Chapter 4 It Was The Butler All Along

Walking through Syrup Village I had a huge epiphany, that I Ars-Re Luciano am an absolute gigantinourmous idiot. Infamy means being famous, and that reputation can be for multiple things. Like being a notorious pirate, an upstanding marine, or even a world renowned fashion designer. I could've been a traveling music artist doing performances and accumulated infamy gems and gradually increase my power in secret.

There's only one major problem with this idea. As much as I hate to admit it, I don't have any noteworthy skills in any creative department. I've only ever known how to enjoy culture and throw hands like a common street thug. It would've been nice if the starter gift gave me some skills that would help with that.

But a part of me knows that I wouldn't be able to live a life in the shadows. My thirst for power and adventure would've eventually driven me mad. So, here I am in Syrup Village heading towards a dangerous criminal with my daughter in hand. Yea, I'm definitely a fool.

"Papa, why are we on this island?"

"Well Silk, there's a bad man living in this village and he's trying to hurt a little girl living in that mansion."

"Hmph! Let's go beat that bad man papa, we gotta save that girl!"

"Haha don't worry you little munchkin, I'll take care of the bad man. So you gotta stay away from the battle alright?"

"Alright papa, don't worry when I grow up I'll be strong like you and help you fight the bad guys!" Ah she's so precious, but I would rather her never have to fight. However, in a world like this. That's simply impossible.

Walking up to the gates of the mansion we are quickly stopped by a guard. "Halt! What business do you have with this residence!?"

"Sorry for the sudden intrusion, but I heard my estranged sister lived in a mansion on this island. I brought my daughter here so she could meet her aunt so we could reconnect. My sister's name is Maria." This was obviously a huge fib, and I only learned the lady of the house's name by asking some of the locals prior.

The guards looked visibly uncomfortable about the information. Meanwhile, Silk looked perplexed. "Wait a moment while we ask the Lady of the House on how we should proceed."

"No worries" I just give the guards an amicable smile while one of them runs off inside the mansion.

After a few minutes of waiting the guard returns. "The Lady of the House said that she would meet with you. If you would just follow me sir."

Walking through the gate the guard eventually guides us through the mansion into a room on the top floor. Knocking on the door a feminine voice tells us to enter.

Inside the room is a mature woman with long blonde hair in a neat ponytail and brown eyes. She's wearing a simple high quality dress, and only has a silver necklace. Her eyes widen in surprise when she sees us, but immediately after her brows furrow. "Please leave us Benson, I would like to talk to my 'brother' in private."

Once the man known as Benson made his way out, the Lady finally addressed me in a less than kind tone. "I don't know who you are but I don't take kindly to people impersonating my family. What do you want? Money?"

"I understand your attitude towards me, and I'd like to apologize for my actions. But it was imperative that I meet you, and I don't need your money. Is your husband around?"

"My husband passed away just recently. Is this some sick joke to torment a grieving widow? If so then please leave now while I'm asking kindly."

"I'm sorry for your loss, it seems that I was too late. Miss your husband didn't just pass away he was murdered."

"*scoff* Please by all means 'detective' enlighten me on my husband's murder."

"Recently a man named Klahadore should've recently taken up work here. According to some intelligence I've collected, I have reason to suspect that this man is actually the notorious pirate Captain Kuro. When the man now known as 'Klahadore' came to this island there was a report of the Black Cat Pirates ship making a stop here and dropping off an individual on shore. I have reason to believe that Kuro wants to steal your inheritance by slowly assassinating your family and inherit the will without suspicion. Can you tell me Miss, does the individual 'Klahadore' have a habit of lifting his glasses with the palm of his hand?"

All this so-called intel was completely made up, I feel like I have started to master the Dao of Fibbery. But it made enough sense that it seemed all true, thus the room was silent with a solemn tension before Miss Maria finally spoke again. "B-but we took him in, he was in such a pitiful state? How could he do something to people who showed him such goodwill?"

"Kuro is a highly intelligent individual and adept in deceit, obviously he would have to act in such a way to play on your more humane morals. For him your goodwill is simply a convenient part of his plan. While inside he's probably looking down on you for trusting him so much."

"What should I do now? We've allowed a dangerous criminal into our house and I've already lost my husband to his schemes. My guards won't be able to deal with a notorious pirate like Kuro…"

"You don't need to worry ma'am I will take care of him myself, after all that's why I came here to help you. I only ask that you watch over my daughter while I take care of him."

After a long discussion with Miss Maria I finally managed to convince her to believe in me. She quickly hid with Silk and her daughter Kaya inside one of the upper room floors. Meanwhile I went to confront Kuro who was in the garden unaware of anything that had transpired. He was currently setting a table in the gazebo, likely an attempt to isolate him from the rest of the manor.

"Well I'll be damned if it isn't the notorious Captain Kuro setting tables as a butler. Next thing you know islands will be falling out of the sky."

In response Kuro turned around and looked at me inquisitively before adjusting his glasses and trying to feign ignorance. "Sir, my name is Klahadore I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I knew you wouldn't admit to it, but I won't pussyfoot around the matter." I quickly dashed towards him and grabbed him by his face and jumped over the fence with him in tow. Once we made it over I threw him towards the ground, but he quickly oriented himself and landed on his feet.

"It seems I've been discovered, I had my suspicions when some unknown person came to the mansion. Luckily I anticipated something like this in advance. I'll simply have to kill you and the rest of the people in the mansion then frame someone for it." From inside his butler coat he pulled out his signature cat claws.

In response I simply took Yamato out and held the sheath in my other hand with a reverse grip. While I could easily overpower him and end this, I wanted to test out a new technique I created while testing my powers on the ship. I call it phantom blades, unlike mirage blades they can be embedded in enemies and objects. Unfortunately they don't cause any physical injury but instead they create phantom sensations making the opponent feel pain like they've been hit.

While I was keeping a defensive stance, Kuro seemed impatient to kill me because he instantly went on the offensive. Using his pussyfoot maneuver he moves at speeds much higher than he is capable of. Unfortunately for him, I can still track him with my eyes. In response to his lethal slashes I block with both my sheath and blade.

What he doesn't know is that I'm creating numerous blue phantom blades above us waiting in the air to fall. And so our cat and mouse chase continued like this until Kuro sensed something wrong and stopped. "What're you planning? This entire time you've only been on the defensive and you're not even struggling."

"Haha it seems I was found out. It doesn't matter though, all the preparations are complete." Even though it's kinda cringe I still wanted to do this, so I said it in my head, 'Phantom Rain'. With that being the queue the tens of blades in the air started raining down on us at the speed of bullets. While the blades phased through me they began lodging themselves into the ground and Kuro turning him into a pincushion.

"AAARGHH!" He quickly passed out in pain, which with the amount of phantom blades should be enormous. Another quick battle, but my next target should be much more difficult…

[Ding! You've defeated a pirate with a 14mil berri bounty, and stopped him before he could complete his nefarious scheme. You've earned 140 infamy gems.]