Chapter 446: This is my vow [1/2]
Loud murmurs began to echo as Hellsend grew surprised. Was it really a big deal to be made a {Vassal}? I listed what I knew about {Vassals}.
1. They were allowed to accompany a Death Seeker in a warp.
2. They were allowed to earn souls by being present in battle.
3. {Vassals} cannot be fired. And rank below a Reaper's {Kindred}.
I accepted Eva and her husband because I understood the waste of not being able to earn souls. Eva said she would protect me as a bonus. That is, until she got what she wanted from me.
Pixie and Delroy were rogues, so I couldn't be their handler. Given the zero tolerance policy, they would have forced me to throw them away. That was the only reason I decided to turn them into {Vassals}.
Aside from being allowed into the warp and the souls, I didn't see it as a big deal. But the members of Hellsend seemed to think otherwise. If the gossip I heard was true, it means that other people wanted to be my {Vassals}, too?
'Exa, do you know why being a {Vassal} is such a big deal?'
[My lord, for most ordinary reapers, being a {Vassal} is useless. However, for a Reaper who will become a king, being a {Vassal} becomes a sign of trust and authority. In my opinion, you were played by Lucrecia. The Sirens will not be happy about this.]
'Oh shit.'
The term vassal was used to refer to a king's subordinates. Of course it was useless for a commoner. So I was basically selling positions of power for a Siren sex simulator.
'Is there a limit to the number of {Vassals} a Reaper can have?'
[The known limit is 12, my lord. So you have already exhausted half of yours].
'Fuck, I hope the Sirens do not mind. Otherwise it will be ugly. Ugh. Why didn't you stop me, Exa?'
[Because you wished for it, my lord. Lucrecia Deryck is an extremely talented businesswoman. Much like her husband, the work she did to find what would be valuable to you must have been staggering. I suspect it was she who created the documents that came from Vincent.]
'Hmm. So she is like Connie? Exceptionally talented in one area. I guess getting her services is no loss.'
[Yes. She would definitely be a useful ally to have. My lord, personally, I do not think you have made a mistake. After all, without these things, what else would you have found valuable? When ordinary people splurge on trips, gadgets, or toys, you do not].
'But don't I buy guns at least?'
[My lord, your entire arsenal was given to you. Your Wraith armory came from Frank Smith. Your current Phantom armory was given to you by the Simmons, the Sirens, and Vincent Deryck. Even the only drone you originally had was purchased by Aira.]
"..."
[The only item you tried to buy yourself was the Escalade-V, which ended up being a gift. The same thing happened with the Devil's Remnant Soulgear. My lord, are you aware that you have not spent any of what you have earned on yourself?]
"..."
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[This is unhealthy, my lord. You once bought food for beggars and used the leftovers to pay off your student loans and your soul debt from the enlistment. When you set up a fake company, it was just to give millions to your adoptive parents. Even the massive prize pool was just used to pay off your soul loan to {Rewind}.]
'But that's a good thing, right? I pay my debts!'
[Aside from the {Heal} tablets you bought on your first night, everything else was spent on combat. Despite earning and spending millions, my lord, only the clothes on your back are truly something you bought.]
'You say that like it is a bad thing?'
[My Lord, scientific studies have proven the connection between stress management and capitalism. Treating yourself unhealthily as a lifestyle makes people feel better in the short term. The one thing you could have bought for your honeymoon has been handed to you again.]
'I don't see what the big deal is?'
[It seems disconcerting, my lord. Your abilities ensure that you do not have to worry about your ammunition or supplies running out, or your weapons breaking... But it feels like you are stuck in the same place. Never lacking or wanting anything].
'You worry too much, Exa. What if only my clothes are bought with my own money? If my harem and family are taken care of, then I have no need for anything else.'
[Understood].
Somehow, Exa's latest sermon didn't feel robotic, but motherly. And while I could understand that she just wanted me to treat myself better, I didn't see the need.
"Maybe I need the honeymoon for more reasons than one," I muttered.
Vincent spent a few moments spinning Lucrecia around. Now that I understood how far-sighted these two were, I found a new appreciation for their abilities. Granted, they were smart people, but perhaps they could help me.
"Lucrecia, I have a job for you."
Hearing my words, the happy couple quickly separated and knelt.
"Yes, my lord. I will do my best to fulfill it," she replied, her eyes shining.
"Convince the Sirens to allow me to keep your gift. If you do, you will be my office advisor when I need to sell shit. Also, find a way for them to record their own voices."
"Yes?"
Obviously stunned, Lucrecia made an odd face, then looked at her husband as if to ask if she had heard correctly.
The chances of the Sirens allowing me to keep the app were slim to none. The chances that I could even hide it were even smaller.
'So why not pit the clever saleswoman against the opposition. If she wins, I'll be happy; if she loses, that'll be that.'
"My Lord, will this mission affect my husband and my status as your vassals?"
"No, but if you fail, then your abilities are below what I believed them to be," I said, trying to sound wise.
Perhaps challenged by my words, Lucrecia's eyes seemed to surge with fiery passion.
"Then until when do I have my lord?"
"Until my Kindred and I go on our honeymoon."
"..."
"Can you do it?"
"I will succeed, my lord. You can count on me! Please excuse me, I have work to do," she explained as she left.
Leaving the rest of the Derycks kneeling before me, I turned to Vincent.
"Vincent, when I leave for my honeymoon, I do not wish to be disturbed. I will leave the affairs of Hellsgate to Phillip, while the affairs of Earth are yours."
He then thumped his chest with my bro salute as he confirmed. "The Deryck family will not disappoint you. Of course, the Simmons family, Haru Miroku and Beatriz Taurus will be our top priorities."
"Good," I said curtly.
'Ah, right! I remember I needed his help with something else.'
"Also, forge some records for my {Vassals} so they can come and go as they please. Get Delroy trained in combat and tactics, and enroll Pixie in a school. Charge everything to me."
"I could never do that, my lord. You are the guardian of the Deryck family. I will take care of both to the best of my ability."
"Okay, thank you. I'll go ahead, I want to check out the place before I get married. Get acquainted with the reapers, you will join them when I return. As for your dumbass of a brother, keep him out of trouble."
"Yes, my lord! We will do so. Thank you again for your mercy!"
"Thank you again for your mercy!" x8
I waved my hand nonchalantly as I left the kneeling humans. Even though their clothes had blood and holes in them, they should be fine. Putting them out of my mind, I looked around.
Aside from the amazing architecture, even the grass looked somehow so lovely. Illuminated by Sacreds and blessed torches, the whole place looked magical. I found myself questioning what I remembered.
"Has this place always been so beautiful?"
[My Lord, this is probably due to the hundreds of {Fates} at work.]
"What do you mean? Hundreds of {fates}?"
[Yes, my lord. The Ten Graves in particular have gone all out. Everything from the grass to the breeze, temperature, bugs, and even sounds have been modified by them.]
"I see, that's why everything seems to be perfect, from the ambiance to the smallest details."