"Damn this filthy and forsaken place."
Hearing Herbert's sudden whisper, Ingrid chuckled. She understood that he had been forcing himself to go this far, that even the slightest delay had irritated him so much that he accidentally let out his real feelings.
"You're the lads sent by Borris and his men, yeah? The hell you thinking walking around this place. This our territory, yeah? Tell him to back the fuck off! If you don't, I swear I'm gonna cut your head off"
After saying such vulgar remarks, Herbert silently emitted a dark pressure. It wasn't long before dark feathers started materializing from his back. As he stood there, the men surrounding them finally started to show signs of panic. In that moment, a couple of feathers that had formed on Herbert's back extended and flew over to his right hand turning itself into a sword.
"Boss, it's an awakened!"
"Damn, it's the first time I saw one."
"The fuck is this? Who told me this was sent by Borris?"
Before anyone could do anymore, the man that threatened Herbert started to kneel on the ground, begging for forgiveness.
"Please! Forgive me, my lord. Have mercy. I didn't recognize that it was your excellency. We are at your disposal, please tell us how to atone for our mistakes."
Although Herbert currently didn't have the best temper, he was still able to remain level-headed. After a snort, the dark feathered wings on his back silently disappeared into particles. The sudden change in the use of words by the ruffian had caused him to feel slightly unnerved. His surprising eloquence and quick-wittedness are often found among nobles, yet he, who was slightly even lesser than a commoner had the same boot-licking capabilities.
"What's your name?"
"Thank you for gracing me with your interest, I am forever humbled. This lowly one is known as Clive."
"Do you have a last name?"
"No, my lord, I wasn't able to inherit it."
"Do you have a son named Collin?"
After hearing Herbert's mention of the name, Clive's face paled. As he was prostrating himself on the muddy ground, Herbert did not get to see his change in reaction.
"With all due respect, may I ask why?"
"Bring him to me."
"But- My lord, although I don't intend to bother you, he is currently taking care of my sick wife."
"Lead the way."
Hearing their conversation, the men who saw the embarrassing scene of their leader groveling and begging for forgiveness had been stunned. They had always trusted him as he was always courageous and loyal, but none of those qualities could be seen right now. He was even willing to sell out his son and wife. Unfortunately, they could only hide their frustration as it couldn't be vented, especially since they were still in the presence of an awakened.
When they reached a small shack, the thick smell of herbs assailed their noses. On the corner was a young boy who was wiping the sweat from his mother's forehead. Herbert frowned slightly, he had a slight feeling that things had been far too convenient, it turns out the author had a thing for making him suffer.
In the original story, Collin's father had already been killed. Due to him having to live alone with his sick mother, he had been unable to get enough funds to get sufficient treatment when the plague outbreak happened. He was one of the people who had personally sought the help of the protagonist, unfortunately, the protagonist could not do anything to save him or his mother. This is when the church comes along, as they had the capability to recruit the awakened their forces happen to have a medically inclined awakened that was being hailed as a hero for saving the day. At least, that was what it seemed on the surface. In actuality, it was the church that had meddled with the Oxswords that prevented them from having capable people to manage this city, and were also the ones responsible for bringing about the plague.
When Collin was healed, his mother had long been dead. So, he was entrusted to the church where he had lived as an impassioned orator. He had also been given a chance to use the awakening crystal which further improved his abilities. His skills had given him the opportunity to become one of the goons that the church used in the final battle against the protagonist.
Just from that alone, one could see his innate potential, this was why Herbert had been interested in recruiting him. Especially since he had come into contact with knowledge from years beyond the current understanding of humans. He thinks that Collins had the potential to be the leader of a pyramid scheme or some type of advanced scam that modern humans have invented.
Regardless of that, what he couldn't accept right now, was that although he had managed to come to Collins early, his mother had already shown the symptoms of the plague. He felt very uncomfortable; this is even more so when he knows that he cannot treat her at the moment. She is like a ticking time bomb and he didn't want to go anywhere near her.
As he calmed his breath, he happened to look sideways, and there he saw Ingrid with a worried look on her face. Although she was dressed simply, her clothes did not lessen her beauty, her hair was still silky smooth despite their rough treatment during the journey. As his thoughts were wandering along those lines, he eventually thought of a brilliant idea.
"Clive, hear me."
"Yes, my lord."
"From now on, you are a subject of the Ravenmoon Duchy, as Herbert Ravenmoon, I hereby recruit you as a servant. Do you accept?"
Although he was confused at Herbert's sudden decision and his desire to recruit him, he didn't let it show on his face.
"I gratefully accept your appointment, my lord."
"Very well, I will be taking you and your family back with me to the Umbra tomorrow. Be prepared."
Herbert nodded his head. He then commanded one of his guards to stay for the night while he returned back to the inn with Ingrid and the other bodyguard.
Once they entered their room, Ingrid finally couldn't keep her curiosity and decided to ask Herbert.
"What was that back then? What do you want to do with him? Did he accomplish anything great before we regressed?"
For the first time in a long while, Herbert smiled after hearing Ingrid's voice.
"They didn't. Because they never received the chance to do so. But now we are giving them the opportunity."
Since he had pretended to be the same as her, he still had to play his part. Although doing so was tedious, as long as he continued, Ingrid herself might tell him the details of her time before she regressed.
"Oh."
Ingrid didn't feel the least bit surprised at Herbert's answer. She had already somewhat expected this as Herbert had done drastically incomprehensible things since she had regressed, this includes his decision to leave Princess Amelia and his sudden visit to the Rozenbloods.
"Don't worry, you will also be playing a big role in this."
Ingrid tilted her head at Herbert. She didn't know why but she didn't like Herbert's smile this time.
"What do you mean?"
Herbert took out something from his pocket and handed it over to Ingrid. As she accepted it, she was stunned. With her mouth opened wide, she pointed at herself to which Herbert responded with a nod.
"Do me a favor and do it on the bed, I don't want you passing out on the floor."
Ingrid still couldn't wrap her head around it. Why did Herbert give her the awakening crystal? Doesn't he know how valuable it is?