Chapter 55 Revenge Pt.2
"Looks like he's returned.", from high up, Venion was looking through the window. He saw what happened at the gate, the broken appearance gave Venion a sense of joy. 'It's time for him to be completely chained down, I don't like irregularities in my work.'
Venion still had many things he wanted to do with Lucas, it wasn't every day you could find a subject that was strong enough to handle experiments.
Robert rushed to the window, he wanted to see Lucas' condition. They weren't exactly acquaintances or rivals, but they had grown close enough for Robert to see him as a friend.
'Looks like he's fine.', a smile crept on his face, glad that Lucas wasn't in a life-threatening situation. The bloody clothes did make him somewhat worried, but if he returned and could walk, he would have had the energy to heal any open wounds. The clothes were merely for show, although they did give away that whatever Lucas had been doing wasn't the easiest.
Lucas walked into the courtyard before stopping, standing in the middle of the space. The courtyard was simply a big stone floor with a few bushes here and there. The storm was still raging, so Robert didn't know why Lucas decided to stay in that tempest. He didn't move an inch, merely looking up at them. His gaze was intense and sharp making Robert swallow his spit. It made him think of the brutality Lucas had shown back during his first expedition.
Havi, on the other hand, had a different opinion about that gaze, "How dare he look so unrespectful at us! Let's go down, I've got a few words for him. Call the maids!"
With that, the four of them made their way downstairs and through the hall that led to the courtyard. Going outside in this cold and stormy weather without any kind of protection or cover would be unbefitting for a noble. Maids were called that had umbrellas and lanterns in their hands.
They went outside to find Lucas in the exact position he was in before, but now his gaze was directed at them. The bloodlust was almost visible for Robert and Liam. Even Venion had to admit that he had a strong grasp on his aura. The darkness of the clouds could only hide him so much, with the lanterns and umbrellas they got closer to him so that they didn't have to yell.
"Welcome back Lucas, I hope you succeeded in your task!", Havi was already being aggressive and forward, clearly taunting him. He wasn't afraid that Lucas would try to kill him, after all, he had the contract and Venion next to him. He was safe from any kind of attack.
Lucas didn't answer, he didn't have to, Havi didn't ask a question or pose a request so the contract couldn't force him to do anything.
Havi started to get angry that Lucas wasn't saying anything. "You ungrateful brat! Speak!"
Yet again, the baron was too emotional to realize that he didn't pose a question, this time it did work however since there was a command. With the baron being so cocky, his companionship would normally also lose some tension, yet everybody just got more serious.
Venion was being careful. Although Lucas was bound by the contract, he still was capable of exploiting loopholes, he needed to be sure that he wasn't a threat. Havi provoking him wasn't the greatest of ideas, but Venion wasn't planning on stopping it. Venion knew that Lucas couldn't kill him, but he could still damage his reputation and investor, which he wouldn't like.
"The mine has been cleared.", Lucas spoke softly, almost like he was trying to fulfill the order but to its absolute minimum.
"Good, good, I'm glad you have the decency to at least follow your master. But that doesn't absolve the fact that you lied to me...ME! HOW DARE YOU LIE AND TRICK ME, YOU IGNORANT SLAVE!!!", Havi was very angry, thinking back at what he had done to someone of his rank, he needed to punish him. The steam could almost be seen coming from his head and the spit he spat during the shouting disappeared in the rain.
'Why did it have to be like this?', Lucas saw that Liam was standing next to Robert, his eyes downcast. "That's right you little shit, Liam has told me the truth about you. You might think you're close to each other, but he is MY servant!"
Lucas looked at Liam with seemingly sad eyes, "Why?", the only word that left his mouth was a question. "Why did you betray me?", Liam wanted to speak but someone else was first.
"Because he hates you, just like all the others in my mansion. You were a parentless brat that I took in, I fed you, and I taught you many things. I trained you, I made you who you are, I gave you your life back! AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT ME! LYING AND TRICKING ME?! YOU ARE WORTHLESS!", Lighting and water were dancing in the air, worsening the mood of everyone.
Liam was having an internal debate, if he was to help Lucas he would probably lose his life and his family would be sold as slaves. If he didn't do anything he would have to see his savior and very good friend suffer.
'I'm sorry Lucas, I have made the same decision before and I will stand by it. I love you, but my family is more important.', Liam hoped that through some magical means Lucas could understand what he was thinking. But not a word came through.
Robert on the other hand was biting his lips and clenching his hands so hard he punctured his hands with his nails. He was filled with fury at his father, Lucas was the one who made him see the light, but now he was worthless?
After calming down for a bit, the baron went on, "You know, you were very useful, clearing out all those mines. I was planning on keeping you but it seems that you rather break my contract and try to weasel your way out of things? KNEEL!", Lucas' value dropped significantly now that all the mines had been cleared. If he was capable of lying to him, he would be capable of a lot more damaging things that could ruin his life. He needed to take drastic measures. The baron wasn't intelligent enough to come up with a decent plan, so if he couldn't figure out how to make use of it, it had to be destroyed.
Lucas fell to his knees, placing his hands in puddles of water. He looked back up at them, he started to show his sadness. Tears started to flow on his face, but the rain made them indiscernible.
"Liam! Help me! …please…", it was a cry for help, one that wouldn't be answered. Liam was looking down, hiding his emotions from the rest. Havi was still fuming at Lucas for possibly betraying him while Venion started to relax. After seeing him struggle he knew that it was over for him. 'He was a good pupil and subject material, but this is the best way to get rid of him. I'll see if I can revive him as an undead, he might still have some use then. Oh wait!'
When he suddenly thought of a fun idea. "Sir Havi, why not let Liam give him an honorable farewell? He did a lot of work to clear those mines so he deserves a decent funeral."
"And I can test Liam's loyalty, what a brilliant idea Venion! Liam! Behead this brat, this slave! This miserable piece of TRASH!"
Lucas didn't bother looking up anymore, he knew that it would be over. Liam didn't have much of a choice, he had to follow the orders. If he didn't it would only create more trouble for him and his family. If it meant he could kill some random child he picked up, it was worth the effort, or so he tried to convince himself.
Liam and the maid behind him started to move forward, moving in on Lucas' position. The rain and thunder created a scene worth remembering. The rumbling in the sky gave off a threatening feeling. The puddles all over the ground made Liam's shoes start to take up water. The wind charged forward for a moment, getting some raindrops on Havi's clothes, making him even madder.
The closer Liam got to Lucas, the more terrible he felt. He started to hold his tears back. He only spent a limited amount of time with him, but he saw things he couldn't normally see.
With the determination of a warrior, while having the tactical knowledge of a mage, he was a great companion. But everything had to come to an end, he stood next to Lucas now. He reached for his sword, slowly unsheathing it while whispering, "I'm sorry Lucas, I didn't have a choice."