Since the bosses no longer a threat, I've thought of something to ease the slaves and ultimately increase their [Loyalty] towards me. Although, I already own the slaves but that doesn't mean I have their respect, I dislike forcing someone to work for me, to me even if they were slaves they deserve to be treated humanely. For that, all the slaves in this keep deserves some kind of a payback, a release from their humiliation and anger, they all need to gain their pride and sense of dignity as a living being. The 2 bandits downstairs shall be the object of their justification.
Each dead body I passed, i throw them outside to the front courtyard. The sound of bodies slam against the ground reverberates through the whole keep, I can see the slaves at the front courtyard shook and cry to the scene, but no one shouts, in fact the look in their eyes says ( Serve you right! ). A few minutes later, I already back inside the room where Elijah An Quers room, all of them seems to be waiting for me as all of them were sitting on the floor with their heads bow down.
" Elijah An Quers…Tell your fellow Slaves to follow me..".
" Yes, O great lord,…". (Elijah An Quers)
I wonder if all of them think that I'm snobbish, I'm actually not though, I never really look down on people it's just that I'm usually don't speak much, that's all. Either way, all of them starts to follow behind me silently, each time's I stop to throw the bodies down, I can hear a few of them gasp, even Elijah were bewildered by the bloody scene. Bina the Orc Lady tried to help me throw the bodies, but each time I stop her and throw them myself.
As we get to the entrance floor, I opened the large wooden door and throw the bodies on the floor outside. All 5 of them were shocked by the piles of bodies lying around the courtyard, pools of bloods, smells of burned flesh lingers in the air. I head out to the courtyard and release all the slaves that were locked on the pillroys and cages which bring the total of 20 slaves including the 5 who followed behind me. Befuddled as to why they're being freed, still all of them starts to hug each other and bawling their eyes out.
"Elijah, wait here…".
Without waiting for her reply, I leave her and go back inside. This time I descend to the basement, just like the other places in this keep, this place were just as disgusting and gloomy. By the time I steps in the basement, the two warden who's having fun beating a naked Knights inside one of the open jail, doesn't even realize I was slowly closing in to them.
"HUH??..<BBUUKK!!!>…ARRGGHH!!!...<CRRRAAAKKK!!>..MY LEG!!!...". (Bandit guard 1)
As they immersing themselves bullying the poor knights, I just casually sneak up behind one of the guards who show his back towards me, and send a full swing hook punch on his solar plexus which immediately broke 4 of his ribs, the impact send him flying to the right wall and as he fall to the floor I stomp on his left thigh breaking his bone to the points the bone comes out towards his inner thigh.
"WHAT??!!...WHO??!!...< BBBUUUKK!! >….Wai!!..<BBUUKKK!!>..". (Bandit Guards 2 ).
The second bandits, also receives the same fate as the 1st one, but this time instead of being send flying, I use him as my punching bag. I pummeled every combo I remember; the knight who's been lying in a fetus position quickly scoots aside and silently watches the show. Even the Duke and his other knight turned to see the sight of me beating the shit out of the bandits warden. A few minutes passed, both of the bandit guards were both still awake but already lost the ability to fight or even run, all they can do now is shoot a glare and run their pitiful mouths, grabbing each of their legs, I dragged them just like a bag of trash and head upstairs.
All the slaves who's still waiting for me, still stand at the same place, standing around the fire pit. They all stands up as they saw me coming slowly towards them, I release the barely alive bandit guards on the ground and stand in front of the slaves. I pick up one of the bandit swords and plant the sword on the ground, Elijah and all the slaves, stares at me and the sword.
"…Elijah An Quers, and all of you…this is my gift for you. They all yours…".
That was the only words I said, as I walk passed and sit down on the logs beside in front of the fire pit. Elijah who the only one who understand me, shudder at my words. Emotions starts to take over her as she broke free from Mina support and grab the sword and started to crawl her way to the bandits while spouting curse and wails of tears. The other slaves starts to follow the suits and starts to release their pent up emotions on the two bandits, some of them uses their bare hands, some grab stones and weapons, the sound of 2 bandits pleading and curse slowly drown out by the sound broken bones and meat smashes, all the slaves wails and curses their voice out, as they lost in the bloodlust and pent up rage.
( I must say sir, this is quite a spectacle…you probably could win an Oscar for best actor and director..)
"(Thank you?.. But, I don't really do it for that though ….probably around 70% for the Loyalty..)".
(The other 30%?..)
"(These ladies already suffers enough…some justice needs to be done, they deserve that….and it's happen that I can give it to them..)".
(I see….i suppose they do..).
All the fiasco took 3 hours, not a single one of the slave's hands were white, all of them bathed in bloods. As for the 2 bandit fates, well, the easy way to describe their state was 'piles of meat paste'. Elijah who's been support by Mina slowly comes towards my back, the same goes to the other slaves all of them kneels on the ground. Without turning around, I ask Elijah.
"..Is it done?..".
"Yes, Great Lord master…". (Elijah An Quers)
I turned towards the slaves and pulled my sleeves to show them the Master slaves tattoo, which clearly on my forearm. Seeing that every single one of them know that, I am their new owner.
"I have fulfilled your demand Elijah An Quers, as you has promised me, your life is now mine…".
"Yes my lord master, this life of mine and all of mine is yours from this day forward….for fulfilling this demand of mine, I will forever be thankful to you my lord..". (Elijah An Quers).
"Good, as for the others….tell them that they are free to go if they want, say it now….if not then, they all shall become mine as well..".
Looking at her [Loyalty] parameter its already at 99% loyalty, I guess she really do wanted to be part of my company. Elijah relay my words to all of the ladies, but after 10 minutes no one even stand up, only silent.
"Nobody wanted to leave?..".
"Yes my lord master, we all decided to stay and serve you, my lord…".(Elijah)
"I guess welcome then….i expect you guys will be ready to work, of course I won't be unreasonable and mistreat you….".
"Thank you my lord master, we all will always grateful and ready to serve you, whatever you need we will fulfil them..".(Elijah & the Ladies)
Their enthusiastic respond was quite startling to me, this probably due to the High [Loyalty] parameter and my special traits [Perfect Specimen] combined with high charm points. The ladies look quite devoted and kinda smitten at me, even though I'm still wearing my skull mask, either way, I make Elijah as my personal assistant and my number 2, and the first 4 (Mina, Bina, Rafaela and Andrea) shall become her assistant.
"Great Lord Master, one of the ladies ask….can we know your name?.."(Elijah)
"Hmm?.... I forgot about that, My name is Mies Sai, I am the last High Human in Fantasma….by the way, have you all eaten yet?".
I removed my mask, and introduce myself to the ladies. By the looks of it, I'm really killing it here, everyone were blushing as the saw my bare face, and my killer smile as I ask them if they've eaten yet or not.
"<Cough!>….no, Master Mies….".(Elijah)
"Then….ask somebody to cook, make it sumptuous….just use the food stock in the kitchen..".
I saw that the bandits kitchen was filled with foods, though their kitchen was a bit dirty. Looking at the ladies conditions they all definitely can use some warm food.
"Yes Master,….Shall I send them here?..".(Elijah)
"Huh?...why? I'm not that hungry though….".
"Huh?"(Elijah)
"Huh?"
Both of us just look at each other, Elijah seems to misunderstand my words; she probably thinks that it was for me.
"it wasn't for me, it's for you guys…just eat to your fill, you guys definitely needs that….".
"Ahh….Pardon me Master, But…us eating alone, isn't appropriate….as a slave….Hmm!!". (Elijah)
I use my index finger and put it on her lips, she was shocked by it but still she listen to me intently. For some unknown reasons, I just wanted to try those sleazy moves.
"Appropriate or not, just put that aside for now…I don't care about any of that….just go and eat….after that, strips all the bandits bodies, collect their bounty proof and burn their bodies….can you do that?..".
"..Y.. yes, sir…". (Elijah)
Her face reddens by my sudden intimate act, although half of her face were burned still the remaining part shown how beautiful she was. I never really have time to fully appreciate my new handsome face though, at least from her reaction I know that it's certainly on another level, should I become a social media star?, probably not right?.
Since there's no more threat, I decided it's time to get my Van. I was kinda wondering if I should travel back to earth, maybe to get some supplies since I already have to take care of 20 peoples now. Probably I will do it later. The walk was quite peaceful, there's nothing interesting happened though not even single monster attacking me.
After 30 minutes of driving at a safe speed, I finally arrived at the Keep, like always the slaves was particularly shocked by the emergence of black square box moving around and producing a loud noise. The first one to react was actually Bina Murook one of the 1st five, She a Orc Warrior, 195cm high light red skinned with muscular physiques, but still her feminine feature was definitely there, it was hard to ignore the G cup breast, and that round apple ass. She look exactly like the Orc you see in games (WOW), but instead of fierce and groggy looking, her face was quite similar to a normal human, it's just that she have shorter nose and slightly pointed upwards, a small protruding under fangs and a slightly pointed ear.
" STOP!!!! GUYS!!...THERE MONSTER COMING IN!!!..TO ARMS!!!...". (Bina Murook)
She doesn't even wait for anything, brandishing her short sword she jumped towards my front mirror. Then stab her sword through the front mirror, the sword gone through and broke the whole thing.
"No..no….don't!!...<ZZZUUUKKKK!!!>….MY FORNT MIRROR!!...".
The attack can definitely kill, but I was able to stop the sword from damaging anything else by pinching the sword tip and snap them into half.
"Huh??....Lord Master??...Have you been eaten by the beast??...". (Bina Murook)
"....<PAK!>...just how clueless are you?....no I'm not, this is my ride…good god.....you know what, pick all the things inside and put them in one of the room in second floor...next time ask first, don't just jumping around swinging that sword around..".
As she finally saw me inside the van, she immediately become docile and panic, I came out and flick her on the forehead and started lecturing her. The other slave giggle as they saw me scolding Bina, halfway lecturing her, I realize that she doesn't understand anything I just said so I just give up and told her to transfer the supplies inside, to the second floor by pointing the boxes in the back of the van and second floor. It took a few minutes to explain that to her using the sign language in the end she did understood what I meant.
The courtyard was already half cleared; the naked bodies were piled up on a wagon, while the equipment was lined up properly near the entrance door. As I entered the Keep, the slaves already started to clean up the whole keep, sweeping the dirt, wiping the floor. I wonder if they have done eaten yet, i directly head to the 3rd floor to see the 3 captive.
The 3rd floor consist of 5 room, there's 4 normal sized room on the right and left side while the middle room (Boss room) occupy half of the 3rd floor, the 3rd floor was the One Snakes upper echelon abodes, each room have a different interior and each one of them have their own treasures. All the room has been ransacked, probably by Elijah order, the only thing that left inside this rooms was their furniture's, after checking on the captives still in their deep sleep, I entered the 2nd room on the left and started to arranged the room, I turned it into an interrogation room, with only a chair, a table and one light source (Candle) to make the whole room become gloomy.
<KNOCK! KNOCK!>
"Lord Master, it's me Elijah..".(Elijah)
"Come in…take a seat over there..".
I pointed at the chair near the table, Mina who's been supporting her immediately have her sit on the chair, and stand beside her. Mina was a 210cm high minotaurus lady, amongst the slave she possessed the most sexy and voluptuous body, L cup size breast, beautiful hour glass body line and humongous bottom, she has an elegant and gentle face, on her head there's a small horn, she also has a cow ears and cows legs from her knee down. In actuality she isn't a minotaurus, in fact she belong to a branch of a minotaurus race called Cow people, a rare variant of minotaurus clan that known to a breeder and a milk maiden.
It seems that only I know this fact about her, thanks to my [Identify] skill. I told Elijah that I will perform an interrogation to extract all the information from the 3 captives. All she had to do was to translate everything that I said, and there's no need to translate what they said because I'm able to understood all languages, it's just I can't speak them.
"You're able to comprehend all languages?...….All of them??".(Elijah)
"Ehm…Anyway, get ready….im going to bring the 1st one inside….also, don't touch the small box…".
The small box was actually my smartphone, with recording app readily opened; I can't actually ask Elijah to write as she wasn't in the conditions to do such things.
"I want all the names that involve in these conspiracies of yours…now!..". (Elijah)Elijah shouted at Baron Larson, who's currently tied to the chair with a knife stabbed on his left knee.
A new day has come once again, but this is the first time I slept indoors ever since arriving at Fantasma, though the bed was quite stiff and smells a little bit, overall it's quite better than sleeping in a Van. Today's plans were to address the Duke and maybe complete the main quest. After stretching my stiff body with a few simple exercises, I get out of my room (temporary). "!!!...why?...what?...". "Good Morning lord master,…I shall inform Sister Elijah, that you have awakened…". (Rafaela) "Uh…". What waits in front of my door was Rafaela, she was waiting for me. She just standing in the hallway, after saying a few words she left just like that. Then, Mina and Elijah appear, greeting me and escorting me, on our way to the kitchen, I can see all the slaves were no longer naked, all of them starts wearing clothes. But still, it wasn't good on them, it looks baggy and dirty, since they just took it from the bandits, still, it's better than going arou
In the dimly lighted room, besides the steam floating from the tea and bright light from the smartphone, the room was quiet, duke's expressions have turned sour, his fist has turned sour due to his rage upon witnessing the proof of his trusted aide betrayal. "Is this real?...". (Duke Merrica) "It is,…..we weren't lying, right now, we even have the baron together with the 2 bandit leader alive in the other room…you can confirm all this by yourself if you want to...but…". (Elijah) Hearing that the bloody traitor Duke shoots up from his chair and rushes to the door, but Mina was there, obstructing him by holding the doorknob. Duke turned to Elijah with a rage expression, yet the other parties seem completely unfazed by his threatening looks. "Before you do...there's something you need to realize, we weren't doing this for free…..and this degree of occurrence deserves to be compensated….Please read on to this and sign it….after that, you are free to do wh
Duke Merrica & Co. POV"Lord Duke!!... What happened?.... Are you hurt?..". (Knight-Captain Hughes)Seeing the Duke appearing back in the basement worried all 15 of the knights.
"HOLD!!…. EVERYONE HOLD YOUR LINE!!!…". (Guards Leader) The Guards leader was leading teams of town guards circling my Van, the situations were tense as minutes passed by. Just as the guards slowly closed onto my van, I told Mina to open the side door for duke Merrica. "STOP!!!….". (Duke Merrica) Duke Merrica gets out of the van and shouts at the guards, which stunned all of the guards and side onlookers. The Guards captain immediately recognizes Duke and waves his hand to stop the guards from attacking the van. "Lord Duke!!... Is that you?..".(Captain Guards) "It is me, Herman…..Seeing how you handle the situations, pleased me…but, there's no need for such alert for this beast…this is my guest tamed beast, be sure to remember it…". (Duke Merrica) Duke handles the situations quite skilfully, he even slips something about me (Van). "Thank you for your compliments, Sir….Don't worry sir, I will make sure to take note of the beast…
"Nice room….I guess it's given, with dukes status he at least needs to reach this standard…". "They should at least send someone by now..should I tell Mina to drag the Dukes here?…". (Elijah) "There's no need, just let them take their time….let's just rest a bit….". The guest room was quite luxurious, crystal chandelier, comfy leather sofas, it looks like a 5-star Presidential suite. I, Elijah, and Mina was sitting on the sofas, making ourselves comfortable while waiting for Duke to come. I was enjoying the bland warm tea that was prepared for us, since it was too bitter, even for me, I took out chocolates from my newly obtained platinum storage rings. The rings were quite fancy, it was quite a spectacle to see an empty space hovering before you, and as you plunge your hand in it chocolate or anything you want can be brought out from it, well that's magic. Mina was splurging on the chocolates as she tastes them, Elijah was restraining herself and enjoying it
Duke Merrica was surprisingly quite proficient in handling this covering-up stuff, by the time he got back to us, His wife and the dead body were already being removed from the room. Although he has a hard time processing in this matter, I had to step in and explain to him once again (without including the Principality of light schemes). Luckily, he agrees with me, saying that finally, his wife's changes make sense. "Your Excellency….thank you for, once again helping me..". (Duke Merrica) "Don't sweat it, I just like to keep things simple…just take care of your wife…..I guess it's time for us to leave..". As we leave the room, Duke also comes with us to send us off. He engages in a light talk with Elijah whilst we are on the way to the entrance. "Lady Elijah, I suggest that you should take this time to sightsee Merrina…although it doesn't compare to Hallerus capital, it was the biggest town in northern Hallerus..". (Duke Merrica) "Thank you, S
"Your Excellency, Here…". (Elijah)Coming to my side in Mina's arms, was Elijah she gives me the 3 gold coins that Old Grimm gave to her just before. "Hn?…No, Keep them…you're the one who translated the book for him just now not me…just keep it…don't forget to give 1 to Mina, she's, after all, have been carrying you the entire time you know…". I refused to take the money and put it back in her palm. making a big deal out of 3 coins wasn't my style, I'm not that petty. she tried to protest, I simply ignored her and tell her to use the coin for herself and buy anything she wants with it. "We're here...". (Baroness Lydia) Stopping right before a large store called 'Dragon Blood', Baroness Lydia turned to us and opened the door. The storefront was extravagant, big double door, golden decorations, for a potions store it was certainly over the top. We were greeted by 2 women wearing maid clothes (Like the cosplay) before Baroness Lydia immediately called
Ambassador Roland cleared his throat. “Director Kwak… if I may speak freely?”“Always, Ambassador Roland.”He stood, brushing a hand across his waistcoat. “We are humbled. To house our people in such a place… it is more than any of us expected. We… we feared being seen as the weaker voices among the UNA.”Kwak Lum’s smile broadened, his eyes gleaming like starlight. “We do not see you as weak. We see you as family.”The moment lingered in silence, the kind that needs no words. Roland sat down; cheeks slightly flushed but heart a little lighter.Outside, beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, the sprawling city continued its dance of preparation. Massive floral displays were being installed at the roundabout leading to the Summit Plaza. Colorful banners were raised in quick succession, displaying the names of each arriving nation. Already, the delegation from the Dukedom of Angela had arrived in a train of shimmering glass carriages. The Republic of Telvinia’s airship hovered just beyond
“Attention citizens of the Free Nation,” a cheerful voice echoed across cobblestone streets, “this is an international broadcast. In four weeks’, time, the UNA Summit will commence in New City, Aeternum. Thirty-one proud nations will stand together under one flag of progress, cooperation, and shared security. We celebrate an era of peace—an age of unity…”The words echoed like thunder in the council chamber.Outside, people paused to listen. While many among the elite scowled and turned away, others in the lower districts paused, curious. Some even smiled. The promise of unity, safety, and growth was seductive—especially to the common folk, burdened by Triangle Guild’s centuries of unchecked power and exorbitant fees.Kennedy noticed it. “Look at them… even our own people are considering it.”“They’re weak,” Carn muttered. “They don’t understand what’s at stake.”Alphonse’s brow furrowed. “Or maybe they do. Maybe they’re tired of being bled dry by guild taxes and levies. Aeternum gave
In New City, President Kaiser Mies Sai met with his advisors. The room buzzed with discussions about the upcoming summit and the potential threats from dissenting nations.Advisor Elena: "Mr. President, intelligence reports suggest increased propaganda from the Principality. They aim to discredit the summit and our initiatives."President Mies: "We anticipated resistance. Our focus remains on unity and progress. Let their words be drowned by the chorus of cooperation and shared prosperity."The President's resolve was clear. The UNA would not be deterred by the dissent of those clinging to outdated and oppressive ideologies.As the summit drew nearer, the world watched with bated breath. Supporters of the UNA saw it as a beacon of hope and collaboration, while detractors viewed it as a threat to their traditional power structures.In the Principality of Light, the Church intensified its rhetoric, urging its followers to resist the UNA's influence. Yet, whispers of dissent emerged even
The Ministry of Infrastructure has begun preparations to reroute major traffic corridors to accommodate the anticipated diplomatic convoys and foreign delegates. The Ministry of Culture is also curating a week-long cultural exposition to showcase Aeternum’s diversity and progress.President Mies’ spokesperson confirmed that multiple major policy announcements are expected during the summit’s plenary sessions, including topics rumored to include:Official designation of the Aeternum Credit as the UNA’s preferred trade currency. Establishment of the UNA Education Oversight Bureau. Expansion of continental transport infrastructure, and. Strengthened defense cooperation under UNA guidelinesNo foreign media has yet been granted interview access to the President ahead of the summit, but sources within the Black House suggest the upcoming event is being viewed as “a generational turning point.”"The world is watching. The people are ready. And in five weeks’ time, New City will become more
Aeternum would continue to offer education, security, and infrastructure assistance—but always in a way that ensured we maintained our lead.We would teach them how to build schools, but we would own the publishing rights to the most advanced textbooks. We would help them create local militias, but they would still call for Aeternum troops when true threats loomed.We would help them modernize, industrialize, prosper—but they would know, always know, that Aeternum had already blazed the trail further ahead. I didn’t want vassals. I wanted allies who could never quite catch up—because they didn’t need to. They needed us to lead.I rose from my chair and walked toward the window. New City stretched into the horizon, its shining towers and clean streets proof of what discipline and vision could achieve.If left alone, the world would fall back into darkness. If left to their own devices, these medieval kings and nobles would tear each other apart again. The future needed guardians. The U
I knew what was at stake. We had to uphold this example. We had to show, beyond doubt, that the age of “Human First” was over.That the only supremacy left was the supremacy of character. Wisdom. Unity. Vision. And if we could carve that truth into the very soul of the UNA—if we could bury the old hatreds under libraries, not graves—then maybe, just maybe, this world could finally, finally leave its chains behind.I stood up from my chair, moving to the window. Out there, the city pulsed—an endless, living testament to what was possible when walls were torn down, not built higher. I closed my eyes for a moment. I didn’t want to be remembered as the conqueror of nations. I wanted to be remembered as the architect of a new era.One where no child was born inferior. One where no citizen was condemned by the shape of their ears or the color of their skin or the tail on their back. One where power didn’t mean oppression—but opportunity.Aeternum would be the beacon. And the UNA? The vessel
I took another sip of tea, letting the warmth spread through me.Because here’s the delicious irony: by copying our education system, they didn’t just adopt our books and schedules.They were adopting our mindset.Every child who learned using our curriculum. Every teacher trained by our methods. Every official who quoted Aeternum textbooks. They were all little seeds planted deep within foreign soil.In ten years?Those nations would think like us.In twenty?They would be like us. All without a single sword being drawn. I leaned back in my chair, utterly content.Without armies, without bloodshed, we were gaining soft political power over thirty-one nations.Real power.The kind that shaped futures. Mina clinked her cup lightly against mine in a silent toast, her green eyes sparkling.“To the future?” she teased.I smiled, lifting my cup.“To the future we’re writing,” I said.And out there, beneath the quiet, darkening sky, the seeds of a new world had already begun to bloom.The n
In New City, the public watched it all unfold on massive news screens and digital displays.A young woman in a coffee shop blinked back tears.“My mother couldn’t even sign her name,” she said. “Now, she’s going to school at sixty. Can you imagine?”A factory worker on break raised his can of iced tea. “They used to mock us for thinking machines would replace us. Now? My kid’s learning to design them.”Later that evening, President Mies stood at his office window in the Black House, overlooking a city glowing with lights and ambition.Minister Myers entered, holding the finalized signed charter.“It’s done,” he said quietly. “They all agreed. The future begins today.”Mies nodded. “We’ve unified their borders, their defense, and their markets,” he said. “Now, we unify their minds.”A long silence followed. Then, just a single line: “History will remember this moment.” And across the continent, it already had.The evening air was soft, almost languid, as I sat back in my chair, savorin
As the documents were sealed, cameras flashed and live broadcasts streamed the images of rulers shaking hands with President Mies—smiles genuine, eyes alight with purpose.The message to the world was unmistakable:Aeternum does not just lead with power—it leads with knowledge.Later, in a private conversation, Jonathan Myers turned to Mies.“This is more than we hoped.”Mies looked out the window of his office, where the UNA flags fluttered in a perfect row.“No,” he said. “This is exactly what I planned.”Jonathan raised a brow. “And what next?”Mies smiled faintly. “We teach the world… to think like us.”The central assembly hall of New Concordia UNA Headquarters—a gleaming white dome adorned with banners of thirty-one nations—had never been so full.Delegates filled every seat. National flags stood in perfect rows. The giant LED display behind the stage glowed with the symbol of the United Nation Alliance, now framed by a new banner in golden letters:"Education for All – A Future