Chapter 434: Extractor (2/2)
”What other things?”
The soldier's face turned veined as if he was trying to prevent the words from coming out. Arthur felt surprised when he felt the soldier resist his command, but it was futile. With a single tug to his existence, the man spilled what he knew.
”The marquis makes aphrodisiacs for other nobles to use,” the soldier revealed, but Arthur knew that there was something more than just that. There was something that made this man guilty, and he could feel it.
”How?”
The question made the man shake, and he closed his eyes in resignation. Then, with a sigh, he chose not to answer Arthur but lead him toward the truth.
They went into the mansion and passed several hallways before they reached a small door protected by a soldier.
”Become unable to perceive us and our actions,” Arthur commanded, and the guard went into a trance. They passed the guard unhindered and opened the door before going down a set of stairs.
Their descent was long, and Arthur questioned how far they would have to travel. Finally, after a while, they reached the basement, which was lit by lanterns.
”What is this place?”
”We call it the extractor,” the soldier said with a grim expression, and Arthur could hear the disgust in his voice. ”This is where those things are extracted and turned into aphrodisiac perfumes. Here we are.”
The soldier stopped into a cell, and Arthur took a step toward the door and peered through the bars. From there, he could see a figure tied to the wall with many tubes attached to it.
”A demi?” Arthur squinted his eyes at the tigress woman who has withered like a leaf in fall. Her eyes were hollow, and her skin had shriveled. The scene was traumatizing, a portrayal of how a lifeless person can look.
”Demis has stronger pheromones than humans, and they can be extracted to create aphrodisiac perfumes that are used by the nobles for pleasure.”
Arthur turned to look at the soldier, who had a stoic expression to him. This man was no longer obeying Arthur's words but revealing them out of his own volition. This made him forgivable in Arthur's eyes.
”How long has this been going on for?”
”I don't know. I started working here three months ago, and I only learned about this from an old soldier. It is the first time that I'm here too.”
The man took a step forward, and his body trembled. He took a deep breath to calm himself before turning to Arthur and saying in a shaky voice.
”I don't know who you are, but I think you can end this,” the soldier said with hope, and Arthur nodded.
”Have there been any creatures brought here a month ago?” Arthur asked, and the knight stopped to think about it before shaking his head.
”No,” he said, ”but I know something else that might happen a month ago. I was deployed to prevent people from going into the forest beside the city. I noticed a pair of lovers sneak into the forest and followed to get them out of there, and managed to succeed. My orders were to eliminate any eyes, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Then, I heard a melodious wailing that pierced my heart and made me who I am today.”
”What do you mean made you who you are?”
”I never thought about good and bad before. I only cared about earning enough money for booze and women. Then, however,” the soldier paused as if he was remembering. ”That voice changed me.”
Arthur stared at the soldier and nodded. They went back toward the barracks, and Arthur erased their memories before leaving the estate. If the soldier's words were accurate, then that sound must belong to the child of the sea.
The night was quiet as Arthur teleported into the forest beside Livia. It boarded the Lo River and stretched as far as the eyes could see.