Things were moving... however insignificant they were. At least, finally, some fun would happen. Shadow wanted to see what they had planned, he even purposefully ignored... avoided hearing their plans. Knowing less... would at least leave some expectation. Maybe they managed to escape? However unlikely? If they somehow managed to do it? Even if it was luck alone... that would make them somewhat eligible, maybe even a promising candidate for recruitment.

Shadow was guilty of helping them out, but if they didn’t manage to find the correct doors? The whole thing would end up, ending… before it even began. And where was the fun in that?

Making organizations powerful? Except for the people at the top that did the heavy lifting? Diversity was important. Specialists in their own areas, classes changed a lot.

If someone had potential? However that potential seemed useless, it could be used in some way.

Except for Seventeen, Shadow noticed a few more [Slaves] with some potential. But he was bad at determining the extent of it. Did they stand out? Yes. But could you call standing out... here without real competition... something astounding? No. If he decided to recruit someone, they would need to at least be on par with the recruits of the Snot Guild, even surpass them.

And usually, people that were recruited from the bottom? Not having connections, not being descendants of past members? They would need to replace them, surpass... people that had experience, prior knowledge, or tutoring. And if the [Slaves] didn't have the talent... to surpass the difference in their experience--- knowledge? Unless they decided to expand their grasp... what was the use?

So Shadow wasn't going to do anything... that had anything to do with recruiting. But if he noticed exceptions? It cost him nothing. And even if he was partially right? That would just add towards his mission, and reward or whatever they planned to give him for doing this mission.

So Shadow involved himself... however minor, he still changed some things. Gave [Slaves] an opportunity to change the current standing. Gave them a bit of time... but not too much. Too much time would make them stagnate, maybe even reconsider their plans.

The more you get invested... however stupid the thing might seem? The combination of suspense and overall lack of things happening? Even if Shadow already knew, almost certainly what was going to happen... the ending? But that little chance of him being wrong?

Shadow just had to see it for himself!

_______

Ron found himself... somewhat depressed. Work that was hard, became somewhat easier. With the hard part being done, and actually somewhat adapting to the new way of doing it. It was even easier. Not needing to travel for days, just to organize a few things. Change minute things, some prices, or the position of labels. The way that they packed things.

Little things, differentiated you from the rest. Increased the price of the products. Details.

But you could do that even from your office. Was it safer... no. But if they failed to follow your orders to a T. You could use that as an opportunity. Paying them less, get things for free out of them. Or even just leaving them to simmer in fear. That was usually enough for them to improve. Or Ron to get richer.

Overall... all was good. He had more time than ever, to expand his knowledge. Or just enjoy his time.

But somehow nothing was going Rons way. First, with Shadow extending his stay, change in his plans... even Clark failing.

Those things were somewhat expected... people had a tendency to make mistakes. And usually, he wasn't the one doing them.

But Ron made a mistake, and he was still feeling the effects of it. And there was nothing that he could do now… to reverse them.

Ron sighed... he still couldn't taste things, everything was different. There were tastes, food had texture... you still could somewhat tell if the food was good.

But it tasted different. Ron never even imagined... how it would feel, tasting something that he was used to. Knowing how it tasted, like the taste. And then have it completely change. To something that was disgusting.

Finely spiced meat, whatever quality. Whatever the number of spices added... it was just off.

It turned out that the specially enchanted glass, that Ron acquired was specially made... for a certain type of wine. And drinking any other kind of wine out of it? It made it age, but under conditions that weren't favorable for it. And so the prized wine, the oldest of his collection.

Thankfully only one cup. After staying in the cup for a few minutes the vine turned sour.

If it was just that... that would be fine. But with wine being old, even having some magical properties that didn't mesh with the runes engraved on the cup well. Opposite magic, combining lead to wine gaining unexpected attributes.

After vomiting for who knew how long, and drinking every type of potion that Ron had in his possession. From healing potions, to cures to specially made scrolls to reverse hexes. It was all for naught. He even ended up, calling a [Healer] to examine him.

It took Ron a whole hour to find out all the side effects... at least he hoped that what he found were all.

The [Healer] confirmed his speculations… but he couldn’t do anything to help Ron out, or even speed up the process of recovery.

The verdict that the [Healer] gave him, made Ron even more depressed. He would be stuck like this for weeks, maybe even months. Having every meal, taste like crap. Ron didn’t even feel like eating anymore.

At first, Ron was mad at the [Cook]. Having explicitly ordered Clark to get him the best that the [Cook] had to offer. But after a minute, having calmed down somewhat.

Ron inspected the food for poison. But it came out negative, and seeing how it looked... he already ate this meal. Many times. And it was good, really good. It was one of the reasons that he even hired the [Cook].

Having Clark, triple-check the food. He was certain. And of course, he recalled the conversation that he had with the guy that sold him the cup. Specifically telling him how the cup was meant... for wine. And now Ron was certain that he missed the second part, that the guy repeated a few times.

And now it was obvious that he meant a specific wine. And Ron already knew... that the devil was in the detail. And yet he managed to mess it up.

Ron cursed.

With work still waiting for him, and the increasingly sour mood that Ron was in. He felt like he lacked energy. He could visibly see himself grow thin. He debated getting an [Alchemist] to make him a potion, that would substitute food. But it would take weeks. And by then he might even be cured.

So Ron decided just to... sleep it off. Maybe read--- reread some of the books on [Merchant] classes, some guides. Maybe even inquire into the current war situation. With that [Captain] Jerry being a part of it now... it might even be interesting.

And so Rons break extended from a single day to a few days.

_________

For Aron it was just another day... just this time he would make sure not to be late, or get lost in his thoughts before the meal was done. Aron was now able to do four circles, of exercises. It was incredible progress. And he was happy about it.

Waking up the group, Aron noticed that Two was in a good mood. Even though he was 'punished' yesterday. Feeling somewhat certain that he would let us know what it was all about, Aron just went on. Not wanting to be the one to ask.

It seemed that their plan... was much better than Aron expected. It was tempting... but the temptation wasn't what he was looking for. So even if it turned out well for them, the escape plan ending up as a huge success? So what, Aron had to stay steadfast, and that is what he planned on doing.

As they were heading towards the kitchen, all Two said was tomorrow.

No matter what the rest of the team asked, or how they did it. He didn't speak. He just walked, like he was already out?

Seeing him like that was rare... it even made Aron curious, somewhat expectant to see what would happen. Or at least hear about it, after it was done.

Knowing the date, was enough for Aron. Knowing that well, that made today his day off. Day to recover, be ready for whatever would come his way. And so the basic outline of the day was already decided in his mind. And the rest would be just the usual routine.

Fifteen was the only one still trying, attempting to pry some information out of Two. But even his constant questions seemed not to bother Two. He was just too happy... or expectant? To even bothering to silence Fifteen and his continuous questions. Even somewhat happy to see, what Fifteen could come up with.

And so Aron and the rest found themselves eating... now what became the usual food. Wolf meat, with some greens and bread. It was as tasty as always.

As the time for the training lesson came closer, even Seven and Eleven couldn't hold themselves back. And so Two was sitting there, with a grin on his face as three people constantly asked him questions.

And so as they were on their way towards the training room, after leaving the plates at the kitchen. Two didn't relent until they arrived at the door that led to the training room.

"All I can say is that... we shall succeed!"

And with that, the next training session began.

As Aron entered and saw the usual... Shadow and Clark standing there. Without needing to be told, he just started running.

Looking over at Shadow, Aron saw that he no longer trained [Slaves] to perform the lunge. It turned back to the regular, slow sweep of the sword. And the [Slaves] scrambling to block.

It kind of surprised Aron, how things just went back to normal… but maybe it would be a second part to the whole blocking routine. He really wanted to try it out, he felt somewhat confidant.

But that moment didn’t come, as they were ordered to do squats as he was done with the block training.

Aron felt disappointed… but there was nothing that he could have done. So he just went with the motions. Not wanting to be punished, for a pathetic reason.

Soon after the exercises, Shadow dismissed them. Not adding anything.

And so it finished as usual. Aron was somewhat sad about that but seeing the mood of the group he decided not to dwell on it.

They even after the beating... were still excited, curious. To see what Two would tell them. To learn of the plan.

And as it turned out... the other groups weren't idle. And things that they managed to find? It was scary how little security there was in the tunnels.

"So you are telling us... that third group has found real weapons? Made of metal? And that they are... in an unlocked room, just waiting for us?" Seven was incredulous. He blankly stared at Two.

Two looked at them, smiling. "We have this... that will change things, we won't even need keys. We can just use those weapons to cut our way through."

"Won't they be more hostile then? If we actually were armed?" Eleven pitched in, he was sweating. Nervous... stakes now increased.

If things escalated? And they killed someone?

Two sighed, looking annoyed. "Can't you just be happy that our chances increased? With this... it is almost certain that we will get out. And with these weapons? Monsters will be no issue, and we can even sell them, in a village. It would let us live even better than here!"

Having somewhat calmed down, Seven rubbed his chin contemplating. "And when exactly is the plan being done? Did they find the exit?"

With the questions that Two actually wanted to answer, he seemed more than happy to tell them what was happening, or what he knew.

"So they know where the exit is, it isn't confirmed. But they saw [Servants] coming and going from there. And apparently, it's a different exit from the one that we came from."

"What about the time? Are we meeting somewhere?"

"Third group has weapons stashed in their room already, from what they said. So one of their members will come tomorrow morning, knocking on the door and giving us the weapons. After we would all meet in the location that they showed to me, yesterday."

Pausing for a bit, Seven looked at Eleven. Seeing as he didn’t want to speak up. Seven asked.

"Wasn't it better for us to meet them at the weapon room, or third groups room?"

Two shook his head.

"They have other plans, aside from the weapons. They mentioned no specifics... but apparently this way it’s faster and safer."

Eleven interjected.

"To me, it seems that we are relying on the third group way too much... what if they sacrifice us?"

"All I hear from you are complaints, and it isn't like we contributed to any part. I'm happy with them letting us in on it than trying to find fault with it." Two tried to explain.

And with that, Aron now knew the relevant information... to him, it all seemed way too easy, the way that they just happened to find the weapons. Even a mention of an extra card… that was still kept secret from them?

But that wasn't as important as making plans on how to evade them. He didn't know what direction they would go... and there was no chance of him hiding in the current room.

So either run? But that would alarm the [Servants], and sabotaging their escape plan. Aron didn't want to make enemies, having to watch your back every step of the way? It just wasn't worth it. So he would need to find a way, without messing up their plans.

So hiding it is, just where? Maybe kitchen, or bathroom? And when to hide? Once they fall asleep? Or just not come back?

With the current excitement, he doubted they would sleep at all so leaving once they fell asleep was out.

And leaving too early, and not coming back... would alert them. So maybe finding a stupid excuse to split, after they brought us the weapons?

If Aron could keep the weapon... it would be of great help. Even though it would be useless tomorrow, having a weapon to train with? Practice the swings that Shadow showed? It would change a lot. And it was somewhat worth the risk of staying until they brought the weapons.

So worst comes to worst? Just run, pick a door... and hide. Best case? They let him split, and when they notice that he wasn't there, that Aron was missing? It would hopefully be too late to run and look for him.

So in the perfect world? They would escape, Aron would have a weapon to practice with. And Shadow would continue his training. Unaffected by the fact that others escaped. And Aron didn't end up punished in their stead.

And with that thought, Aron lied down... hoping to get some sleep, but it seemed unlikely with all the sound that was coming from the side.

It was going to be a long night.