บท 51: Chapter 51: The Spy
Zaos observed the wind elf maid intently immediately this thought crossed his mind.
"My lord?" The wind elf maid smiled and wavered under Zaos' intense emotionless gaze.
[Why would a high elf willingly submit to another high elf? Could she be a spy?] As the thought solidified in his mind, Zaos took action.
With a short burst of speed, Zaos arrived before the maid and delivered a swift, heavy blow to her head.
The maid's eyes rolled back as she fainted on the spot.
Zaos hoisted the maid onto his shoulders and made his way to the underground basement.
He hastily made his way to the dungeons, Zaos passed by a few maids and guards, yet none of them dared question his actions, some even failed to detect his presence.
He soon arrived in front of a steel door at the far end of the dungeon. Opening the door, Zaos carried the maid inside the grim chamber.
He walked with steady steps towards the large metal table situated in the middle of the room. He placed the maid on it and utilized the chains attached to the table to bind her limbs.
After doing that, Zaos walked to the section of the wall as he admired the tools hung on it.
The tools on the wall bore semblance to the ones found in a toolbox of a typical handyman in Zaos' former world, yet they bore a distinct difference as they looked more sinister.
Zaos retrieved a plier-like tool from the wall and walked towards the table with a light smile plastered on his face.
The maid still lay unconscious on the metal table, oblivious to her current predicament. Wielding the large metal pliers, Zaos used its blut head to strike the arm of his captive.
"Argh!" The maid was jolted awake by the pain. She frantically searched her surroundings in puzzlement.
"M–my lord? W–what is the meaning of this?" She stammered as she tried unbinding herself from the chains.
"It's no use. These are anti-mana chains, you can't pry them off even if you tried." Zaos informed her with a light smile.
Anti-mana chains were metal chains made from a material that naturally repelled Mana. When worn by an elf or mystic human, their ability to utilize the world's Mana is negated.
The maid's expression turned frosty after Zaos' statement, with her usual smile and cheerful attitude gone, she questioned Zaos.
"What do you want?" She spoke. Her tone was cold and detached.
"Don't you know? You want me to spell it out?" Zaos replied, still smiling.
The maid remained quiet for a few seconds before uttering.
"I'm a spy from the Qinhorn clan," She stated in a voice devoid of emotions.
"Oh? Why so cooperative?" Zaos maintained his light smile as he watched the maid with interest.
"You are going to force me to speak eventually, why waste our time and endure meaningless torture when I can divulge my knowledge now?" The maid stared at the ceiling with eyes devoid of light.
"You are quite smart." Zaos couldn't help but applaud the maid's reasoning. In a similar position, he would have done the same. Zaos soon resumed his questioning.
"You're a high elf, right? Why did the Qinhorn clan send you here?" Zaos asked in puzzlement.
The Qinhorn clan was a Noble clan, a rank above the Elite clans. Noble clans' were ruled by Noble elves and were considered the middle of the power hierarchy in the elven society.
Although a Noble clan like the Qinhorn clan could afford to nurture multiple high elves, utilizing one as a spy was a bit wasteful even for them.
"I'm not a true member of the clan, I am but a slave," The maid's expression slightly warped when the words escaped her lips.
"I see," Zaos nodded in realization. Elves from different races were allowed to join dark elven clans however, compared to a dark elf, their status was lower. This was because interbreeding between races was impossible so elves from other races could only contribute manpower.
They usually served as servants for the genuine clan members. Below these elves were slaves captured by the clan.
They had no freedom and were used as expendable pawns to achieve the clans' goals.
[Although high elf slaves are rare, they do exist,] Zaos observed the maid as he inquired further.
"You were sent here to monitor Marvid? After his death have you been in touch with your owners?" Zaos asked.
The maid hesitated before slowly responding, "Yes."
Zaos nodded and continued his inquiry, "And? What new mission was assigned to you?" He casually crossed his arms.
"... I was told to observe you and report my findings," The maid answered after some consideration.
"I see," Zaos nodded. He stood still for a few seconds before speaking to the maid.
"You have two options; one, you work under me and betray the Qinhorn clan. Two, you die here," Zaos spoke in a neutral tone.
He had decided to utilize the maid after some careful consideration.
[Even if I kill her, nothing stops the Qinhorn clan from sending another spy. They will even become vigilant against me, but if I manage to get her to become my agent in the clan, I can react quickly in case of any danger.] Zaos waited for the maid's response.
The wind elf maid seemed surprised by Zaos' statement. She remained silent for a minute before finally speaking with a resolved expression.
"Alright." The maid responded.
"Good. From now on, you must seek my permission before divulging any information to the Qinhorn clan. Do note that I don't take betrayal on my side lightly. If I find out that you betrayed me, I will kill you." Zaos smiled as he issued a 'friendly' warning.
"Understood, my lord," the maid replied solemnly. Her thoughts were unknown.
"What's your name?" Zaos asked curiously.
"Meira," The maid answered.
"What did you do that made the Qinhorn clan capture as a slave?" Zaos questioned.
"I was captured after being expelled from my region. I'm a fugitive," Meira's face warped as she recounted.
Zaos nodded before continuing his questioning. Once satisfied, he undid Meira's chains and spoke with a small smile about his lips.
"From now on, you work for me,"
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