Chapter 213: Tormented Monsters (2/2)

Arthur had paid the woman to talk of him to Dilan, hoping to get a job. He had bet his money on the fact that Dilan wanted to show around his authority, and a beautiful woman was the best audience for that.

Of course, Dilan wouldn't be the one to go after Arthur. That's why Arthur stood up from his seat and pretended to walk outside when he stood in front of Dilan's table.

”A-aren't you master Dilan, Sir?” He stuttered and looked with wide eyes. The clerk nodded with a haughty glance. Arthur fell to his knees immediately and brought his hands together. ”Sir, I've heard of your generosity and kindness for so long. Please, let me work for you. I have nowhere else to go.”

His eyes teared up slightly as he begged. He heard the woman call him 'poor boy' in a pitying tone to Dilan's ears.

And that's how he got the job. Master Dilan wrote him a paper that he showed to the guards and was allowed entry to the mansion.

He was instructed to sleep in the stable for today, but Arthur had other plans. He slipped into the kitchen and looked for a servant's clothing. He found some in the laundry room and put the ones that fit on and started roaming the mansion.

With servant clothes on, no one questioned the average-looking joe. Arthur was amazed at how lax the security was and attributed it to the fact this was a rural estate with zero offenders.

He made his way deeper into the mansion and asked a servant about the Count's study. When faced with suspicion, he said that he was a new servant hired by Master Dilan and showed the paper.

Arthur found the study at last. He kept walking around the place until he was able to slip in without being noticed. Once he was inside, he was able to breathe in relief.

He hadn't felt the existence of anyone here, so he didn't fear being found. He looked around the room, scrutinizing it. It had two giant bookshelves at each side with a desk in the center, a window standing behind it.

Arthur headed straight to the desk as he began looking through the drawers. He then found several letters hidden deep inside and took them out to read them.

They were exchanges between the count and someone else, agreeing on a time and place for them to meet. However, this was a month ago. There were also mentions of the orphanage and how that person's visit would be facilitated.

'Who is this person?' Arthur frowned. 'Does he have anything to do with the kidnappings?'

It was then that he heard the door's handle move. Arthur slipped into the space between the bookshelves and the wall as he used his insignia. Luckily, he was able to use it even though he couldn't use his abilities.

He hid his existence as he heard people come into the study. There was a thud and a low threatening shout as two people seemed to be fighting.

”Are you mad, Ilian?” The woman's voice was angry and panicked. ”The emperor is looking for his son and you're working with this crazy woman?”

”I don't have a choice. It's either we help her or she ends our house's standing in the capital. She said it would be quick.” The count's voice was shaking.

”Quick!” The woman laughed. ”Have you heard of the monsters appearing in the forest? It's all their fault. They are… To those children…”

Arthur's mind raced as he tried to glance at the woman. He peeked from behind the shelve but he could only recognize the count, cornered by his desk. The woman looked frightened and disgusted by something.

”The emperor will get wind of this soon. At that time, our standing is the least of our worries. You need to stop them…” She paused as she sniffed with her nose.

Arthur hid into the shadows as he hoped she didn't notice him.

”Have you been drinking?” The woman asked as she smelled her husband. ”It's not from you…” Arthur sighed in his mind. The smell of the alcohol he consumed earlier seemed to be giving him away.

”Who's there?!” And there it came.

Since they would find him sooner or later, Arthur leaped from the bookshelves and threw himself through the window. The glass shattered as he fell to the bushed beneath.

”Intruder! Guards!” The Count roared as Arthur began running away madly. There was only one place he can flee to.

The forest.