11 The Feelings in their Hearts

When they finally left the Alchemist's lair, Persephone was finally able to vent all of the feelings she welled up within.

"What the hell was that!? I don't trust him! Everything about him just seems so slimy and disgusting. You told us about Alucard but Marrionette seemed even worse! Just what did he do to her?"

Maximillian seeing no point in not answering her questions sighed loudly.

"From the information I was able to gather she was around him every since he was seven while his obsession of alchemy started at the age of six. From what I heard, he was sent by his father to buy a slave to help him practice his noble etiquette. However, the slave he bought was a half-dead muddled mess of a human being. When he brought her home, he immediately took her into his basement where he conducted his alchemy research. He didn't come out until nearly a entire month later... and when he did... Marionette came out with him. From what I have to guess the gratitude she owes him from literally bringing her back from the dead and the loyalty he instilled in her over the 10 years resulted in what she is now."

"To think that she feels indebted to a snake like him!"

"I know but as long as we keep the status quo he won't cause anyone har-"

"Maximillian"

The air froze as Kathina who was previously silent during the entire meeting finally spoke up in a cold, serious voice that was unusual of her. Her glare burned a fire that neither Maximillian nor Persephone saw before.

"Yes Kathina? Is there a problem?"

"I don't want to see that bastard again."

"What? Kathina what do you mea-"

"I don't want to see that bastard again."

Persephone was speechless at Kathina's abrupt change of character, after all who wouldn't. Looking at Maximillian, she saw that even he was bewildered by this hidden side of Kathina, however, he quickly regained his composure.

"Understood. If it makes you feel better, you too Persephone from now on, I'll be going alone for meetings with Geraldus?

"Thank you."

Giving her thanks, Kathina walked off on her own, leaving behind a stunned Persephone and Maximillian.

...

"This one still don't understand why you trust him so much my Lord?"

After Maximillian and his comrades left, Marrionette immediately turned to question Geraldus. Although she already knew the answer the Geraldus will give her, she still had to ask out of impulse.

"I told you didn't I? He's very useful to us as he is."

"Then why don't you at least put him through the 'procedure'?"

"Because it wouldn't be worth it, both in terms of risks and rewards. I already explained this in detail to you didn't I?"

The 'procedure' was an operation that her brilliant master had devised. It involved the reconfiguration of the brain so that the person is physically unable to act against Geraldus' interests. It's the reason that Alucard is compelled to follow Geraldus' orders. In fact, Marrionette herself immediately volunteered for the procedure once her master successfully mastered the method. Her only purpose was to serve her Master and she kept that within her heart. When she was on the brink of death, it was him who gave her a second chance. Because of him she was able to live luxuries and see sights she never dreamed of. It was because of him... that she was able to experience true love. The love of serving her master wholeheartedly and faithfully. There is no form of love that can be greater than that. How could there be?

As Marrionette got lost in the thoughts of how much her great master meant to her the room was soon filled with silence.

...

The cloaked woman rummaged through the gear she brought to her hideout. When she killed the female warhound she immediately brought back the items that were important to her plan back to her hideout. The warhound in particular made her sick. She reeked of self-confidence and arrogance that the cloaked woman hated so much. She reminded the cloaked woman of her treacherous comrades that she once called 'friends.' Nevertheless that doesn't matter anymore. The world was now rid of that scumbag and while it may have only had a small impact in the grand scheme of things, it matter enough that the cloaked woman felt happiness in her heart. [However, in the end it's not enough. They all need to die but even for me it'll be too much... that's what she's for. I must save her from facing the same terrible fate that I did and convince her to join my side. Together we can fix this broken world.]

"Ahahahah"

Surprised by the sudden sound of laughter, the cloaked woman checked her surroundings yet... she found no one else. She was unable to pinpoint the origin of the laughter neither. Her eyes frantically surveyed her surroundings only to find that the laughter was coming from herself.

"AHAHAHAHAH"

Her laughter echoed throughout her hideout. One ought to think that this is a foolish action as it would attract unwanted guests. However, she didn't need to worry about such trivial things. Her hideout was secured with a sound proof barrier that she stole from a noble family. It was thanks to that, that she was able to vent her hatred that she typically always had to keep inside her heart. Except this time, instead of unleashing anger, it was joy.

This was an enigma to the cloaked woman as she did not know what made her so joyous at that time. Perhaps it was the fact that soon she would have a new comrade that will help her in mission against this sinful world? Nevertheless the woman didn't care, she hadn't felt happiness in so long and so her laughter carried on for the entire night.