Chapter 15: Messed Up

Chapter 15: Messed Up

"Kneel!" Garry commanded, his voice echoing through the room as he forced Vaughn to his knees using the power of the stone. It was a cruel and commanding gesture, one that would seal Vaughn's fate.

But little did Garry know the consequences of his actions. As Vaughn obeyed the command, Lectia, who had made the contract with Vaughn, began to suffer. Her neck tightened, constricting her breath, and a wave of pain surged through her body.

Coughing violently, Lectia struggled to breathe, her distress growing with each passing second. It felt as though invisible hands were strangling her neck, while someone attempted to gouge out her eyes. The pain was unbearable, and her screams pierced the air, reaching the ears of every slave present.

The guards and her knight watched in horror as Lectia's neck twisted unnaturally, rotating a full 360 degrees like a table top before bursting open. A gory fountain of blood sprayed across the room, staining the ceiling over 10 meters above.

Lectia had screamed in a desperate attempt to stop Garry, but it was too late. The command had been issued, and the contract sealed her fate. And now, she was dead.

Vaughn suddenly realized the gravity of the situation caused by Garry's actions. Everything had been perfectly orchestrated, but Garry's interference had ruined everything.

The lifeless body of the princess lay on the ground, her head severed. Brain matter and blood formed a gruesome pattern on the floor, a macabre artwork of her demise.

Some of the young slaves closed their eyes, cowering in fear as they witnessed the horrifying scene. Even Genie, with her emotionless expression, couldn't help but shed tears, deeply affected by the terrifying turn of events.

Moon's face was a mask of surprise and uncertainty. Just moments ago, she believed everything would turn out fine, but now, the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty.

The knight assigned to protect the princess felt his own life flash before his eyes. The failure to safeguard his charge would undoubtedly result in his own death. In despair, he gripped his own hair tightly, his eyes wide with fear.

The other guards, after seeing Lectia die, rushed towards him once again, fueled by anger and vengeance.

As for Garry, terror gripped him like never before. His ample belly jiggled along with his double chin, both drenched in sweat. His trembling eyeballs betrayed his confusion, as he had not been present when the fatal contract was made between Vaughn and Lectia.

"C-catch them," Garry stammered, his voice shaky and barely audible. His hands trembled as he dropped the stone he had wielded moments ago. The weight of his actions settled on his conscience, and he envisioned his own grim fate—a death sentence, lying on the guillotine, awaiting his beheading.

"What do I do…"

"What do…?"

As fear consumed Garry, leaving him paralyzed with indecision, he desperately sought a way out. His thoughts were clouded, and darkness seemed to close in around him, offering no escape—except for one twisted idea.

His gaze shifted to Vaughn, still kneeling at his command.

Why not shift all the blame onto him?

The notion of deflecting responsibility crept into his mind, fueled by his growing desperation. After all, with the control stone in his possession, Garry could manipulate Vaughn's every word and action. Vaughn would be powerless to refute any accusations.

It was a perfect plan, or so Garry believed. He calculated that even the slave trader who had heavily invested in Vaughn would not dare interfere. If the trader were to get involved, he risked being framed and exposed for his connection to Vaughn. The potential consequences would dissuade him from meddling in the matter.

In his frantic state, Garry's moral compass skewed further, and he saw this deceptive scheme as his only way out of the dire situation.

As Garry tapped his finger anxiously on the ground, he resolved that shifting the blame onto Vaughn was his only viable option. But to execute his plan successfully, he needed to ensure the knight and the guards remained silent about the true events that had transpired. The weight of his scheme settled heavily upon him.

Meanwhile, Vaughn, fully aware of the gravity of the situation, found himself paralyzed by fear, his thoughts scattered and unable to form a clear plan. Seeking guidance, he turned to the system within him, desperate for answers.

'System! What do I do now?' Vaughn implored, hoping for a solution to the chaos that had unfolded.

[I don't know. You really messed up big time.]

The system responded bluntly, highlighting the severity of the predicament.

[Why would you mention the command to not be controlled?]

While the system's query had merit, Vaughn believed his decision had been justified. After all, they could have easily undone the soul contract if both parties agreed. As a slave, Vaughn could be controlled and manipulated effortlessly. However, he never anticipated Garry's reckless act of commanding him without any prior warning.

His thoughts raced, considering the consequences that extended beyond himself.

'Because of her death, Moon and Genie might also end up dying along with me just because they are acquainted with me,' Vaughn realized, recognizing the danger his companions now faced.

'I must do something…'

'Anything…'

'Think.'

'Think Vaughn!'

Re-kindling the extinguished fire within him, Vaughn tried to seek for a solution, something that could save all of them.

He needed time. He couldn't think of everything then and there!

And Garry, he had no hurry to spread the news either. Therefore, all he did was command the slaves to return to their cages, whereas for Vaughn, Moon and Genie, he asked them to follow him.

Genie closed the distance between Vaughn and herself, grabbing his right arm which seeped right into her big breasts.

"Vaughn…"

"It's alright. It will be fine.", seeing Vaughn's arm tremble when she held them, she said these to make him comfortable.

"Y-yea…", Vaughn muttered under his breath as he stared at Genie's lifeless eyes.