บท 114: Magic Contract

When the two guards saw Ben go into the female quarters they began to think their boss wasn't as righteous as they say.

"Hey, isn't that the guy everyone's saying is the real boss here?"

"Yeah! But what is he doing in the female servant's quarters?"

"I don't know, but whatever it is I don't think it would be something good."

"You think so?"

"I know so. But what do we do?"

"We best report this to the head guard."

"Yeah."

When Ben was coming out of the servants quarters he was surprised to see about a dozen guards standing at the entrance of the quarters. He could clearly see the hostility.

"What is the matter?" Ben asked.

"I should be asking you, what are you doing in the female servant's quarters? And we thought what they said about you were true, but it seems it is all a lie."

"I see," Ben mumbled to himself. "I will forgive you for your impudence, however it has never occurred to me that I would have to seek permission to move around my own house, to move into my property. But like I said, I will forgive you. I will advise you don't be blinded by stupidity."

At this moment Ben looked like exactly how he was meant to be, a nobleman. He wore a red tuxedo with blue embroidery designs. He didn't want to stay here anymore so he decided to leave.

"And what makes you think you can boss us around? Who knows, maybe you're just some lousy spoilt brat working miss Vivi and master Stephan off. You aren't..."

in less than a second notice a loud slap was heard with the man sent flying across the field and into the wall at one side of the female servant's quarters.

Ben was angered by the way things was heading. Yet, he knew for these people, for those under his rule or house, he'd have to change a few things.

"You, what's your name?" Ben pointed at a guard asking.

"Lu... Luke, sir."

"Tell every staff currently in this estate to gather at the open field at the west side in one hour."

Ben didn't wait for another moment and left the guard doing nothing to stop him after what he has just done. Right now Ben knew there was a lot he needed to do here, and fast.

Making his way back to the mansion he called for Vivi, but finding that she was busy with her study on the recipes he handed, he let her be.

When all the staffs were brought to the west side of the mansion they could see Ben standing at the stairs with his hands behind his back. The stairs acted as a podium where he could see all the workers. Looking at the workers before him he saw how divided they were. The guards stood at the left, while the maids stood at the their right, while the cooks which were the smallest unit were at their centre.

"My name is Benjamin Williams, I come from a small kingdom two duchies away from BlackAsh Kingdom. Some of you may have heard of what I've done maybe you have not. But what I must let each and every one of you know is I have zero tolerance for nonsense. Live life, true but don't use that to forget your place. I have noticed that a lot of you don't know me. Some of you were even a little disrespectful, but I'll let that slide." Ben stood silent for some time letting his words sink in their heads. Yet, he knew this wouldn't be enough. His actions should give a message. "How many Elemental Swordsmen do we have? Please step forward."

When Ben said this what happened made the workers step back in fright rather than forward. On the stairs Ben stood watching them from above the soil beneath his feet got higher. A large block of Earth brought Ben two feet higher. Suddenly the block of earth Ben was a standing on began to move towards where the warriors stood. Without moving his feet he crossed the distance of two metres.

The workers were shocked and marvelled at the sight... at the magic. In all their life they have never witnessed such wonder. They had seen the powers of an Elemental Swordsman but this is nothing compared to what they've seen.

The Elemental Swordsmen on the other hand saw something greatly beyond them. Being trained as an Elemental Swordsman entails you to know your strength, power, ability and more. And for one they knew moving with earth was not part of the Elemental Swordsmen profession.

A power well greater than theirs. This was the power of a Spellcaster.

Out of the 70 warriors present thirty stepped forward. They were all Elemental Swordsmen, there were twenty Entrance-level Elemental Swordsmen, eight First-level Elemental Swordsmen and two Second-level Elemental Swordsmen.

Employing Elemental Swordsmen was very expensive and once employed they're are meant to continue their training. And all this requires resources. This is their payment.

"Tell me how is your stay in the mansion." Ben pointed at one Entrance-level Elemental Swordsman. Because of the way Ben was, the young man had to raise his head slightly. However, everything could see that he was clearly shaking.

"It... It was good, sire. I... I'm paid well too."

"How much?" Ben asked again.

"Three silver coin, sire."

"How about you?" this time he asked a Second-level Elemental Swordsman.

"I'm being paid nine silver coins, sir." the Second-level Elemental Swordsman said with a little bit composure.

"You, what are you being paid?" Ben moved with the Earth platform towards where the chefs were.

This continued, no one knew exactly why their master was asking for their payment. They feared that he would shorten their pay if he thinks they are being paid too much. Honestly, they are indeed being paid a little bit higher than what others in the same profession are paid. Well, this is only to the same circle of their employees.

You don't expect Vivi to be paying the same amount to what even a judge pays his cook. Let's not talk about what the City Lord pays his workers. The disparity is there. However why this is so is because if she hadn't done so then her workers would have stopped working for her with no specific reason. Ask because of Relet's schemes to pressure her.

But when they were dismissed they didn't hear from him again. They didn't know what will become of them. but since it's the first week of the month that could all only wait to see the change that was too occur. Little did they know that their life will change for the better.

Three days has passed and it was the day Vivi told ask the staffs in the Golden Heart restaurant to be there. At the end of the week, Saturday. Not long into the day Ben and big was inform that all the staffs have arrived. They made their way to the same western square in the compound where over twenty people were waiting.

"Welcome everyone, I know that the closure of the Golden Heart was unexpected. I want to you to know that the this is only temporary. And once the time is right it will reopen."

"How long is the Golden Heart meant to be shut down for?" a voice came from within the crowd.

"To be honest with you it might take a few months." Vivi answered. She and Ben had discussed this already

"What!? Why?" the crowd began to stir. Exclamations could be heard, some could even hear swears.

It was now Ben stepped forward and stood before the crowd. Seeing this those down below quietened. "Good day to you all. I am Benjamin Williams, owner of this Estate. You may be wondering why I asked the Golden Heart to be closed temporarily," the staffs began to murmur within themselves. "I did this because I want to use this opportunity to take the Golden Heart to a higher level, however this comes with a big price." Ben stopped waiting if anyone would question him. He was disappointed.

"What type of price, sir?" the manager of the restaurant asked on behalf of everyone.

"The price is that you have to sign a contract. This is to ensure that none of you will disclose any of the recipes that will be used in the nearest future."

Ben's words left the crowd in a little confusion. What's wrong with signing a contract? Nothing could be wrong as long as they aren't expected to kill someone. Seeing their faces filled with relief he couldn't help but laugh.

Ben slowly raised both hands to the sky, suddenly the sky became dark. Thick black clouds gathered above the mansion. When the people in the mansion saw this they became confused, since had even started formulating different types of stories.

But then all that changes when they saw Ben. The young man before them has become a completely different being. Nothing much really changed or even happened but the same wasn't the same for his eyes.

Purple light shot out of his eyes looking at all those below him like some God overlooking the mortals below. Fear and terror gripped all, even Vivi and the guards being him moved back from fear.

"You should understand that there's only two ways to do this. It's either you sign the contract or don't. If you don't I won't question your decision. If you do sign this contract I assure you that you are not going to work for life under us, we only want our work to not be leaked and the contract will ensure that. You can decide now and for those who don't wish to sign the contract may leave. You shouldn't for one think that you can deceive me."