14 First Underling (End)

"...both?"

I muttered out those words as I looked at him with a confused expression.

I subconsciously lean myself closer to him as I was also curious about how mana works in this world.

Cristo gazed at me with his usual emotionless eyes as he nodded at my statement.

"Yeah. Although mana can make some of us live longer, it can also shorten someone's life-span. They will die young and will never experience old age throughout their life."

My growing curiosity and excitement soon came to a stop after hearing his statement.

My eyes immediately went wide when I discovered the grim side of people possessing mana.

"...That's-"

"Reality."

My statement was immediately cut off by Cristo.

I looked at him as I avert my eyes from him and decided to stay silent afterward.

'... Turns out having mana isn't great as I thought it would be.'

Not long after, we finally arrived at my castle. There are still Directive Knights doing their inspection on us.

'I am just grateful that Azrael can manipulate Cristo's identity.'

After the inspection was done, we both entered the castle.

I thought a bit about the explanation I got from Cristo as I wondered where he got that much information when he was locked inside a basement for 50 years, in other words, his whole life.

I looked at Cristo again as he looked curiously through the hall.

'It seems that he's still clueless about the outside world.'

He suddenly looked back at me as I still kept my gaze towards him.

"There are no knights aside from the Directive Knights?"

He asked as we continued to stroll around the castle.

I sighed deeply, remembering every detail I got from studying about this kingdom.

"No. The only knight that exists here is Directive Knights. They are everywhere. I presumed that there were thousands of them in this Kingdom. Perhaps more than that. Not to mention, every household also doesn't have any family knights. This also includes the royal family."

I explained it thoroughly.

"Why is that?"

Cristo asked again as I sighed before opening my mouth to explain,

"...Because everyone is living a peaceful life. That's why we don't need knights anymore since there is no purpose for having one if we already have the Directive Knights."

Hearing my explanation, Cristo stayed silent as I finished my explanation.

"You know the Directive Order already but I'm going to explain it more clearly. If you defy the Directive Knights, you will die instantly. Lies won't always work on them. I'm also sure that they would have something under their sleeves to keep a watch on us. Because of that, don't do anything foolish until I say so. Understand?"

I exclaimed without any more explanation as he nodded, understanding my explanation.

'...Cristo may still be naive to the outside world but..."

There are a few things I actually like about Cristo.

He doesn't talk much like Azrael and he didn't ask a bunch of questions.

Though he looks a bit lazy, I'm grateful to have him as my underling.

I let out a smile as we continued touring the castle.

Cristo glanced around the hall as he slightly tilted his head.

I felt something strange about it until I realized he was wondering why there aren't many maids or butlers as it seems from outside the castle.

"They're on vacation. That's why only a few sets of maids will attend us today."

I exclaimed without looking at him. My statement caused him to turn his head towards me.

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

I turned my head towards him as I lightly smiled.

"Just guessing."

"... That's creepy."

I chuckled at his response as we continued to walk towards our destination.

At least we can have a little freedom to joke around with each other and have fun.

We finally passed the outside halls that had a view of the garden.

I glanced at Cristo and noticed his gaze at the red flowers.

"... Red flowers everywhere.. I don't think I could see any other color besides red. Kind of boring..."

Cristo exclaimed blankly with a slightly small startled tone in his statement.

I nodded. I also agree that the sight was quite unusual.

"I'm as clueless as you are."

He nodded in understatement.

Our long walk finally came to a stop when we stood in front of a big luxurious door.

"Cristo, this is your room from now on."

I exclaimed as I pulled out my arm to reach the door.

I pulled out the doorknob as I pushed it open. The slightly open door let him see even further out of his room.

His eyes went wide at how luxurious and nice it looked.

"...this-"

"I already told the maids that are currently available to send your dinner to your room. I don't know what kinds of food you like, so I sent what I like. Find some food that you like so I can tell it to my maids."

I smiled at him as I looked with a reassuring expression.

"If you want to take a longer stroll or to look around the castle, feel free to do so. I'm the only royal here, so no one will bother you."

I added as he looked at me, dumbfounded.

"Also, I have already prepared your clothes inside the closet. You can take a look at it."

His eyes went wide.

"... You... really don't have to.. "

He turned his head to the other side, avoiding eye contact as if shying away from my gaze.

I chuckled at his reaction and was fond to see his new expression I didn't get to see.

It's amusing.

"I'm going to my room. If you need anything else, just remember that my room is right above you."

I exclaimed while pointing at the ceiling.

"... sure."

I smiled as I added another statement.

"Also, I'm going to the Revanche Dukedom tomorrow. Do you want to come? It's up to you anyway."

His blank expression turns into a frown of laziness.

"...No. I don't like getting tired.."

I nodded at his rejection to not come as I slightly smiled before patting both of his shoulders.

"I understand. Rest for now."

After leaving Cristo on his own, I walked towards my room.

During my walking, I can only think about getting information from Azrael.

'... I need to visit him tomorrow. There's so much that I don't understand.'

In addition to this, I decided to write a letter to the Revanche Dukedom to get permission to meet Azrael after arriving at my room.

Like the first time I went, I close the curtains tight and lock the door because I want to go to my secret basement behind my bed.

On a scale of 1-10, I only know at least 2% about this Kingdom.

'...That's a far journey for me.'

I climbed down the stairs to the basement and opened the door that leads to the bookshelf.

I approach the bookshelf as I started grabbing some mythical books the original Dorothy kept and began reading them one by one.

From the book, It is said that aside from humans living in this world, there is actually more creature that lives alongside humans.

Creatures such as elves, sirens, demons, angels, and many more.

'... Is this real? Demons and angels are real in this world? Not to mention, humans were also in contact with them?'

I was taken aback by how many creatures that live peacefully alongside humans as stated in the book.

It's as if I'm reading a fairy tale.

After the thought, I squinted my eyes as I tilted my head in confusion over a certain fact.

'...If that's the case then why does this kingdom is only filled with humans? Directive Order must have done something big.'

I closed the book I was reading before averting my eyes weary to the ceiling.

With a long, tired sigh, I try to remember some of the creatures so I can ask Azrael about it.

But I have a feeling that he knew everything that happened and I won't be too surprised about it anymore.

'... I am already used to his behavior now.'

I sighed at the thought of Azrael's sudden change of personality as I focus on the book.

I also wanted to ask about the case with Cristo.

He might know something.

'... Azrael sure knows a lot of information. He's the first one, Cristo is the second though. I want to find people that know more than just the Directive Order. I know there are few people out there who know the truth about this Kingdom and Directive Order.'

I walked towards the usual desk and take out a blank piece of paper as I place the book beside the paper.

I gently dip the pen into the ink, I started to write down all the context that I deemed important from the book.

After taking notes of some important information, I open the drawer below the table to be greeted by another unfamiliar book.

'... What is this?'

I asked myself as I take out the book.

When I open it pages through pages, I admit that I couldn't read anything because of the unfamiliar language.

I already assume that the language is not from this Kingdom.

Until a mere word that matches my language catches my eyes, making me look at it with wide eyes.

"... witchcraft?"

.

.

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