Chapter 18 - Negotiating the future

Right after the constant barrage of cryptic sounds clashing throughout the castle, Rose came out of the place with blood charred all over her. To everyone's horror, she smiled like an angel while carrying with her the half-skinned body of one of the assassins.

"I'll take this man to the dungeon for interrogation," With an empty look in her eyes, she stared at Haruki, "I'll let you know once he confesses who sent them."

Needless to say, her demeanor and even her personality had taken an abrupt change. From being the stern head maid scolding others over meager tasks to a blood-fed maiden whose eyes screamed murder. That change without a doubt was bound to leave people in dismay.

"Master, we've prepared another room for you" Breaking the glaring exchange between the two, Asuka butted in.

"Y-yeah…" Looking away, he began to follow her out of the barracks.

However, it didn't stop him from taking one last look at the naked man skinned partially over the limbs. The only parts that stayed attached to his muscles were the skin surrounding his shoulder blades as well as his spine.

"I'll feel like throwing up," Covering her mouth, Asuka kept leading Haruki away from the barracks.

Being the housing site of the castle guards, the barracks itself weren't that far from the castle. As they walked into the castle once again, it was quite clear that there had been an intense battle inside the place. The walls were in shambles, the windows were shattered, and the exquisite decor that Haruki once admired was now laying all over the floor.

"We can't let her find out about my identity," Haruki mumbled, glaring at Asuka's back.

"I know," She whispered back.

One of the many things he had learned today, was the fact that he was weaker than a twig, especially when compared to Rose or Michael. If they ever found out about his true identity he wouldn't last a second.

'I need to get stronger, but the only way for me to gain level is through incubus drain and for that I need more slaves and even more sexual partners.' The sense of urgency was just now bursting inside him. So far he had spent his sweet time in leisure trying to figure out what to do next, but that was no longer a viable option.

"My Lord!" A manly voice called from behind.

Having just taken a few steps up the spiraling staircase, he looked at him from over his shoulder. Standing by the front door was a knight clad in silver armor. Noticing the young duke's gaze he gave him a salute by holding his fist over the heart.

"What is it?" Haruki asked.

"Lord Frost, the slave trader wishes to speak to you," Announcing that he took a knee looking back up at Haruki, "She's accompanied by a handful of demi-human slaves, and wishes to offer them as labor to restore the castle."

'Did the news spread that fast?' The very first thing that popped into his mind was to question her intention, and given his history with lust demons he wasn't wrong in doing so.

"Why?" Puffing his chest to appear more commanding, Haruki continued, "Why does she want to help?"

Lifting his head, the knight propped himself back up.

"I want to return the favor for not turning my slaves away, those were her very words, my lord, " Although, the knight had a silver helmet covering his face, a hint of disapproval lingered in his tone, "If I am to be so bold to give my opinion, I doubt her intentions are pure."

Reflecting back on the unsettling feeling right before the ceremony, Haruki wondered if Moriyana knew or if she herself had orchestrated the attempted assassination. Given her readiness to help as soon as those bandits were dealt with, made her a prime suspect in the matter.

'But what could she get out of killing me? If she works for Asmodia, then it wouldn't make sense for her to try and kill me.' noticing the flaw in his own logic, he decided to give her a chance.

"I want to talk to her first, send her in." Giving the knight his orders, Haruki gestured Asuka to continue leading the way.

"Very well," Politely bowing, the knight left to fetch Moriyana.

On his way to the room, Haruki's mind kept racing to try and find the best route forwards. However, utterly reliant on others for everything, he realized just how useless he was when compared to the people around him.

'The lack of certainty at absolutely anything is suffocating!' That realization, however, shed some light on his path forward. 'I have to find some way to get stronger, also I need more slaves so I can gather whatever information I want.'

"Master," reaching the prepped room, Asuka held its door open for him.

Deep in thought, he followed Asuka into the room with his thumb resting under his chin. Closing the door behind them, Asuka swiftly moved in front of Haruki.

"Master, we have to do something," Her eyes jittered nervously, and her body shivered from terror, "I don't want anyone to find out about you and your identity!"

Shaking his own angst off, he grabbed her by the shoulders. For a moment he simply peered into her eyes before wrapping his hands around her body. Staying wrapped in a hug, their hearts began to settle. Soon enough as she wrapped her hands around him as well, their bodies were relaxed completely.

"I need her strength," nuzzling up to her ears, Haruki whispered.

Asuka's eyes widened in surprise, but that shock was quickly replaced with a devilish smirk.

"As you say master," nibbling on his ear lobes, her fingers crawled on his chest, "She'd definitely be a fine meal for you ahaha."

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" leaning against the door, Moriyana was glaring at the two with a smirk on her face, "I didn't mean to intrude, but the lock was broken."

Releasing their grasp on each other's bodies, both of them turned to Moriyana with bitter frowns over their heads.

"Moriyana Malice…what do you want? And I mean what do you really want from me?" Taking a step forward, Haruki glared at her intensely.

Confidently moving closer to him, Moriyana puffed her chest out and licked her lips in a seductive manner.

"I'm tired of lame games, I wanna see carnage, I desire wealth, riches, and fame, and in your eyes young duke, I see it all happening," Holding her hand toward him, she continued, "I may be a servant of the mistress, but just like you I have desires of my own, so lead me into a brighter future away from dusty cabins and inn, and I'll guide you in whatever direction you want. "

Glancing at her hand, Haruki knew he had to make a choice. Declining her would leave him deserted in the same stagnant situation, but even if he were to shake her hand, her loyalty was fleeting and that might drop him into an even worse situation.

"Be my servant, and I'll take you up on that deal," He offered.

"I was thinking about being more of a partner," Sticking her tongue out, she leaned closer to his face and licked it up and down, "but if that's my route to prosperity then lead me…Master."