บท 51: The Cromwell Hospitality
Ethan left the Constable's office with a copy of his official handwritten letter. He went straight to the castle's common dining halls. Guards, maids, and other subordinate staff usually frequented them. The boy's visit was a surprise, and the herald didn't get a chance to announce his name.
However, as soon as the diners realized that the Cromwell heir himself had walked in, they jumped to their feet and bowed in reverence. Ethan responded with an authoritative wave, permitting them to act informally.
As the diners returned to their meals, he noticed two individuals had remained seated all the while, not even bothering to look up. One was a short but adorable witch with silver hair—Beatrix Galore. The other was her table mate, a towering young warrior named Athena.
The pin-drop silence that spread across the dining hall on Ethan's entry, followed by the hurried shuffling of feet, appeared to have not disturbed the busy bees. The Cromwell heir walked over to their table and spied on their activities.
Athena, perpetually dressed in metal armor, had three full plates of chicken, bread, and eggs before her. She was gorging ravenously on food meant for five people! The warrior woman was indeed tall and athletic, but her face gave away the young age.
Athena was blessed with rich, lustrous, blonde hair, and icy blue eyes. She couldn't be older than twenty. On the other hand, Beatrix, two feet shorter than her friend and probably only a year older, showed signs of maturity.
The little witch was making notes in a black journal. It looked like a miniature version of Grimorium Lustra by Cassandra that Ethan owned. Beatrix claimed she belonged to Cassandra's direct line. Were the author and her ancestor the same person?
"I hope you two are enjoying the Cromwell family's hospitality," Ethan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Beatrix looked up with a start, and realizing her mistake, immediately elbowed her gluttonous friend. The girls jumped to their feet and bowed to him awkwardly.
"Your household has been most gracious to us, Count Cromwell," the witch replied, her tone laced with unnecessarily forced flattery.
"The food is better than anything I've eaten this year, and the rooms are warmer than anywhere I slept since forever," Athena said, attracting another elbow rake from Beatrix. "What? I am just being honest."
Ethan responded with a warm smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at the castle. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end."
The boy's words wiped the forced smiles off their pretty faces. "Have you come to kick us out?" the tall warrior asked abruptly. Her witch friend also looked disheartened, but she offered no angry retort.
Ethan figured the two were acquainted with living on the road, sleeping under trees, and scrounging whatever hospitality people offered them. "Follow me," he said and walked away.
Beatrix and Athena exchanged surprised glances, abandoned their meals, and followed him. The Cromwell heir took a few turns until they reached a well-furnished private lounge.
"Sit," he commanded, taking a chair shaped like a throne.
"Thank you," Beatrix said curtly.
"These chairs actually have sponge seats!" Athena exclaimed in wonder. "We better not get thrown out after this—"
"What my friend means to say is," the witch interrupted her. "If you have already decided to reject the Countess' choices and let us go, this formality has no meaning. Please don't pamper us with comforts. We are acquainted with the hard life."
Ethan nodded. "Alright. I'll give it to you straight. However, please indulge me on an important subject before I share my decision."
Beatrix shrugged. "Please go ahead."
"What do you know about Orcs?"
The duo exchanged suspicious glances. "Well, we have fought Orcs all our lives," the witch replied with furrowed brows. "We were members of the prestigious guild DeepThrush. Many missions took us into the heart of the badland forests, hunting rogue orcs of all sizes and shapes."
"I've killed at least a hundred of them," Athena chimed in proudly. "Orcs are usually taller than me, yet I chop them in half."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, ignoring the warrior woman's bloodlust for Orcs. That there were guilds in Promiscua was news to him. Were they private entities, separate from the governments?
"Alright. Have you heard of Orcs banding together, forming outfits and armies?"
The female warrior scoffed immediately. "Orcs are as stupid as rodents, Count Cromwell! They don't know how to dance, forget about grouping for battle!"
Beatrix weighed in on this. "The more organized Orcs live deep in the forest, as you already know. They are forbidden from our settlements under the tripartite peace treaty."
Ethan nodded. "What would happen if Orcs found a leader and formed an army?"
The witch gulped nervously, imagining the possibility. "It would lead to chaos and destruction. A thousand-strong Orc army can wage war on five thousand of ours! Moreover, human and Elven soldiers barely undergo proper training these days and lack actual battle experience."
"Anyway, what is the purpose of these questions?" she added.
"The reason I'm asking you about Orcs is—"
Sudden footsteps sounded outside, and the double doors of the lounge were kicked open. The gorgeous Ivy Cromwell barged in, sporting an angry expression.
"Where the hell were you?" she demanded of her brother. "Who are these people you're frolicking with? Are you building a harem?"
"Meet Beatrix and Athena… They are candidates for the tutor positions. I'm interviewing them right now about—"
Ivy rubbed her forehead as if the boy's words gave her a headache. "I don't care about two random commoners! Forget about them! What is this nonsense I heard from the Constable? Tell me she was joking!"
Ethan rose from his seat and sighed. Hilda, in a desperate attempt to prevent him from leaving, told Ivy the truth. However, the boy was expecting such an outcome and had made preparations.
"Can we talk in private?" Ethan said calmly, pointing towards the wine bar at the other end of the lounge.
"As if that is going to change anything!" Ivy fired back. But she stormed towards the wine bar anyway. It made sense to discuss administrative decisions in privacy.
"Have a drink while I speak to my lovely sister," Ethan told the two speechless girls. He placed a seasoned bottle of wine at their table before excusing himself.
"You're leaving the castle with troops?" Ivy raged as soon as he was within earshot. "What kind of madness is this?" Her brother tried to keep his voice composed and low. "Mom's life is in danger, and I didn't see any other alternatives."
"I know bloody well that Mom is about to face a mighty host! But who asked you to volunteer as Orc fodder? Anyway, it is not too late. I will go to Gulchtown instead of you."
"You aren't even a trained fighter!" she piled on. "Neither are you versed in magic or runes. A helpless boy like you won't survive an hour in the wild!"
"Shall we arm wrestle to decide who will go?" Ethan asked with a chuckle.
Ivy shook her head in exasperation. "Is this a joke to you? I don't know how you gained so much physical strength, but that doesn't make you a trained warrior!"
"Orcs and wild monsters won't argue or arm wrestle with you. They will bite your head off! So, listen to me, and cancel your plans. Let me replace you."
Ethan offered her a warm, brotherly smile. "I forgot to mention that I brought a gift," he said, handing his sister the copy of the letter he wrote in Hilda's office.
"What is it?" Ivy asked, quickly going through its contents. "What?! You're making me second in line to be the Countess in case something happens to both of you? Have you lost your mind?"
The Cromwell heir nodded. "And you'll be in charge of the castle while I am away."
Ivy crunched the parchment into a ball and threw it at her brother's chest. As she took a fighting stance, a rune on her shoulder glowed.
"It seems words aren't enough to convince you, little brother. I will fight and incapacitate you right here. Remember, it is for your own good."
Ethan sighed. He didn't want to use the system function yet, but things were going out of hand. "Psycho sister…" the boy breathed.
As soon as Ivy heard the words, her expressions blanked out, and she stood upright in attention.
[DOMINUS] [Level 1]
[Ivy Cromwell] [Status: scanning]
[Processing delayed command…]
"I guess you owe me something," Ethan said, holding out his hand.
His sister nodded obediently. She wore a tight leather tunic and pants. Suddenly, the girl delved her fingers into the lower body clothing and fished for her underwear. With a screeching tear, Ivy tore off her panties and handed the remnants to Ethan.
The Cromwell heir took the red rag with pleasure. It was a piece of formerly red panties, which meant his remote dominus command worked! The boy could make his sister do anything, even if they weren't close!
Ethan turned his head to see Athena and Beatrix staring at the siblings from a distance. The wine bar had hidden Ivy's lower body, so her underwear-splitting scene was not witnessed.
"Thanks," the boy whispered. "Now it's time for your next command, my lovely sister."
[System advice: Commands will consume MP depending on complexity]
"Psycho sister…" Ethan said. "You will rule Cromwell Castle in my absence and also convince Gwen to be rest assured. That is my command."
[MP -10] [Successful!]
Ivy abruptly snapped out of her trance and looked at Ethan with a morose expression. "I guess you've already made up your mind to set out on a dangerous journey. I won't stop you, little brother. Gwen and I will wait for you to return victorious."
Ethan nodded, kissed his sister on the cheek, and walked away. Ivy left with no more conversation through the back door.
"What was that about?" Athena asked curiously as soon as the boy was within earshot.
"Oh, it was just something political," Ethan replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Didn't she hand you a piece of cloth, which looked like—"
"It is time for me to announce my decision!" Ethan cut her short. His words made Beatrix and Athena forget everything else and sit up in attention.
"We're ready…"
"You two will leave the castle this afternoon."
The Cromwell heir's words brought frowns to the girls' faces. "It was nice knowing you, Count Cromwell," Beatrix said in a heartbroken tone. She nudged her friend, and the duo got up from their comfy seats to leave.
"Where are you going?" their host asked, looking confused.
"To pack our things, of course," Beatrix replied. "We will be out of your hair in an hour."
Ethan shook his head and smirked boyishly. "You will indeed leave the Castle, but not to fend for yourselves."
"I have decided to test your abilities as bodyguards before hiring you. We are going to a little-known place called Gulchtown."
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