29 Chapter 29 ~ Repeat of the Same Exchange

A few minutes have passed since Diana went to another room inside the guild, leaving Shiro and the trio alone in front of the receptionists' desk. She said that she just has something to discuss with the guild master, and thus she left.

But as Shiro waited for her, he met with two people he was pretty much expecting to see again once he goes outside.

[ Vlad-san... It's nice to meet you again... Is it okay for me to ask why you're here...? ] aked the guy in front of Shiro, Caiden.

This is the first time he has seen Caiden up close; last time in the ring, they have exchanged their words in a faraway distance. But now that Shiro was able to see him this close, the first thing that came into his mind what that: \"So tall...\". Looking at the two of them, one could easily guess the difference between their heights, Caiden is at least 1/3 taller than Shiro. Shiro thought that Caiden was the tallest person he has ever seen in his entire life.

[ Well, I came here to register myself as an adventurer... ] Despite getting overwhelmed by the difference of their heights, Shiro still answered in a very calm manner.

[ Is that so... I suppose you have your reason? May I ask what is that? ]

[ Of course. Well, I came here mostly because I want to see how the guild works. Well, but other than that, I won't tell. ]

[ Is that so? It's okay, I get that you have something you better not telling others too... ]

[ ... ]

( Was he always like this...? )

Seeing Caiden acts so submissive towards him, Shiro was baffled. Unlike the arrogant attitude he has shown the first time they met, he was now acting completely docile towards him. Shiro was only able to think of one explanation why he's now very much a different person: it was because he's afraid of him.

Arrogant people will only be able to act arrogant to people they know are weaker than them, and Shiro is the complete opposite of weak; Caiden would never be able to act arrogantly towards him now that he knows how he was stronger than him.

having this thought inside his head, Shiro noticed that Caiden had shifted his gaze to the three girls behind him.

[ And them...? ] he asked, looking at the three people in Shiro's side who has collars on their necks.

[ Are they... Slaves...? ] Caiden whispered with a perplex look on his face.

[ Ahh, yes, you can say that... But, the truth is... They're more like my students... ]

[ Students...? ] Caiden was only able to mutter in surprise.

[ That's right. We're master's slaves, but we're also his students. ] Sarah stepped up, she stood beside Shiro and said those words with confidence and pride.

[ Umm, excuse me, but may I ask what is your relationship with our master? ] she then added, while also glancing at the woman in the side of Caiden who was just silent since earlier.

[ We're members of the hero's party... We met with your master just a few days ago... ] Caiden hesitantly replied.

[ The-The hero's party!? ] Sarah exclaimed in surprise.

[ I-I'm sorry for my rudeness! ] bowing her head low, she apologized.

[ Don't worry about it. ]

Looking at Sarah, a slave, Caiden thought: \"How is this person a slave...? She's clearly being treated well by Vlad... Furthermore, she very much looks proud of being his slave...\"

[ Master didn't mention that he has connections with the heroes... ] Sarah muttered to herself. Of course, Shiro was able to hear her muttering but he just decided to brush it off.

Caiden, on the other hand, removed his gazed at Sarah and turned his head towards Shiro again.

[ By the way, Vlad-san... We're having trouble treating Arthur... I know that this is rude of me to ask, but can you at least give us a clue how we might be able to cure his condition...? ] Caiden explained with a worried look on his face. He knows that what he said might get Shiro angered but he did anyway for the sake of his party.

But hearing his request, Shiro did not even bat an eye.

[ That, huh? I actually already forgot about that guy... it was Arthur, right? ] Shiro turned his head to the ceiling and muttered in a very quiet voice.

[ That's...! ] hearing Shiro's muttering, Alicia finally moved and exclaimed in anger. She took a step towards Shiro but was stop by Caiden. As she almost pounds to Shiro in anger, the thought that was inside her head was: \"How were you able to forget the guy you almost beat to death!\"

( This girl really has real anger towards me... She's the only person in their group that's able to show her real emotions towards me. She must have some kind of relationship with that Arthur guy... ) Shiro thought as he continued his unwavering attitude.

Realizing where the situation is going, Shiro took his eyes away from the angry Alicia and turned his head again to Caiden.

[ Caiden... san, was it? I will say that I can easily treat Arthur's condition, but I won't give any clues about how to treat him, I will only if it will benefit me. ]

[ That's... ] it was now Caiden's turn to say the same word Alicia has exclaimed earlier.

[ Vlad-san... ] suddenly, Alicia called his name in a whisper as her angry expression finally calmed down.

[ Vlad-san... You should already know that Arthur is one of the strongest and most important people in this country... if you think you can get away with what you did to him, I will tell you that you will not. This country will treat you as a criminal and will hunt you down. ] she explained to Shiro with a very angry tone.

But despite what she said, Shiro still remained calm and did not even twitch, if anything, what she said was only able to make Shiro's brows frown.

( She's trying to scare me off, huh? But... )

[ Alicia-san, I know what I did. I know that Arthur is a very important part of this country and that I should be treated as a criminal for what I did to him... But let me ask you this, why is this country still not doing any kind of move against me? How am I still able to walk freely on the streets, getting away with what I did. ]

...

...

There was no response. Caiden and Alicia were only able to stare blankly at Shiro's unwavering eyes.

Of course, everyone who has heard Shiro's words already knows the answer to his question. Only they were afraid to voice it out loud - that Vlad Alucard - was simply an entity they don't think they can handle.

[ Tsk...! ]

( Will she calm down if I treat Arthur...? Still, there's no way I will just suddenly treat him like that. His face still angers me. ) looking at the almost-crying Alicia, Shiro thought as he suddenly felt pity.

( There really is something going on between the two of them... Too bad it may be one-sided. )

[ Fine... I get it. We will find a way to treat his condition without relying on you. ] she answered as he looked at Shiro's eyes with bloodlust.

The atmosphere between the two of them became even heavier than it has ever been for the few minutes they've been talking with each other.

...

...

[ Uwah... Why does master look like he's the enemy here...? ] Lumi exclaimed with a baffled expression on her face. The other two slaves too can't seem to be able to comprehend what is going on between their master, and the two people he's arguing with.

Seeing how their master who always treats them very nicely displays such an attitude had surprised the three of them. Yes, their master might be strict when it comes to their training, but he has never shown such a rude attitude towards the three of them.

[ Ma-Master looks angry... ] Nina whispered.

[ I... I can't believe what I'm hearing right now... ] Sarah muttered to herself with a blank expression on her face.

Alicia was able to hear their words and it made her face frown. It was easy to see that he treats his slaves very well, but Alicia thought: \"If he really treats his slaves this nicely, then how come he's like this to us...!? Is he looking down on us? Are we lower than his slaves to him!?\"

...

...

[ Haa... Haa... Haa... Vla-Vlad-sama... Sorry for making you wait...! ] suddenly, Diana, the receptionist, came out of nowhere, catching her breath as sweat also runs down her forehead.

And upon her arrival, the heavy atmosphere was finally able to cool down .

[ O-Oh! Alicia-sama! Caiden-sama! You're here too? ]

[ It's nice to see you again, Diana. ] Alicia finally released her gazed to Shiro and turned to Diana.

[ I-It's nice to meet you again too, Alicia-sama. Ah, excuse me! ] she bowed and replied, she also bowed to Caiden.

After -

She then faced Shiro and said -

[ Vlad-sama... The guild master is requesting a meeting with you...! ]

[ Is that so? ]

[ Yes, bu-but! He said that if you're not ready to meet him yet, he can always wait. ] still, with her stuttering words, she added.

[ No, it's okay, I will meet him now. ]

[ The-Then, please please follow me. ] she said, turning around and started to walk.

Ignoring the existence of the two people in front of him, Shiro followed and also faced the other direction. While his slaves also hesitantly followed his back.

[ Wait. ] suddenly, Caiden voiced interrupted.

[ Can we come too? ] he asked with a serious look on his face. Alicia too has a serious face, as if they're pressuring Diana to allow them to come.

[ O-Of course, Caiden-sama! Alicia-sama! I'm sure the guild master will allow it. ]

And so, the two of them also followed.

( I hope nothing messed up will happen again. ) looking at the people at the end of their line, Shiro muttered to himself.