With the maid by my side, I went towards the dining hall of the manor. In the path of the hallway, I noticed how decrepit this place is. Outside from my room, everything has cracks or moss growing in them, completely different from my – relatively – pristine chamber.
This place is truly fit for an abandoned part of the Family estate, perfect for an exiled half-blood of a baron.
Not to mention being close to the Black Thorn, me being placed here is calculated. They want me to die by either alcohol poisoning, or getting gutted by a Demonic beast – that strayed inside the manor. I doubt my father is the one that proposed this, that's outside his personality, while he may be neglectful he will not let his son – even if half-blood – die. The main wife is probably the mastermind here, that hag really wants me gone.
Looking out the window, I see for myself the dangerous forest. Beyond the grounds of this place, the foliage covered by a darkish mist is a proof of the unknown dangers that lurks there.
"What better way…" The Maid let out a small yelp, making me look at her like she's crazy. Maybe, many years of mistreatment can cultivate a hateful state of mind, and I don't blame them for it.
Our echoing footsteps are joined by heavier ones. The sound of clanking could be heard, and my mind already concluded who these heavy footsteps belong to.
The vibe around the maid inflated, when a man with jet-black hair walked out the corner. He wore a simple, but practical, gambeson of a nettle's hue underneath the humble armor. Being a chest-plate and arm-guards. A long-sword, hidden away inside a scratched sheath, hangs on his hip.
My eyes sharpened, as the golden-interface suddenly intruded over my vision.
[
Andreas
Lvl. 14
Low-classed Knight.
]
Low-classed Knight, an accurate evaluation of this man. Andreas, or Andre for short, is one of the two knights here. He is actually the stronger one, being a merit higher than Belaf, although they're basically of the same level.
Andre settled on me, and for a moment, a cold gaze was shot at me. Just for a moment, as he immediately looked at the petite maid.
"Sir Andre! The lord has woken up!" She shouted, and the man kneeled to me. However, the action is without actual respect.
[
Esmeralda
Lvl. 5
Servant of Aphelios.
]
These two have a relationship… it's better not to pry.
"This Knight greets his master, "A perfunctory formality, added by a subtle tone of disdain.
Lest, I break the Camel's back.
"Stand up, " I ordered, and the man did so without much complaint. Hmph, "Bring me to the Chicken Coop, I'll personally observe the damage done."
"As you wish," He closed his eyes as he turned his back, and Esmeralda over here is not even her infatuation. Her eyes sparkle, how is that even possible? Her bangs are longer than my life as of now!
"Before we proceed, you were the one that presented the theory, am I correct?" The man didn't turn his back at me, and I paid it no mind.
"Yes, My lord. The premise leads to that conclusion, is there any wrong with my presumption? I ask the young Lord." Really need to stop that fake courtesy, it's getting under my skin.
"None. Let us continue."
…
…
"The smell is… rancid."
The man beside the rotted-fence jolted a bit, hearing my words he sweated.
The area where the coop resides is not maintained well. With overgrown grass, and a crumbling parameter, the person assigned here is not doing his job properly. While the grass may seem normal, or even beneficial for remaining Chickens, the obstruction it provides paves the way for snakes – and other predatory rodents.
"Have you not been cleaning this place, Hugo?" My glare is particularly sharp.
[
Hugo
Lvl. 5
Servant of Aphelios.
Keeper of the Hens
]
The man pinched his turtleneck.
"Ah, well, you see my lord," The appropriately cowardly blonde spits his tongue, " The continuous rain has prevented me from working at my best, young Lord! And, with me being just one lad, taking care of a whole block of soil is not easy – alongside taking care of the chickens."
"So, you're saying your skills are lackluster for the job my father has given you." The man bit his tongue.
"No, lord Aphelios! What I lack is merely time, as soon as this is resolved, this place is good as new!"
"Cease your words, Hugo. Bring me to where the chickens have been killed," I turned to Andre, who looked at Hugo with quite a vitriol, "Andre, the corpse is still within the premises."
The stoic man nodded.
We proceed at the sight, and my god is it gruesome. Now, I'm quite experienced with the sight of dead-animals. Being close to a high-way, the occurrence of road-kill is not uncommon these days. The mangled and twisted cadaver of the animals, their rotting smell, it is an occurrence that I wish I didn't grow accustomed to.
With a towel on my nose, my eyebrow twitches at the beheaded corpses of three chickens. The bisection was not clean, oh i tell you, hanging tissue and neck-muscle is out in the open. And, the other two, have their spine slightly pulled out of their body.
"Such a mess." I merely said, ignoring the horrified Esmeralda.
"This happened last night, I presume?"
"Yes," Andre answered, before correcting himself, "My lord.
"Hmmm, with your theory in mind, Sir Andre. Monster-Rodent seems to be likely, as these chickens are of size to deal with mere rats. This means that my land is compromised, am I correct, my servants?"
The crowd of people wearing servants' clothes grew quiet.
"This also means that me and you are in danger. A monster-rodent may be small, but their wit and agility will make them akin to a wild-cat. And, of course, "I gazed at them, their sweat reflecting the sun's gloomy light, "With our physique, a wild-cat might as well be a full-fledged demonic-beast."
Andre lowered his eyes, I could see him shaking.
"So, I ask you. To do your jobs properly, " I especially focused my gaze on Hugo. Making the man cower inside the crowd, "And with caution… I don't need to punish you, my servants, anymore. With the prospect of an entrance in my Manor, one wrong move could lead to your guts on the ground. So, please, I'll say this again…"
"Do your jobs properly."
"All are dismissed," I declared, and all of their breaths got light, "Tend to your stations now, I'll remain here as of the moment." Hugo got even more deflated.
"And, Sir Andre, could you please accompany me in my lonesome?"
The knight halted in his step, and Esmeralda too. Looking at me, one unreadable the other of concern.
"As you wish, " Andre nodded his head.
..
..
The two of us stood silently as we watched the forest beyond the coop. The remains of the chickens were disposed of, finding them inedible due to the touch of the monster-rodent. Aside from the lingering smell, one might assume nothing gruesome happened here.
Silence continued, till I broke it.
Not looking at Andre, I planted my cane, "Andre, do you hate me?"
The man didn't answer, but I know he heard me, I mean were fucking inches away. Looking at him, I do catch the glimpse of surprise. His shoulders tightening, and his right hand getting closer to his sword. Not even afraid to kill me.
"Could you please repeat that, Lord Aphelios. I believe my ears have heard wrong."
"A knight, even if of lower-class, has good hearing. So, don't make me repeat myself, " His tense stance got even tenser, as his eyes turned towards me, "You could answer honestly. You need not worry about the consequences, I did ask the question."
"..." His arm got far from his sword, as he let out a heavy sigh. "If the lord asked, then yes… My opinion of you is one of hate."
I look up to the sky, expecting the answer. This man is one of the many people I mistreated, years at that, he's been there since I started my downfall – always the one to bear the brunt of my misdemeanor. But, he endured, maybe of fear of execution or the honor of a knight – I care not for it.
I care that he's able to tolerate my previous bullshit.
"That's an expected answer, Sir Andre. " I smiled, putting my hands on the head of the cane, " I presume you've been holding that anger all these years, am I wrong?"
"Hate is a strong wo-"
"You need not sugar coat it, " My smile fell, "I'm not blind of how you see me, even I'm that pathetic."
"Why, " The man slowly said.
"Elaborate, my knight."
His face contorted slightly, "Do you want me gone, Lord Aphelios? Forgive me for saying this, but I couldn't help but believe that this is a provocation. A right to reason."
"As I said," My word is laced with a tone not even I, don't know how I have, " Need not ponder of consequences, cause there is none. This is merely humor, I'm asking you to humor me."
"For what reason?"
"You wish to punch me don't you?" The man widened his eyes when I fully turned to him.
"What are you-"
"Do not lie, your intentions are clear. From your perfunctory courtesy, to your subtle aggression. It is clear as noon, you hate me. For this fact, concerning over punishment is futile, because I would've done so long ago – I am dim witted, " I kinda am, before I possessed this god-forsaken body.
"So, Sir Andre…"
The knight, who fought the demonic beast for a month, felt the same feeling similar to those battles. The bastard son who he loathed all this time, felt much bigger than his true size.
I brought up my cane…
One neat thing about being a son of an aristocrat, is that you could actually ask for anything – within reasonable reach. Even if I was a half-blood, born of a concubine who was discarded, I still carry the blood of a noble. With all reasons, I'm still wealthy.
The head of my cane came loose from the body, as I pulled… Revealing a silver neck of blade, whose edge is still sharp even after years of neglect. Andre looks at this, and draw-out his sword, his face – though surprise – doesn't have an ounce of fear.
My smile got wider. Pointing my thin sword at the fledgling knight.
"Would you spare your Lord the respect of a Spar?"
"What on God are you…"
[Quest Created!
Challenge the Knight!
Rewards:
Skill Regained!
1 - SP
]
Andre's amber eyes glare, "Have you gone mad?"
...
..
.