As looked back at the gates, the two men walked in.

There were several people gathered there to greet them and welcome them in.

No check-ups, no questions just a big welcoming committee.

That man…was an adventurer like me? And the Black Butler was his Guardian?

That can only be the case.

Right now fear and rage built up inside me.

I’ll explain rage since the reasons for fear must be obvious.

An adventurer just walked into the city. He didn’t just walk in, he was welcomed in.

Either I have been tricked and the Empire and its people love adventurers or that person is not an adventurer.

I crouched in my hole as I pondered about this.

***

“Where did you go, Sebastian?” A man in the black suit asked.

“I felt a killing gaze, my lord.” The Butler replied with a bow.

“Have you taken care of it?”

“Yes, the matter seems to have settled. It was an ordinary slime.”

“A slime in the desert? Nothing about it sounds ordinary.”

“My apologies, would you like me to kill it?” The butler asked with a dark smile.

“Not let it be…it’s just a weak monster if you let it live, we’ll have the patrol units sent out to clean the surrounding area. We have more important matters to attend to.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Chancellor!” The young lord called out.

“Yes, your highness!”

“Sebastian seems to have found monsters lingering the surrounding area. Please have it taken care off.”

“Yes , your highness! I’ll have it taken care off right away!”

***

Sora’s POV:

I am still huddled in the corner of my hole.

My stealth skill has been active the whole time.

I am afraid if I don’t use it, I’ll be found by the devil butler.

I believe it has been a good thing that I kept my stealth on high and not stepped out that day.

Apparently, the soldiers got out and began slaughtering every monster in the area.

It was a massacre.

Rats, insects, name it and they killed it. Even cactus.

When I stepped out, the evidence of their devastation was laid bare in front of me.

The entire surrounding region was littered with dead bodies.

I could even see a desert worm body in the mix.

I took a breath of relief.

I have been dodging death narrowly in this game each and every time.

I have simply lucked out each time; I believe.

I didn’t bother eating the dead bodies scattered everywhere.

The last time I ate free food I nearly died.

No thanks for the great of buffet.

I bet it’s all poisoned or something; they probably littered it like this so that some dumb creature bites into it and dies.

***

Gustav was at the hole when I returned.

I was happy to see him again. The guardian’s kept to their word.

Little by little whatever doubt I had harboured had been eroded away…

They could have abandoned me…but they did not.

Even when we could not meet up, they left a message.

Gustav returned with what I asked…clothes and now food.

Everything is going as I asked.

They earned my trust....well most of it. I am still confused about what I saw with the adventurer....but what ever he got food for me!

:)

“Come.” He said.

First, I assumed a humanoid form. Then wrapped myself like mummy with the bandage from head to toe. Finally, I put on clothes. Having been naked for so long….a shirt and a pant feel so restrictive now.

“Wait.” I said.

I took a bite of the bread he got me.

Now I can only say this much:

Heavenly.

After being on a diet of rats for months, this was pure heaven.

It was simple bread and some cream in between….but the flavours were so nostalgic and good.

I think this was the single biggest reason for me to trust my Guardians; they brought me food.

I ate each bite slowly, to savour the flavour.

Gustav looked at me with great interest, since he never saw me eat before in such a civilized manner.

I made sure I absorbed all the crumbs….this meal was too good!

I can’t believe I found simple bread so good!

Once I had my meal, we left immediately.

The bread had kindled my taste buds memories of the delicious food I had left behind.

I wanted more, more bread! Chicken, meat!

Oh! Just thinking about it is making me hungry!

***

We stood at the gates.

The two centaur looking like guards stared at me.

They couldn’t make out much, even my face was covered in bandage.

Totally mummified.

“What’s he supposed to be?” One of them asked.

“He cursed.” Gustav said.

The guards stepped back in fear.

“He will go see doctor.” Gustav added while handing them some paper.

The guards quickly read it and then looked at me. “You mean skin disease.”

“Yes curse.” Gustav replied back.

The guards just sighed, language miscommunication.

“Do you have any arms or weapons on you.”

“No.”

They checked me despite my answer.

They then brought out cerebrus.

“Get out here.” The guard said as he dragged the dog out of his kennel.

The poor dog recoiled in fear on seeing me.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Dunno.”

It kept whining.

They just let it go back in. Not much of an inspection.

The guards stamped the paper and handed it back to Gustav.

“Welcome to Feladonia. If we find out you are creating trouble, we will kick you out.” They warned me as they gestured me to step in.