Something Isn’t Adding Up

'Murdered. By. Tentacles?'

Chen Yan felt nauseous at the thought of experiencing what he'd just witnessed the young man going through.

"To be honest, you should be dead right now but I went against religious ethics and sought a back door deal".

Barov tightened his fists as he recounted the situation.

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The bell above the door dinged as it was pushed opened. He walked into the room a bit hesitant and began to regret coming to this place.

"Hello dear customer. What can we do for you?"

He turned his head towards the voice and saw a masculine figure wearing a clown's mask, seated on a chair, decked in the finest garments he'd ever seen. Beside him, stood a fair maiden attired in a maid's uniform.

Her beauty was unmatched.

"Please have a seat". The masked man spoke and gestured towards a sofa chair.

With a slight bit of hesitation Barov walked over and took a seat. He fidgeted in his seat, unable to stay still.

"You Ye, please serve some tea to our customer"

The maid, addressed as You Ye walked over towards Barov and poured him a cup of tea.

"So, what is it that I can do for you?"

Barov cupped his fist in his lap and massaged it with his thumb.

"I heard that this place can give me anything I want. Is that true?"

"As long as the customer wants something we will give it. That is, if you can afford it. Also we don't take currency here".

Barov released a sigh of distress.

"So the rumors are true then. Trafford's trading Club." He mumbled to himself.

"I was a bit hesitant in coming, fearing persecution from the church since this place contradicts their teaching but I'm desperate".

He stared at the masked figure unsure, wanting to see his expression but, it was concealed.

"His highness prince Roland was attacked tonight. He encountered a beast from the demon clan and h-h-h-h-he w-w-was raped by three tentacle beasts at once until his life force depleted. Please bring him back. I don't know how I'll face the king when the news of his death reaches his ear".

He went down on his knees and begged.

"I'll offer my soul for you to bring him back".

"Your soul?"

Barov panicked at the man's question.

"Is it not enough?? I-I-I-I"

"It's fine. It's more than enough".

A parchment of goatskin appeared before Barov.

"Please sign this contract. Once you've signed it, the deal will be completed".

Barov quickly signed the contract, then it disappeared.

"Please come again".

He stood up and rushed towards the exit.

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"When I left, I quickly rushed back here. You were back to normal as though nothing had happened. I had thought that was it for me but, they quickly turned everything around. I went back to thank them but they disappeared as though they were never there".

Barov sigh as though a heavy burden has been lifted off his shoulders.

"The only downside is that after you woke up, you seemed to have lost your memories. You then blacked out shortly after which, I'm not going to lie, scared me. I thought that I was tricked by the club.

You only woke up this morning.

After the maids got you dressed, you kept acting strangely. You even blacked out after I had walked you to the cathedral. I placed you on the seat before Donall showed up and made it looked like you were awake.

Thankfully, you were awake when I showed up. If you weren't, it would have looked bad on us and the royal family".

Chen Yan closed his eyes.

'This all sounds like a fictional story. As a matter of fact, it's like I'm in a fictional story. This is just weird.

There are still a lot of things I don't understand. Let us say that everything he said happened and he encountered that cult club. I have memories of 'Chen Yan' but apparently I am 'Roland'. If I am who they say I am, why do I have such vivid memories?.

I feel like I've literally lived another life. Something isn't adding up'.

"Please don't dwell on it Prince Roland. I know what happened was horrific but please, I'm begging you, to not do anything to yourself".

Chen Yan nodded and Barov sighed.

"I'll be taking my leave".

He bowed and left.

"I need answers. Logical ones".