Chapter 71 - Kidnapping?
"Association Leader Barret has come, brother." A voice sounded from outside the door, interrupting Khrom. There was a pause in between then she said. "Melvona is alone. So I'm going back."
Elora was a smart girl and knew that Kadyn must be talking about something important to Khrom. Therefore, she did not poke her nose where it did not belong.
Kadyn looked at Khrom and spatted his shoulder and stood up before speaking. "Let's go. I'll let you have your revenge soon."
Khrom trembled hearing his words. He peered at Kadyn with a stupendous look. His face appeared sluggish as if he was having a hard time believing those words. Hoewever, Kadyn let him speak no more and walked out of the Artisan Hall.
Khrom stared at his back and clenched his hand into a fist, as viciousness flickered inside his eyes. Then he took a deep breath and a determined expression appeared on his face, as he followed Kadyn closely from behind.
Elora had Barret and others wait in the Formation Hall before she went to inform Kadyn. Barret looked at the old man beside him and asked with a nervous face. "Why do you think Kadyn demanded three of us to come here today, Elder Jyn?"
"How would I know?" the old man grumbled hearing Barret's words. "If not for you, how would I end up in such a situation?" he was the same old man who attacked Kadyn with others in the auction hall but was defeated pathetically.
Barret's face turned red when Elder Jyn chided him. Though what the old man said was completely true. It was Barret who invited him to deal with Kadyn. As he had become wary of him after Potioneer Yel was injured inside his shop.
However, who would have thought Kadyn would turn the table in such a swift manner, defeating them with no problem at all. They had to bid for his every command and demand. After all, their lives were in Kadyn's hands.
Elder Yel saw the situation turning sour, so he hurriedly tried to alleviate the matter. "Elder Jyn, Leader Barret also didn't anticipate that the brat would be so cunning. We had never thought that he was hiding such a terrifying formation inside his shop. If not for that, how would he be able to force us to sign that Spirit Contract?" his eyes were filled with anxiety. "However, now our top priority is to not anger that demon lord, or I don't know what he would do to us. He is completely insane."
"Hmph!" Elder Jyn snorted when he heard him, but said nothing. Ever since he signed the contract, he felt as if a huge boulder was pressing over his heart. Today, when the Association Leader informed him that Kadyn had summoned all of them, he could not hide his resentment for Barret. This was all because of this bastard! If he had not invited me, would I be in such a precarious situation? Damn it!
"You guys seem pretty lively, huh?" at this moment, a peal of laughter came from outside. The trio looked at the door of the hall and a silhouette stood there that made their hearts tremble in trepidation. This demon has finally arrived. Everyone looked at Kadyn with some fear and dread in their hearts. Kadyn had full control over their pathetic lives. One mistake and they could die in vain.
"Haha, we were just wondering, the reason behind this sudden summon." Barret gave a hollow laugh as he stood with others and greeted Kadyn with a forceful smile. "Do you need anything from us, Sir?"
Kadyn smiled and took a seat, Khrom didn't sit and just stood behind Kadyn examining the three people in front of him. The three of them looked at Khrom strangely. None of them knew him. "This…" Yel said, glancing at Khrom.
"Oh, he is an employee of my shop," Kadyn said nonchalantly. Then peered at Potioneer Yel. "What, do you have any problem with him?"
"Ahh, no, nothing." Elder Yel broke into a cold sweat as he awkwardly replied. He eyed Khrom once more and lost his interest. He was just an employee after all. Not worth their attention.
"Alright, let's discuss today's matter." Kadyn clapped his hands and peered at them. "Do you know why I called all of you today?"
The three of them exchanged glances with each other, then shook their heads in unison. They had no clue what Kady was thinking. And why would they even know? They weren't psychic after all.
Kadyn looked at their confused faces and said. "I need you to capture someone."
"Wha…" all of them stared at Kadyn with mouth agape. None of them could believe their ears and a dissatisfied expression appeared on their faces. They were majestic Spell Casters, but now Kadyn was using them as thugs and hooligans. They gritted their teeth in indignation and helplessness.
"What?" Kadyn said when he saw their expressions. "Do you have an opinion about it?"
Elder Jyn immediately put on a facade of fake smile and said. "No, we would do as Sir Kadyn says."
Khrom was looking at this entire process with shining eyes. He never thought that Kadyn was so formidable that he could subdue even someone like an Association Leader. Then his gaze turned towards Elder Jyn; though he had no idea how powerful he was, as he had never met or seen him before, but he felt chilling oppression coming from him that surpassed even Barret. This old man was stronger than Leader Barret! Khrom had no idea how Kadyn subdued these three people. Admiration flickered inside his eyes.
Kadyn heard Elder Jyn's reply and chuckled. "Great. Then tonight, I want you to capture… Gul Palius."
"Mayor Palius?!" Barret almost screamed when he heard Kadyn's words. Others also looked at him incredulously. Khrom who was standing behind him left completely stunned and his heart filled with gratitude. He knew Kadyn must be doing this for him.
[Loyalty +5→ 13]
Kadyn grinned when he heard the notification but he wasn't shocked like before. Then he turned towards Barret and said. "Yes, Mayor Palius. I want you to capture him."
"It'll cause huge waves in the city if the Mayor disappeared overnight. How would we explain this situation to our higher-ups? He was appointed by the Magic Association as the Mayor, after all."
"How would you explain, huh?" Kadyn looked as if he was contemplating deeply. He tapped his index finger on his chin, then stared at the three people in front of him and smirked. "What has it gotten to do with me? I said I need you to capture that man. It is as simple as that, no concession. I don't care what happens after that. Do you get it?
"Furthermore, Jyn is the Elder of the Magic Association's headquarter. Don't tell me you can't even handle such a small matter? Aren't you too useless if that is true? Remember you're living until you show your worth or else… hmph!" his expression turned cold as he spoke, sending shivers inside Barret and other's hearts. They couldn't help but sigh in their heart. Why did they even expect any mercy from this brute?
"I need Gul Palius here before 2 A.M. Or be prepared for punishment." He once more curled his lips and went on. "But trust me, I'll let you experience the thing called terror. Thoroughly. "
They trembled in terror at his words. A body dripping with pus and filled worms appeared inside their heads. They immediately had an urge to puke, but controlled with some difficulty. The trio stared at Kadyn with terror and said. "We won't disappoint you, Sir," Their backs had been drenched in a cold sweat.
"Good, I'm eager to meet Mayor Palius face to face." Kadyn sneered.
"Sir, why do you want to… to capture him?" After mustering some courage Elder Jyn asked.
Kadyn looked at him, amused at his tamed expression and said. "That bastard dared to threaten me in front of so many people outside the Auction Hall. He wants to make me regret offending him. Can you believe it? Who the fuck does he think he is?" Kadyn peered at Jyn and asked. "Tell me, do you think I should wait for him to make things difficult on me? Hmph, I'll thoroughly let him understand the meaning of loose mouth could cause catastrophe."
The trio heard and shivered in dread. They thought that something had happened for Kadyn to make a move on Mayor Palius. However, it was just a little bickering. Their hearts couldn't help but clench. How ruthless one would be, to kill someone for just a small squabble? They could help but sympathise with the Mayor.
"You can go now," Kadyn said. "But remember, I don't like failures."
Three men nodded and scuttled out of the hall, leaving only Kadyn and Khrom inside.
"Thank you," after a brief silence Khrom said. His voice was filled with gratitude. No matter what story he told to others. But he knew the real reason behind his action. He wanted Khrom to get revenge.
"You are an employee of my shop. I would do all I can to clear regrets inside your heart. Only then would you be able to give your hundred percent to the work." Kadyn said. He stood from the couch and walked out of the hall.
Khrom stared at his back and clenched his fist before speaking. "No matter what reason you have to do it—but after today's matter—I would use every drop of my blood to return this gratitude if I have to."