Chapter 42

~ Tyrant for Eternity ~

SW/SW/SW

Staying alive was Kail’s priority. It was quite convenient for him to be able to revive after being killed. He hadn’t had a thought about death before, but he now knew what it was like. It hurt a lot and it traumatized him. Certainly it was better to stay alive first and getting to know how this world worked. Gathering information on how to go back came later once he had settled in.

To realize his goal, first he needed protection. Preferably something or someone strong enough to be his meat-shields. Hathor quickly came to mind. Her power was deadly and Kail was grateful that she was on her side. However, there was something off about her, which Kail could not mention. He’d better be careful around her. He learned it the hard way that women were not to be trusted. They were all trash, scum, filth.

Done. He spent 40 points on his INT, 50 on STR, and the rest went to VIT.

He felt the surge of power within…

“Before you greet them, I want you to remember one thing,” Hathor approached him. “The matter of you losing your memories is between us. Take care not to act too suspicious, or you’ll risk unending assaults.”

“Assaults?” Kail repeated, “as in assassination?”

“That, too. I’m talking about political assaults, however. If they know of your personal circumstances, there’s no telling what they’d do to you.”

Kail frowned, suddenly his mouth tasted very sour. He was just an ordinary high school student and she expected him to act like the real Azariel?

“I thought nobles serve the king.”

Hathor’s dainty finger trailed down to his stomach, “Most of them are untrustworthy and there are many who’d appease you for their own benefits. Well, from my observation, not all of them are corrupt. If I were you, I’d be careful not to reveal too much.”

Kail nodded mutely.

0000

Kail explored the castle that’d be his home until he returned to the real world. He needed to know the layout of the castle to better use it to his advantage. In addition, knowing what Azariel was like was his ticket to survive and the servants were the best when it came to it. He didn’t dare to ask Hathor since he guessed that the answer might be changing the more he asked. He also craved some sort of normal conversation with equally normal people. Hathor was way out of his league.

She was crazy.

That last desire proved to be impossible, however, because no one greeted him ever since he had arrived on the fifth floor. The servants were either scurried away at the sight of him or bowed so low their bodies almost made 90 degrees, eyes glued to the floor. Those signs were saying something.

His [Imposing] Perk was nothing but useless. How could he get into a proper conversation with someone if all of them were running away from him?! This way, there was no way he’d know what Azariel was like!

Getting very impatient, Kail shouted to a nearby female servant, “Hey, you! Come here!”

The poor girl squeaked in fear and trotted towards him. She was trembling and unconsciously biting her lower lip, must be thinking that she’d be tortured to death. The hostile presences (the guards) behind him worsen the situation.

Three demonical eyes stared at the girl, never batting an eyelash.

“What kind of king I am?”

The girl almost jumped from shock. It looked like his rough, bestial voice scared her to death.

Finally mustering up her courage after being silent for so long, the girl stammered, “…y-y-you are a-a a wonderful k-king, Y-Your Majesty…”

“In what way?” Kail pressed on, “stop being so vague.”

“Y-You are a strict, but j-just king…”

“I can see through your lies.”

One of the guards took a step forward, a hand on the handle of his sword. Kail stopped him before he chopped the girl’s head off.

“Listen, girl,” Kail murmured, “I need answer, fast. What kind of king I am? No need to worry. I will not let them harm you. Just answer my question truthfully and you will be spared from torture. I promise.”

The girl played with her fingers, her body couldn’t stay still. It was apparent to Kail that she was nervous, in addition to be in fear.

“I-I’m so sorry for being bold, Y-Your Majesty… You are…” she hesitated for a bit, but continued, “…you are a cruel king. I often hear of you twisting your words of promise. But you lowered the taxes, so I’m not really sure…”

Kail grinned evilly and ordered the guards, “Give her 25 lashes on the back.”

The girl shrieked when two guards each took hold of her arm. She cried help but no one came. The servant hid somewhere and pretended that they did not hear.

“P-Please, no…! Y-You promised…!” she begged, salty tears trickling down her cheeks. “You promised not to hurt me! Why…? I-I was being honest and…! Mercy, Your Majesty! Please, have mercy…!”

Kail laughed maniacally, without knowing that the same ‘mouth’ that appeared on the night when he killed Hathor reappeared. As he grinned at the girl, the ‘mouth’ followed his lead. Sharp, carnivorous teeth scared the girl so much that she went limp.

“You lied to me earlier, that is why,” Kail spun on his heels and turned a deaf ear on the girl’s desperate pleas.

There was no need to ask around. He knew exactly what kind of person Azariel was like.