Chapter 3: Kidnap Incident

The Commune of Asmanthus spans around 5.5 kilometers with a population of 500. Most locals were farmers whose livelihood depends on barley and kinds of wheat.

This is the reason why the village suffered maximal losses from the recent invasion which happened a week ago.

The reason why the population diminished is that many of the locals leave Asmanthus due to the imminent death looming in the village. Or rather, the village acts like a meatshield for its Kingdom.

The Viscount's manor lies in the heart of the village. The storehouse serves as the barley and wheat storage located at the northernmost of Asmanthus.

The Viscount is sleeping inside his room unaware of the situation happening in the manor. The reason why he didn't sleep for 3 days for he was busy governing the Commune together with the death of his wife.

They had three maids named Ria, Riz, and Roma. The former two were twins and the latter was found by Viscount Chris during his expedition a year ago.

The manor has two floors with three bedrooms and a master bedroom located upstairs.

Inside the maid's Chamber

A carrier pigeon has flown into a window and a scroll was tied in its claws. The twin maid is not inside the chamber except for Roma.

Roma catch the pigeon and untied the scroll which contain a message

"We must act tonight. The Kingdom's reinforcement will come tomorrow. You must follow the plan"

Roma read these ten words and her mouth formed a what it seems like a devilish smile.

"So, the Time has come, huh," Roma thought.

"The two maids were outside to buy some delicacies from locals. And the knights were patrolling outside the perimeter of Manor. Most likely that there is no one inside the Manor except for the Viscount and his three sons." she observed the situation.

Roma knows that there is a low chance that the Viscount will wake up tonight and most likely rouse tomorrow morning to recover the amount of sleep he needs.

"I must act fast before the Viscount woke up"

Later in the Afternoon. 20 minutes after Roma thought of a plan to kidnap the third son.

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Gian or Julian is laying in his bed, and although his chest seems okay at first glance, the pain of being stabbed remains. But he didn't show it on his face. This is the reason why many professors in the college admire him, to be calm and collected in every situation.

He is contemplating if there is another alternative to level up other than killing humans. As someone who came from the current and peaceful earth, it is quite understandable that he didn't want to see any bloodshed especially if he couldn't imagine that he can kill a person.

He stood up and look at the mirror and examine his body.

"I see, my face is still the same except for my hair color which turns brown. Well, the Viscount himself has the same hair color. My body seems weak, even my previous body is a lot sturdier than this one." Gian observed himself.

The reason why is that Julian never trains in his life, and his mother always dotes on him. That is why the Viscount never forces Julian to hold a sword.

A knock came on the door. "Young Master, Can I Come In?, I brought some pills for you, the clergy said that they will help you recuperate." A female voice came from the door

"Yes, You can open the door" Gian agreed realizing that it was their maid named Roma.

Roma the maid opened the door gently, she brought a glass of water and a pill with a bluish color. "Please drink this water first", she gently said.

"Blonde hair and face like an innocent angel," Gian thought inside. "So, this is what feels like having a maid in your house, she has curvy figures except for her flat chest".

Gian ate the pill and accept the water that was handed to him. A few seconds later, his mind started to feel dizzy as his eyes darted around with a look of confusion. He stared at the maid, then he suddenly falls downwards and a thud can be heard inside the room.

It was too late before Gian realized that there is a snake in their house.

"Blame your non-existent luck, kid" Roma muttered these words as she grabbed Julian carrying him over her shoulder. Roma seems like a frail girl, it is a mystery why she has the strength to carry a person.

Albus who was inside his bedroom heard the thud noise next to his room. "What was that noise, it comes from Julian's room." He goes to Julian's room and lightly knocks on the door.

"Third brother, it's me, Albus. Did something happen?" Albus ask. But to no avail, no one answers his question.

He kicks the door and a loud noise can be heard.

The viscount woke up and quickly inspect where the noise coming from.

There he found Albus inside Julian's door and a broken door can be seen lying on the floor. "Tell me what happen Albus" The Viscount knows what happen but he wanted to hear a confirmation.

"It seems that Julian was kidnapped. I think the ones responsible for this were the assassins" Albus nods.

"I know, call Lucias here if he witness someone who went inside Julian's room and also ask the three maids to gather in this room" Viscount Chris seemingly confused that his son got kidnap even though the manor was tightly guarded with many knights.

Albus quickly went into his brother's room and the maid's chamber to relay the message of his father.

He comes to the conclusion that there is a traitor inside the manor, "The most suspicious of them would be Roma. It is impossible that the assassins were the ones to kidnap him, even if they are, the knights outside would spot them and inform me of the ruckus"

A while later, Albus came back together with his brother Lucias and the two maids named Ria and Riz who were twins.

The Viscount turn his head to Ria and Riz, "What did you do earlier?"

"My Lord, my sister and I went to the village and brought some vegetables and poultry for our dinner" Ria, the younger one said with a meek voice.

"It's true my lord" Riz the older one nods in confirmation seemingly tense.

Viscount Chris confirm his suspicion as he did not see the other maid in the corner. This further consolidates his speculation on who could be the kidnapper.

Lucias who was reading a book suddenly found something amiss inside the room. There he found a puddle of water, most likely spilled. He told his Father about the discovery.

"Most likely that Roma handed Julian a cup of water that induces him to fall asleep", The viscount speculates. Although he does not seem far off from the mystery but the truth is that a bluish pill was handed to Julian.

Lucias investigate the cup which can be found on the table. He smell it and said "There are no traces of a sleeping powder inside".

'That damn Roma, if only I could change back the time to protect my wife and my son. Aaah, There's no time to mope around, We must ack quick to discover the location of Julian' The viscount thought inside.