Chapter 11 - I. Am. Staurakios Verinas.

“I wish to see my little boy.”

“I would assume you would know the way, milord. Tea?”

“Green.” The masked man swiftly entered the house and went to a specific room. A room labelled “Study Room”.

“Ahhh, if it isn’t my dear lil’ boy, Euphoria.” The man removed his mask to reveal a slight smirk.

“Ahaha…” Euphemia smiled in a gentle, but slightly hostile manner. Perhaps, he was also slightly upset about how demeaning his boss was being.

“How’s your plan going? I’ve given you what… a day or two?” Kindred went straight to work.

“Yes… I have a rough outline. So, it’s going well.”

“Care to explain it to me?”

“Ahahaha...Yes… Just a second… I have written it down. Let me get it…” Sigurd stalled for time simply because he hadn’t really focused on it. A day of celebration here, a nice walk there. Or a little political work here, and some meeting there. It was procrastination at the finest.

“I insist. You can just tell me the rough outline. Here, I’ll bring out some of my men. You are free to choose!”

“That would be perfect, milord. When will you come back? I will be sure to prepare for it next time!”

“I have them right here. We’ll trade right here. You give me your plan, and I’ll give you a sample of my men.” Kindred folded his arms and leaned against the door, not allowing Sigurd to go anywhere.

“Huh?” Sigurd cocked his head in confusion and also in panic for what was in store for him. Kindred pulled out a few crystals from inside his cloak and set them on the table.

[Summon [Storage Crystal] ]

Out popped a few undead. Shadow assassins, to be exact. Completely covered by a tattered cloaks, anyone could misidentify them as a street beggar. However, inside the hood, it was the incarnation of death. That was also how they killed. A forced glance. Eye contact lifted the soul out of the body. They fed on soulless bodies.

As expected, Sigurd, a clean, protected noble, could not handle their frightening presence and screamed. Kindred immediately covered Euphemia’s mouth and whispered in his ear. “They smell fearrrr.”

Perhaps on queue, all the hooded undead cocked their heads towards Sigurd. This resulted in another muffled shriek.

“Hey, hey. Don’t scare our little friend. He might be requiring your assistance later on. Maybe you should get to know each other, whaddya say, Euphoria?” Kindred gave a mocking smile.

“Ahehehe, I-i think I’ll p-pass.” Sigurd chuckled slightly.

“Well, I’ll tell you what they are. You don’t want to make bare eye contact. That’s how they kill. And then they eat your body! Isn’t it fascinating? People always talk about ‘if looks could kill’, but this is a real monster capable of killing with a glance. Sooo, you want it?” Kindred wrapped his arm around Sigurd’s shoulder and extended one arm out, as if telling a story.

“W-what else is there?”

“So, that’s a no? Heh, that’s fine. Here’s my next one. I’d say it only gets more ugly though.”

[Summon [Storage Crystal] ]

This time, there were miscellaneous creepy-crawlies. They began to squirm on the table. Sigurd instantly paled. “No, no, no. I think I’ll pass on this one. No. Definitely. Please. Put it away. I don’t want it!”

“Ufu, you sure?” Kindred gave a whistle and the various creatures sorted themselves out. He grabbed one and and played with it.. “You see this one? This is called a Jumping Sickness. If it bites you, it injects a sh*t ton of baddy bacteria. You’ll definitely die an agonizing death. Well, I think 8th tier healing will numb the pain. I can give you...what...maybe five hundred? Sounds good?”

“No, no, no. Ahaha, I’ll have the shadow assassins. I think they are perfect. Really.”

Kindred cocked his head in mock confusion. “You really really sure? I mean… this one here is a Nerve Tiger. Instant paralysis. This one’s a Mind Worm. It will ki---.”

“No. I don’t want it. Put it away. Please. I’ll take those.” Sigurd pointed at the shadow assassins.

“Okay then. Well, since I’m done, it’s your turn.”

“...Aha, yes. A rough outline. Outline…” Sigurd began to sweat. He emptily stared at Kindred, hoping that Kindred would bring up some more time. “Uhh…”

Kindred shoved him onto the wall and grabbed him by the neck.

“Listen. Sigurd. Euphemia. You are dealing with the devil here. I will not tolerate your dilly-dallying. I hope I don’t see you prancing around with your little friends next time. And you better hope so as well. Don’t f*ck with me. I want to see you try to get away with it.” An intense aura of fire surrounded Kindred as he forcefully spit out all the words he thought as potentially threatening. In return, Sigurd truly paled in fright and crumpled onto the ground.

“Yes, yes, yes. I’m sorry. I won’t. Really. I won’t.

“Che. You little f*cking b*tch. I want it… tomorrow. The whole plan. If I find a hole, that hole will be also be in the middle of your stomach.” Kindred disappeared, after feeling satisfied with his intimidation. F*ck yeah, that was pretty sick.

Sigurd remained pale on the floor, unable to move a single inch. A bit later, the butler came in with tea, though he was unable to find his intended receiver.

“My lord, do you require medical attention? You are quite pale…”

“No. I am alright. Give me time… Ask Charles to carry me to my bed.”

“Yes, excuse me.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Perhaps, you are wondering who I am, as a person willing to invite a guest to Juniper Spice, the most expensive restaurant in the empire.”

“Ahaha, yes. I am indeed very curious. A simple-dressed man invited me and I honestly had my doubts in coming here.” Pandora covered all but her eyes with a fan.

“Haha, my apologies for such a messy invitation. I shall introduce myself then, Lady Siglai of the Siglai House. I. Am. Staurakios Verinas. Emperor of the Chirenth Empire. A pleasure to meet you.” Staurakios stood up and bowed. Pandora answered with a feigned gasp and immediately bowed as well.

“Your Majesty, I did not expect to meet you. My apologies for such rudeness to Your Majesty. Truly, my utmost respect for one as yourself.”

“Please. Treat me like your kin. I will not stand such respect towards I. I have not proved myself as worthy for kingship, and should not be treated as one until I do so.” Staurakios rose and also helped Pandora up.

“You jest, Your Majesty. How could I demean a perfectly worthy king of the Chirenth Empire. I’ve just been fascinated by your leadership… ever since you’ve received kingship.” Pandora barely avoided touching on Verinas’ father. That would’ve been a poor subject to bring up directly.

“Haha, yes… ever since… my father died,” Staurakios’ eyes began to deaden resulting in Pandora’s slight panic. Fortunately, he snapped out of his stupor and recovered, “Ha… let’s think of more happy thoughts. I hope it didn’t burden you.”

“Of course it didn’t, Your Majesty. In fact, it is my fault to bring up such a taboo subje---.”

“No need. Let us have a seat.” Verinas brought up a smile, though it obviously didn’t reflect his inner thoughts. (AN: Double meaning. Probs won’t get it though. You’ll get it later. Or if you did. F*ck. Stop getting it.)

“Ah, yes, let’s.” Pandora bowed before following Verinas. A few personal guards followed next to them.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Yes, a brew of Striped Ermine Dung fed of only Heart Sorrel.” Verinas waved off the waiter. (AN: Yes, dung as in poop. There is Panda Dung tea in real life. You can search it.)

“Of course. Excuse me.” An incredibly pretty girl served as their personal waitress.

“So, anyway, Miss Siglai, it is true that you were forced to endure the horrors of a Soul Wraith, correct?”

“Indeed. It was absolutely scary! Haha, fortunately, I fainted. I didn’t experience that much because of it.”

“Oh? How amazing! Isn’t that the beauty of the human body? A natural defense against fear, you could say!”

“Your Majesty thinks so as well? I’ve always thought of it that way. We are truly blessed by evolution to have all these amazing traits by our side.” Pandora found a way to potentially connect. A similarity was all that it took, even if it meant lying. Not that Pandora wasn’t use to lying.

“Evolution? What is this ‘evolution’ that you speak of? I have not been educated of this word. Is it a God of some sort? Like Ilaphaykos?” Verinas cocked his head sideways and put his pointer finger to his mouth as if pondering its meaning.

“...Eh...yes. Your Majesty. That is a little word of Thenada Kingdom. It also just means God. No difference between evolution and God. They are the same thing.”

“Ohh! I see! I’ve never heard of it before. Well, I guess you learn something new everyday!”

“Your Majesty is too humble.”

“Gee! Why can’t you just drop the honorifics! Call me Staurakios! I swear this is no test.”

“...Ok...Stau-rak-i-os. ” Pandora slightly shut her eyelids to show an expression of hesitation.

“See? You can do it!” Verinas cheered.

“...Ha...ha.” Pandora continued on her awkward expression with a cute look.

“Tea.” The girl arrived with two cups and a kettle on top of her serving tray. She placed the two cups down next to each of her two guests before readying to pour. However, right when she was to begin pouring the tea, she was interrupted.

Holding his hand out and smiling, Verinas calmly said, “Allow me.” The girl nodded and left the kettle next to him.

“Tea?”

“Yes, please.”

Verinas strided around the table and poured tea for Pandora. He also purposefully touched her shoulder with his own. Pandora “blushed” and smiled. He proudly smiled before returning back to his seat and poured for himself.

While Verinas took a sip, his pinky was raised. This could mean many different things. It could just be a sign of elitism. It could also be a signal to question Pandora about her potential sexual diseases. Of course, it could simply mean that Verinas was an ignorant person who copied his ignorant father who copied his... la-da da-da.

Pandora made an easy decision. She also raised her pinky. In any case scenario, it would be a gesture that would get her closer to the emperor. She waited for something. A change in expression of some sort.

He smiled.

… It couldn’t be any vaguer.