Chapter 24: Compliment

The next morning.

The adventurous drinking of Renfri caused her quite a splitting headache but considering the amount of alcohol she put in her system it could be said to be a miracle that she is even alive.

"F*ck…"

She laid on the couch looking barely alive and cursed at her past self. The more she thought of what happened yesterday the more pain she felt but taken her current state that doesn't really say much as whatever she currently thought of caused her pure agony.

"Water?"

Surprisingly Amon approached her and offered a glass of water in what could be described as an out of character act of kindness.

"Umm… Sure"

Renfri accepted after a moment of hesitation. She straightened herself and sat normally then gulped the entire glass in one go. Her talent and skill in drinking was truly remarkable.

"You know you impressed me quite a lot yesterday"

Amon leisurely sat on the opposite end of the couch and faced Renfri with his playful smile on full display.

"By what? My alcoholism?"

"Well your ability to drink is quite… something but no, what I am talking about however was the fact that you opposed me and even somewhat successfully"

Renfri looked at Amon like someone would look at a complete idiot.

"You can't be serious, right?"

"Oh, I assure you I am very serious. Not everyone can face what they fear and then overcome it. You already proved resilient when I first met you but now you could say that I view you in a new light"

Amon slightly tilted his head and his smile turned even more playful.

"You know I was drunk, right? I am fairly certain that if drunk enough anyone can do the same"

Renfri was unsure whether he was making a joke at her expense or was actually serious as it was impossible to tell considering Amon's… difficult personality.

"Yet now you look at me without any fear or care. In your heart you no longer view me as a monster but just another a*shole"

"Heh! How accurate!"

This made Renfri chuckle and was probably the first time she laughed in his presence. She agreed with what he said wholeheartedly… wait wholeheartedly? A frown appeared on her face as a terrifying realisation hit her but in a surprising twist she calmed down rather quickly.

"Sigh… are you done? Did you just try to make me like you or something? Was Arthur right after all?"

"Oh silly little Renfri… don't you understand? You just resisted my influence on you which only proved my point further. One has to possess a strong will in order to oppose me and yours just strengthened. Once again, I am impressed"

Amon seemed to be really enjoying himself as he explained how actually strong Renfri was.

"You really ought to be proud of yourself. Usually when I want someone to obey me I turn their mind into a mush but look at you. Only a bit scared"

Renfri took his 'compliment' with a grain of salt to say the least.

"Thanks… but can we change the topic?"

She was getting really tired of this and wanted to talk literally about anything else.

"Heh… sure, what about?"

"How about the fact that we are a step away from bankruptcy? Would that do?"

Amon's smile finally froze. He just realised that they spent all of the money Arthur and he 'borrowed' from Ouroboros and even slightly tapped into whatever savings Renfri had. Opening a charity is not the most money making business you see.

"Didn't we get some funding from the government?"

"Yea but that only partially covers the monthly payments we have to make on the building even though you negotiated quite the deal it still costs a lot not to mention all the stuff we have to buy to keep this charity thing running. I am honestly surprised you did not think about this"

Although Renfri spoke about them going completely broke an uncontrollable smirk appeared on her face when she saw Amon look troubled by this.

"How much time do we have then?"

"Till the next payment since we can't afford it and that will be in less than three weeks"

Amon scratched his head in frustration. He really heated the idea that he had to give away 'his hard earned' money to some fatso just because he didn't fully own the place. Own? An interesting idea popped into his head and a devilish smile appeared on his face.

"Well somebody is about to die"

Renfri apathetically looked at his change in expression and laid back again as her hangover headache just got worse.

"Hehe. Sometimes I even amaze myself with my genius"

Amon had a narcissistic episode and chuckled softly while polishing his unknown but most probably very illegal plan.

Whoooooop! Bang!

The door to the room suddenly opened and Arthur ran in. He looked really panicked and sweat was visible on his forehead.

"I just overheard that the people form the chur- wait what are you two doing?"

As soon as he caught his breath he wanted to explain that he heard someone saying that the people from the Church of Purity arrived just yesterday but couldn't help but stop as he witnessed a very peculiar scene… He saw Renfri laying on the couch just in front of Amon while he himself looked very excited.

"I-I am sorry I didn't know you guys wer-"

"That's it! I am burning those romance novels!"

"What!? No! Please! I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry!"

Arthur begged and desperately tried to stop Amon who stood up abruptly.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

He screamed with tears rolling down his face and then collapsed to his knees as he bore witness to Amon burning an entire bookshelf in a fit of anger.