So here he was, doing work... not having time to even eat, having skipped watching [Slave] training for the second day in a row now. Trying to manage... everything. Demands were high, his whole room was littered in papers, and most of those papers actually mattered. Just there was no space, and as Ron was organizing everything... reading through reports, writing answers.

He had no time to organize it all. So he had decided on specific spots on the floor, for specific documents. One corner was for contracts, the other for orders, some for payments. It was all a mess. But an organized mess. Ron was neck-deep, and he had to swim or he would end up sinking. And he was trying his best to swim… but it was hard.

It would have been easy, call [Servants] in... hire an [Accountant] or [Secretary], or even train some of his [Servants] so that they would get the class. It would make the whole process easy... fast. But with that came risks. Yes, they all were loyal, but they weren't only loyal to Ron. Yes, currently they were ordered to just obey him. But he wasn't the one who made those collars... at any point, any of his [Servants] could be taken away from him. If the right person ordered it to be done.

And higher the rank or class of the [Servant] it was more likely that they would end up being picked. So if Ron ended up putting all eggs in one basket, having them help him? Information could leak, ways that he did trade, his economical standing. And those were the things, that he had no need for anyone else to know.

There were ways... oaths, contracts. But Ron couldn't do them, and with their Kingdom being slave-centric, there was a lack of people that actually specialized in contracts.

With The King, being The King... he probably knew how to make use of others [Slaves], or even knew the person that was making the [Slave] collars. Why would he risk letting [Contract Masters] or [Oath Binders] in his Kingdom? If people that actually had [Slaves] tried to rebel? He could just turn the [Slaves] against them, so the loss for The Kingdom would end up being minimal.

It was all a good system, for those who were loyal, or in some way connected with The Crown. But Ron was too small and too late to get in their good graces. So he had to struggle. With the important matters, he was the only one that he could believe in.

And with things that could impact his life, he had to double-check even triple-check... everything.

Ron had options, he could risk taking another class with his current ones. But he was close... or so he felt, close to his current two classes combining. Having a [Merchant] and a [Slaver] class separately, slowed down his leveling. The experience would split equally between all the classes that he possessed. So if he managed to get even [Slave Merchant] though he was hoping for something better. Ron would end up progressing faster.

Not to mention that the Snot Guild had ways to check what classes people had, even through the protection that Ron bought. So if he ended up taking [Accountant] based class, and with all the work that he had, he was sure that it would surpass his current classes. And that would make The Guild look bad.

Or even worse, if his [Merchant] class merged with [Acountant] class? His [Slave] class would be left there, like a torn in his side. The risks were too big, for him to just say fuck it.

So he had to be patient if Ron got a class that combined selling--- trade of goods with actual living beings. he could probably look into getting a third class that combined well with the one that he got. But that is for the far future.

Usually, Ron would do these contracts in person, it was much faster, safer too. Having [Merchant] skills, seeing things in person would allow him to know most of the things that were happening. And based on his own estimate he would make a move.

But now Ron was here reading reports, trying to see if there were any lies based on his previous visits while calculating numbers... profit, loss. And if the risk would be worth it, it was a lot.

And as he was working, trying his best to keep everything together. Make it all work, and still make progress towards the goals that Ron set for himself.

There was a knock on his door, even though Ron told everyone to not disturb him. He was somewhat annoyed, combined with all the work and lack of sleep. It better be something important. Massaging his forehead.

"Who is it?"

A somewhat panicked voice, of his [Head Servant], came from the opposite side of the door.

"Master Ron, it's Clark... may I come in?"

Shouldn't he be with Shadow, learning how to train the [Slaves]. Ron had a feeling, his day was about to get even worse.

"Come in, make sure you don't touch anything... and pay attention to the papers on the ground."

Ron tilted his head up, looking at Clark that was standing there at the door… searching for a path through the papers. He looked like a mess... seeing the dirt trail behind him, Ron almost had a mental breakdown.

"Don't take another step inside, get yourself cleaned before you even consider coming here."

Clark seemed hesitant, but whatever he did wasn’t worth the time that it would take Ron to clean up after him. And having [Servants] clean up? The important documents? Not a chance.

And so Ron was there, unable to work... thinking of what could have happened. But he was telling himself that it would have been worse if he let Clark in. At least the silence was nice, and he finally had time to finish the breakfast that [Servants] brought this morning.

After ten or so minutes, there was a knock. Expecting who it was, Ron just told him to enter.

"So what's so important, to make you rush to my room?"

"Master Ron, I might have made a mistake... I know what you told us about Shadow, but I just couldn't hold myself back."

Shadow? Did he actually manage to anger that man? If so Ron was doomed. As he realized that, he activated the collar with a touch to one of his rings, and Clark crumpled to the floor.

"You did what?"

Ron half-shouted, almost jumping from his chair, he was scared, and that fear turned to rage, towards Clark.

"M, Mastr Ron, I didn't mean to."

Not having time to listen to his stuttering, Ron deactivated the collar.

"You better tell me everything.”

It was a childish move… Ron couldn’t believe it. He had fate in Clark, he was diligent. Clark was in his position for almost three years now. And now he decides to make a mistake? It was comical. Nothing was working out for Ron. And Ron hated it.

He just sat there, in his comfy chair. Glaring daggers at Clark. He didn’t want to fire him. He was good, but now… did Ron have a choice in the matter? He had to punish him, in a way that would appease Shadow.

“What am I going to do with you, Clark?”

Clark met his gaze, hesitantly… he opened and closed his mouth a few times.

“Master Ron… I don’t know, it’s up to you, to decide.”

Leaning back into his chair, Ron sighed.

“You know that I like you right? You deserve your position. But this? How did you manage to slip up now of all times?”

Ron could see Clark fidget, and he had the reasons to be nervous. Nobody wanted to lose their life.

“I order you to serve Shadow, as his personal assistant, as long as he requires it and is still in this estate.” Rubbing his forehead, Ron felt defeated. “If you manage to get out of this predicament with your life? You will get your position back.”

Clark shuddered, but it was a lenient punishment.

“Yes, Master Ron.”

Ron nodded.

“Go and report to Shadow, I wish you luck Clark.”

With Clark gone... Ron would need to visit Shadow as well, see if he was happy with the arrangement. and if there's anything else that he would like to request.

“Damn it. My schedule keeps getting worse.” Slumping on his chair, almost forgetting even about all the contracts strewn around in his room. “He just had to do it.”

________

Aron was feeling good, the morning went smooth. And the food that they had was good. He and the rest of the group were now headed towards the training hall. For another day.

“What do you guys think about Clark, and the way that he just left yesterday?”

Hearing the voice, Aron turned around to see Eleven. He seemed excited for some reason.

Seven shook his head.

“Nothing, he is a [Head Servant]. What could happen to him for just leaving?”

“But he was angry, wasn’t he? Any ideas how the collarless [Slaves] will do if he decides to do something?”

Two interjected.

“What can he do, he can’t kill them. And we already experienced pain. If he just hits them harder it won’t change anything.”

At those words, Fifteen seemed that it was the right time to jump in.

“I told you, the way that they treat us? It is nothing like the [Kings]. Just having food, and a place to sleep doesn’t mean anything!”

At his words, everyone turned back to glare at him. To what he somewhat shrunk back.

“It’s the truth!”

Seven was studying him, like a sculpture. Trying to figure out what was so special about it.

“Well, feel free to do something about it. You telling us… changes nothing.”

Fifteen frowned, looking at Seven he seemed to realize something.

“We are a team, how are you expecting me to do all the hard work.”

Aron was having fun, he had to admit it to Fifteen, he had guts. No matter how many times he was shot down, he just rose up with so much energy that it was fascinating.

“You are right, I’m sure that we can manage something… in a few years or so.”

Fifteen was nodding along until he processed it all.

“We don’t have time to wait that long!”

Fifteen was outraged, pointing at the rest of his group. He opened and closed his mouth. Lowered his hand, and walked forward.

“Is something wrong with him?” Eleven whispered.

The rest of the group was confused as well. But soon after, they followed him. Two sped up somewhat.

“We can’t let him get lost, we have no idea what would happen if we missed a member during training.”

Catching up with Fifteen, Seven grabbed his shoulder.

“What’s wrong with you man, just walking off like that?”

Fifteen tried to remove Sevens hand from his shoulder but wasn’t able to. So he just turned his head and glared.

“It’s always the same with you guys, I say something, you laugh at it. And it repeats.”

Removing his hand from Fifteens shoulder, and clapping his back a few times Seven smiled.

“Don’t take it, personal man, we are all a team. If an opportunity comes we will act as a team. You are one of us okay?”

At that Fifteen somewhat relented, lowering his shoulders. He exalted a breath through his teeth.

“Whatever Seven, I just want some time… you know?”

Seven nodded.

“Just don’t take too long, we are close to the training hall.”

Fifteen gave them a thumbs up and resumed walking. Following the rest.

________

Opening the door towards the training hall, they entered. Aron scanned the room, it seemed like Ron wasn’t going to appear today as well.

“Do you guys have any idea why [Slaver] Ron, hasn’t appeared in a few days?”

Two shook his head, looking at the center.

“He didn’t do anything except watch anyway. He probably doesn’t care about us any longer.”

Looking in the direction where two was looking, Seven nodded.

“I think that Shadow is in charge of training us, so him being there… makes no sense.”

Aron looked at them, thinking about it.

“Makes sense, but still it was sort of unexpected. He just stopped coming out of nowhere.”

Fifteen interjected.

“Probably has something to do with the war, maybe he was sent there to do something?”

Aron just shrugged, it wasn’t a time to have an argument. A [Slaver] in war, made no sense to him. Arriving at their spot, Aron was surprised to see Clark… in different clothes, standing a few steps behind Shadow. He wasn’t expecting that. Not knowing the reason, and being too close to Shadow. He ended up not mentioning it, and just waited for the other [Slaves] to arrive.

________

Things went as usual, the run went smoothly. To Arons chagrin, he still couldn’t manage to block a single strike. At this point, he suspected that Shadow was messing with him.

Aron was able to see, the minute changes… adjustments to the trajectory of the strike. Shadow was making sure… that every strike would end up glancing off his sword, striking parts of his body.

Not being able to do anything about it, Aron just rolled with it. Trying his best. Not to curse out loud.

As that was done, Aron couldn’t help but sigh in relief. It became somewhat tedious to him. He would rather just run than be beaten.

Soon after that, they were organized. Standing there, looking at Clark. As he demonstrated push-ups.

Shadow stood there, next to laying Clark. He had a grin on his face as he watched him.

“That is the way, get your face in the dirt as you do them. Good job Clark.”

Aron expected an outburst, but nothing happened. Clark finished his 10 reps and stood up, not even bothering to dust himself off. His face was blank as he stared forward.

“It is done Master Shadow.”

Even his voice was monotone, Aron got the creeps from the guy. He had no idea what happened, but it seemed like he got the short end on that one.

Shadow looked at Clark, somewhat disappointed shaking his head, he glanced at the [Slaves].

“Now that you have learned all the exercises, it’s time to do them. Fifty of each, start.”

As they were doing them, Aron could see Clark moving, following Shadows orders. Beating up the [Slaves] who couldn’t do the exercises in the right form.

The tension seemed high.