Chapter ?456 VassalsMy question shook everyone.


    At this point, everyone around me must have realized that the whole drunken act of mine was only a false front.


    It was unfortunate, but the bigger picture was in sight.


    "My deal to you was as humane as possible. I offer the same to everyone who desires it. A chance to be free of the shackles that bind you to premature death, and also the opportunity to be stronger." Raising my hand, I stared straight at Gerard.


    At this point, his heart was racing rapidly.


    "All I ask in return is to be my subordinate. Is that unfair? Is that wrong? Isn''t it exactly in ordance with your rules? I''m the strongest one here, so isn''t itmon sense that you would all conform to my will?"


    Was I too kind to Gerard? It seemed as though he was taking my goodwill for granted.


    "I could have done this by force, but I gave you a choice. You knew from the start what the only option was, yet you decided on this path."


    I wasn''t the viin here.


    Gerard had enough time to prevent the hardship that his son was going through. In essence...


    "... The one who is to me is you."


    Upon seeing that I was not going to budge in my stance, Gerard finally conceded.


    Hanging his head in shame, he knelt and faced his trembling and screaming child. I could sense fatherly affection.


    Considering the fact that this Asa kid had enoughtent potential to surpass any Beastfolk in history, it must have made the Beast King very pained to lose him.


    "Asa... you can be cured. But, you will have to serve that man from now on. Do you understand? You will get to live. You will also be stronger than ever before. You will surpass your father, and everyone that came before you. Do you understand? Asa..."


    The screaming boy could not respond properly amid the pain, but the tears that gushed from his eyes were enough to tell his father that he would do anything to escape his agony.


    "We agree to your terms. Please... do it. Save my child."


    "Understood."


    In response to Gerard''s plea, I began treatment immediately—wasting not a single second.


    ****************************


    That very night, every member of Gerard''s family became my subordinate.


    Their Souls had ''Brands'' linked to mine, so I had ess to their current status—as well as information—in real-time.


    Once the process was done, the previously joyous dinner closed abruptly.


    We were all shown to our respective quarters, and Gerard''s family retreated to their residence.


    Even though they hadn''t said much, I could tell how they were feeling. An initial assumption of being taken advantage of would swirl within their hearts.


    However, eventually, they would realize the huge favor I had done for them.


    ''All of them will be grateful.''


    With that in mind, I ignored the watchful gazes of everyone on my team and retreated to my room in silence.


    ************************


    Serah Crimson couldn''t sleep.


    It was a lovely night, and usually, the woman would never feel the urge to remain awake with the current atmosphere.


    However, for some reason, she couldn''t sleep this very night.


    Though she didn''t want to admit it, the reason for her insomnia was a Fifteen-year-old boy.


    "Jared Leonard..." She murmured and rose out of her bed.


    She looked out her window and appreciated the dark allure of the night even more. Still, even with the amazing view, her mind couldn''t let go of the image of the kid who bested her inbat.


    The only one who had ever beaten her in a fight was Neron—and that was so long ago. Serah had grown much stronger since then, and she was certain that the superior one among them was her.


    It wasn''t vain pride, but a genuine one. The fact that Serah Crimson was the most powerful Mage in the Eastern Kingdom had already been established.


    "So, how...?" Her body shook a little as she remembered the humiliating defeat she experienced at the hands of a single boy.


    Even with the aid of the Beast King, who was also mercilessly beaten, Serah was unable tond a single injury on the boy—talkless of having a decisive hit.


    He was always one step ahead, and his power was enough to overwhelm her.


    The Queen of Destruction didn''t want to admit it, but... Jared Leonard was the most powerful person she had ever met.


    How would he fare against Neron? She had no idea. Normally, the woman would think that since he was able to beat her, he would beat Neron.


    But, with how her strength had been rendered obsolete before him, Serah was beginning to wonder if she was actually more powerful than Neron.


    This state of confusion left her unable to think about much else.


    "Damn it..." For the first time in years, she could feel the emotion of frustratione over her.


    Despite her natural prowess—despite the privileges she had been bestowed with since birth...


    "Why can''t I catch up? Why can''t I keep up?"


    Serah thought the answer was simply destruction and straightforward violence, but she was now beginning to reconsider her stance.


    For the first time in years, her lips quivered and her body became delicate. In a totally confused and vulnerable state, the woman spoke to herself in the solitude she had in the room.


    "What should I do now...?"


    >KOK<


    A knock roused her from her deep thoughts, and Serah nced in the direction of the door.


    "Who''s there?" Her lips moved before she realized the presence she was sensing.


    "It''s Jared."


    The voice was calm and collected—and that scared Serah somewhat.


    How could someone, who had been so frightened of her when they first met, turn into someone so assertive?


    "May Ie in?" The voice came again after some moments of silence.


    "What do you want?" Serah''s voice slightly quivered as she spoke.


    "I want to talk. For some reason... I can''t sleep. I imagine it''s the same for you."


    Even though Jared was behind the door, Sesh felt that he was standing right in front of her.


    Though she was in her negligee, the material wasn''t transparent, so her apparel could hardly be considered indecent.


    After considering his words for a brief moment, Serah decided to let the boy in.


    "Fine. You may enter."


    **************


    [A/N]


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