Chapter 297: The Mistress of Red Bloom

With slow steps, Lord Quade Accrius walked across the room. His eyes stopped on Nhero, the only person who had his head raised to him. Somehow finding Nhero's courage irksome, Quade felt his mood plummet. He raised his hand to unbutton the few buttons of his collar as he raked his eyes over the hooded figures tied and restrained by Nhero's men. He was oblivious by one particular aphrodite's striking gaze. A gaze that could pierce through bone and blood. Quade felt a sudden chill pass through him. It felt as though there was some ghost tapping on his shoulder.

"My Lord..." Nhero lowered his head. His words are brimming with reverence. At least it was what Quade thought he had heard.

"Nhero." Quade stopped a few meters before him. He tipped his chin up while glancing at the men and women behind Nhero. 'Maeruthans,' His eyes narrowed. Impressed, Quade nodded. "Indeed, what a plentiful harvest. Your Mistress, Malyana, enlightened me of your excellent skill in bringing her new flesh. Now, I see her stories are indeed true. I'm impressed."

"I am honored to receive your praise, My Lord," Nhero revealed a smile. "I am here to present these captives to the mistress. I shall request to send you one of them afterwards. My Lady prefers to appraise the people herself."

"The pretty ones, then. Send them to my private room alone. I shall be waiting..." Quade laughed lowly before he and his men strode towards the door behind them.

Moulin's eyes flashed as he felt Quade's gaze somehow linger on him before he left. The door closed shut, and Nhero and his men released a sigh of relief.

"So it's him." Moulin raised his head as he spoke.

Nhero turned his head and nodded. His fists unclenched. "You speak as if you recognized him."

"I do. However, my memory of him is better to be left rotten and forgotten. He's as good as dead if he sees me."

Nhero gave him a strange look, but Moulin lifted his head and stared at the secret opening. At the same time, the passage at the ceiling opened to reveal an anxious Jagra. The panic in eyes had just retreated.

Moulin spoke. His eyes are glancing at Nhero curiously. "It wasn't a lie, was it? To send someone to him."

"No, it's not. Lord Quade prefers to have his men wait outside his private room when he enjoys the people sent to him. The person sent to him will be the person the mistress of this brothel would deem suitable to please him. It can be either one of you." Nhero stared at Moulin and the rest of the young man's comrades. He had just created this man amidst his and Lord Quade's conversation.

"I see." Moulin lowered his head and nodded. He glanced at Jagra from above him. "If that is the case, let it be. Jagra and the others will go and search for Hadrian and the rest of the men. Tell him about the target and our plan."

"..."

Swallowing, Jagra looked as if he was given the most fearsome task he had ever received as he stared at Moulin. The tips of his hair swayed as he kept his head lowered. Hesitantly, Jagra spoke. "You do know... they are not going to like this..."

"..." Moulin paused before he smiled helplessly. Actually, he wasn't even feeling confident about the plan. There was a chance he would be the one to be sent to Quade, and if he was, Moulin was sure he would compromise the entire mission by stuffing the Quade's severed balls into Quade's mouth. It would be a sight to watch him bleed to death. Moulin had already given Quade the chance to escape his wrath. If it was fate that brought him before Moulin's blade, then perhaps Quade was really destined to perish by his hand.

Moulin answered. "I know. You just have to let them know."

"... Alright." Jagra sighed. "Just be careful..."

"We will..."

Moulin and Nhero gave a few instructions to Jagra and the rest of the men with him before the passage was closed shut. There was the faint sound shuffling before silence once again fell upon the area. Moulin and the others prepared themselves to meet the mistress. Anxious faces were exchanged. Who could blame them? They have never done anything like pretending to be a prostitute for recruitment into a brothel. Moulin tried to appease the men and women with a soft smile. He could understand their anxiety and doubt. Even he was questioning himself.

"Let's go." Nhero declared.

Calmly, the group headed to the door across the room. Without a single word, they entered the room on the other side.

......

The very first thing that greeted Moulin's vision was the round lights hanging from above their heads as they entered the room. The orbs varied in different sizes, casting a warm glow much different from the red blinding lights in the entertainment room. A smooth red velvet carpet deafened their steps, and there were what Moulin recognized were incense sticks within tall bowls on top of polished furniture, wafting scented smoke in the air.

"Welcome back, Nhero." A slow seductive voice spoke.

Moulin and the others shifted their attention towards a beaded curtain concealing a long chaise couch filled with soft tasseled cushions and rare furs. There were nude golden statues of naked men and women kneeling before the couch. Each of them wore similar dazed expressions as though they were filled with endless worship and love. They... looked too life-like.

A slender figure was nestled comfortably on the oversized couch. Two pale, slender legs were revealed within the slit of her dress. Golden chained clinked as they wrapped around her small waist. Her breasts seemed to pop out from the loose top of her clothing, the curve of her shoulders and her collarbone revealed. And wondrous golden hair fell in beautiful locks down her shoulders and breasts. However, it was difficult to determine the facial features because of the curtain.

Moulin couldn't deny the bad feeling rousing inside his chest the more he stared at her. This must be the brothel's mistress, Malyana.

"My Lady." Nhero bowed.

"Mn."

The shuffling sound of her clothes seemed loud as she rose from her seat. A smirk played on her red lips as her fingers slowly reached out to move the curtain of beads away.

Moulin stopped when he saw the slow sway of the golden tail behind her and the perking fox ears on the top of her head. A ruby gleamed at the center of the circlet around her head, sparkling under the bright glow of the lights around her. She appeared seductive and elegant.

She tilted her head under the marveled gazes upon her how she loved the attention. It would be more exhilarating to see them crawl towards her feet with loving gazes. Malyana's blood boiled at the idea.

"I previously thought the tasks had softened your heart, pitying those greedy wandering fools. I'm pleased that you've proved me wrong." Malyana smiled as she tapped her long sharp nails on her rosy cheeks. Her ruby eyes seemed to glisten like a river of rubies.

Afterwards, her smile suddenly fell, replaced with a stern look. It felt as though ferocious blood-red serpents were baring their fangs at the ready to strike. "The rest leave us."

Nhero nodded and turned to his men, who accompanied to escort Moulin and his comrades. Although hesitant, they had no choice but to vacate the room as their leader wills it.

Once only 'the captives' and Nhero were left, Malyana regained her smile. Her bare feet tread the carpets as though she was gliding. Her arms swayed with her hips as she walked towards the line of people Nhero brought for her. For some reason, they felt as if they could not tear their gaze away from the alluring beastman. Even Nhero could not help but glance at her no matter how much he'd restrained herself.

Malyana raised her hand and snapped her fingers. In a split second, Moulin felt a sharp breeze, and before he could react, something pulled down all their hoods simultaneously. Moulin closed his eyes as the light shone upon his face. He immediately lowered his head to let his vision adjust.

Meanwhile, Malyana's eyebrows rose as she assessed the people before her. The first thing that caught her eye was one particular young man. Delicate pale skin, a bit of muscle, the silvery hair that appeared to look like gold coils under the warm light, and the brief glimpse of bright stunning silver eyes. She was already satisfied with every person's looks. However, this young man was like a radiant shining diamond among a pile of glass rocks. Truly, captivating.

Moulin had already stiffened once those ruby eyes zeroed on him. He suppressed the need to shoot icicles in her way.

"A group of Maeruthans..." Malyana turned to Nhero once she regained her calm. "You've surprised me. I wondered how you managed to capture them unscathed. They don't look easy to defeat."

"We were lucky." Was all Nhero could say.

"Lucky... How charming, I hate to agree with you, but I'll consider it." Malyana smiled, "We have a big guest today, and he's looking for a brand new plaything. After all, is finished, I'll grant you anything you need. You have impressed me, Nhero."

"I'm thankful for your praise." Nhero bowed his head, feeling his guts turn inside him.

Malyana chuckled. "Of course, I have to reward myself as well. The brothel has become 'very' profitable. I am connected with strings all over the city." She paused to breathe in the strong aromatic scent of the room. "It's been days since I've tasted something young..."

Her gaze flitted towards Moulin and the young man restrained a shudder.

Nhero abruptly raised his gaze once he saw the mistress' interest in Moulin. "My Lady, should we not keep your guest waiting? I believe he's already arrived in his private room."

"Hm, I see you're quite eager to sell off your harvest, Nhero." Malyana grinned. Her eyes deepened. "However, you know I do not like to wait as well..."

"..."

...

Moulin internally sighed. It appears he won't be escaping this. Although his manly pride rose for the first time, he wasn't looking forward to the situation. Moulin could hear Nhero's telepathic apology as the man looked away.

Breaking the silence, Malyana nodded. "Well, then. I'll have the rest of you await me in the cleansing chambers."

Snapping her fingers again, one of the golden statues suddenly moved. The golden man turned his head, rose from the floor, and escorted Nhero and the others away.

Leaving a glance at Moulin, Nhero calmly followed the golden statue with the rest of the men. Perhaps, it was a 'good luck' or 'you're on your own' sign. Moulin pressed his lips together at his misfortune.

"Now then..." Malyana smiled. Her eyes seemed to glow brightly as she examined Moulin.

Snap!

Another snap of her fingers, and Moulin felt the world spiral around him before an empty red room formed around him.

"..."

The fox lady was missing.

...

A seductive chuckle echoed around him. An ominous feeling crept up his spine. Unarmed and alone, Moulin felt slightly cautious.

Her laugh echoed, resounding around him as though multiple clones of her surrounded him.

...

Finally, it ceased.

"Moulin."

Hearing his name, Moulin flinched. There was no feminine voice but a rather familiar deep masculine tone. Moulin turned his head.

"!!!"

He froze in his place with wide eyes. Shock and disbelief crossed his face.

"H-Hadrian!" He shouted amidst his surprise.

The man before him only wore a calm expression. Nevertheless, Moulin could see the relief and concern within those golden eyes, But it wasn't his expression and presence that shocked Moulin.

It was the fact that his lover was wearing nothing but a golden silk cloth wrapped around his waist. A golden pin was tying it in place. His wheat skin was bare, exposing the sin of it. From the width of his neck, his broad shoulders, muscular out-sized arms, defined and toned stomach, and rolling down to the deep v of his navel- every part of him was exuding the striking energy of masculinity. Muscle-bound and deliciously naked.

Moulin had frequently seen Hadrian's nudity countless times. However, don't you think this is a terrible place to fucking strip!

"Calm down..." Hadrian spoke, taking note of the redness of Moulin's ears.

'How can I fucking calm down?!' Moulin internally screamed.