I followed the brat’s lead because he promised that he’ll reunite me with my Elaine. I wasn’t about to believe him but my only option at that time was to accept his offer or be killed. And I’m not loyal enough to offer my life to Evaris, not to mention he wasn’t really the type of lord I’d want to pledge myself to.

After I told him all I can, guard schedule, slave storage and such, he let me go and I returned to the caravan like nothing happened. He said that he’ll contact me when I reach the headquarters in Aurelis.

I guess, I’m that brat’s accomplice now. Who the hell is he anyway?

I wanted to ask, but every time I resolved to do so, he would release an overwhelming pressure enough to make me feel faint, so I decided against it. Maybe after this, he will tell me? I basically betted my livelihood to some scary brat like him, he at least owes me that much.

“Captain? Lord Evaris said to visit his study and report to him.”

One of the guards from the estate said while I removed our horses’ saddle, all the while looking at me with an odd expression. He’s probably new, most men under me find it odd that I do these mundane things even though I’m the captain, but they got used to it eventually.

I wasn’t as strong as a captain should be, I only became a captain because I saved the lord from a monster trap that I’ve set up myself, but no one needs to know that. Ehem! Well, you could say, that this is his way of repaying me. Even as despicable as he was, he still knows how to show gratitude and maintain good relations to people he needs. So me, doing this, wasn’t odd at all, more like, I couldn’t stop the habit from when I started.

“Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

I quickly finished unsaddling all the horses and ran inside. With a knock, I announced myself and entered the lord’s study.

“What took you so long? Are you trying to waste my time?! Want me to cut your pay even more?!”

What welcomed me were the fuming words of the lord. This was one of the reasons I don’t like the lord. He’s short tempered and most of all, he’s indulgent. His pudgy body is the result of over-indulgence, a reminder of his greediness.

“That bastard Yasmin! Pretending to be the regent’s ally but man-handling us with our tails! Wait till the his highness hears of this! The regent will surely cut off his head!”

He started kicking and slamming his fists on furniture. His bad mood is disastrous, so it was a good thing there’re no maids and slaves today.

If not, he would surely hit them then.

He continued his tantrum while I wait silently by the door. Once the lord starts, he won’t stop until he tires of it.

This pudgy man is Marshal Evaris, a successful businessman who bought his nobility. He grew his company from selling items for the masses and acquiring rare medicine and slaves for auctions. He has both Aurelis and Eloheim as his customers, while crushing the tiny competition with petty rumors and sabotage.

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“Hah... ha... tsk!”

Panting like a dog, he wiped his sweat with his sleeves and turned to face me. He glared and sat down with a plop making the seat creak under his weight.

“Now... Jordan, tighten the security around the estate. I don’t want you leaving with the caravan this time. Protect only me and my money. Even if Yasmin only came to spy on me, I don’t want to be caught lying on my belly when he sends someone to kill me.”

I gulped at those words. That brat, he had golden eyes so there’s a high chance that he was sent by Yasmin. If only I saw his hair color then I’d be sure if he really was from Ferrum.

To think he’d be a spy... I don’t know if I want to leave my cash cow to die or to rid myself of this karma, but I’m sure as hell I’m in the middle of it now.

“Jordan?”

An angry voice called to me. As soon as I turned my head towards the lord, I saw those same golden eyes peeking in from the window. But instead of the same cloak he wore, his hair was out in broad daylight.

“Y-y-yes, milord!”

The brat winked at me and sat leisurely at the windowsill. If it weren’t for the curtains his shadow will show and he’ll get caught!

Crap! Why did have to show up now?! Let me rest dammit!

After a couple of reports and my frantic attempts to pull away the lord’s attention from the window, I hurriedly left the lord’s study and ran outside. The brat jumped down in front of me and winked while waving at me.

Dammit brat! Stop playing around!

I wanted to scream at him, I wanted to shout at him! My heart literally jump out every time the lord would shift his attention!

“What were you doing there?!”

I whispered angrily while pointing at his care-free attitude. In response, I received a giggle and a mischievous smile.

“Heya old man! I was looking for my WINDOW of opportunity! Get it?”

This brat, really! I don’t even understand how he can force me with brute strength! Was I deceived?

We moved to my room and he told me his plan. After the new shipment of slaves come in, he will assassinate the lord and have me release all the slaves. It seemed simple enough but how the hell would he kill the lord without causing a disturbance before and after? And how would the slaves escape if there’re guards all over the place? Especially now that the lord is wary of Lord Yasmin

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Old man, you don’t use your head much do you? Well me too, so I had my big bro plan for us!”

He gave me a thumbs up accompanied by a wink.

“First, there’ll surely be some combat slaves right? We’ll make them be the decoy while we get the rest out through underground...”

He said that he will build a tunnel underground for safe passage out of the estate. Then while he’s causing a commotion by killing the lord, we will then escape with the help of the combat slaves.

“All we need to do is recruit those who’re willing and then, I’ll burn the whole building to destroy evidence and make it seem like they burned to ashes. Now after that, all I have to do is lie in wait for the other family members to come and I’ll massacre them. See? Easy peasy!”

He gave me another smile. This brat doesn’t seem like it, but he can say such cruel things without batting an eye. Can we really do it?

“But... can you really do it? What if you fail?”

I feel nervous all of a sudden. I already gave up my salary so now, I don’t really have the courage to do something so risky. I’m not even sure if I can meet Elaine.

But in response to my question, his shoulders shook and he laughed heartily holding his stomach.

“Then, we’ve made a GRAVE mistake!”

He shrugged and laughed once again.

What?!

I was nervous, scared and now I’m so annoyed, that I knocked his head with my fist. Realizing my actions, I was sweating profusely and my legs trembled in fear of his reaction.

“Ow! Calm down old man! It’s impossible for me to fail! After all, this is just one of the simple plans bro made, so I have a wider room for mistakes.”

Who’s this older brother he keeps talking about?! And what do they gain from all of this?

I tried probing him for information but all that came out were a mixture of killing intent and puns I couldn’t keep up with.

And after three days when the new slaves came in, I met my Elaine...