Chapter 90: Master Servant
"Do any of you know what that is ?"
Gildhart spoke calmly, but his voice was cracked, pulling on his words since he was burning with pain all through his respiratory system.
The group of nobles who had instinctively distanced themselves from that vile object shook their heads decisively, None of them had ever seen such a contraption.
Gildhart knew this, but still wanted to confirm if any of them might give him some lead.
As children from noble houses, they were usually exposed to unique and exclusive treasures from childhood.
But the object Kylian had thought wise to retrieve while they were escaping, the object that was more powerful than any poison they had ever heard of, was something even he had never encountered before.
The mechanism appeared direct enough; it contained a gaseous substance strong enough to incapacitate even him, who was just a step away from crossing into the warrior knight realm.
Such a weapon was one reserved exclusively for the really special or powerful.
Not something a random commoner can ever get their hands on, which made Gildhart start to consider that this person wasn’t from an ordinary background.
Now it was all beginning to make sense.
The fact that he had the bloodline of a mahji, gained the mistress’s favor, and even managed to knock him out the other time.
’He must be someone from an impressive background who possess varying means.’ Gildhart thought inside.
Gildghart was starting to question if it had been wise to make this person an enemy.
But he would leave that aside for now, until he went to get some clarification from ’him’, at the next scheduled evening.
Now, though, Kylian had advised him to first appease this group of disgruntled nobles.
A sentiment he believed unnecessary, since they weren’t the only ones who had suffered so much from underestimating the means of that person called ’Hardwood’.
Still, Gildhart sighed as he spoke to his broken army, clearing his throat....
"Ahem....."
"This is only a minor setback...."
"And we will heal, and make him pay for all that we had just suffered."
"But for now.....lets use this time to reflect and avoid this person."
"After all, he just might have other similar tricks up his sleeve."
"So, do not engage until we know more."
Most noble servants on the floor looked to each other as if implying which one if them would be out of their minds enough to even dare appear before that demon after going through such torture.
Though they all hungered for the mistress, and they enjoyed a lot of benefits from Gildhart, the pain they were still passing though was more than enough reason to nevr attempts the events of tonight again.
What if he had more of that vile weapon he had used on them, or even things more terrible ?. But none of them said anything, and simply listened on to Gildhart as he carried on speaking.
"Not to worry....next time we will be more prepared."
"For now, as consolation, i will raise your allotments of ’special’ resources for the week by ten percent. "
"Rest up for now."
Saying this, Gildhart observed a look of mild satisfaction appear on their anguish stricken faces.
They looked like an army who had just lost a war, but none was having it worse than him at the moment.
The humiliation he just suffered was something that was hurting more than the persistent burning in his eyes.
Though this person’s means weren’t simple and they might also have some impressive background.
At the end of the day, Gildhart had his own pride....
And no matter the cost, he couldn’t allow someone else take his place with the mistress.
Kylian had suggested their possible next course of action to him in the other room, which would swing into motion soon enough.
Gildhart watched the group beginning to bring themselves up in an attempt to leave his room and go rest in their own....
When all of a sudden, a cold chill crept up the necks of everyone present.
Through Gildhart’s open door, someone casually made their way in.
Soon as they did, an invincible pressure fell on them all, causing everyone’s movement to seize, their faces turning pale seeing who had come in.
This wasn’t a pressure brought about by just a difference in realm, but by the power of their presence.
Though these people are all former nobles, now they were all mere servants. And even if they weren’t, this person was of a different class of nobility as compared to all of them.
Instinctively, they all bowed in greeting, as the room descended into a chilling quiet, Luna doing a casual sweep of the entire space with her eyes.
None would dare greet her by her status, since all present knew the rules by heart.
Gildhart’s mind was spiralling into varied thoughts....
what in the world was this person doing here ? And at such an unfortunate time, seeing the states they were all in.
How would he possibly explain any of this ?
They all looked like they had just come from a war when they are supposed to be mere servants of the estate.
Even his backer had warned him to never mess with this person, that even their influence wouldn’t be enough to pull him through.
And now she’s entered his room, a room that’s supposed to belong to a servant, but looked no different than that of a noble’s.
That was already a red flag. Gildhart was sweating buckets.
No matter how one looks at things, everything just appeared suspicious, and Luna Wolf was the last person he had imagined would ever come to the servants quarters.
Everyone present had subconscious fear for this person, but it was fine since she never involved herself in the affairs of the estate.
But why had she come to his room?.
Was it really a coincidence after what had happened this evening?
As Gildhart had this thought, he subtly raised his head, and by his door frame, he caught the appearance of two familiar figures who were frantically darting their eyes around his room in search of something.
’Damn it’ Gildhart thought inside, realizing what might have happened, yet wondering why these twins would do this...Afterall...they are on the same side.
"Where is he ?"
A calm serene voice sounded from Luna, causing the gathered nobles to nervously alternate looks at one another. None brave enough to lie or tell the truth.
But out of nowhere, Kylian stepped forward a little, head still bowed like a servant to their masters, as he said in response....
"We really don’t know...."
"He did this to us when we only wanted to have a conversation with him." he continued, gesturing to the state of the servants.
"And was already gone before we found our bearings."
Gildhart’s heart was pounding through his chest, watching his second in command smoothly giving that response.
This person before them was Luna Wolf.
Though she was their age mates.....she was also their master as servants serving in the wolf estate.
She was not only of a much higher status, she was also much stronger than them, and terrifyingly talented.
For such a person to personally make a move was already perplexing enough.
And the most disturbing fact about Luna was that none of them could ever predict what she might do next. Or what would be their fates about Kylian had spoken.
"I see...."
"Well then, carry on."
Luna said in a disturbingly cheery manner as she turned and calmly exited the room, the twins following right along.
The servants collapsed to the ground in relief, while Gildhart slumped on his chair as he thought in lament...
’Who the hell is this ’Hardwood’ ?’
But standing in the center of the room, someone still had their squinted eyes locked on to were Luna had departed from..... As they twirld a fanciful coin through their fingers with the usual default smile on their face.