I thought I would get to go home after that old lady showed up, but it's already been 3 days and I'm still here. I finally convinced the Sorcerer to let me go tomorrow. I think he realized he couldn't get me to stay much longer before angering me. He even offered me some land, I don't know if that was to get me to stay or not. I'll be coming back so I accepted it graciously.

It does seem like everything is progressing well for the Sorcerer. The city's coming under his control, law and order are returning to the streets, and all the beastmans are being rounded up.

If you step out the castle it's absolutely gruesome out there, it's open hunting season on beastmans and demi-humans. They've turned their own homes into concentration camps for their enslavement. I saw these two soldiers chucking women, they're beastmans, but still, chucking them right into the back of a carriage. All beaten up and bloody probably didn't have much strength to fight back. I suppose it's not that bad for the 3rd or 4th one since it has something soft to land on. Still pretty gross, that's why I stay in the library.

I could kill him right now and take the book, but it wouldn't gain me much, except a book. I still need to figure out a way to bring this country into my control, without really bringing it into my control. Which is a harder thing to do than bringing it simply under my control. I have to go home and think over this properly, can't make an emotional decision like killing that fucker. He's acting on his own, what I need is a real puppet. Till now our goals coincided. But now...

He might still be useful. Other players should start hearing about the Red King's death and having the Sorcerer crowned king is good bait. Then again if he gets caught I'll get exposed, but who am I? William Shipudan a collector.

Having him as the target of players is still better than it being me. He's still not under my control, though, and that leaves a bad taste.

Our goals could coincide again.

Why do you even need him under your control? Why?

What do you mean why? How else am I supposed to control the world from the shadows?

But what are you going to make him do after you take control of him?

What am I going to do?

Yeah, what's your plan?

To control the world from the shadows.

Then what?

...Yeah, I need to think over this in the silent chambers of my underground base. I'm sure I just can't think of it here because of the noise. I knew it all made sense before. No, I know it all makes sense, it must make sense...

"Master William, are you okay?"

"Y-yes, why do you ask?"

I'm still on page 10, I'm feeling too shit to read right now.

"It's nothing, I thought you looked a bit unwell, but it might have just been my imagination."

"Ah~ I'm fine, thank you for your concern."

What a gentle smile, I don't think I've ever smiled like that. Why does it just depress me?

"You're doing it again?"

"Am I? Sorry. Can you get me some of that tea~ you always bring over? What was the name again?"

"Peko?"

"Ha, Yeah that. Sorry, just blanked there."

"No worries, I'll go get you some now."

I suppose this behavior looks fine on an old man. Isn't this her break time? That's awfully nice of her, but I did help her skip work for the last, what? 5, 6 days. So it evens out.

What I need to do right now is calm down. I've been outside for too long, my emotions are surfacing without my control. Surrounded by these people I don't want to be surrounded by. I need to bury myself back in my den again, hide myself from the world. Then I can reapproach this problem with a healthy mind. So, for now, I should do nothing, and see what happens.

▼▼▼

"Thanks, sorry to have to make you work during your break."

"I'm happy to assist, Master William."

Why did you become a maid? I want to ask. But I feel that's a stupid question. Nobody 'wants' to become a maid, you just do. And if they're happy to be one, then that just means whatever else they could have 'become' was that much worse.

"Master William, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"You'll be leaving Tengai tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, the Sorcerer finally agreed. After he's inaugurated as the Green King, I'll be heading north. It might turn out to be a bit late in the evening but yes, I plan on leaving tomorrow."

Tomorrow I'm getting out of this place. I'm tired, bored, and completely out of it.

"Then can I come with you?"

"What?"

"Master William you’ve been very nice to me and the rest of us maids, and if you'll have me I'd like to work for you."

"No, that's not true."

No, really, that's not true. Is it because I helped her skip work?

"Yes, you are! Soon the Sorcerer won't need us anymore."

"That's not true. He's going to be the king, he'll need more helpers if nothing else."

If she's worried about losing her job, I don't think she has anything to worry about.

"Perhaps, but he'll 'show' us we're not needed. That we're replaceable, he's... Sorry, he's your friend."

No, he really isn't.

"Don't worry my lips are sealed."

That smile tells me you already knew that. He voice turned into a quite shout, a plea for understanding.

"If you didn't have steady work you're always worried about falling into debt, then if you couldn't pay that off the next thing you know you're in a cage being peered at by fat old rich men."

Her expressions turned grimmer as she sat there staring at me. As she realized her emotional words have not moved me, she drew herself away, gathering her thoughts. Perhaps she realized she was talking to a rich man. In her melancholy thoughts, the library grew quieter.

"Alex, were you..."

"No. A friend."

You don't have to smile to tell me everything is 'fine'. I might not be able to understand your thoughts or your grievances. The reasons might be different but I understand not wanting to smile.

"Alex, I can't take you with me." Because everything about me is a lie, and I don't really have a home in the islands. "But, The Sorcerer offered me Koa.... Cornoly-"

"Cornholyo Beauregard the 3rd, Master William?"

"Yeah him, The Sorcerer's giving me his old property. So I'll be back and when I do come back, I hope you'll still want to work for me."

"I see." She seems a bit disappointed. "Thank you very much, Master William."

Changing her expressions like an actor she puts on a bright smile. Even if it is fake I can't do anything else, the only other option I see is sending you to Derraacs. We’ll need more helpers when we open up the Pharmacy store. But I can't do that because that would expose our relationship. So it's not really an option. You're just going to have to wait for me to return. And I don't know why you think I'm so much better than the Sorcerer, you barely know me.

"May I ask when you'll be returning?"

"Perhaps in a few months, about 3 or 4 months."

"3 months... That'll be great. I'll look forward to your return."

Sure, do whatever you want.

▼▼▼

Next morning I woke up to find a horde of maids and slaves cleaning the castle. The cracks and dents along the columns and walls still remained from the Red King's demise, but the dust and crumble have been cleaned up.

Flubo's overseeing the slaves, he greets me the moment he sees me.

"Master William, what an honor it is to have your presence bestowed upon me."

He bowed deeply, keeping his legs straight I thought he might touch his toes. And his words sounded... sarcastic? I heard from Alex he's a strange one, a slave that supports the subjugation of beastmans. He's dressed up in a suit that doesn't quite fit his dog body, his tail strangely sticking out of his pants, and everything was stretched that something will pop apart.

"You’re doing a good job here… Alright, get back to work."

"Thank you, Master William."

I wasn't sure what to say, but that seemed to have gotten him back to work and ignoring me.

Today I get to go home, but I'll have to stick through the new king's inauguration before that. It's all going to happen downstairs, everyone’s going to gather in the throne room and he's going to be crowned in front of his people. They all have to genuflect to the new king. So I'm going to skip that and read a book in the library till all of this is over.

▼▼▼

"Master William there you are."

Alex, is the party already over?

"What time is it?"

I suppose it's been a while since the sun went down.

"Master Danial, or should I say his Majesty is looking for you. Were you here the whole time?"

Did he notice I skipped out on his inauguration?

"No... I got bored with the formalities." It's a lie and I don't know what I'm saying. I’ve been here since this morning, just don't ask. Large gatherings make me uncomfortable, especially ones you've to put up appearances. "Well it doesn't matter right now, why does he need me?"

"He thought you might have left."

"No, he still has my Golem."

I'm not leaving without Uno. I don't know where it is right now, they said they needed it to bring order back to the streets and took it out him.

"Yes, that's why he told me to come find you, Master William."

"Is that so? Hope I didn't make you search too much."

"Ch ch ch, this is the first place I looked Master William, so no, you didn't make me search too much at all."

Very proud of yourself aren't you? Really, childish.

"I'm that predictable huh?"

She led me to the gates of the castle. In front of it is a large coach, painted white and decorated gold. The sorcerer was talking to the coachman who brought over Uno; I was wondering where you were. Don't even remember his name.

"William, there you are." He looks happy. Shouldn't you be inside entertaining some guests or being entertained by them, now that you're the king. "I've been talking to your coachman here."

You have, about what?

"You have, that's nice."

So why did you call me here, hopefully, to say goodbye.

"Yes, it's been wonderful talking to him about his travels here."

Oh... hope he didn't tell you too much.

"It's... a long journey."

"Yes, I hear." That's good. Why's he smiling? Am I thinking too much into this? He just became the king and brought back slavery, so, of course, he's smiling. That's normal. "That's why I prepared this for you."

He gestures to the large coach like a game show host revealing the grand prize.

I'm not good at acting excited.

"Oh, this is for me. Awesome."

"This is the biggest one the king had, and I'm giving it to you." Oh, that is amazing. "Are you sure you want to-"

"Yes, yes, I couldn't have done this without you. Also, this is the only carriage that could fit the Golem inside." You fit Uno inside that? I open the door to find a very awkwardly seated Uno. He's taking up all the room, but I should be able to squeeze in. "Thank you."

"Think nothing of it." No, I don't want to hug. Okay, that's enough. Alright, let go. "Well, that's all the surprises from me. I'll let you go off then, I know you wanted to go back for a while now." If it's a normal handshake, then sure. "I'll see you in a few months."

I'll have to come back, I can't let you running around living for too long now, can I?

"Yeah, see you."

So he said goodbye to me at night, during the middle of his party and sent me off. I'm not much of a waver, so I leaned back relaxing beside Uno. At least he didn't ask me about the inauguration.

That would have been an awkward conversation.

Where were you?

I was hiding out in the library away from all the people and wanted to skip on that kneeling down to you part.

I could have met some influential people if I had stuck around. It's not worth it, I would feel like a whore by the end of it. I would like to keep my pride thank you very much.

♦♦♦

Knock* Knock* Knock*

"Come in."

"I found the report, Your Majesty."

"So, it was in the king's chambers… Is that it?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Thank you."

"I see... By a Mr. Olly. Hum. Quite accurate... Langose, Zejimal... He goes on to list quite a few. This Olly is good. A very loyal man don't you think? Clearly seems to have cared about the Red King. Very good, very good. Good work Omewa."

"Thank you, your Majesty."

"You can go now."

"Yes."

"Olly Carson, Ha ha ha."

♦♦♦

"Master Verra... Is everything okay?"

"Hmm... Yeah, sure, why?"

"It's just you've been staring for a while now."

"Ah~ right."

I haven't finished one report today. We succeeded, we killed the player. I’ve been thinking over and over again on how to proceed and it just feels...

"Is something wrong with that report, Master Verra?"

What? No, nothing's wrong with the report.

"What do you think of the results, Stella? I killed the player like I wanted."

"Master Verra?"

Say something, I don't care what, anything. What should we do now, now that he's dead? You all watched everything, say something. You might not have the memories I gained from my clone but you still watched everything through the viewing windows. Was the question too abstract, why isn't she saying anything?

"What do you think we should do next now that the player is dead?"

"Yes, now that our biggest threat, another player, is gone, we can take action to take full control of the Country." Good, good, that's what I want to hear. "So shall I send the assassins? If you wish, I can take full command of killing the Sorcerer, there is no need to dirty your own hands Master Verra."

No, that won't accomplish anything, except a cheap sense of satisfaction. Good old, cheap satisfaction. Plus, I want to get my hands dirty when I murder him. I want to do it with my own hands. I want to see the look on his face, now that is some priceless satisfaction.

"No for now leave him be."

I feel like I need to praise her for realizing who I want killed, without having to say it. Did she say it because he became king, or because she knew I hate the man?

Then there are the slaves.

"What do you think of the beastmans and demi-humans?"

What's with that look? Is the question stupid? Or do you not care and you're wondering 'what about them?' I don't really care either but memories of them begging and kowtowing are disturbing. Don't they have any pride? There are too many memories like that, they should be more like that woman. Even though she was crying and all beaten up she still refused the Sorcerer, she should have told him to go fuck himself, instead of 'I don't know.'

"The slaves are bothering you Master Verra?"

"It's that Sorcerer, isn't it, treating people like that? What a degenerate. That's what you're trying to say, right Master Verra?"

The maid chimed in with a smile. So Zwanzig cares about the slaves but Stella doesn't.

"Maybe Zwanzig, maybe."

Am I really troubled by slavery, and how these people are treated? Sure I know it's wrong, this era has already passed long ago back on earth. Open slavery, no we don't approve that. The modern world has other words.

"I'm going to go talk to Rosey."

"W-wa-why!? Why do you need to see her!?"

"Hmm...? No real reason, I want some fresh air, and I though visiting her would be nice. Is there a problem?"

"N-no problem."

That's a first, seeing Stella fluster.

▼▼▼

Ah~ the tea sounds great, smells great, and let's see... tastes great. It burns the tongue a bit but I suppose that's the price you pay.

"Master Verra is everything okay?"

"Why?"

...Do you ask? Do I look not fine?

"It's just, you haven't said nothing since you came in here."

Oh, that. Can't a man enjoy his tea in silence?

"Haa~"

Her googly silver eyes are too cute. I can see my silhouette. I'm just a tiny silhouette.

"Master Verra?"

Was I staring at her eyes too long? Or was I staring at myself too long? She's cute when she blushes.

"Sorry."

I have to accept it, I think that's the first step to recovering or is that the last step. Well, either way, I have a problem, not really sure what it is but I do have a problem.

"Ma-ma-master you have no reason to apologize. I'm but your creation if you wish to look then... then..."

"Rosey, calm down, and I need some more tea. Can you go get it?"

"Of course Master Verrra."

Her smile usually cheers me up.

Is it because I killed a player? Perhaps the others could be thought of as NPCs since they're of this world, but he was a bona fide genuine earthling.

Naa~ that can't be it, as far as I'm concerned the people of earth are NPCs too. It's not like I can tell if they think, or even if they do, it means nothing to me. I think, therefore I am, and that's really all that matters. Everyone else, if they exist or not doesn't even concern me, whether here or on earth. So that can't be it.

"Thanks."

"My pleasure Master Verra."

I could sit here and drink tea forever, until everything around me decays. Until I'm submerged in meaningless thoughts of forgotten worlds I once existed in. A dark abyss of nothing, no hopes, and dreams, only the sensation of life with a vague idea that I exist. A pure and lonely life.

"Master Verra, I'm not sure of everything that's going on out there but I heard you enslaved some beastmans." I didn't enslave the beastmans, it was the Sorcerer. "Perhaps Master Verra, are you having second thoughts about enslaving them."

I didn't enslave them... That's it! I do hate it, don't I? The idea of someone willing to bow down to anyone. It's not even the Sorcerer, he's an asshole who wants to make people bow down to him but that's... not really understandable but still kind of understandable. It's the slaves I hate. I rather they don't exist, it's disgusting. I rather murder them all than have them bow down to me. It would bring me no satisfaction to have them all bow down to me, looking up at me with their beady eyes. It's that slave mentality that I hate. Perhaps I should just kill them all, then I can rest easy.

Then why do you want to take over the world? Certainly not because of this.

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why…?

Do I need a reason! Life itself is meaningless, so does it matter how I wish to waste my time in this meaningless world. Perhaps it's because I have a god complex, delusions of grandeur. Does it fucking matter! I don't want them to say I made a footprint on nature, no! I want them to think my footprints are nature itself.

"Master Verra, is something wrong with the tea? You've been staring at it for a while."

No, Rosey, nothing is wrong. I'll let you decide whether I wipe these beastmans off the face of this world, or turn them into proper existences. Ones that would never bow down to anything. Because what I hate are the slaves themselves.

"Rosey, what should I do with the slaves? Should I set them free or kill them all? I'll let you decided."

"Ah~ Kill them Master Verra? You're asking me? I'm not your assistant-"

"What does that matter, just answer my question."

"Um... I don't really want to kill anyone, but wait! If that's what Master Verra wants then that's what I want too."

"No... I think you've already answered my question. Then I shall set them free."

From themselves. Now the problem is how I go about doing that, and this time I got to pick a good puppet to do my bidding. Someone I can mold to my will.

"Haa~ feels like I'm back to square one."

"Square one, Master Verra?"

It's nothing Rosey, I just have a lot to do before I can call myself a puppet master, let alone a puppet master of puppet masters.