[183rd day]
A few hours after setting out for the kingdom of Hazol, a letter from Vermillion mountain city arrived stating that the prime minister of the kingdom of Horulas will arrive two days from now.
"You must be the gorgons that pledge loyalty to Aldo, right?"
For this reason, Tony used the chance to take a break from training by inspecting the city under the pretext of being the five lords of the city.
"Y... that is right, lord Tony"
However, to ensure that his student is not lying, Hugo is now tailing Tony as he do his 'work' to ensure the city is 'presentable' for the guest that is coming in a few days.
"Right... what is the job that Aldo gave you guys?"
Tony asked as he tried his best to ignore the looming presence behind him.
"We... we were assigned to dig underground water ways towards the east. Lord Aldo ordered us to do it a week from now after further familiarizing ourselves in the city"
The terrified gorgons tried their best to not look at the man behind Tony.
"Alright, ease up and take this chance to explore ever nook and cranny of the city then!"
Tony said as he waved goodbye to the gorgons.
"Master, are you sure milord doesn't need any help from us?"
Luca asked Aldo with a worried expression.
"Why worry when he's not going to die anyway? Besides, we can just heal him later if he ever does something stupid enough to give Hugo the right to him"
Aldo slowly drank his tea as he looked outside through the window.
TING! TING! TING!
The clock tower's bell rang as it is now twelve in the afternoon.
"I will be going now, master"
Luca bowed.
"Alright, have fun in-"
The door opened and Pallius entered the room with a school uniform that Marco made with a bag filled with notebooks that Charlie made.
"Good luck with your studies, young master"
"Thank you!"
Pallius sat down on the chair as Luca went out of the magic tower.
"Pallius, this is the fourth floor of the magic tower, the floor of Pride which is also known as the Phantasmal library.
This will be the place where you will be studying four hours a day, five times a week. You can have an hour of break after the first two hours. Am I clear?"
Pallius nodded with a smile.
"For today, you will be doing a simple thing. Just read this books"
Pallius looked at the stack of books on the side of the table and felt overwhelmed as he thought the books were for decoration to set theme of studying.
"All... all of these?"
"Of course. However, the only thing you have to do is to skim through them and find out what you like. This way, I will have an idea what you may like and your ability to comprehend something you don't know of.
Is that good with you?"
Pallius looked at the books once more and turned back to Aldo with eyes filled with resolve.
"I will do my best, teacher!"
"Okay. I will come back five hours from now. Make sure to ask Roman something if you want to eat"
Pallius shaked his head and took out a lunch box from his bag.
"Uncle Charlie packed me some food earlier!"
"Then call for him if you need some refreshments"
"Okay... I mean, understood, sir"
...
In Charlie's office,
"To what do I owe the honor of having the shut in's presence in my office?"
"Hardi har har~"
Aldo sat down on a chair across Charlie.
"You said you want to give the demi humans better living accomodations? Why?"
"Technically speaking, they came here against their will. Not to mention, they are working as our crafters and are learning more about this field after telling them to while those who know how to fight are our soldiers...
I believe they deserve treatment befitting for their works"
Aldo took a deep breath and looked at Charlie in the eyes.
"They live near their workplace with fully built house for each family. They are exempted from paying tax for the next ten years. An entire block was given to them, including the deeds for the land which we all agreed not to do, but we made an exemption for them.
For utilities, their houses have built in devices that not even the other houses or studio type apartments in the entire city has. Not to mention, their utilies are free for the next ten years as well.
And you want to give them more benefits?"
Charlie stopped processing the document on his hand and removed his glassess as he looked back at Aldo.
"Yes, they are living a much safer and better life than they used to. And yes, they are also experiencing things that they will never be able to experience if it wasn't for us providing them with their needs to satisfy their desire.
But that does not change the fact that we brainwashed people to do our bidding. Freedom in exchange for their children's future... how can I not feel pity for them when we robbed them their right to decide things for themselves by themselves"
"....."
"If you are going to say no... then please leave. I will handle this matter with my own money"
"....."
Aldo stood up and quietly went to the door.
"I will see what I can do"
He said right before leaving the room.
[Announcement to
"Huh?"
[You are one step closer to receiving a personal title. Please keep up the good work]
"What do you mean by 'Personal title' AQA?"
[You currently do not have a
[You are also prohibitted from telling others what this is about]
"Sigh... Alright..."
As he guessed that nothing will change even if he knew what the 'Personal title' was for, Charlie went back to working and focused on the present.
...
"It's been some time since we came here. I think I am beginning to adjust to this place, master"
Persephone said after the two beated a giant tiger mutated beast.
"Well? How is it? The feeling of letting loose without having to care about anything and everything?"
"It feels liberating and also quite concerning. It feels as if I am may loose myself in this drunken like ecstacy"
"That's normal for those who go on a killing spree for the first time in a dangerous environment. For that reason, you will have to work hard on controlling your instinct so that you would be able to make more level headed deicisions in pressing situations"
Persephone looked down as she thought about what Leon said.
"Did master... grew up in a dangerous place?"
She asked hesitantly.
"I did. It was a place where you have to put on a facade and act well to ensure that you will have the upper hand when some idiot acts up.
Sometimes, having the public at your side can quickly change things. Humans and other beings can be more deceitful and malicious than beasts who are out for blood"
"I will remember that, master"
The two sat down as they cooked beast meat.
"RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"
A defeaning roar echoed throughout the forest.
"I guess the fish took the bait sooner than later!"
The two went to their battle stance.
"Oh wow~ Never thought I would see a giant mole in this world~"
"You two... how dare... you act all... arrogantly in my... territory!"
".....!"
For the time they spent in the beast infected area, it was the first time they ever encountered a beast with a solidified will and intelligence enough to communicate with others, a divine beast!
"As far as I know, divine beasts have cores in them that forms after they gain their own consciousness. If it is alright with you, can you give it to us~?"