Subordinate

The entire village erupted into chaos as Arthur began to explain the events that had transpired. An anxious hush swept through the crowd, and all eyes fixated on him, eager for his account.

With remarkable clarity, Arthur recounted his encounter, making sure the story was fit to make him the good guy.

He spoke of how he discovered the three maidens, imprisoned within the sinister village of Euha, and how he fearlessly stepped in to rescue them.

His narrative was concise and simple, hiding how he slayed them, yet it held the villagers' rapt attention, each word painting a vivid picture of his courageous intervention.

As Arthur's story approached its climax, gasps of disbelief and astonishment rippled through the onlookers.

The tale concluded with the villagers of Euha fleeing from Monstat, once their cherished home, to escape the potential pursuit of vengeful neighboring villages.

After he finished speaking, Arthur found himself ensconced in an hour-long lecture from both his mother and Asorth.

Their words bore a complex mixture of emotions, leaving Arthur uncertain of their true feelings despite the clarity of their actions to everyone else.

Once he had finished fielding their questions, he made his way back to his room. His steps were measured as he crossed the threshold, and he gently closed the door behind him before collapsing onto the bed.

"This is the most I've stressed myself since I arrived here," Arthur muttered, his face buried in the soft bedding.

Gradually, he shifted, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as he continued, "Aimon? Aside from being a nuisance with your absurd quest, do you have any other ways to assist me? It appears you possess information that has eluded my knowledge."

Arthur paused, his mind grappling with the newfound knowledge. "Just like earlier this afternoon, you were able to tell those maidens were virgins," he remarked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

{Aimon can do lots of things if you wish for Aimon to do it. Aimon can analyze, Aimon can fight, Aimon has the voice of the world, you know… Aimon has wisdom}, Aimon replied.

'Wisdom?' Arthur pondered internally, then asked, "Tell me, how long would it take if I decided to cut down the trees and link Euha village to Eldoria?" He sat up slowly, his eyes fixed on an imaginary point as he waited for Aimon's response.

{If you mean all by yourself with your current strength, then it should take two days… but with the help of every woman in the village, it should take at most 6 hours},

Aimon conveyed, shedding light on the task at hand.

Arthur's eyes wandered across the dimly lit room, his thoughts lingering on the past six hours.

"6 hours isn't half bad… hmmm," he mused, a faint smile gracing his lips. He rose from his seat with a sense of purpose. "Seems you do have your uses," he acknowledged before taking a step forward.

{Aimon knows you are trying to act kind, but Aimon doesn't buy it, you kill… without remorse, Aimon likes that about you}

A shiver of uncertainty flickered briefly in Arthur's eyes as Aimon's thoughts echoed within him. His smile wavered for a fleeting moment.

Moving across the room, he approached the worn wardrobe standing against the wall, fingers deftly unbuttoning his shirt as he continued to speak.

"I don't feel a thing when I take a life," Arthur confessed, his voice steady and measured, "why should I? This world was created for me, and everyone is mine to do with as I please… just like everyone used me as they pleased back in the other world."

"My parents, sister, friends, even the people I looked up to, they all saw me as nothing but tools," Arthur admitted with a hint of bitterness, his voice carrying the weight of his past.

"I deserve to do the same," he continued, his father's stern words echoing in his mind, "don't take a life unless you are prepared to die, and I know damn well I am."

With deliberate movements, Arthur shed his boxers, his ding dong sticking out, a white towel resting casually over his shoulder, embodying a newfound sense of determination.

"I'll live life to the fullest this time around," he declared with resolve, "and nothing's going to stop me." He took measured steps toward the bathroom, his reflection in the mirror revealing both vulnerability and strength.

{Aimon loves, Aimon's loves Arthur a lot,}

"Shut up"

….

Twenty minutes elapsed, and the bathroom door creaked open, revealing Arthur, naked, his skin glistening from the recent shower, a towel vigorously drying his wet hair. With purposeful strides, he made his way back to the bed.

"6 hours? That should be more than enough time to expand the village… yes," he contemplated, his mind racing with plans, "I just need to make sure they are all in line… for that…".

"Aimon!"

Suddenly, his voice cut through the room, calling for Aimon. In an instant, a holographic interface materialized before him, displaying a menu of skills categorized as [S tier skills].

Holding the third position on the list was the skill, [Subordinate.], priced at {44,000 E points}.

The [Subordinate] skill that Arthur contemplated allowed him to gauge the loyalty of those serving under him, providing insights into how to bolster their devotion.

"Good, everything seems to be going well," he whispered to himself, his confidence growing, "I just need to win the tournament and become the new chief; that shouldn't pose any threat."

However, his moment of reflection was abruptly shattered by a gentle yet insistent knock at the door. Arthur's eyes darted to the source of the disturbance, his curiosity piqued.

"Who is it?" he inquired, his voice measured.

"Sina, master," came the response from the other side of the door, her presence signaling an unexpected interruption.

"Oh? Come in," Arthur welcomed them, his curiosity now piqued as he anticipated their visit.

Sina entered with a graceful presence, her demeanor reflecting utmost respect. Following closely behind her, Ella timidly followed suit, her delicate figure adorned in a soft, blue, transparent nightgown.