First Underling (1)

"That's not all that was discovered. What makes him more interesting is that he also possesses mana."

Azrael explained in a neutral expression.

My eyes widened in surprise when I heard the new information as I stared at him in shock.

"... He possesses mana?"

I muttered subconsciously but audible enough to be heard by Azrael as he nodded.

"Yes. That's exactly what you've heard. A person who has no background history whatsoever, yet he still possess mana. It was an incredible discovery, I may say."

Azrael clarifies my statement earlier as his expression does not react to the news.

For me, I couldn't believe what I'd just heard. It was also confusing that Azrael seemed unsurprised by all of that.

'... Could he perhaps have known this before our trip to the basement?'

I thought of the possibility as I stared at Azrael.

But I decided it might not be the case since there isn't any proof of them.

'Perhaps it's just him being him... After all, he is full of unexpected twists.'

I sighed before remembering his expression back then. He bears an emotionless expression when we lose Gray.

'... I guess he didn't think much about this case.'

I snapped out of my thoughts and glanced at Azrael.

In a matter of seconds, I could see his lips curved into a confident smile.

"You're impressed, aren't you? As you could expect from someone as amazing as me."

Azrael suddenly let out a cheerful yet confident aura as I just sat there.

My shocked expression immediately turned into disgust when I saw the sudden change of personality and twitch my eyebrow.

"Hey! What's with that expression?!"

I sighed deeply at his sudden change of mood that can be turned into a little kid, an adult, or maybe a killer at some point.

I looked at him unamused as Azrael just kept his cheerful aura.

I just shrugged it off and continued our previous conversation.

"So, what do you want me to do?"

Azrael takes a cup of tea on the table as he looks at me before sipping on his tea, returning to his serious self,

"... Go back to the basement. Ask him to become your underling."

I was dumbfounded.

"... Pardon?"

My mind was filled with tons of questions.

After sipping his tea, he put the cup back to its rightful place and looked at me straight in the eye.

"I made myself clear, right? Go to the basement, ask him to work under you."

".. I didn't ask you to repeat that-- I mean, I understand that we should go back to the basement but why do I have to ask him to work under me?"

"Have you ever heard of the word 'Benefits?'"

I raised my brow in confusion before answering,

"Of course I do."

"Then this makes things easier. Choose, Dorothy. Which option benefits more-- having an underling or having a partner?"

He asked as his eyes grew colder. His cold stares pierce towards me.

'... Does he mean-'

That's when the realization struck right through me.

I realize that he's not explaining everything in detail because he knows I'm not dumb.

Different from Azrael, who can be my partner and ally, I can't ask Cristo the same thing.

First of all, he's been locked inside that room for someone who knows how long.

In addition to this, we can just order him to do the things we ask for.

He might not reject the task since he wouldn't want to be a burden to us for freeing him.

And thinking deeply about that, he might also feel unfair if we ask him to be our ally but order him to do something at the same time.

The description and position he has are fit for the title underling.

'... But one thing that I'm confused about is... '

The fact Azrael didn't want to be the master.

I don't understand why he chose me-- He could've made himself the master of Cristo who saved him from that room.

I glanced suspiciously at him as I sighed in defeat after calculating everything once more.

I paused to consider his words.

'Well, there's no harm in asking Cristo as well. There is also no reason for me to refuse.'

".. Fine."

I finally agreed with Azrael's question as I waited for him to react.

Hearing my response, Azrael smiled satisfyingly as he rose from the couch and stared down at me.

"Now that you agreed, I'm counting on you to go to that basement!"

My jaw dropped as my mind went blank.

"What!?"

"Well, you already agreed-"

"No, I mean-- you don't want to accompany me there?"

"Why should I? You're the one who needs him, not me."

Azrael smug as he crosses his arm before he looks down on me once again with a satisfying expression.

I clenched my fists in frustration.

'.. This guy-'

I sighed deeply and pinch my nose to relieve the stress I'm having ever since I got reincarnated into this world.

'.. This guy is going to make me die young.'

-

After that tiring conversation, I ended up visiting Gray's Household alone.

'... I'm relieved that the Directive Knights let me visit.'

I sighed before remembering the inspection.

I want to visit Gray's Household because there's a bunch of books I haven't brought that Gray recommended to me before his death-- That was what I reasoned with the Directive Knights.

'Though it's not the whole truth, part of it was the truth. He owes me books that he wants to give me before his death-- It would be troublesome if that Directive Special Knight came out of nowhere again.'

I dazed off as I remembered back the old track Gray guided us days ago and entered the same room.

Locking back the room before I open the door that leads to that cold and big basement, I started climbing down carefully.

When I arrive at the ground, my eyes widen as I was shocked by the sight.

'The basement--! Has the structure changed!?'

Unlike the previous days, the underground structure had changed all of a sudden and made me very surprised as well confused.

However, I slowly regain myself as I came to accept the fact that this place changes on its own.

'.. Does this mean the basement is also filled with mana? If it is, then it's reasonable that the structure changed.'

Because the structure changed, I can't find the way to Cristo's room even though I know the way.

'This is tiring.'

I sighed at the fact.

Remembering that this task is for Azrael and my sake, I try to explore this vast basement again to find Cristo as I tried recalling the previous path I walked before.

On my journey, the only light I could count on is only the candles that are decorated and attached to the brick walls around me.

Unlike at the surface, the basement is cold without any original light from the sun.

After some wandering, I turned around the corner and found a wooden door.

I observe it as memories flow inside my head.

'That must be Cristo's room if I remember correctly.'

With the courage I collect, I walked towards the room and slowly lured my hand to the door.

My eyes widen in surprise when I easily opened the entrance.

'.. It's still not locked.'

When I just entered the room, I immediately stop at my track when I was greeted by two dead emerald eyes.

'Unlike the day before, right now he's not asleep?'

".. Pardon my intrusion, are you perhaps.. Cristo?"

I asked quietly while looking at him.

He just looks at me blankly.

His eyes remind me of Azrael.

They look so dead and don't hold any emotions inside it but his expression looked familiar to sadness and loneliness.

'... They're too much alike.'

He also didn't daze off from my sudden appearance either.

I look around from his face to the rest of his figure.

He looked a bit skinny and pitiful.

'Of course, he is. I wonder how long he hasn't seen the sun?'

I thought as I gazed at him.

Waiting for his response until it was already three minutes, I raised my brow.

'.. Did he not understand what I said?'

With that thought, I decided to ask him.

"Do you understand me? I mean the language I am speaking."

I exclaimed while pointing at myself.

".. I understand."

He spoke.

It was the first time I heard his voice.

His voice was soft and gentle but I could hear the sorrow he felt. It also sounded a bit lazy as he spoke.

".. Cristo. How long have you been living inside this room-- inside this basement?"

He immediately went silent to my question.

To be honest, I don't care if I said something wrong because I didn't sense anything wrong in my question or things that would trigger him.

".. 50 years."

".. Huh?"

I look at him with wide eyes as I questioned myself if I actually hear the phrase right.

"... I've been here my whole life."

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