After the departure of Lucifer and his selected people, for a moment the whole dining hall was dead silent.
Almost everyone's eyes were fixed on those five dead bodies of Goccrek, Layuri, Ildrek, Dolfo and Tuul.
Only moments ago, these five people from Ironford County had been having dinner with them and were still alive.
Yet now they were nothing more than cold, motionless corpses.
On the left side of the dining hall, Synthia Holygrill looked at Aria and muttered, "Wha… What was that, Aria? How the hell did that man transform into Layuri? Just how?"
Aria answered in a hushed voice, "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"
At the section of the dining table on the left side, where the Kielname family members were sitting together with people from the Florence family and the Redlife family—
Talmora wore a flabbergasted expression on her face while her hands tightly squeezed Elder Guntor's hands.
She asked in a meek voice, "Are they the same doppelgangers that Sir Allen talked about?"
Guntor nodded. "Yes, they are. Actually, there are a total of twenty-six of them… and the ones who came to Kielname in the past were two of them, namely M and C."
He continued,
"And at the time of your arrival at the ducal palace… Jeffrey and I were not really on your carriage. At that time both of us were already inside the ducal palace. Actually, in place of me and Jeffrey… you were travelling with M and C."
The sudden truth that Elder Guntor had just revealed struck hard at Talmora's confidence. Just a few hours ago she had made a bet with Allen that she could identify the real Elder Guntor and Jeffrey even if Allen brought their doppelgangers before her. But now her confidence was waning.
She squeezed Guntor's hand once more. "Don't worry, Father. I won't let Sir Allen win the bet against me. Even if these people can transform into their target's physical appearance, they can't hold their target's memories. I'll definitely win, no matter what."
Elder Guntor shook his head in refusal. "You have already lost this bet, Talmora. Actually, in the first place Allen placed this bet because he was confident and sure of his victory… and he also knows the capabilities of these Yorkshire Devils."
"Yorkshire Devils…?" Talmora repeated in confusion.
Elder Guntor nodded. "These twenty-six people who can transform into their target's appearance are guards of Westirifer's spy unit.
And the name of their species is Yorkshire Devils… this is what Lucifer told me himself. In my whole life I have never encountered them except in Westirifer."
"Leave encountering them—I haven't even heard of them. I didn't even know something like them existed in this world.
According to Lucifer, these Yorkshire Devils can completely transform into someone regardless of gender. Meaning they can be both male and female. And the most frightening part is that they can copy their target's memories. Just like how M transformed into me and you failed to identify him.
Just think of it like this—if any one of these Yorkshire Devils transforms into you, they will acquire every single one of your memories… from your birth to the present."
Guntor's voice was not loud, yet it was loud enough to be heard by the people of the Florence family and the Redlife family who were seated on the opposite side of the dining table.
While all of these details were circulating at the dining table placed on the left side of the dining hall—
On the right side, both Duchess Velora of Livingstone Duchy and Duke Gelvin of Wielhiem Duchy looked clueless and frightened by the sudden turn of events.
Only moments ago everyone from the Ironford noble family had been having dinner with them.
And now what stood before them was no longer three members of the noble family, thirteen ministers and three maids.
Instead there were the dead bodies of those three noble family members, the dead bodies of two ministers out of the thirteen, and the perfectly fine but surrendered remaining eleven ministers and three maids.
Duchess Velora collected her courage and looked toward the raised dais. "Your Grace, what is the meaning of this?"
"Why did that son of yours kill Old Count Goccrek, his wife, his grandson and two of the ministers?"
"Are you all really going to celebrate your duchy's ascension ceremony the day after tomorrow, or is this some kind of wolves' banquet?"
Mia glanced up. "What are you even saying, Duchess Velora? Why would we host a wolves' banquet… when we can simply eliminate those who want to become thorns in our side?"
Mia continued, "And you want to know the meaning of what? You want to know about what just happened?"
"So let me answer you, Duchess—didn't both you and Duke Gelvin die to know what it means by 'saving from himself'? Then he is showing you… what that means, but in a far softer version."
She tapped twice on her dining table. "As for why my son killed those five people… well, how to put it. Actually Sir Goccrek broke our rules, and although his wife did not support him, she dared to badmouth Westirifer and—most importantly—Westeria. As for Ildrek and the other two… I don't know the reason. You can ask him when he returns."
Velora questioned back, "What rule did he even break? And who wouldn't badmouth you if you refuse to treat them well?"
This time, before Mia could answer Velora's question, Allen took out a magic crystal screen from his spatial ring, set it up in the middle of the aisle of the dining hall and spoke. "Duchess Velora, in Westirifer rape is a heinous crime, and supporting and validating it is even more punishable. And Sir Goccrek supported rape by saying—if both Madam Mia and Madam Amelia moaned under the continuous assault of those Asher's people, it means they enjoyed it, and if there is enjoyment in rape, then how is it even rape?"
"So that is why Young Master rewarded him with a swift death. And I'm sure that if I were in Sir Goccrek's place and had uttered those shameless words… then Young Master would have killed me in exactly the same way he killed Sir Goccrek."
"As for not treating the people of Ironford County well—then listen carefully, Duchess. Yesterday night the entourage of Ironford County arrived in Lumera, capital of our Holycross State. There Chief Aria welcomed them in the appropriate manner, without any kind of disrespect. Then after dinner, when night fell… Goccrek demanded to have sex with her because she was the host and he was the guest. Without much thought Lady Aria agreed to it… and let him enjoy her body in whatever manner he wanted. But after fucking Lady Aria to his heart's content… Goccrek invited another seven of his ministers to have sex with her… without asking for Lady Aria's consent, even though Lady Aria had already arranged women and men for them to enjoy. And then all eight of them railed her in whatever manner they wanted until morning… is this kind of behaviour appropriate for guests?"
"Now tell me, Duchess—are they at fault or not? Did Lady Aria give her consent for another seven ministers to fuck her until morning without letting her sleep for a single moment?
But even after all this, Chief Aria did not raise a single word, considering that the people from Ironford County were our guests."
"And at the entrance gate Goccrek even tried to lay his hands on Lady Talmora, but was ultimately interrupted by Young Master… and from that moment on Goccrek began to badmouth my Young Master.
Then in the military area his grandson—Ildrek—badmouthed my Young Master. And just a moment ago Goccrek's wife—Layuri—dared to badmouth my wife—Westeria. Who is also one of the many wives of Young Master."
"So tell me, Duchess—who among both of us crossed the line first? And if we retaliated, then what's wrong with it?"
"You see, my Young Master is a very affectionate person. Once he considers someone as his own… then he will do anything for that person, and everyone who is part of Westirifer is his own family, regardless of their family names."
Duke Gelvin, who was standing beside Nicole Kidman, said, "It's understandable… if the people from Ironford County behaved like savages then their treatment should be just like that. Before your explanation I didn't know about the wrongdoings of Goccrek and his ministers, nor did I know how much Lady Aria had suffered. Sex is meant to be a sacred and pleasurable activity that connects us to the goddess… and we all should respect it. But when this same sex takes the form of pressure instead of pleasure… then it loses its sacred nature and becomes something only vile."
"Sir Allen, you are right. Lady Aria accepted to have sex with Goccrek and during that particular session she enjoyed it. But when Goccrek invited his seven ministers and fucked Lady Aria continuously for the whole night without her consent, there may have been some kind of enjoyment for those eight people. But Lady Aria only suffered… and that is the thin line of difference between pleasure and pressure."
Gelvin continued, "But Sir Allen, why did Lucifer kill Lady Layuri, Ildrek, Dolfo and Tuul? What was their fault?"
Allen answered, "Firstly she stood up for her husband's dignity even after knowing that he was wrong. And then she dared to insult Westeria and the whole of Westirifer.
If anyone insults him, he will tolerate it to the end… but if anyone dares to insult his people… then that is the easiest way to say goodbye to their lives. It's as simple as that."
"As for Ildrek… it's my personal thought—he was annoying. Tuul dared to insult Westirifer… and as for Dolfo… it was simply his bad luck."
Saying this much, Allen clapped thrice. "Clap… Clap… Clap."
Then he pointed toward the magic crystal screen. "Everyone, I want your attention on this screen… because it will show the live action of Young Master and his group, so enjoy the show."
---
On the magic crystal screen—
The scene changed.
Two carriages were moving toward the count's mansion on the snow-covered path. The carriages were simple, nothing extraordinary, and bore no emblem.
Seeing the arrival of the unknown carriages, the guards watching over the entrance gate shouted, "Halt!"
"This is the count's mansion… no unidentified person is allowed to enter beyond this gate."
At the female guard's shout the carriages halted near the entrance gate.
One guard came forward and knocked on the door of the leading carriage. "Identify yourself."
From inside the carriage someone pulled the curtains aside and a face peeked out.
A bald man with a robust body, wearing a bear-skin robe, glanced at that guard and asked in a haughty manner, "Do I need to identify myself?"
The female guard knelt on the ground. "Pardon me, sire, but didn't you, the countess and the young master depart for Westirifer Duchy yesterday along with some ministers and three maids? Then suddenly why are you here in this dilapidated carriage and in the middle of the night?"
The man sneered. "Why should I tell you these matters? Do what you were hired to do and don't interfere in my affairs."
That female guard once again apologized.
Then she asked, "Sire, is that other carriage also with you?"
The man laughed. "Indeed… they are my slaves. A young boy bought by my wife so she could enjoy the taste of youth. And another five women who will serve me and Vazon as slaves."
The man continued, "Slut, tell me… do you want to join our night fun? If yes… I can give you unimaginable pleasure."
That female guard replied, "Sire, how could I disrupt your fun? And my vile body doesn't deserve your holy touch."
The man laughed even more arrogantly. "That's true, that's true… how can we descendants of Zor share our bed with filth like you… Now clear the way. I have some important matters that I want to discuss with Vazon."
The female guard nodded, then shouted toward another guard, "Clear the way—it's the carriages of the count and countess!"
Time passed bit by bit and after another quarter of an hour the carriages reached the count's mansion.
From the leading carriage dismounted five people—those were Goccrek, Layuri, Ildrek, Tuul and Dolfo.
And from the other carriage dismounted six people—those were Lovertia, Mara, Vritra, Arlira, Arlissa and Lucifer.
And finally the two coachmen dismounted—H and Gorthas.
Goccrek moved toward the grand gate of the count's mansion and everyone else followed in his lead.
Then, just before entering inside, Goccrek glanced at another guard who was standing there, grabbed her neck and pulled her toward himself.
He sniffed and licked her neck like a dog and laughed. "Whore, your whole body is reeking with semen, but that's intoxicating… unfortunately I have already brought some slaves with me. If not, I would definitely ride you today… Unlucky you… Tsk… Tsk."
After entering inside, Goccrek led everyone toward the family sitting room.
Then he sat on the chairs along with Layuri, Ildrek, Dolfo, Tuul, Gorthas and H.
Whereas the "slaves"—Lucifer, Lovertia, Mara, Vritra, Arlira and Arlissa—sat on the floor like damn animals.
After getting comfortable, Goccrek rang a bell that was placed on the table. "Riiinnggg… Rinnnghh… Rinngggh… Kringg."
Hearing the sound of the bell, a maid came inside the room. "Yes, my master."
Goccrek said, "Go call Vazon, Xoyova and everyone else of the family here immediately. I have to discuss some important matters with them."
Lotte nodded and left the room.
Some moments later the door of the family sitting room opened and Vazon came inside along with Xoyova and three other wives… both husband and wives were completely naked.
He looked at Goccrek and asked in a surprised manner, "Father, haven't you gone to attend that ascension ceremony of Westirifer… then why are you here now?"
As Vazon kept speaking he went behind Layuri and hugged her tightly, and Layuri also reciprocated in the same manner.
And eventually both of them started kissing each other.
When their lips parted, Vazon's eyes fell on the other five girls who were sitting on the ground. "Heh, slaves?"
Then came Goccrek's voice. "Don't even think about them—they are mine… if you want some, then go to Bexihound Barony and buy them for yourself."
Just then Jacint, Eloi, Blai and Miquel also arrived in the room along with their wives… they were the other four sons of Goccrek besides Vazon.
Then more time passed and six women came inside one by one with their multiple husbands.
These six women were Goccrek's daughters.
And just like that, except for Goccrek and the people he had come with, more than forty people gathered in that particular room.
When everyone had settled down, Goccrek spoke. "While going toward Westirifer Duchy… our entourage got attacked. Except for us five—me, Layuri, Ildrek, Dolfo and Tuul… none of the ministers nor our guard cavalry survived."
Teuta, a daughter of Goccrek, asked immediately, "Who had so much courage to attack our entourage?"
Eloi added, "All the people except you five died… who is attacking our men? Do they not fear the Ironheart family's might?"
Just like that everyone else also asked various questions… and at last Vazon asked, "Did you find out who dared to attack you and kill our people?"
Goccrek nodded. "Yes. I think they are people of Soltross County. I saw their crest on the flags they were holding."
Vazon thought something. "It is possible since we don't share a good relationship… but Soltross attacking you all on the way to Westirifer… isn't that unnatural?"
Layuri glared at Vazon. "Are you doubting your father, you unfilial son?"
Blai answered in place of Vazon. "No, Mother. What Elder Brother meant is that Soltross County is far away from us—how could they even attack you near Westirifer?"
Then Xoyova added, "Mother-in-law, talking about these serious matters with us is one thing."
She pointed toward the people seated on the floor. "But you are mentioning all of this in front of the slaves?"
Goccrek finally said, "Go. Close the door tightly and cast a sound barrier over the entire room.
I bought these slaves for all of you to enjoy… I thought to enjoy them for a prolonged period… but I think their destiny doesn't want them to live any longer… so first use them to your hearts' content and then throw their dead bodies out into the forest."
Hearing Goccrek's words, many inside the room wore devious smiles.
Xoyova stood up and went toward the gate and locked it tightly.
Then she took some rune stones and placed them in all four corners of the room while chanting something.
When everything was completed she came near Goccrek and said seductively, "Everything is done, Father-in-law… now can I enjoy that boy that Mother-in-law bought?"
Hearing her request, Goccrek smiled. "Of course, darling."
Saying this, he slapped Xoyova so brutally that her head exploded like a ripe melon under a sledgehammer. Bone, brain matter and blood sprayed across the room in a wet crimson mist. Fragments of skull and clumps of hair stuck to the walls and ceiling as her headless body collapsed, twitching and spraying arterial blood in thick jets across the floor.
On the other side Layuri stood up from her chair, grabbed its heavy wooden frame and swung it with savage force at her daughters—smashing their skulls open one by one. The chair's legs and backrest cracked against bone with wet, crunching impacts. Faces caved in, eyes burst from their sockets, and brains spilled out in grey-pink chunks mixed with blood that soaked their hair and clothing. One daughter's jaw was torn halfway off and dangled by strips of flesh as she crumpled. Another's head was reduced to a pulpy ruin that painted the floor in thick, steaming gore.
Seeing such a scene, Vazon's feet became cold as ice. He was so frightened that even his voice wouldn't come out.
Then his gaze fell on the slaves who only moments ago had been sitting on the floor—now they were butchering his sisters, brothers-in-law and his concubines like pigs being slaughtered in a meat market.
Blades and bare hands tore through flesh. Throats were ripped open, spraying bright arterial blood in arcs across the walls. Chests were split wide, ribs cracking like dry twigs as organs spilled out onto the floor in glistening coils of intestine and steaming lungs. One man's arm was torn clean off at the shoulder; another woman's face was crushed under a boot until her features became an unrecognizable mash of bone and tissue. The floor quickly became a slick, slippery lake of blood mixed with severed limbs, shattered teeth and chunks of flesh.
Yet there was still a boy slave who remained seated on the ground… as if all these killings weren't affecting him in the least.
Then the slave boy glanced at one of the coachmen and said, "H, do it."
At his words, H came in front of Vazon and placed his hand over his head.
Vazon didn't know what was happening… but now he knew that the Goccrek, Layuri, Ildrek, Tuul and Dolfo standing in front of him weren't real.
And seeing this much blood splattered everywhere… he didn't even dare to voice a single word.
Then, to Vazon's surprise… the coachman—or rather H—eventually transformed into Vazon himself and knelt in front of the slave boy.
The slave boy nodded. "H, make sure to integrate Ironford into Westirifer… you have four days for it. And at the end of the fourth day, do something that makes the eradication of Vazon and the Ironheart family seem like some supernatural incident.
After returning I'll send Oswald, Badwin, Catherine, Agnes and Elspeth here along with Cassian, Graham and the other seven apprentice knights. They will help you stabilize this territory… and after the integration, Ironford County will dissolve forever and become part of Holycross State."
H responded, "Liege, I understand."
Then that slave boy walked toward where Vazon was standing.
In a few steps the slave boy reached Vazon and tapped on his shoulder. "Your name is Vazon… hmm… do you know the meaning of your name, Vazon?"
Vazon answered while trembling, "No, sir."
The slave boy nodded. "It means flower pot. A pot in which we collect flowers that carry the fragrance of freshness."
Vazon answered, "Now I understand, sir."
The slave boy replied, "Good."
Then he asked, "Vazon, do you want to stay alive? Or do you want to die like everyone else in your family?"
"Stay alive… Sir, I beg you, I beg you… let me live… please, sir…" Vazon pleaded.
The slave boy asked, "Vazon, do you know who I am?"
"No, sir… no, sir, I don't know who you are… but whoever you are, please don't kill me… please don't kill me…" Vazon trembled even more.
Lucifer smiled and patted Vazon's shoulder. "I'm Lucifer Velmora, the Young Master of the Empire of Westirifer… although currently it is still Westirifer Duchy, from the day after tomorrow it will be the Empire of Westirifer.
So tell me, Vazon—do you really want to stay alive?"
"Yes, sir, please spare me… please spare me… I'll become your slave for a lifetime… please…" Vazon pleaded desperately.
Lucifer's smile bloomed even more as he now patted both of Vazon's shoulders. "Good… good… you are teachable.
But you see, Vazon—your father… that Goccrek bastard… shouldn't have touched my aunt."
Confused, Vazon asked meekly, "You… your aunt?"
Lucifer replied, "Yes. My aunt."
Vazon said, "I un… understand."
Lucifer glared at him. "You understand… you understand… what did you even understand, bastard? What the hell do you understand?"
Confused, Vazon answered, "I unde—"
But in that moment Lucifer placed his finger on Vazon's lips. "I also understand, Vazon.
I'm a fool for expecting something from another fool."
Lucifer grabbed Vazon's neck. "I also understand, Vazon."
Then he seized his waist. "I really do understand, Vazon."
Then, with a single brutal motion, he ripped Vazon's head upward along with the entire length of his spine, tearing it free from the rest of the body in a wet, tearing explosion of blood and sinew. The spine came free in a long, glistening white column still attached to the dripping head, trailing ribbons of torn muscle, nerves and blood vessels. Arterial blood fountained from the open neck stump in thick, rhythmic geysers that painted the ceiling and walls. Vazon's body crumpled, twitching violently as the last of his blood pumped out across the already soaked floor. The severed head, eyes still wide in final terror, dangled from Lucifer's grip by the dripping spinal column.
As his words ceased, a satisfied smile spread across Lucifer's lips—now covered in Vazon's blood. "Finally the man-eating sheep is dead."
Then Lucifer looked at H. "You are going to stay here… and the rest of us are leaving."
H nodded.
Lucifer added, "One last thing."
Saying this much, he chanted, "Astrel Verya-Solun Arcanis: Cathedral Domain."
His chant immediately took effect as a golden-coloured magic circle formed over the family sitting room and descended slowly… and in the blink of an eye everything became pure. All the blood vanished from the floor along with the dead bodies and broken furniture. The room became as good as new.
After this, Lucifer snapped his fingers and a portal formed in front of him… and one by one everyone departed from there except H.