No no, wait a second. Arthus? As in the generic hero blob guy?
/The name matches./
I killed him! No fucking way he is alive...
So what? Someone with the same name? An impersonator perhaps?
“Shall I tell him you are not available?” Viv asked, cutting off my mental questioning. I must have been making a strange face…
“No, show him in.” I responded, trying to act casual.
First thing’s first. I need more information, as such I have to see him for my eyes.
“Understood, Young Master” Viv responded with a bow, after which she left to go get the guest, who was most likely not let through the building’s entrance.
….Fuck… This waiting is killing me.
/This is extremely unlikely, I am monitoring all of your vi-./
...We both know that was a figure of speech.
/...Oh./
...Thanks.
/For what Host?/
...For distracting me as we wait.
/I live to serve./
Soon after a brief knock was heard, signalling that Viv had brought the Heroblob candidate.
Preparing emotionally I answered: “Enter”
The door opened, and through it a man dressed in shabby clothes entered. Behind him Viv bowed from outside the room, closing the door so we could have some privacy.
Ok… He is not Arthus.
...This is something I looked into by the way. Apparently the Hero-Blob guy I took over was a literal hero. Blessed by the gods, slayer of demon lords, and a bloody ageless mortal. So… Yeah. He is quite fucking famous.
So…
WHO THA FUCK IS THIS ASS?!
“It's a pleasure. Mr Adam. The name is Arthus” He said, offering his hand for a handshake.
I take the hand “Arthus? As in the Hero?”
He gave a small laugh. “Quite. Albeit with a such being said. Not the senior, the junior.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Arthus is my uncle.” He said, giving me a polite smile. I didn't know Heroes get to have extended family! Aren't they supposed to be orphans or similar family ties so It is easier to superimpose yourself onto their place!?
/This is a recorded pattern in storytelling. Yes./
Right. True this is real… No obvious tropes to play to my benefit. Fuck.
“Ah! I was not aware he had extended family?” I responded quickly, hoping that the small pause in my reaction time was not too obvious.
“Ah, quite. Albeit I call him uncle, we are not related.”
“...”I just let the silence hang. As to signal him to elaborate.
“It is a long story.”
Okay, it seems I am not getting more out of him for now.
“So! What is it that you came here for, ‘Arthus Jr.’ ?” I asked, trying to maintain a natural seeming conversation, as well as to figure out his intentions.
I could swear I saw something off in his expression for a fraction, before he answered with a “Ah Yes. I seek to find someone who went missing in the region. I was made to assume you would be able to help me in my query.” He said.
“Help you?” I answered, maintaining my smile
“Yes…. I have been told the Goldberg company maintains a formidable garrison as well as extensive maps of the region. I would benefit from these.” He said.
...He wants to use the Goldberg company as if it was his? With what credentials?? No. the right question is with..
“With what merit to us. May I ask?”
His eyes seemed to shine slightly as he smiled.
“I have extensive connections to the various noble houses. Trust me when I say. Aiding me will be of equal benefit to you. As it is to me.”
...Something about his gaze… I am pretty sure he is not kidding.
“Ok.” I say, returning to my seat and gesturing him to sit down too.
“Tell me more about this person you are looking for.”
….
…
..
.
Fuck.
FUCK
*Crash*
The warm blood dripping from “my” hand decorate the shattered glass shards on the ground.
“Master! Are you ok?! W-we have to stop the B-blee-”
“Not now. Get out.” I answered.
“..But..”
“NOW.”
….
..
The door opens.. And closes. Leaving me alone in the study.
Hah.
Teaches me to fucking do this without knowing the consequences eh?
...The person “Arthus” is looking for?
..Its Arthus.
The fucking Hero-Blob.
From the discussion just now, it is safe to infer he really did know the Hero before he went missing, and seems to know where he was going too.
Yeah.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
The fucking location of RE-Rc.
I might’ve not been certain if not for Leo, but there is no doubt.
The ass knows where RE-Rc is. And he wants to head out there with people from the Goldberg company to find out where “Arthus” disappeared.
How the fuck does he even know Arth- Hero-Blob is missing? It hasn't been THAT long yet…
I can only assume they were supposed to be in contact within the last few days somehow…
...What the fuck do I do now?? My anti-slavery plan is still under work and if I don't protect RE-Rc I am as good as dead…
I agreed to lend my men for now, hoping to not arouse suspicion.
...I suppose there is no other way..
I must take part in the expedition somehow, and slaughter every single person in it.
I cannot take Adam though… It would be too far out of character… In fact. I am pretty sure I was far too polite during our discussions… fuck. Even more reason he cannot be allowed to live…
...But how do I keep Adam, the original, from fucking everything up. While I fix this…
As I was thinking such, I noticed a pair of eyes peeking from the doorway.
It seems despite my orders Lalailu was worried for me and “my” bleeding arm… Oh I really should bandage that... ...I am starting to feel woozy…
I beckon her to come in. After which she immediately begins tending to my bleeding hand… It seems managed to cut the artery of “my” wrist somehow… Yeah.. Should probably have treated that sooner…
Looking at the poor mangled girl in front of me carefully treat my injured hand, I came up with a solution to my problem from before.
/No. Host. That is not a good plan./
Heh.
Sounds like the definition of a good solution.
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Side chapter.
*Pov Viv:*
“Understood, Young Master” I responded and after a short bow I left to fetch mister Le Vart.
...Young master is a monster.
...No, I do not mean the strange habits the Goldberg family partakes in... The... ''unique'', interests of the Goldberg family are all something I have grown used to now, after having served them and ''him'' in particular, for the past 3 years.
No.... He is an actual monster.
I walked up to the guards at the company gate to tell them to let mister Le Vart in, after which they opened the gates and I led him through the estate to Young Master's chambers.
No one else saw it that day in Rennon village but me... Young master being possessed by a dark smoke after being touched by one of those Forest Demons...
Ever since then Young Master has been behaving differently. Sometimes spacing out, but more importantly, he...
No.
The haunting spirit wearing his skin has acted in some crude imitation of the Young Master.
I opened the door where the monster was waiting for mister Le Vart to led him in and closed it after him.
But even while I know this I cannot do anything.
The Goldberg family would never believe the word over some former debt-slave without proof over the word of their next heir...
I have to find some way to show everyone this is not the Young Master, but some monster merely possessing him.
Until then I must act like nothing is out of the ordinary, I must continue serving that monster like he was the Young Master.
*Pov Arthus Le Vart*
I spurred my horse through an empty street of the city, leaving the nobleman's escort behind me as they returned to his estate.
*Deep sigh*
I wish my father Barnas and uncle Arthus had send their message notifying everything was well and they were safe and heading home...
However, it has been a few days now without any message from them, this can only mean that something has gone wrong...
I have to find them.
Sadly though, the local nobles have proven to be too much of a handful to deal with on the short-term so I will have to run to others who will prove to be more... eager to help.
I had, in fact, already arrived to the first families estate. The rather extensive, gated mansion of the Goldberg company.
I left my horse to the care of their stableboy and announced my intentions of speaking to the young master of the Goldberg family.
Shortly hereafter I was led through their establishment by what I have to assume is their maid.
These... people should be eager to provide aid to me, even though they are just a mining company they have received extensive aid from the 4 gods in the form of cheap slaves.
Something that made them rich.
After being led to the office of Adam Goldberg by his one-eyed maid, I introduced myself to him.
The conversation after this went a bit sluggish at first but this quickly disappeared as an issue after I told him who I was searching for.
It feels good to know my assumptions were correct, they proved very eager to help me.
...One thing was.... off though.
The Young Master did not fit the description I was given, I was made to believe he was an arrogant and, if I had to believe the rumors, cruel man.
No... He was a sharp... Sharp and cautious. This coupled with the piercing gaze he had as he studied me during our conversations combed with the friendly facade was truly bone chilling.
Thankfully our conversation lasted shorter than that with the last few nobles and I could quickly depart to make further preparations for the mission.
*Pov: Lalailu*
...When we were examined by the young master for the first time… I was terrified.
I had heard the rumors… Of the cannibalism, the sadistic tortures…
They say the house of Goldberg is the birthplace of evil.
The rumors among other captives always told the same tale: To the People of Goldberg family, The only kind of good… Slave. Was a slave in pain.
...To humans… Slaves were always tools of course… But to the Goldberg family… It was even more than that…
They did see slaves as living things.
They just also adored to see those living things in pain.
That is why the name of Goldberg equaled ‘Devil’ in the mouths of...Us,
Slaves.
...But no.
When I first saw master examining us in the lineup… all I could see was undisguised perversion and greed. ...And when his eyes landed on the injuries my old master treated.. It was like something flashed in his eyes.
The next thing I knew, I was taken off the mine duty, to be trained as his personal slave…
I was terrified…
I had heard tales, hundreds of tales. Of how the young master of the Goldberg house would… “Sample” the female Labor slaves… But never that he would keep one…
Only horrific things came to my mind as I imagined my potential future, with his personality, what would await me?
...Quadruple amputation?
...Skinned alive?
The nightmarish futures my mind conjured up brought me to the edge of hyperventilation more than once.
They escorted me to the Goldberg company HQ, and cleaned me up… leaving me to wait for his return from a business trip for days.
...I was not given a single piece of food until he was to come back, only some water to sustain myself….
...I knew from that…
They did not plan to keep me alive for long…
...I was just another way to fulfill the twisted pleasures of Goldberg family…
Eventually, master came home and I was given food. Not much, but enough to… “prepare me for when the young master wakes up”
…
After that…
I finally met… Master.
I was just bringing water to change the towel on young master’s forehead as I was told, when I saw him.
Young master had woken up.
Realizing that so suddenly, combined with the things I had heard of him… Made me freeze, accidentally letting the bucket slip from my hands… Spilling water all across the expensive rug on the floor.
...At that time I was so scared I nearly vomited on the spot… if the young heir of the Goldberg family would mutilate living people just for entertainment what would he do to the people that displeased him?
“I-I am s-so s-sorry sir, I w-will clean it up right away s-so.” I quickly told him. Desperately running off to find a towel, or a mop ANYTHING to quickly clean the water of the floor. But I didn't know the layout of the building… and got lost…
When I finally found a towel closet in the servant’s area almost 10 minutes had passed, and I desperately ran back to the room of the young master.
I quickly began trying to dry the rug and the flooding floor, spilling out every last drop of my heart, trying to tell him how sorry I was.
..His response was a simple cold
“I don't care.”
It was like he had already decided that I would die as compensation…
I was so scared… I gave up on trying to clean the floor and just begged..
Begged and begged..
...Eventually he started asking me questions… I was so scared for my life at the time I cannot even remember what they were… I just desperately answered them, clinging to any hope that doing so would appease him… at least a little bit… I thought I only made him angrier after it… He sent me off to get him some water, most likely to think up a suitable punishment for me in the meanwhile -I thought…
..:But when I came back… He drank the water… and did something no master had ever done…
...He asked my name…
A name is something only people deserve, slaves don't need names…
I answered with a slight stutter.. Still shocked over what was going on…
...His following actions…
He told me he wouldn't hold me accountable for the ruined rug, despite its astronomical cost, just ignoring it as something irrelevant, saying he would only punish me for “something worth punishing”
…And he smiled…
It was not the same smile I saw back in the slave holdings…
...It was a kind smile.
That was how I first met Master.