"William you made it!" He came with his arms spread for a hug, unable to resist I let it happen. "Any problems on the way?"

He looked to Omewa the roughed up teen with a dry bloody fist.

"Nothing I couldn't handle Master Danial."

"Hmm..." Zejimal took notice from the side.

"Well, I'm glad both of you're safe."

"Thanks, Ms. Ilmey."

"Sorry to ask this but Ilmey can you get us something to drink?"

"Sure Master Danial."

"Sorry about that, we're having difficulties with the maids."

"Oh, Master Danial can we sent out a carriage to get the maids, the estate is completely undefended."

"Sure I'll leave it to you."

"Can I take some of the warriors with me since the streets are still a bit dangerous."

"I said I'll leave it to you."

"Thank you."

After they both left, Zejimal took off his gauntlet and extended his hand to me. The moment I took his hand he pulled me in closer and gave me a hug.

"I must apologize, at first I didn't believe you but now I see that I was wrong. You're a good man."

He patted my back a few times before releasing me.

"No problem."

"I'm glad both of you have become friends." The sorcerer patting both our shoulders. "But that golem truly is something amazing."

"Hmm..."

I don't want to go into it. Don't ask me too many questions, it's just more lies I'll have to write down. Let's change the topic.

"It's covered in blood."

"It became quite messy fighting the soldiers that showed up at the front. You must have seen the remains when you came here right?" Yeah, I don't think I can forget a head on a pole anytime soon. It's effective I suppose, barbaric but effective. "Aah~ How about we leave this pile of papers and go to the tea room."

This large office room with piles of brown files scattered around the main desk. Kind of reminds me of my own office room in the Cave. There isn’t much room for anything else but for work here.

"Sure."

"I'm sure someone knows… about these papers Danial. Hmm… we can ask one of the prisoners."

Zejimal reassured the Sorcerer as we left the office and passed a prisoner. I was clearly not a part of the conversation, with references I couldn’t understand.

"We could've asked that butler if he hadn't gone and died. I'm sure he knew about it."

I don't care and I want to ignore it all, but if you're going to talk right beside me I'm going to hear. Then again it didn't seem like they care if I heard it or not, making it even less important to me.

"Hmm... The one you told me about, the one Omewa killed?"

"Yeah... Let's not talk about it now, let's just drink some drinks and take a little break."

You want to take a break now?

"Yes… a little drink."

Zejimal had a grin too juvenile for an old man like him.

We went into a giant room with white marble floors, glass windows for walls and a tea table at the center with two curving couches. We left Uno standing out not wanting to get the floor dirty.

"How are the streets looking out there?"

I suppose to include me in the conversation Danial asked me the moment we sat down.

"Well... not good. We encountered a guard wearing Tengai's emblem, a rogue guard, Omewa took care off."

"Hmm... Sounds like chaos."

"I see. You don't have to worry I already sent my Lithawk for some help. We'll get a reply back in a few hours."

"We have reinforcements?"

Why are they not already here?

"I'm pulling in some favors, there were conditions, but with the Red King's death I think she'll be willing to help."

I have no idea what you're talking about, who's 'she'?

"Hmm... You really think she's going to send her men."

"She helped us already with the letter, why would she pull out now? If she wasn't going to help she shouldn't have sent the letter."

So you guys are going to ignore me. Not like I care, I already completed my objective; the Red King's already dead, all that's left is to kill you and steal your books.

"Can't believe you guys didn't invite me!" A joyous voice splits the door, a fat old man with a tenting belly smiled at us from the doorway. "You guys were planning to have a party without me?"

He came walking towards us. Behind him, Ilmey's holding three bottles of wine and following her is an Alpaca maid. It came with a tray of wine glasses and it also had 3 milk bottles filled with a colorless liquid.

Ilmey put the wine bottles on the tea table, and took a seat beside the Sorcerer, while fat man Lagose took a seat beside Zejimal squeezing him closer to me. The maid set the tray down.

"Master Danial, shall I go get some snacks?"

"You read my mind Lami."

She took a silent bow and courteously left the room. Danial points to her as she leaves the room to say:

"She's a good girl."

That is a creepy thing to say, and haven't I seen her somewhere, or is it that all Alpaca's look the same.

"Didn't you buy her from me?"

The fat old man says pouring some of the clear liquid in everyone’s glasses.

"Did I? It's so long ago, I don't remember."

"It's not a big deal, with the king gone I'll make you another one like her in no time."

He uncorks the wine bottle and mixes it in with the clear liquid.

"I look forward to it."

Danial takes one of the glasses motioning to a cheer, and so everyone joins in to tap glasses.

"Cheers."

"Cheers."

"Cheers."

"Cheers!"

"Cheers..."

I follow along and take a sip.

"Cough*~ Cou~*"

What is this? Is this even wine?

"Hm hm hm hm..." Zejimal laughed and patted my back. "Another cheer for William, without who we could’ve never accomplished what we have today."

"Cheers!"

The voices sounded, smiling at me. No, really you don't have to include me in your club.

"Without who we couldn't have taken back our slaves!"

"Cheers!"

No, no, no cheers. I don't need cheers for that, I just wanted to kill the player. Everything else is all of you.

"No, no it's not a big deal."

Really it's not a big deal, even if it was I didn't have much to do with it.

"Hahaha... So modest. I like that."

I don't give a fuck what you like. Just smile Verra, just smile.

"No~ it's nothing like that. ku~ ku~"

"So what are we waiting for, when are we going to take back the rest of the city?"

Thankfully the topic changed quickly, thanks to fat man Lagose.

"We are-" he paused pouring a little more wine into his glass, "waiting for-" he takes a sip, and savors it. "Lameriy to send her troops."

"Ah~ And how long is that going to take."

"Don't know I send the Lithawk, should get a message back in a few hours."

"Can't we take back the city with that thing?"

Lagose pointed at the door.

"The Golem? It's not a good idea, we'll have to return him eventually..." He looked at me and I nodded because it's true, you do have to give it back. I'm not going to let you keep one of my strongest defensive mechanisms from my Data-House. "And there's only one of it, it'll have a hard time rounding everyone up. I think it might be great if you want to kill all the citizens. So it's just best to defend and wait... to see what happens."

Yeah, I don't want everyone to see my Golem.

"Can everything really be restored to the way it was, Master Danial?"

"Hmm..."

The sorcerer leans back, sinking into comfort. Looking far into the distance, relaxing his body he recites what he sees in his mind.

"There are 4 million people in this country, half of which came here after the Red King took over. Those people will either try to flee or fight, if they try to stay and fight, they have another thing coming. To the ones fleeing let's see how far they can go. I plan to see every single one of them caught and brought back here. As for the humans... we can take it one house at a time." He raised his glass. "Death to traitors."

They all followed one after another they raised their glasses high and repeated the phrase.

"Death to traitors."

Finally, it came to me, and all eyes turned to me. Come on, this is peer pressuring. But I suppose I can agree with the phrase, even if it is not aimed at the same people. Yeah, I agree with the phrase.

"Death to traitors."

♦♦♦

"This was outside your door."

Not knowing fully well how to hold it he brought the fighting and flapping Lithawk inside her office. Green feathered Lithawk, with a very bright light limey green feathers starting at its belly to a gradual darkening to a forest green as it reaches the tips of its wings.

"Outside here?"

'Because I would have heard it', implied her saggy and wrinkled face.

"No, your bedroom doors Madam Lameriy."

Having reached her desk he tossed the bird down, it flapped a few times before calmly landing on the papers.

Fastened onto its back like a backpack is a detachable tube.

"This god damn eh~"

Having a hard time twisting the cap open she tosses it to her assistant, the tall man who brought the bird in, in the first place. Effortlessly catching it with his thin and long fingers, he twists the cap off.

"Here"

He tried to return the tube but was stopped by the Madam's gesture.

"Just read it to me Karkasa."

She leaned back into her chair, watching the bird make itself at home on top her papers.

He unrolls the piece of paper, pulls back his sleeves, adjusts his glasses, and clears his throat.

"Hu* Ha*... I, The Core Sorcerer Danial, has successfully captured the Castle of Tengai. As per our deal, I ask for the 50,000 troops to be sent to Tengai immediately. The rest can be discussed at a later date."

He rolled up the paper.

"Wait that's it?"

"Hum... Yes."

He unrolled it again to show that in that large paper there were only 2 lines.

"That man..." She crunched angrily at the bird. "Our deal..." Her anger subsided on that thought. She extended her hand to the tall, blond and blue-eyed sorcerer. He handed her the paper he was holding. Upon receiving it, she plucked a feather off the Lithawk, it fluttered angrily readjusting itself to look at the perpetrator. She ignored the angry bird and dipped the tip in ink. "They'll be there in 3 days." She said out loud, and she wanted to say a little bit more but managed to control herself. Rerolling the paper she handed it back to Karkasa, and he with difficulty reattached the tube with the message back on the bird. "Feed it something and send it off, and can you arrange the 50,000 troops."

"Sure Madam Lameriy."

She leaned back into her chair once more as the door closed leaving her alone in the room.

"Haa~ Can you really save me?" She brought her wrinkled and shaking hands to her eyes. "Even my own children want me to step down." Clenched her fists at the thought. "Wretched ingrates."

♦♦♦

What is this dog doing here?

"Lagose why did you bring that in here?"

I thought you went to the bathroom, and you come back with this.

"Youa done't knaw Flubo?"

Are you drunk, what are you even saying? And why would I know this creature? Maybe I should head to bed as well. These two are already passed out. William left the moment the sun went down, I hope Lami was able to get him a good room for the night.

"Flubo used to~ hiccup* used to work for me way back in the day. He's a good guy Danial. I'm so blessed to have him, some of my old slaves are still alive too, isn't that great Danial. hiccup* They were~ all wait-aing for me~."

"That's good to hear."

Yeah, just go to sleep like that. And dog you can go, I think he just called you over because he was drunk.

"And he's training the king's concubines right now. He says he can turn them into good girls in a few days. Isn't he great? He was my best, I think he experienced it himself, so he knows what gets to them."

That's good to hear, but didn't I give the concubines to the troops.

"Hey, are you talking about the same concubines I gave to the warriors?"

"You gave them to the warriors? When did you do that~ hiccup* Flubo's training them now."

So they are the same concubines, not that I care but...

"Well give it back to the warriors when you’re done with them."

"Okidoki."

And there goes another one.

Maybe the Lithawk isn't going to show today, but why? What's taking it so long? They should have got the message hours ago. And what are you looking at?

"You can go dog, I think he just invited you because he was drunk. Go do your job."

"Yes, Master Danial, Right away."

"Good dog." Maybe he's another one like Lami. "Make sure you close the door... Yeah, good."

▼▼▼

"Master Danial the Lithawk came back. Master Danial. Master Danial!"

"Hum~ What are you shouting about?"

My head hurts. My eyes hurt, god.

"The Lithawk is back. Sorry to enter without permission Master Danial Sir, but you told us to get you immediately when it happened."

"Right...? How long have I been out?"

"Sir? We can't say... but you’ve been in this room-"

"I know how long I been in this room. What time is it now?"

"Midnight Master Danial."

I sent out the Lithawk before lunch and it took it this long to return.

"Alright, where is it?"

"Here it is Master Danial."

This is what you should have done in the first place. Just give me the message without all that shouting.

"And get me some coffee."

"Yes, Master Danial."

"Bring some for these guys too. I don't know how they can still be sleeping through this."

"Yes-"

"And close the door."

What's with that look? Does he plan to challenge me?

"Yes, Master Danial."

Good.

"Hey, all of you get up... Ilmey, get up."

"Um, A~ what is it, honey?"

"Sweetheart, go wash your face, you have some… here."

"Oh Okay."

I should perform the magic ritual on her as well. When I ask for the ingredients, I'll make sure to negotiate double the amount.

"Hmm... What's going on? Langose, get up."

If he's not going to get up even after being shaken like that...

"Let him sleep." Okay, now let's see what she send. "They'll be there in 3 days."

That's it, she didn't even confirm the number of soldiers she's sending. If this is all she needed to write why did it take so long to send the message back?

"Hmm... So we can assume she's going to send the 50,000 troops."

"'They'll be there'... She must be referring to the 50000 soldiers."

So it is safe to assume that is the case, at least I hope so.

"3 days..."

"You were listening Langose."

I guess even you can't sleep with all the noise.

"With our own troops we can defend for 3 days, and if they try an organized attack we have the Golem."

"About that; I was thinking we should give William a place here in the city, that way he'll have something to defend."

I was thinking the same thing Langose. I suppose great minds think alike.

"Hmm... Sure I have no complaints but where? We have to think of the old nobles too."

Yeah, a lot of people lost their homes around this time last year, they're going to want it back. That's the reason they supported us in the first place.

"Let's discuss all of this after I- we settle things with Lameriy... There are some details that still need to be dealt with."

For the next 3 days, all we can do is hold the fort and wait.

"Then I'm going to send a few men to capture as many beastmans as we can. Now's the best time, before they all run away."

"Don't worry, I don't plan on letting any of them get away."

They can run but they can't hide. Every single one of those vermin who dared look down on humanity, and on me will be punished for their sins.

"Well, I'm going to get a head start anyway. I can't just rest seeing all those products in front of me."

Can't rest... You weren't the best slave merchant in the city for no reason. You might have even been the best in the whole world. That bastard king took everything from you, fuck.

"Do what you want. I'm not going to be the one to stop you." You have a lot of work ahead of you to reestablish your company. "If you need any help... ask. We're friends."

No need to be so surprised.

"What's with that all of a sudden, but thanks. You already helped me out a lot but I think I'll have to rely on you a little bit longer."

Rely on me all you want.

"Hmm... What about me I helped you out too."

"Hahahahaahahaha..."

"Cacacacacaca..."

"How old do you think you are to say that?"

"Age doesn't matter with friends."

"Hahahaha..."

"Cacacacaca..."

"Hmhmhmhmhm..."

That's true.

"What's everyone laughing about?"

"Oh Ilmey, nothing important."

O god, I think that made me cry.

"Well, I'll be off then."

"Alright, Lagose."

"Then I'll go to bed."

Go ahead, sleeping on this sofa can't be good.

"What everyone’s done already? What did the letter say?"

"Sorry sweetheart, yeah that kind of finished fast. Don't worry I'll explain."

"Bye."

"Oh- alright see you in the morning."

He waited for just when I finished the sentence to say that.

"Yeah bye. You too."

"Alright later... Maybe we should get some sleep too."

"Yeah maybe, we should get some 'sleep', Ie ie ie."

"Ha ha ha, the king's chamber, my lady."

"But first what did the letter say?"

"Oh Right."

♦♦♦

The dim chandelier lit her path down the glistening white crystal floor. The walls, the columns, and the ceiling were all made of the same material. On this crystalline surface were ever changing black webs on white, or white webs on black; it is impossible to tell. The morphing webs resembled the Rorschach inkblots. Never stopping, decomposing and reforming into some subtle subliminal message.

"I'm late. I'm too late. Oh dear! Oh dear!" Her rabbit ears twitched more every second, with the tick of her pocket watch. She could hear it so clearly from her vest pocket, which she wore over her maid outfit. "I'm getting later by the second."

Stopping 3 columns short of the stairs, she turned right into the 383rd hallway. Anyone who was not created by the master with the schematics planted into their minds since birth would find this castle too grandiose to live and work within.

She is a proud creation of the master, a bunny maid, and right now she's running late. Her pace quickened with every tick, till it became a full on sprint.

Attempting to stop as she neared her destination, she skids on the smooth floor, topples down and rolls a few meters. Shaking herself off, she slowly gets herself up. Seeing a black mark where she had just skid she panics kneeling before it, giving it her utmost focus. Slowly the black mark decomposes, and she sighs in relief, wiping away her sweat.

Before her are giant magnificent doors, 5 meters in height. It was made of the same material as the walls and had the same black webs, but on it is a carving of a maid wielding a sword.

All the maid’s rooms had some maid related carving on their door, but this is a particular one she enjoyed very much. But she had no time to reminisce. She knocked on the door rapidly with both arms before ceasing her madness and pocketing her hands.

A head popped out the door, it had similar features to herself. Bunny years, but unlike her blue ears this one is pink, and this one’s face was a little bit rounder.

"What's up?"

"You're late. As always."

"You know I'm cool and fashionable. Don't be a hater."

"Goodbye."

"No! Don't close the door! I'm sorry! Nooo~ stop!"

She fought the door attempting to close her out.

"I'm sorry."

The head popped out again.

"Don't do it again?"

"I won't scouts honor." The door slams in her face. "Nooo!"

▼▼▼

"What're you doing Mai."

"Leslie's late again. Should I leave her out there?"

"It's fine, let her in. We're still getting the cups ready anyway."

"Fine~ I don't think it's good to leave it unpunished... but if everyone wants to let her in...?"

"Yeah, yeah just let her in! I want to eat cake already! Cake!"

"Fine~ if everyone wants to the-"

"Just let her in!"

10 voices collided and amplified, bashing into her ears.

She reluctantly popped her head out again. Instead of a remorseful bunny what she got in return was an idiot trying to fight her way in, trying to squeeze her way in through the small gap.

"You can come in but you better not be late again."

Leslie instantly ceased her fighting, on her face appeared an arrogant smile, wide and full.

"They didn't listen to you, did they? Be be be."

"One of these days they're going to realize what you are."

"Sure, sure, now let me in."

Mai left the door open returning to her seat.

Looking around for any spies she entered the room, closing the door behind her.

▼▼▼

"Let us commence the 5th meeting of the MaJ. Since Mai led us in the MaJ's oath last time why don't you lead us this time, Sercy."

"Sure..."

All 22 eyes focused on her.

"Come on Sercy! I want to eat cake! Say the oath!"

"That's a lot of pressure, don't look at me and I'll be able to say it."

"Are you sure you didn't forget?"

"I didn't forget. Close your eyes and let me gather my thoughts."

They had never closed their eyes before when it came to the oath, but they complied for Sercy.

"Everyone has their eyes closed right?"

"Yes, go on already."

Sercy looked closely to make sure all eyes were closed and not focused on her. After she was 100% sure, she slowly put her hand down her chest and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Carefully unfolding, not to sound the crumbling of paper, she brought it in front of her.

"The master belongs to just us.

Don't waste our time making a fuss.

Taking him away from us! What a crime.

Those who try shall be put to grime.

For Maids are Justice!"

"Cake!"

She yells, stuffing her face with what she yearns.

"Where's Zwanzig?"

"Yeah, where is she? Without her how are we supposed to figure out what to do next?"

"Death to Stella!"

"Calm down Aislin, and eat your cake. And she isn't coming today. She's busy with work."

"Then what's the point of meeting up today?"

"Yeah~ Wa's te point!"

"Chew with your mouth closed."

"I wanted to discuss some other matters."

"Other matters? Like what?"

"We all agree we need to get rid of Stella, and we can figure that out when Zwanzig is around but what about after. What makes you think Master Verra won't just replace her with some other whore. He's already done it once with Rosey."

"Hmm..."

"Oh..."

"Yea..."

"You have a point."

"I know. We need to figure out how to make our values be known to the Master, so the next time he replaces his assistant one of the MaJ is hired."

"But doesn't getting rid of Stella come first?"

"By then it'll be too late. This meeting is to discuss 'how to show the value of MaJ members to Master Verra'."