Albus raised his eyebrow. "And go where exactly? Uncle, I've been doing all that you've asked of me for the past year. Don't think you can try and screw me over now. I've accepted that I have to throw random women's lives away to protect what I have here so-"

Choeros raised his hand and Albus stopped talking while trying to glare a hole into his uncle.

"Listen, kid, I get you're all hung up about your women taking the fall but I have no reason to screw you. The women you bring in are some of my top earners when it comes to businesses and those exotic poisons you keep hidden away give a decent chunk of change as well. Even if you didn't give me women, people would still find you suspicious after what happened to those women. Just move to some bumfuck parish for a few years to wait until this stuff is old news."

Albus clicked his tongue and leaned back in his chair.

"But you are growing arrogant, aren't you little shit." His uncle commented. He got up out of his chair and walked closer to Albus. Albus got up in response and walked closer to him. They eyed each other down. His uncle tapped him on his shoulder and laughed.

"Hehe, it's like looking at a younger version of myself."

Albus brushed his hand off. "Don't compare me to a bastard like you!"

Choeros laughed it off. "You even sound like me back then." He turned around and went back to the table. ("It seems any fear he had of me from the past year is now gone. Maybe he's thinking of mutually assured destruction if I try anything. He has been bringing more combat-ready women under his employ lately. What naive thinking.")

Albus sat back down and looked relieved. ("I know I objected, but if all I have to do is move then I probably won't have to do any more kidnappings. Honestly, I'm not sure how much longer some of the girls can do it while saying it's for our sakes.")

"Wipe that smile off your face boy, you're still going to be doing some work for me, just under a different company."

Any relief on Albus's face disappeared and he looked at the man with contempt.

"Sorry boy, but staring at me isn't going to change anything about your predicament. If you're not quick enough the police might receive an anonymous tip about the criminal group you work for along with a thumbprint proving your loyalty. Even I wouldn't be able to help you then."

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Albus kicked his desk and his uncle waved before making his exit.

("Just you wait you bastard. Your day will come and I'll be the one to deliver it.")

Within a few days, he and Avis had travelled to the site, his uncle prepared for him.

"Master, are you alright?" Avis asked.

Throughout the whole journey, Albus wore a furious expression and had little to say about their destination. When Avis spoke to him, he immediately fixed his face and nodded his head.

"Oh don't worry about it Avis, I just had something unpleasant on my mind."

"I see. My lord, what has your uncle ordered of you?"

Albus scratched and laughed awkwardly.

"Was it that obvious?" he asked.

"Yes, my Lord."

Since none of the workers had arrived, and the place was already abandoned, so he could freely speak.

He sighed. "Apparently, my uncle wants us to continue our operations with the women of this parish." He replied dejectedly.

"Don't worry, Master Bradley, as soon as we get our bearings we'll get to work right away."

"Yeah."

They began walking around the land around the fort, not saying a word to each other.

("How long am I going to make her do this?") Albus wondered. ("How long are we going to be under his thumb, following his orders.")

He accepted he could sacrifice others for his own life but he couldn't accept having Avis and other maids be the ones to do the kidnapping. He wanted an environment where he could be happy with these women and create his ideal maid yet it resulted in him becoming a master at abducting women. Given what happened at his old mansion he needed someone else to take the fall or at least look suspicious if the kidnapping were to continue.

As the days went on he had his first encounter with the patriots harassing him. The glimmers of an idea formed in his head but it would take a few more months until he could bring it to fruition.

----------------------------------------

It was after their first on-the-estate attack.

As they looked at the rubble around them Albus walked over to Avis with an idea.

("With these actions tonight, it wouldn't be strange if they did something like that, would it? After all, they're a group of men, and they seem pretty hated in the parish. I can protect Avis and the others with this. It might cause greater pressure on those idiots so I don't have to deal with them anymore.") He smirked at his idea.

"Hey Avis, when the other maids come here, make sure to monitor the movements of this group."

Avis looked at the pile of bodies she had gathered. "Not to worry Lord Bradley, I'll deal with them before the others even arrive."

"Actually, that's why I want them monitored."

"?" Avis looked at him confused.

"They can be our scapegoats. Think about it, would it be strange if a group like theirs took a woman or two?"

Avis had a calm expression but this shocked her internally. "(That pig bastard! To think his influence on him would allow for an idea like this. The old Albus never would have suggested an idea like this but this, this, business of his has caused his mind to change.) I see you're growing more used to this, Lord Bradley."

"Tch, it stings hearing that from you. But I suppose it is true."