5 The Assassin

It was time to get Ren out of his cell.

Conor stood in front of Viscount Marcel's study. He had thought about a lot of things, and he was sure Viscount Marcel wouldn't let Ren out easily even upon Conor request. Therefore, he had prepared some tricks on his sleeve. It was a deal which would benefit Viscount Marcel greatly. With that, Conor confidently entered his father study. There, Viscount Marcel was sitting on his chair. When Conor stepped in, The Viscount didn't even turn to the door to see whom his guest was, as he already expected Conor.

"Good morning, Father"

Conor said his greetings, and smiled. Viscount Marcel, as if not surprised anymore with Conor's sudden personality change, only looked at him without any expression. In the past, Conor could not even look at Viscount Marcel's face more than five seconds.

"Just cut to the matter, you are here to ask me something, right?" Viscount Marcel gaze was cold. He had watched his son strange behavior lately. And that smile Conor showed to Viscount Marcel was the sign of Conor asking for something. However, lately the Viscount was pondering about what to do with Conor. Viscount Marcel had no trouble granting all Conor requests. However, all Conor asked these days were about the Demonic Beast they caught. Regardless of what Conor wished for, Viscount Marcel had no choice but to limit his permission for Conor own safety.

"Yes father, I'll cut it short. Have you heard about the matter of the Demonic Beast? I'm here to request for something" Conor still smiled, hoping that it would somehow melt the Viscount's heart.

"I did read the report from the Knights" Viscount Marcel paused.

"Why did you do it?" He continued with a piercing gaze.

At that moment, Conor felt that he was almost lost to that gaze. Viscount Marcel was probably talking about his act to enter the cell and feed Ren. Conor definitely had good reasons for that, but that gaze was too scary after all. However, Conor tried not to yield. It was for the sake of his life after all. No one could stop Ren once he went berserk, and nobody including his father could understand that.

"He is human"

Conor stated with a serious face.

Viscount Marcel did read in the report about his son claiming the Demonic Beast to be human. The report was clear and straightforward, however the Knight Captain somehow had a good impression about Conor being a compassionate person, which confused him greatly. Never once in his life someone said that about Conor. Viscount Marcel almost thought that the Knight Captain was talking about someone else.

"So? That doesn't change the fact that he came from The Mountain Range of Death" Viscount Marcel replied. He didn't seem to acknowledge nor rejected that idea. Even if Conor was right about the Demonic Beast being human, that individual was still far too suspicious and dangerous.

"He is not hostile, and done nothing wrong to be imprisoned" Conor said. And then he took a deep breath before continuing.

"Therefore, I want him to be released"

Conor said and looked up to see Viscount Marcel's face. But the Viscount had a completely stern expression on his face, just like the day when they told him about the appearance of the Demonic Beast. He seemed to be mad.

"Do you know what you are talking about?"

Viscount Marcel voice was still stable, but it was a pitch higher than usual. He definitely thought Conor's request was preposterous.

Looking at the angry Viscount, Conor quickly replied in fear that Viscount Marcel wouldn't let him continue to talk.

"I am aware this is absurd, Father. But I am ready to be responsible for anything to come" Conor said as he observed the Viscount expression.

"And I didn't come empty handed. I can offer something if Father approved of my request" Conor continued.

At Conor's words, the Viscount was silent. His face was still stern, but Conor knew the Viscount took what he said to account. There was a long silence in the room before Viscount Marcel opened his mouth.

"Since when are you so calculating like this?" Viscount Marcel asked.

Conor froze.

'Damn it, is he suspicious of me now?'

Conor was nervous, it would be bad if things went south from this. Not only he couldn't handle Ren situation, the Viscount trust would also declining. Without his father, Conor could not do a single damn thing.

But he quickly relieved when Viscount Marcel continued.

"But let's see what you got" Viscount Marcel said, still in his cold voice.

Conor then smiled again.

"It's about Elmer"

Viscount Marcel gaze sparked in interest when Conor said that. Ever since Conor let out a good comments about his older brother, Viscount Marcel had wondered what happened between those siblings.

"I will persuade Elmer to be the heir in three months. And if I fail," Conor paused. "I am ready to bear the Viscount title and all the learning before that"

Viscount Marcel didn't get surprised by that statement. But it left him a little disappointed. He thought that Conor had changed by his behavior lately. But turned out, he was still after being the heir. Though, it wasn't like the Viscount had any lose in the deal, as one of his son would take over the Viscounty either way. He was also quite interested in what Conor was scheming. The Conor that he knew was too dumb for his own good.

"And also, if the prisoner proved to be harming our territory in any way, I will accept my banishment" Conor said again.

This time, Viscount Marcel was surprised. This selfish and coward Conor let out such a daring word like banishment from his own mouth. Honestly, there was no way Viscount Marcel would banish his own son. But his son did say it for the sake of that dangerous individual. Was Conor under a spell? Viscount Marcel became alert at the thought.

"And father" Conor smiled sheepishly. "I also want more money to play around"

Conor thought that he would be busy from now on, therefore he wanted to prepare lots of money to leisure around afterwards. Either he will be banished or not, he planned to leave the Viscounty anyways. He was busy with Ren at the moment, but he knew that this territory was not safe for at least two books later. And regarding the heir thingy, he held Elmer weak point so he didn't need to worry at all.

Viscount Marcel relaxed when he heard something that would definitely came out from Conor's mouth. He erased all of his suspicions towards Conor.

"Alright, I'll give you more money. But I still can't approve your other request" Viscount Marcel said sternly.

Conor was dejected. He had offered anything he could think of, and Conor was sure Viscount Marcel would agree since it was beneficial to him either way. But he didn't want to give up just like that. Conor put on the most serious face he could make, looking straight at his father. He then took a step closer, hoping that the distance would build up his credibility.

"Father, please trust me just this once"

Conor voice was clear, without any hesitation in it. Conor maintained his gaze towards Viscount Marcel, who remained unfazed. At this point, Conor even thought that he would keep bothering Viscount Marcel from his work if he couldn't get Viscount Marcel agreement. But the answer coming from Viscount Marcel eased his tense body.

"Fine, keep in mind I will kill him myself if he is to harm you"

Viscount Marcel finally yielded.

---

Conor was elated.

He finally got Ren out of his cell. From now on, Ren would be treated as Conor's guest in the mansion. Ren's room was already prepared, and Conor was currently sitting down in the room. It was a thousand times better than that underground cell, with soft bed, fireplace and large window. Satisfied with the arrangement, Conor smiled. One problem was solved, and what's left was to assign Ren to learn this world language, and let him go wherever he wanted after that. He never thought to keep the Main Character close to him anyways, since Ren was always involved in the center of every single problem. His quiet life would be hindered that way.

Conor took a look at the clothes which were neatly folded on top of the bed. They were Ren's clothing. The hoodie jumper and the jeans were too shabby and tattered to keep, but Conor insisted for them to be cleaned. They were the only thing Ren had from his world after all. Conor could not just throw them out on his whim.

Then Conor heard a knock.

"Come in"

The door was opened, revealed two maids along with a young boy. It was hard to believe that it was the boy who kept held in underground prison just a while ago. Ren looked completely different. He was still thin as ever, but he had a set of new clothing on him, his wounds were tended, and the most important thing were he was clean and smelled nice. Ren had his hair cut too, making him looked like a proper fifteen years old boy, even though Ren was supposed to be twenty at this timeline. But for some reason Ren still had that strange aura lingering even though it wasn't as worse as before.

Ren stood still at the door, looking confused as ever.

"You three, come here. Make him sit down on his seat"

Conor motioned to the seat in front of him, as the two maids led Ren on Conor's command. The maids then obediently stood behind Ren.

"I want you two to tend for anything he needs, and make sure he take his language lesson everyday" Conor said, the two maids and Ren listened to him closely.

"Also, he can go wherever he wants except for private rooms. If he wants to meet me, just show him to my room" Conor continued.

"Yes, Young Master" The maids replied in unison.

"If you understand, leave us for now" Conor said, motioned them to leave.

Once the two maids left, Conor took a glance on the young boy in front of him. Ren was looking at Conor with wondering eyes ever since he was in the room. He looked too innocent for good.

'And that asshole Conor was beating up this kid? How could he?'

Conor thought while still looking at Ren. Conor in previous life weren't too fond of kids, but he was still weak for cute things. And Ren could be included in that category with that appearance.

Conor then stood up and took the clean jumper and jeans on the bed. Ren followed him with his eyes, didn't let Conor go from his sight even for one second. But Conor quickly came back to Ren's side as he handed the clothes to Ren.

"You can keep it" He said, and then cursed his stupid self for forgetting that Ren wouldn't understand what he said.

Conor sighed. It would be much easier to talk to Ren in Japanese, but he wanted to keep his identity a secret after all. Ren would definitely cling to Conor if he knew that Conor was in a way similar to him. And like he said before, he didn't want to keep Ren for too long.

Ren kept his clothes close to his chest, holding it tightly. As Conor thought, those clothes were like a memento from his world.

"Thank you"

Ren softly murmured in Japanese. Hearing that, Conor wanted to smile but he kept his face straight. He didn't suppose to understand that. But now that Ren was clearly not hostile to him, somehow he wanted leisure around for long time. It was a shame that he still had a couple things to do, and one more death door to avoid.

One more thing though, he wanted to establish a good relationship with Ren. The one where Ren wasn't hostile to him, but not too close to him either. That was why he thought they needed to know each other's name.

"Hey" Conor called out. Ren turned to him almost immediately.

Conor then pointed to himself and said,

"Conor"

But Ren tilted his head in confusion.

"Co-nor"

Conor slowed down his pronunciation, while still pointing at himself. He then pointed to Ren and asked.

"You?"

As if he understood what Conor meant, Ren now pointed towards Conor.

"Co-nuh?"

He tried to mimic Conor, and Conor somehow found that funny. The way Ren pronounced his name reminded him of the people in his hometown that he couldn't return to. They did that a lot with foreigners' name. But Conor quickly shook his head. He once again pointed at himself.

"Conor" He said clearly.

"Conor"

Ren repeated it. Conor then smiled because Ren got it right. Conor actually didn't know what language was spoken in this world, but it was quite similar to languages spoken in Europe, at least to him. Which means, it was by no means easy for Ren.

"Nice" Conor complimented him. Seeing Conor's smile, Ren knew he did it right.

"Nice" Ren mimicked Conor once again.

Conor was surprised that Ren was learning quickly. Thinking about his actual age, he thought that maybe it was nice being young like Ren. As his brain absorbed information really quick.

While Conor was amazed by this boy, Ren then pointed to himself.

"Ren"

He said.

Conor wanted to say 'I know' to Ren, but he held himself. He just stared at Ren and then repeated Ren's name.

"Ren"

Ren nodded happily when Conor said his name. His eyes were sparkled in joy.

"What a nice name" Conor muttered to himself. It really was, because the author most definitely picked him a name befitting of a Main Character. While Conor had the most boring name in the world. Well, maybe not in the place he had originally come from.

"Nice"

Hearing the word he just learned, Ren repeated it silently.

Conor was about to compliment Ren again, but he could hear a knock on the door. It was strange. He didn't expect anyone to visit Ren when the person himself was just released from prison. Led by curiosity, Conor let whoever they were to come in.

"Come in" He said.

The door opened, and Conor almost fell down from his chair out of surprise. He didn't expect the appearance of this guy at all.

The guy on the doorsill was about in his late twenties, wearing a complete butler uniform. His dark brown hair was combed neatly, and his pair of light brown eyes were staring at Conor. There wasn't anything special about him, as he looked too common to even differentiate him from mob characters. But Conor knew it from the mole below his right eye, a trademark for the significant character in the novel.

It was Lou.

He was Viscountess Nadia's spy, and also an assassin.