23 The Inn

Mefino was at a loss for words. He was sure that tavern belonged to someone from the Hudson Count clan.

They learned that the owner was trash. That's why he owned a tavern in the slums.

'Why is this trash parading in front of me?' Mefino thought.

No one from the clan spoke up or stopped them when they took it over. The only reason his young master took it was he wanted a base of operations to explore Wesser Forest.

"You wouldn't be that trash James Hudson who practices Soul Dao?" said Mefino.

"This young noble is James Hudson, you would be quick to hold your tongue if you value it. Calling this young noble trash? I'll let it slide once because you are but a dog." I said.

"Dog, quickly go fetch your master!"

Now that he had confirmed the target's clan and status, Mefino's arrogance exploded.

"You guys from the Hudson clan who manage this inn are really letting clan trash cause a ruckus here? Do you really want my young master upset at this inn for sullying his dignity?" said Mefino.

"He should never have to deal with such lowly trash, it's below even my eyes. I'm returning to my master's suite, drag this trash out."

Baron Mefino put on an arrogant front and turned around and walked away.

'Better to let the Hudson Clan beat up its own members,' Mefino thought.

Sadly, that was the last thought he ever had.

\u003cMetallic Slice\u003e

His head was now rolling on the floor. Azon waved his hand and Mefino lost his head. It sure is difficult for weaklings in the Abyss.

"Sorry I let him talk for so long, young lord. He could have lived, but he had the nerve to turn his back on my young lord. Should I drag out the scum that's keeping you waiting?" said Azon.

"Wonderful job, Azon! No, he must walk out himself. We have to leave the Yezzesa clan a bit of face for their heir," I said.

I was ecstatic! Azon was the perfect lackey. My mother sure knew how to train her followers well. I would definitely have to get the [Lackey Training Scripture] from my mother when I got the chance.

'James will get in so much trouble with the Hudson Clan for this. But Diana will definitely reward me for maintaining her son's dignity,' thought Azon.

'She's already upset at the Hudson Clan anyway, so I can disregard their face. Who in either clan would dare come complain to my princess? That's grounds for clan extermination!'

"Wow, it's getting juicy!" said one onlooker.

"Who's that servant? He really killed a Devil Baron with no effort at all?"

"The patriarch really gave him such a top-class servant? The elder council will be furious, they told him to cut off all clan resources to James!"

I destroyed the front desk of the inn since they didn't even speak up for me when Mefino was making such a long-winded speech.

I boldly staked my claim to this inn. I'm already this deep in. I might as well be as overbearing as possible to grab an additional source of fel shards.

The inn workers were quick to follow my orders as they just saw a Baron's head roll.

None of them had the stupidity to voice any dissent. Commoners are so predictable, they follow whoever has the biggest fist. And the biggest fist around this inn is my lackey, Azon. Who dare question this young noble?

"You killed my servant? Are your eyes blind? This young master is the heir to the Yazzesa clan, I'll have your Hudson clan exterminated over this!" said Jaffil as he walked out.

Jaffil was furious. Mefino was his favorite follower, it was hard to get blindly loyal devil followers as a devil.

"You can take his corpse as you see fit. I have no use of such trash. You still have not told me what compensation you will give me," I said.

"You you you," said Jaffil.

Jaffil was lost for words, he quickly came to an understanding, his chief bodyguard was dead. He himself was only a Devil Esquire. If he did not pay compensation, this madman might be crazy enough to kill him too!

"Fine, what do you want?" said Jaffil.

"1000 medium grade fel shards, seeds of a Tier-2 strain of felweed, and a Baron level Wood Dao Art," I said.

I started high, expecting him to make a counteroffer. I needed something to go back to Kyle with sincerity for letting him get beat up. A master who lets their followers get beat up wasn't a good master.

"I can give you 500 mid-grade fel shards and a Knight level Wood Dao Art, that's all I have on me now," said Jaffil.

I could tell Jaffil was livid. Knights used mid-grade fel shards. They were worth 10 times more than low-grade fel shards. 500 mid-grade fel shards were equivalent to 5000 low-grade fel shards. My father only gave me around 1000 low-grade fel shards when I hustled him out of the tavern.

Those 1000 low-grade fel shards were enough for me to become a Devil Knight. Gaining the equivalent of 5000 low-grade fel shards, I would now have the finances to hire a band of lackeys.

I could not touch Baron Mafino's resources. Azon killed him, so Azon kept the resources. Azon was my mother's follower. I had no right to things gotten by his efforts. The fact he was fighting my battles for me was worth much more than the items on a measly Devil Baron.

Jaffil quickly fled the scene with his tail between his legs. I bet he was vowing to get revenge one day.

"Haha, good come back anytime," I said.

I was happy to find a rival young master. If I can get Jaffil to bring me a sturdy stream of fel shards, my coffers will overflow!

~~~

Young devils rarely killed heirs of other devil clans. It was better to beat them up and get compensation.

Devils were long-lived, so fighting and gaining resources for your devilry was much more reasonable and economic than having life and death enmities between two devil clans. If they were similar in strength a war between two clans could last for centuries, draining the resources of both clans.

Devils weren't that foolish, so they had a common etiquette that enmities were squashed with compensation.

This rule of etiquette was ignored if there was a large disparity in the status of the two clans. The law of the jungle was the highest law in the Abyss.

Azon was the servant of a princess of a King clan. Obviously he was overbearing in the way he handled things if not dealing with members of a King or Emperor clan. If he wasn't his Princess would look down on him.

~~~

"Little cousin, you've made a mess!" said a loud, arrogant voice.

"Has me not beating you up for a few months made you think you can do anything you wish around Hudson City with no recourse?"