Abils bowed. No simply bowing, completely at an angle of 90 degree.
" Y-yes ! Young Lord, We are pleased to see you back !".
He spoke but his words didn't match his face. His head still bowed, face pale, a drop of sweat trailing through his face.
Dian inspected him for a while. He totally looks like someone who is corrupted. I didn't knew reading those novels and manhwas will help me judge people here.
He thought. But as he was about to speak, a man came outside the castle, his steps hasty.
Ziro, Ablis's advisor. His steps halted as he saw the scene infront. With fast judgement, he bowed immediately, still a step behind Abils.
" Hm" Dian nodded. " So..., you.. gonna talk here ? Or should I come inside". He spoke, his tone sarcastic.
Giggles and muffled laughter filled the background at his remark.
Abils stood straight. " S-sorry for my decency young lord." His hands gestured towards the castle. " Please come inside".
Dian stepped forward, his steps measured, a lion inspecting his territory. Buttler followed him a step behind.
Flower beds welcomed them from both sides, slow breeze filling their nostrils with sweet and fresh fragrances from the flowers.
Suddenly, Dian's eyes caught something. A flower 'Middlemist's Red'. I didn't think a simple manager can have these flowers in his garden.
Beside those flowers beds, red flowers bloomed, dark shade, hypnotic sweet smell. Soft crystal like water droplets dripping from it's edges, enhancing it's beauty. Swaying elegantly in slow breeze.
These weren't just normal flowers. Naturally grown in caves with huge amount of mana crystals. They need a big amount of mana to sustain themselves. And their benefits were everywhere from healing to crafting.
And acquiring mana crystals wasn't something a simple manager can do. It cemented his previous judgement on him.
A decision already made in Dian's mind.
As Dianade his way, his eyes trailed the whole interiors. Expensive carpets, rare potraits, and many other things.
His eyes didn't left a single thing. Irritation and anger increasing by every second passed.
Their steps halted as they reached the study room. Abils held the doorknobs with both hands and pushed. With a 'creak' doors opened.
At the front, a big glass window. Just infront of it a wooden table with different papers scattered on it. Behind the table a chair, it's wood shining by sun's rays coming through the window.
Dian moved, with quite ease he sat on the chair. " Now..., I think you know why we are here, don't you ?". He asked.
Abils flinched, his eyes darting away just for a split second then back on Dian. He shook his head slowly. " N-no, I-i don't understand what you are mean, young lord".
Dian studied him for a moment. Exhaling he spoke. " Buttler".
And that's all it took, 'Jones' his buttler moved. He moved the table infront of Dian aside. Revealing trails of something square on the wooden floor.
Abils eyes shot wide, his head immediately moved towards his advisor, Ziros.
" Don't look at him ". Dian's voice broke his stare. " He didn't betray you". Dian stood form his chair.
The buttler pressed his finger on the square trails and a squared wooden block poped up. Revealing hidden documents Inside.
Efficiently, buttler filtered them and handed over to Dian.
" Now, what should I do with you two ?" Dian asked, his voice dripping cold. His eyes on the content of papers in his hand.
They were the receipt of crops sold in Abils name. Every paper had his signature, with a significant amount below.
Abils shivered, his mind screaming to say something, anything but no words came out. Ziro was no better, his face paled and couldn't speak anything.
Those receipts, how can he find them so easily. Ziro thought. His eyes flickering towards Jones for a moment.
He shivered. From there, Jones looked his way with a smile, odd smile. Sending shivers down his smile.
Seeing them still quiet. Dian spoke. " The two of you are dismissed. " He turned towards buttler. " If they are ever seen on my lands, their head should roll".
His voice cold, straight. Standing beside, the buttler bowed.
" No !" Abils screamed. His knees hit the ground with a 'thud'. " Y-young lord, please forgive me ! I-i didn't realise what I was doing".
He pleaded, his knees on the ground, head touching the floor.
Dian without giving him a second glance, steps toward the doors. Sensing his pleadings didn't work. He played his last card
" Y-young lord, please wait ! I was appointed by your father, please give me another chance considering it ".
Dian stopped.
A hope filling Abils eyes. I knew this would work. Late Lord, even though you are not here you are still helping me. He thought.
With a slight turn of head, Dian spoke. " Buttler". And...
Slice !
A ripple in the air and Abils one hand chopped off. Blood flood like water, a fountain of blood for a second. As his brain registered pain..
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh !!!
He screamed in agony. His other hand blocking the blood flow instinctly, tears flowing down his cheeks.
Ziro, with wide eyes looked at the horrible scene unfolding infront of him. His body shivering uncontrollablely.
" Buttler, clean this mess fast and appoint one of your trusted men here". Dian spoke and without any answer left the room.
Once outside, He took a deep breath and went back to his carriage.
He wasn't traumatized, sad or anything. This was the first time he had seen blood. But his belief was quite simple. If you did something punishable then you have to be punished. Even if it means rolling someone's head. Their heads rolled because they deserved that.
After some time, Buttler came outside the castle as well. Gasps and murmers filled the background as they saw two men behind him.
One with a hand chopped, now bandaged all over. Another one walking by his side giving him support. Both their faces pale as if they saw something horrible.
-------
" Hey, isn't he lord Abils ?" One of the men spoke looking at the scene from afar.
" Yes ! He definitely is !" Another men standing next to him exclaimed. " But did you see those bandages, his hand is definitely not there. And it happened after young lord went inside ".
Gossips and Conversations filled the background.
-------
Jones made his way directly towards the carriage. " Young Lord, it's done". He spoke standing beside the carriage's open door.
" Good". Dian sitting inside nodded. " Let's go now, we still have many places left to visit".
Jones surprised, a little. This wasn't their plan, they decided to return home after this visit. Shaking his thoughts aside he followed his lord's words.
Once inside, the coachman drew the reins and with whinnies from the horses. The carriage started making it's way again...
Inside the carriage, Dian's mind raced, his focus solely on his buttler, sitting opposite to him.
He really is strong ! I didn't even saw him move ! When Abils hand touched the ground he stood there in his normal posture. I just felt a ripple in the air. Dian thought.
And he wasn't wrong, Jones, buttler of Skyster family. He is the strongest Dian had ever seen a Supreme Mage 2nd stage.