The property in question was a small estate on the outskirts of Munich. A land that housed a children's home under the Schneider Philanthropy Initiative.
It had been part of a humanitarian drive organized years ago by their father. Both Julius and Jeremy had been assigned charitable fronts to oversee as part of their "moral training."
Jeremy managed hospitals and academic scholarships. Julius, on the other hand, had been given a Kinderheim under the family name but rarely saw his direct involvement.
"Of course," Vincent continued, "it's one of the least profitable holdings on paper, but the land value's doubled in the last decade. If redevelopment's your goal, the Kinderheim would yield the highest margin."
Julius said nothing. His gaze remained on the name of the foundation attached to the deed.
"Who's running it now?" he asked.
"A caretaker named Mrs. Frieda," Vincent replied. "She's been in charge for almost fifteen years. Reports show she's been managing without much funding since the last audit."
Julius leaned back again, quiet for a long moment.
"So it's neglected."
"Yes, sir."
He tapped his finger lightly on the armrest, eyes narrowing. "Prepare a visit. I want to see it myself."
Vincent blinked. "You mean, in person?"
"Obviously." Julius closed the laptop with a soft click. "If I'm going to rebuild something, I'd like to know what I'm tearing down first."
"Understood, Young Master."
Julius paused, as if recalling something. "Also, would you like a promotion?"
"E-Excuse me?"
"I'm looking for a personal accountant. I think you fit my vision quite nicely, Vincent."
"Ah?"
Perhaps it had to be said, but Julius, Gabriel, and Vincent all came from the same university, though they'd taken very different paths.
Julius majored in political science, while Gabriel studied sword arts. Vincent, on the other hand, was from the accounting department.
Among the capable people Julius knew in the future, Vincent was one who had risen to a significant position, joining the Swiss National Bank and climbing to a respectable rank as a full-blooded German man.
In the end, however, despite Switzerland's long years of prosperity and stability, it became one of the first targets of the Revolutionary Army.
Following that, their attempt to seize control not only of Germany but of the entire world plunged everything into a severe and alarming state of economic depression.
"So, what do you say?" Julius smiled.
"…."
Vincent swallowed deeply. The look in Julius's eyes made it clear he never had a choice to begin with.
* * *
Kinderheim St. Elysia.
It was an old children's home that had stood long before the Schneiders acquired the land.
In fact, it was the very reason they had purchased the property in the first place. Yet, a year after the acquisition, the Schneiders offered only enough support to keep it barely functioning, so little that it bordered on neglect.
"We've arrived."
"Yes."
Julius stepped out of the car and looked around, taking in the scenery before him.
"How is this place being managed?" Julius asked.
"It's more or less invisible on the ledger," Vincent replied, closing the car door behind him. "Technically, it's still under the Schneiders' ownership, but the records make it seem like an independent institution. Donations are sparse, and most of the funding is redirected elsewhere."
"So it's been abandoned in plain sight."
Vincent nodded. "You could say that. The director keeps things running with what little she has, but the place is deteriorating."
"Makes it easier to tear it down, then."
Vincent said nothing. There were no plans for relocation, and Julius had neither the intention nor the time to arrange one. If humanity was destined to collapse, then a kinderheim was the least of his concerns.
A caretaker, noticing their arrival, hurriedly approached.
"Good afternoon," she greeted politely, her eyes moving between the two men. "Are you here for a visit? We don't usually get guests around this hour."
Julius smiled. "You could say that. I was hoping to take a look around, if that's all right."
The woman hesitated for a moment. They looked to be men of importance, given their expensive attire. It was only natural they would be looking for the director.
After a brief pause, she nodded.
"Of course. The children are outside, and the director should be in her office. Please, follow me."
As they walked through the gate, the sound of laughter carried from the courtyard. A few children peeked curiously from behind a tree, their faces smudged with dirt.
The caretaker led them across the courtyard. She seemed nervous, glancing back every so often as if unsure whether she should be leading them at all.
"I'm sorry for the mess," she said. "We've been short on staff lately. The director tries her best, but, well, there's only so much she can do."
Julius didn't respond. His gaze swept over the playground. The laughter of children echoed in the background.
When they reached the entrance, the caretaker stopped and turned toward them.
"The director's office is this way," she said, motioning to the left hall. "She'll be glad to know someone's taking an interest."
Vincent adjusted his tie and nodded. "Lead the way."
When they reached the end of the hall, the caretaker stopped in front of a door.
"Director? There are visitors here to see you," she called, knocking.
——Yes, come in.
The caretaker opened the door and stepped aside. Julius entered first. The room was tidy but plainly furnished.
Behind the desk was a woman in her late forties.
"Good afternoon," she said. "I wasn't expecting guests."
"Yes. I'll get straight to the point," Julius began. He didn't bother to sit. "My name is Julius Sebastian Schneider, and I'm here to inform you that the Schneider Group will be reclaiming this property for redevelopment."
The woman blinked. "Redevelopment?"
Julius gave a single nod. "The land has been under the Schneider family's ownership for years. We've decided it's time to proceed with our original plans. The facility will be cleared within the next few months."
"A-Ah? W-What will happen to children…?"
"That will be for further discussion," Julius replied coldly. "However, I advise you to relocate as soon as possible. Delays won't change the outcome."
"…."
"This place has outlived its purpose," he continued. "You've done what you can, and that's enough. The world is changing, Director. Sentimentality won't stop progress."
She lowered her gaze, her fingers trembling as they clutched the edge of her desk.
"…Some of the children have nowhere else to go."
"Then find somewhere. It's not my concern how you do it, only that you do—"
The words had barely left his mouth when the office door swung open. A boy stepped in. He was not a child, but not quite a man either.
"My apologies," he said. "But I couldn't help overhearing. Is there truly no other way, Mister Schneider?"
Julius's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
"Michael!" the director cried.
"…."
Silence fell.
For a moment, Julius said nothing. A chill ran down his spine.
Michael… Michael…
Though still young, Julius could clearly recognize his features. Black hair and black eyes that seemed to pull him into an endless abyss.
How could he not recognize him when every detail was burned into his memory?
If his intuition was right, this was the same Michael who had killed him in his previous life.