Conducting Experiments

In the blink of an eye, several months had passed since the expedition to Dark Night Woods and the subsequent chain of events.

Fall was near, and a late summer heatwave now caressed the land.

The arable farms were all brimming with yellow ears of wheat and various other crops being stacked into carts or silos.

The windmills in the distance were continuously whirling and the soil appeared to be joyous from the abundance.

Such glee and happiness came from a successful harvest.

Currently, it was dusk, and the moon could already be seen over the horizon.

Traveling on a dirt road that split the farms was a group of horse carriages and armored Knights that brimmed with strength and robustness that far exceeded those of ordinary men.

On the banners these soldiers carried proudly, there was a black & white insignia of a snake wrapped around a sword. This was the insignia belonging to the true governor of Extreme Night City.

Upon seeing the approaching entourage, the farmers hurriedly cleared the road, taking off their caps and bowing.

In the middle of the escorting cavalry, there were several horse carriages that were fully veiled with black fabric.

As the caravan advanced, sounds of clanging metal chains were produced from it which gave off an ominous feeling.

"It's headed to the Baron's estate... This should be the third group this month..." -A farmer with a brown beard muttered to his friend.

"Johan! What are you looking at!" -A farmer at the other side called out in a hushed tone.

"The horse carriages... I keep having the feeling that something is amiss. Previously when the wind blew one day, I saw the figures inside the horse carriage…" -The old man's brows furrowed.

'Lizzie, please forgive me. But I can't risk our family's lives just because I have been seen around Johan.' -Thought the admonishing farmer, as he gulped down in regret.

"Soldiers! This man is a traitor! He is conspiring against our Lord!" -The man shouted at the caravan before it went by them completely.

The individual known as Johan was frozen in horror when two of the Knights immediately turned around and galloped to their position in their black armored horses.

"H-How... How could you do this to me?! Just a few days ago I was named godfather to your beautiful daughters! And by your own wife, no less" -Johan cried, as he was driven to his knees with a punch by one of the dead-silent Knights who had now dismounted.

The man who issued the call just turned away from the scene and tried to walk away, but the other Knight had already intercepted him.

"Where do you think you're going? Anyone who charges another with treason must present evidence of the crime, or suffer the punishment himself. Did you not know of the new security law passed by our Lord?" -The intercepting Knight said with amusement in his voice.

The man just gave a step back in shock, and his face turned ugly with sinking realization.

"Judging by his reaction, I believe they're both traitors. Proceed to neutralize the threat." -The first Knight ordered with an emotionless face, as he decapitated the peasant named Johan.

"By your command, lieutenant!" -Yelled in response the other Knight, as he immediately followed suit with the man who called them earlier. Then he got up on his horse.

"Let this be yet another lesson to all. He who betrays the good grace of our Lord Farlier ought to face the consequences!" -The lieutenant shouted firmly at the onlooker farmers who had expressions of pure dread.

Forthwith, the Knights turned their mounts and made for the road at great speed.

Meanwhile, the procession of horse carriages had already stopped outside of Leylin's manor.

Anna was calmly waiting for them outside the back entrance that led to the cellar, and she was being accompanied by 10 elite Knights.

This squadron of toughened warriors was equipped with the best gear and weapons in the province, and their black plate armors exuded intimidation.

"According to our Lord's orders, the cargo has arrived as per the conditions he established." -The leader of the caravan peeled his cloak open, revealing a hideous face littered with scars.

"Now, start unloading the goods!" -With the leader's command, all available soldiers except those with Anna hurried to open the carriages, revealing the rows of chained prisoners within.

These prisoners only wore vagabond rags and were covered in filth and dried blood. They were all of different statures and races. However, they had two shared characteristics amongst them.

First, they were all ostensibly in their physical prime. Second, each of the prisoners was filled with a murderous aura that was concealed by their dreary faces.

Only people who had committed multiple violent homicides would have this kind of putrid aura.

"In total, we brought 35 men and 12 women. They are all heinous convicts worthy of being hanged from the nearest tree. In the eyes of society, they are already dead." -The Knight leader smirked, and his face which was littered with scars turned even more grotesque.

The scarred man paused for a second, but then he worked up the courage to speak his mind. "So... what is it that Lord Farlier does with these bastards, hmm?"

"Commander. You seem to enjoy your privileges. And your life. If you wish to keep it that way, I advise you to refrain from asking nonsensical questions." -Icily told Anna, as her gentle and innocent visage contrasted with her ruthless words.

After nodding dumbly, the Knight commander led his troops and the empty prison carriages out of the villa.

As for the 10 elite Knights, they forcefully dragged the prisoners to the basement of the manor. This area had a secret passage connecting it to Leylin's secret dungeon.

|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|

The torches in the darkness. The tightly locked doors. The dry stifling underground tunnels of the basement.

All of those elements combined gave these perfidious criminals an eerie feeling. They soon grew restless and some even tried to run away. However, with the elite Knights as their jailors, they had no chance to resist.

The head maid of House Farlier ushered the group familiarly, bringing the criminals each into a different cell. Afterward, she came to the hatch next to the dungeon's secret passage and waited outside patiently. The Knights had already dispersed.

Although there were thick walls and the surroundings had torches that were scorching bright, the prisoners still felt their hairs stand on end, and cold sweat trickled down their foreheads. They did not know for sure what the Baron had in store for them, but it would certainly involve pain and suffering the likes of which they had never even thought of before.

Half an hour passed, and no one had yet fetched the criminals.

For most of them, time seemed to have crawled to a full stop. Their prison cells somehow managed to erode their grasp on reality. This effect was only amplified when the indistinct screams of a despairing victim seeped through the sturdy rock walls.

Although none of the prisoners were good persons in the slightest and their hands were covered with blood, the moaning and wails echoing throughout the corridors were something that a regular human being was just incapable of producing.

Suddenly, the reinforced steel doors of the access to the lab swung open. A tall muscled young man wearing a black leather apron strode out from it at a relaxed pace.

Over his entire body, there were traces of bloodstains and even pieces of bone and tissue.

"A pity how the vitality of those test subjects was not adecuate to bear the effects of my spell. I take it the next batch of meatbags will be more durable?" -The figure spoke out loud with a sigh, directing his gaze to his loyal head maid.

"Of course, Master. I relayed your instructions to the men with precision and detail. I have also examined the cargo and it is satisfactory..." -The maid noted in a soft and warm voice.

"Furthermore, I have been informed that two peasants had to be put down in accordance with your orders of protecting the secrecy of your operations. And last but not least, I suggest relieving Commander Anders of his position. He has begun asking questions, just as your Lordship had predicted." -Anna mentioned with a tinge of shame.

"Very well; you may dispose of that guy. I expect your next choice will be wiser?"

Leylin got closer to Anna and unbuckled his pants under the apron. He was in the mood for a post-torture blowjob.

"You can rest assured, that will never again be a problem in the future, Master."

The maid did not require an explicit order, as she instantly removed Leylin's apron and folded it neatly, putting it aside on the floor. Then, she got on her knees and began her ministrations.

"Be that as it may, I am glad to see the newly reformed Black Iron Guard is fulfilling its intended purpose... Heh. Who would've known that the basic Knight's Breathing Technique I offered the Roran Hawks would be enough to hire them permanently." -Leylin nodded his head, as he grunted when the tip of his member hit the back of Anna's throat.

Despite his being a level 3 acolyte, before advancing into an official Magus, Leylin did not have enough assurance for challenging those self-proclaimed Light Magi.

Hence, some of the nastier affairs had to be kept a secret from the general public. And what better way to do that than exerting all of his power through his army.

Other than Anna, Captain Fayern, and 30 of Leylin's top Knights, no one else knew of what was inside the carriages or what happened within the confines of the Farlier villa.

Leylin always disposed of the leftover 'ingredients' with his patented acidic compound. With no hard evidence to search for, even if someone in Extreme Night City harbored doubts of the Baron's activities, they would not be able to unearth anything useful before Leylin's forces eliminated them.

While he pondered some variables, Leylin clutched the hair of his brunette maid as she continuously gagged on his erect rod. He used his other hand to expose her big milky tits and he fondled them vigorously.

'Aralis, how goes the gathering of soul data on the experimental bodies today?' -Leylin inquired inwardly, as he pounded his slave's mouth faster and faster.

[The Spiritual Force of the test subjects has been discovered to have 23 abnormal cerebral fluctuations and within the cerebrum were 45 hidden locations. In other words, same as usual, Doctor.] -The A.I. assistant's voice sounded out.

'Using the most dangerous criminals of the region as my living petri dishes and carrying out experiments to research the spirit body and the human soul... It is quite a slow path to my next advancement in power, but alas, I would much rather be safe than sorry. I must be extremely cautious, lest my plans are undone by the meddling of a stupid monkey of the Poolfield Kingdom.'

Finishing inside Anna's throat, Leylin smirked with pleasure as the girl in the french maid attire endeavored to drink every last drop of his seed.

Once the high of the orgasm subsided, a cold indifference washed over Leylin's countenance, and he quickly unlatched himself from his slave with no regard for her.

The maid took no offense, however. And instead, she merrily carried on with putting Leylin's member back where it belonged. She reached for his folded apron and strapped it around his neck and waist using swift yet careful movements.

Once she was done tidying her Master's clothes, she groomed her messy hair. Finally, she covered her breasts with her uniform and straightened the fabric of her skirt. Making it look like she had cast magic of her own, it was as if she had not performed any kind of sexual service a minute ago.

"Take your leave now. I have much work to do." -Leylin told his servant.

"Have a good night, Master. I will be upstairs if you need anything." -The maid bowed and disappeared into the darkness of the hallways.