Chapter 65 - Dedicated Secretary

No matter how much he saw that kind of scene, it was always unpleasant in some way. However, it wouldn't mean he would feel remorse when he thought about the sin committed by the person. His punishment was well deserved.

Vincent stood still in front of the abandoned tent, listening to the screams that echoed from it to the point of scaring away nearby birds. Taking out his pocket watch from his coat, he checked the time before continuing to walk through that place that seemed abandoned for hundreds of years.

Even if he passed by fallen bodies and dark puddles, he didn't care. He just kept following his path to a small tent where a figure was sitting hugging a stuffed rabbit. Hidden in a black cape, only his scabrous smile was clear.

— You are here, Vicente! You took your time this time, don't you think?

Standing at the entrance of the tent, the clown bowed his head slightly respectfully.

— It's been a busy day in Dreamland, it seems that someone is trying their best to scare the young master away.

The short figure let out a low, hoarse laugh, turning the rabbit towards himself and stroking his large pink ears.

— He won't run away anymore. We've chained him up enough to prevent that.

— I assume that's correct.

— Hm... so, the reason for this singing is because Ray is having fun with someone?

Vincent nodded, causing the figure to laugh again. As expected, he knew everything that happened. Although the clown had no idea how he could find out so much information.

— What about Benjin?

The figure extended the plush towards Vincent, who held it carefully. Using a handkerchief he took from his overcoat, the clown started to clean the plush. Without any visible stain, he would only clean it on a mere whim.

— He must be jumping with happiness now that the young master announced their marriage.

— Marriage? Leo who said that and not Benjin? Hahahahaha what fun!

— It really is surprising. I haven't talked to him about it, and as far as I know Benjin hasn't either.

— Doesn't that mean they bonded naturally?

Raising his amber eyes to the figure, who lay on the upholstery swinging his legs, Vicente answered him.

— Just as predicted.

— Hm... But will it take long for that to happen? I'm afraid that Leo will end up giving up the idea.

Returning the teddy to the figure, Vicente kept the scarf in his jacket.

— I doubt very much that our Benjin will let it happen.

Jumping up on the upholstery, the figure raised the rabbit to the sky and then hugged him tightly.

— It would be good if Leo was part of some show, it would be the perfect mask to escape from that guy.

Peeking his eyes, Vicente sighed. Why did he have to go to all that trouble? Still, he wouldn't complain out loud. He just nodded before pulling out his notebook and taking his order.

— As you wish.

— Oh, and also... I'm looking forward to the new attraction.

The wide-eyed, spiralling eyes were hideous and frightening to look at. Even Vincent felt uncomfortable when he received that look. Piggling to disguise his sudden discomfort, the clown soon continued.

— I am... working on it.

— Good.

Without lingering in the small tent, Vicente bowed formally and marched away to where the shouts had once been. Just stopping in front of the tent required covering his nose with another handkerchief as the fetid smell was a real barrier.

Hiding in the dark, Ray smiled as he stared at a huge vertical box standing in the middle of a decaying stage. Noticing the clown's presence, the magician smiled, waving without hiding his true appearance nor his soapy gloves.

A magic show would always have a disappearing act. Where did the person go when they disappeared? In a show, the magician might have a secret compartment to create the illusion that the person disappeared, however, Ray didn't follow the rule. His show was to make someone feel so terrified that they would prefer their own death to escape.

— Hi Vicente! It's time for fun!

— Aslan is waiting for you outside, how much longer do you plan to take?

— Is that so? I guess I shouldn't keep my piece of cloud waiting.

Quickly Ray got off the stage and ran out of the tent. It always worked out well to use poor Aslan as a bargaining chip to get the magician to do something. At least it would keep him from soiling his clothes even more, it would be laborious to get the stains out.

The darkness engulfing the stage made the vertical box move and a muffled scream came out of it. That darkness snaked its way across the wooded floor like tentacles seeking their meal, and it wasn't long before they enveloped the crate. Even hearing the cries for help, Vicente didn't move.

This was what would happen to anyone who dared to go against an Evilian.

— Courtesy of our young master. Bon appetit, Diablo.

Bowing, Vicente turned his back to the shouts coming from the crate. Walking through that broken toy box, he was completely oblivious to the little details that lurked in some corners. Although his sharp eyes didn't shy away from the ballerina doll that danced on the hand of a fallen little girl.

He needed to take care of that matter as soon as possible. The time rope was getting tighter and tighter around his neck. Only he had a small problem that prevented him from doing his job perfectly.

Arriving at the tent where there was a mirror, Vicente peered into his eyes.

There was something bothering him. A strange sensation as if he was being watched. Peeking over his shoulder he checked to see if there was anyone nearby. But he knew that there would be no one around, since the place was abandoned.

That would mean...

That was coming from outside.

Closing his eyes, he stepped forward and touched the mirror. He felt his skin touch something gelatinous and cold, yet he waited a few seconds before opening his eyes and picking up the box of props that lay near the mirror. Spying what was inside, he grimaced in concern.

— What filth, I'll have to clean them before handing them over to the young master.

Some costumes and documents were in that crate. Things that looked old to the point of having moths and spiders among the dust. Sighing, Vicente carefully left the train carriage, soon finding the reason for his discomfort and the one who was causing him problems.

— What are you doing?

— Mr. Monteccello — The steward greeted him with a nod of his head — I came to look for some tools that could be useful for the new show.

— Here?

Giovani was really intuitive and persistent, he would not let things pass so lightly. He would question everything he saw until he found a clue to solve his cases. Though what he was facing now was beyond his capabilities. Like any other ordinary person, the detective had no idea what was going on. He assumed his young master thought so too until he found out part of the truth.

— Well... Yes. Is there a problem?

— You know very well that this place could be a possible hiding place for the kidnapper. You coming here is suspicious, to say the least.

— Probably. But it's also the train that started Dreamland. There are many valuable belongings in its cars.

Giovani squinted his eyes as the clown approached holding the box. Looking over it, he could see nothing but a few circus trinkets and folders of documents. Snorting, the detective scratched the back of his head trying to disguise his failed attempt to discreetly see what was inside the box.

— Avoid coming here while I am investigating.

— I will take your concern into consideration.

— Ah, and today the park was very noisy — Without receiving any response, Giovani quickly continued — The employees seemed agitated. Did something happen?

— Ah, because of a rude customer, the young master's identity was revealed to the staff. Finding out that the heir was near them must have been quite a shock.

— Hm... So he decided to come out of hiding, huh?

— It's like the young master said, that would happen sooner or later. Anyway, keep up the good work, Mr. Detective.

— Tell the kid I want to talk to him later.

— As you wish. Don't be late for dinner, Mr Monteccello.

Turning his back on the detective, Vincent took the box to the Dreamland Mansion without caring about the suspicions Giovani would have. He would not deal with him, since he had become too close to Leonardo. However, it was dangerous for him to continue investigating so carelessly.

He could become the victim of a fatality from which none of the attractions could save him.

But that would not be a problem for Vincent.

His duty was only to serve his young master, and ensure that he stayed on top of Dreamland. The rest would matter little.