Chapter 191 Key

Augustinus was known in the Underworld as a High Aristocrat with the absolute worst reputation. His debauchery knew no bounds, gambling, prostitutes, drugs, black market deals, the list didn't end.

His most infamous achievement was the illegal slave trade. There were groups that sold slaves, the only condition was that they had to follow the law. Reporting everything, filling in a bunch of administration and pay hefty fees. The only people who were able to become slaves was because they were criminals or in serious debt.

Barbarians were also on that list. The only people who were excluded from becoming a slave were orphans or the poor. As long as they did nothing wrong, they were unable to become slaves, or that was the theory at least. 

Augustinus had his own underground slave market, some slaves were genuine, others were pretty girls from some random village that would've sold well to any libidinous noble. Having all the darker sides of the country in his hand, he became extremely wealthy, rivaling the biggest aristocrats. 

Plenty of nobles enjoyed his businesses, one of them was Alex, who was shaking in his boots right now. He was in his carriage on the way to Augustinus's mansion. His recent days playing at the casino, while very exciting for him, had a very bad influence on his wallet and personal finances. 

On his last day he had been on a losing streak, yet he never lost hope and knew that the next roll would've been a jackpot. Sadly, by the time he had to put in his bet he realized that there was no more money.

He had already taken out a few loans to gamble his previous debt away, yet now he had fallen down the rabbit hole and was asked to confront the lion. His debt was not something he would be able to pay back in just a few years, he could probably work for the rest of his life and still not have enough. 

If he had any legitimate children he wouldn't want to leave them with his debt. Luckily, all his kids were bastards that had nothing to do with him. Riding towards the home of Augustinus was either a blessing or a curse. 

In his case, Alex was pretty sure walking out of there alive would already be an achievement. While he was in debt, his carriage was still beautifully decorated. Perhaps he didn't want anyone to realize he had fallen so low.

The sudden halt in his carriage shook him awake. The sweat was already piling on his forehead and back. Taking out a white handkerchief he quickly wiped it all away before stuffing it back in his pockets.

"Sir, we've reached our destination."

"Uh, thank you, wait for me here, I won't be long."

He said with a slight tremble in his voice, voicing his desires subconsciously.

Stepping out the carriage he saw the magnificent mansion of Augustinus. It was more a castle than anything considering how big it was. It was most likely the second-biggest building in the entire Empire.

Massive pillars were holding up the roof that was spotless. Surrounding the castle was a large wall that had soldiers marching on them, keeping a look-out. In front of the mansion a large golden gate, or at least that's what it should've been. The gate was seemingly forced open and partially destroyed.

There were four guards protecting the ruined entrance from the outside and two on horseback on the inside. Upon closer inspection the guards, while having a very serious demeanor, were all somewhat beaten up. Their armor had dents where there shouldn't be any.

The guards maintained serious expressions, ensuring no one breached their defense, despite the evident destruction behind them.

The moment that his carriage came into view, one person never let his eyes wander off him. 

They scrutinized his every move with eyes that only held hostility. Stepping closer to the four guards, they started to lower their spears, making it almost unapproachable. Without having a decent entrance they were a lot more defense than normal.

"Who are you and what's your business here?!", one of them yelled. Alex had never been treated so harshly before. The guard yelled at him, spears were pointed at his face, this was clear disrespect and would be an absolute outrage. 

Alex wasn't the smartest, but he knew perfectly well what his position was, and he didn't have any room for more errors. While he might feel unrespected, creating trouble would only hasten his demise.

"My name is Alex Noaste, I'm here on Augustinus's orders.", Alex said in such a humble tone he was almost surprised by it. He had seen plenty of people bow down to him and the fear in their eyes was ever present. Now, the realization of his position hit him like a truck. 

"How the might have fallen.", one of the guards said with a smirk on his face. 

"Only to rise again.", Alex said, not that he believed it, but this was a secret code to make sure that he was who he said he was. The phrase was different per person and was always somehow linked to their actions.

The mighty have fallen, only to rise again. A hefty critique on his gambling addiction, one roll could make or break you after all. The four guards lowered their spears and made way for him to enter. One of the guards on horseback guided him to the entrance of the mansion.

"Might I ask, what happened here?", Alex said, referring to the destroyed gate. The guard didn't answer, it was his job to protect and make sure that nobody did anything stupid, not to entertain some random noble. Being left unanswered, Alex wanted to protest, but he didn't. 

'The only people brave enough to force their way through the mansion would either be the former Emperor or an absolute idiot.' 

Entering the mansion two more fully armored guards with swords at their belt made sure that they were always next to Alex. He already felt uncomfortable, now he also felt threatened, the sweat piling up again. Taking his handkerchief he wiped it away. 

"The Lord wishes to see you. Follow us.", one of the two guards went ahead to guide Alex while the other stood right behind him. They immediately went to the basement, stepping down the cold stairs. The only light coming from torches that were systematically placed along the walls. 

At the end of the stairs was a small corridor leading to a large hefty door. Light came from under the door's crevice. Surprisingly, the mood was completely contradictory. In the cold corridor he expected to hear either nothing or perhaps screams from tortured slaves or something. 

Yet there was constant laughter, music was playing, the smell of a grilled chicken filled the air. The closer he got to the door the more ambiance there was, some part of Alex only got more scared to know that such a place was below the mansion. 

"This is as far as we'll go, please enter on your own behest.", the guards said before leaving. They would of course not let Alex completely out of their sight, they simply stepped back and waited at the bottom of the stairs. If Alex were to do anything strange, they would jump him. 

Perhaps the guards were a little on edge since the recent issue at the gate, because Alex didn't look like someone that schemed and fought. His round belly should give at least that much away. He had reached Tier 2, but only in name, he didn't complete any of the tests successfully, leaving him with some of the worst rewards imaginable. 

Standing in front of that door with all the laughter coming from behind it, Alex started to slowly get more and more nervous. Augustinus would be behind this door, the man behind almost every black market and illegal transaction, the hidden lord of the Empire's underworld.

Taking out his handkerchief he noticed it was already drenched in his sweat, not that it stopped him from trying to wipe his forehead one final time. He reached for the handle and slowly pushed the door open. A prolonged creaking noise came from the rusted hinges. The music and laughter stopped immediately. 

He had only pushed the door open halfway, but froze upon hearing the silence that appeared out of nowhere. The stress building up in him, his stomach was starting to contract, almost making him barf from the pressure. 

Opening the door fully he was confronted with a wall of smoke. Looking around, there was a big open room with plenty of lights everywhere. The ground covered in soft carpet and cushions. People were laying down, being serviced by beautiful women. 

Almost everyone was smoking something, some cigars, others had a strange pipe. So many different types of smoke combine into a mix of addictive scents. Alex recognized certain drugs as well, not that he commented on it. His heart was already trying to jump out of his chest. 

All the laughter from before was gone, leaving everyone with a serious look as they stared at Alex. Some were nobles, others looked like mercenaries or killers, covered in scars and weapons close by. Swallowing his spit, he stepped deeper into the room, leaving the cold, but now desirable corridor, behind.

He took a few steps before halting. In front of him was a large soft bed covered in pillows and women. Some were unconscious while others were feeding someone grapes one by one. In the center was the lord of the mansion. Augustinus, a man who looked quite young despite being in his late forties.

His long hair dyed dark red, rings covered almost all of his fingers. He was the only one in the room who was smiling towards Alex. With his chest bare and women all around him, he was living the life Alex could only dream off.

"The man of the hour has arrived. Hahaha, it's a pleasure to see you here.", he was loud, clearly not bothered by his own voice. He clapped twice and the musicians in the background started to play again. 

Alex felt a bit more at ease, but all the surrounding men didn't start laughing, they never broke their serious demeanor and barely tried to hide their bloodlust. He knew that he would have to go low in order to get out of here alive. 

Making a small bow, he performed the etiquette perfectly. "This Alex Noaste is honored to finally meet your lordship in person.", rising up, he could see the happiness in Augustinus's eyes. His performance was to his liking, giving him some hope.

"The feeling is mutual.", Augustinus smiled as one of his barely clothed attendants brought a grape to his mouth. Taking her fingers in his mouth, he sucked the grape from her slender fingers. On his other side, a girl was holding up a cigar and moved in closer to give Augustinus a puff or two. 

"Aah, Alex, Alex, Alex," he said as he intermittently ate some grapes or smoked his cigar. "I've heard tales about you from one of my fine establishments. Seems like the Stars weren't helping you out enough eh?"

Alex found it hard to keep looking at Augustinus, the carpet had plenty of intricate designs for him to stare at instead. 

"That.. That is indeed the case, your lordship.", he wanted to add that he only needed a bit more time and a few more rolls, and he would be golden again. Sadly, Alex didn't have the courage or funds to say that. 

"Hahaha! Why are you acting all sheepish, we're friends aren't we? Men, get this man a chair and a cigar, you want a woman too?", Augustinus waved his hand around as he ordered the people in the room as if they were his servants. 

"N..No, thank you.", he said as one of the rough looking men came closer and placed a chair next to him. Pushing the chair on the ground to make sure that some sound came through the carpet, he almost tried his hardest to seem intimidating. 

One of the women brought a smaller table filled with bowls of different fruits and a plate neatly covered in different cigars. Alex stared for a second at the scantily clad girl, only to quickly avert his eyes, not bothering with the food or cigars, his stomach was almost making him barf, eating now would be a terrible idea. 

"A shame. Well, to each his own, I guess.", Augustinus said as he groped the woman next to him, imagining what he would do after Alex had left. 

"Now then, my dear Alex, do you know why I called for you?", he said with a foxy grin on his face. 

"Because I... I'm in debt to you.", Alex had to say it, if he couldn't even do that, how would Augustinus view him?

"Exactly! 12.578.365 pieces of gold, that's the amount you have to pay off, interests are already included. Now, my good fellow, can you pay me back?", suddenly his mood switched into a much darker one. All the men around him started to unleash their bloodlust and pressured Alex into obedience. 

Augustinus knew exactly what Alex had left, asking such a rhetorical question was merely because he found it funny. "Hahaha, I'm joking, I'm joking. I've already done some research on you, my friend. If we sell all your possessions, you'll only owe us a good million coins.", his constant switches in attitude threw Alex for loop, as if he wasn't stressed enough.

The mere thought of selling all his possessions made him panic. "Wait! You can't do this to me?!", at which Augustinus simply snapped his fingers. From behind his large bed a massive man appeared. A giant battleaxe on his back and enough bloodlust to knock a person out. He stepped towards Alex. 

He wanted to run, but some unknown pressure was keeping him right on his chair. As the man got close, he stepped behind him. Unable to turn his head, the sweat that had been accumulating on his forehead again fell down to his jacket. 

Trying to swallow his spit, Augustinus laughed again. "Hahaha, how wonderful, see men? This is how you become intimidating, what a show! How exhilarating!", lost in his laughter, he suddenly remembered why Alex was even here to begin with.

"Ah, my poor Alex, you're in serious debt, I can easily make you into a slave without facing any repercussions from the throne. If you think you're safe because you're a noble, I have plenty of fallen nobles under my wing." 

Alex dreaded this situation, losing everything would be bad, but losing his status as a noble as well would be the end of his life. He would do anything to avoid that. Augustinus shook his head to the side and waved his arm. The mountain of a man disappeared behind the bed again. 

"Don't worry, I don't need another slave, it's too bothersome to keep track of them all. Instead, I want you to do some work for me. Since you're a good friend of mine, I can't have you wiping the floors. I'll be sending you out in my name. You'll work for me, under beneficial circumstances of course."

To Alex, Augustinus had the smile of a saint, his situation was horrible, with no chance of recovery. Yet the person who had every right to do what he wanted with him was showing him a way out. He would be able to retain his status, he just had to work for Augustinus.

"Yes! I mean, I'll gladly serve you, your lordship.", almost falling out of his chair, Alex gladly accepted the offer. Augustinus smiled before giving a sign to one of the men. They were a lot less ruthless and rough now, holding back all their aggression and bloodlust. 

One of them stood up and brought Alex a sealed letter. "This will be your test. The throne is always keeping a close eye on me. That letter contains a detailed list of all my sources of income. Once reported, the throne will give you a letter containing the total amount of tax I'll have to pay as well as a certain item."

The letter was made from high quality parchment, something that even Alex who was quite loose with his finances hadn't seen in quite some time.

"I want you to go and talk to the new Emperor and bring back my items. If you dare open any of the letters or run away, I'll conclude you're not worthy as a companion.", while he said that with a light tone, it only meant that Alex way to recovery would be destroyed. 

All that was left was the role of a slave, someone unworthy of anything.

"I'll make certain that nobody gets this letter, not even on my deathbed.", Alex was clearly thrilled to be given such an important mission. He would make sure to complete it since it could result in his redemption. 

Being guided out of the basement and back to his carriage he was full of hope. "Driver, to the capital, to the Emperor, no breaks allowed.", the driver sighed, making sure Alex wouldn't hear it. 

"Of course."

Back in the basement, Augustinus was enjoying his paradise until one of his underlings raised a question.

"My lord, are you seriously thinking of using him as a servant? He almost shit his pants just by walking in here. I don't think he'll be useful in any negotiations.", while he was taking somewhat of a risk to talk back to Augustinus, he seemed to be in a good mood. 

"Hoh, you think I'm that stupid?", he said with a smug demeanor. Getting out of his comfortable bed, he slowly stood up. He was pretty tall and well-built, his steps were slow but confident. "Debts get paid, no matter what. He might be a pig, but in the end a valuable one.", his foxy behavior was well known among his close compatriots, so they knew there was something else.

The women who served him walked up behind with a big dark red robe, stretching his arms out the women carefully put it on him. Taking the cigar from one of the girls, he puffed some smoke into the mix. 

"If everything went according to my plan, all his possessions should already be secured, ready to be sold on the black market. And while he isn't worth an entire million, his mission is the key to finally break this boring silence. In my eyes, it's an investment into the future!"

Augustinus was looking forward to the future, he could already see it in the Stars. "Soon, my good friends, we'll be active again."

All the men in the room grinned from ear to ear, to hear their boss say such a thing only meant one thing.

War