Chương 108: Intermission. Butler's Thoughts

Butler's Point of View I was called by the master to his office. I was in the middle of directing the Servants on the day's itinerary before I was summoned. I arrived in front of the door to the master's office with time to spare. As is the expectation of the master's exclusive butler. I knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter. After the 3rd knock, I was answered." Come in, Chris!" I enter the room to find my master with his wife, madam Francine. I bow my head and greet my masters."

Good morning, Master, Madam Francine."" Hello, Chris. I'd like a report on the matters related to our Friend, Major General Tristan and his men led by Captain Bennett?" My master asked for information regarding his subordinates. I begin to recount the most recent information we have received from them." From what we understand, Major General Tristan is currently still working as the upstanding General he is in the Royal Army.

From what I understand from his last message, he was in the beginning stages of preparing his men for training exercises with Crest Brightroar and his elite squad of soldiers."" Ah, that human-lover, Crest. How did such a failure of a Demon manage to make it to the Highest Office in the Army, is a question for the ages." The madam was not happy when I mentioned Crest. Her hatred for Humans is something she keeps well-hidden in public.

Only when she is behind closed doors does she reveal her unpleasant sides, as is befitting for this family." Continue on, Chris. What of Captain Bennett?"" The Captain has successfully made his way East. He and his men have hidden themselves in the Darkbreak Mountains, they are waiting patiently for the next step of your plan, Master. The Captain and his men's disappearance is being handled by Major General Tristan and his subordinates.

The story is that Bennett and his men are taking on a secretive mission for the Army. So far, no one has questioned it to our knowledge."" This is great new, Chris!" My master smiled at me as I finished reporting about Bennett's current status. I smile at my master and begin to speak as well." Indeed, Master. With this, all of the pieces are coming together."" Ah, this is such great news! Perhaps we should hold a party later?

Perhaps our little dragon can even get out of the funk he's been in since you all got back from your trip?"" Hmm.. A fine idea, he's been moody for around a year now. Perhaps a party and the knowledge that the plan is nearly complete, could lift his mood somewhat? What Good Parents we are, Dear!" Seems my master and the madam have come to an agreement." Shall I make the necessary preparations then?"" Indeed, Chris.

But first, I would like you to send a courier to Tristan, Bennett and also our Friend in the Northeast. For Tristan and Bennett, tell them to act as they have been and wait for my orders. As for our Friend in the Northeast, tell them to keep a close eye on the East and to make their play when they feel the moment is right. If we can find them a decent foothold, it won't take long to join hands and accomplish our Goal. Granted, we'll also need that all so important Legitimacy as well.

But I shall leave that to you with this order. Have squad 3 and 6 begin to watch the target intently. Once I believe the time is right, I will have you snatch the target."" Is that all, Master?"" No, I want you to personally lead squads 3 and 6 until we have successfully captured the target." If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it." Understood, Master." The master and madam smile at me as I bow to them and begin to make my leave.

I do as I'm commanded and a little more after that. I send word to my Superiors as well as a personal message to my Family, to inform them of my current assignment. Once I double checked to make sure that the cypher with the information was well-placed, I began to imagine the reactions of Father and Mother. I can't imagine they'll be too happy about the recent developments.

I pray that the Gods watch over my Family as I begin to make my way to the Servant's Quarters in order to pick a replacement to handle the needs of the master and madam. I decide to pick someone just right for the job." Xern, you shall be my replacement while I attend to the Master's wishes. Be careful to not allow the prisoners to die. Master hates having to find new toys to play with. Humans are rare on this side of the Border after all."" Of course, Chris!

Hell, I can even join the Master to make sure he doesn't go overboard!" Quite a sickening creature this one is. Xern is a Demon found in the slums of Redmarrow City, the town my master Lords over. I prefer not to think of what they will do to the prisoners next. I simply place my right hand out and wait for the creature to shake my hand. Due to my training, I'm quite well-versed in not showing the disgust I feel on my face. Grip!" Take good care of the Master and his Family, Xern."" Indeed, I will."

He smiles at me. I leave the room and make my way to the courier who disguises himself as a merchant, to pass him the letter containing the message from my master to our "friends" that reside in the Northeast. I stumble on him as he tries to flirt with one of the Maids." Justin, if you seek someone to warm your bed, you'll have better luck with the brothel down the road."" Huh!?" / SLAP! /" Ah!" He was smacked from the Maid taking offense to something he said.

The Maid left and 2 men were all that remained in this small parking lot. Save a few carriages and horses, mind you." Chris! Is that you!? Why would you show up now, man!? I was so close!"" You failed by the looks of it. Regardless of that, I have new orders for you." He rubs his cheek as he looks up at me." What does our Master want now? I just arrived back from my last journey! You know how hard it is to travel as a Demon Merchant! I barely make it through security!""

Last I remember, we give you enough money to bribe any of the Customs Officers on your way to any destination. How do you barely make it through with that?"" Not every guard is so easy to tempt! The Elves always act so high and mighty until they see the offer being made!"" Well, it's funny you bring that up, you have been ordered to head to Alfheim again to deliver this message."" Are you kidding?" Justin sighed as I handed him the letter." Suck it up! You're a subordinate of a Duke! This much is expected of you!

Do I have to speak to the Duke himself, for you to understand your position!?"" Huh! Wait! No! I didn't mean that! Look! I'm heading to get ready right now, Chris! Calm down!" Justin left me with tears nearly forming in his eyes. I finish some of my other obligations and begin to head to where squad 3 rests. They've returned recently from their previous mission. Seeing as how Bennett had failed with their intel, I gather they are quite interested in redeeming themselves.

Squad 6 is still angry that Squad 3 was picked for the previous mission and now they seek to show that they are the better squad moving forward. Perhaps I can use that in the future? Regardless of my thoughts, I reached the door and heard that Squad 6 reached the Squad 3 rest area as I had requested. I enter to find the Squad Leaders bickering. As usual. Truly like the siblings they are." Squad leaders, I have new orders for you. Quiet down now."" Ah, Chris! I see, what are the new orders?"

The first to react was Squad 3's Leader. He was always quick on the uptake." Ah, Chris! It's about time you made it!" And Squad 6's Leader responded in the same way as always. I sighed and began to speak." I'm glad you've both made it."" Of course!" They both answer in unison. Seems their time in the Army is still influencing them. Well, considering we scouted them while my master was still working as the General, it only makes sense I suppose?

To think such a change in perspective from my master to Crest would happen for the Office of General of the Royal Diablos Army. From a Demon Supremacist to someone following the tenants of the Dark Gods to the letter. I heard Crest even taught that Paladin that arrived to Diablos recently. It's just like him." Um... Chris? Our orders?" While I was thinking, Squad 6's Leader spoke to me." Sorry, Cristine, I was thinking about something related to your orders." As I answered one, the other had a valid question."

Well... What are they, Chris?"" Well, Aaron, your orders are to start observing a target, daily. Until given instructions sometime thereafter. I will be joining as the Leader of a group consisting of your 2 Squads." Aaron and Christine were both excited by the new mission. Aaron was the first to ask the obvious question." Well, who's the target, Chris?" I took a deep breath as I prayed that my Family would forgive me for giving this order." Your target is the new wife of Marquess Drake, Sarah Drake.

Formally known as Sarah Dreadnaught, the First Princess of Diablos."