Chapter 9: Punishment in the Deep Night
Inside the study, Alice stood with her hands behind her back, her face cold as she looked at the lingering clouds outside the window.
All the bandages on her body had been removed, and there were no external injuries visible.
Not long after, a thin old man walked in slowly. He was the head butler of Baisen Manor, Stephen, and also Duke Byson's confidant.
"Young Master, it's all taken care of."
Alice nodded slightly upon hearing this, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.
"My foolish older sister, have you forgotten that when Father is away on business, I am the acting lord, with the right to mobilize the Bison Secret Guard and execute first before reporting?"
The Bison Secret Guard is an extremely special organization, combining functions such as stealth, espionage, assassination, and intelligence gathering. It is the foundation of the Bison Family.
The members of the Secret Guard possess absolute loyalty and only act according to the lord's commands. Most family members are unaware of their existence.
A long time ago, Duke Byson saw that Anne was not suited to be a leader, so he didn't tell her most of the confidential matters.
In contrast, Alice gained the Duke's attention before she was even ten years old and was trained as the heir to the Title , gaining access to all the secrets of the Bison Family.
Looking at Alice's calm and composed demeanor, Stephen couldn't help but remind her, "Miss, what about the master ?"
"Don't worry, I will speak to him myself. Father is a person who can discern right from wrong, and what he hates most is internal strife. Anne has already crossed the line!"
Immediately upon returning to the Manor, Alice had the Bison Secret Guard investigate. In just a few hours, crucial evidence was found.
And after obtaining the crucial evidence, Alice immediately had the Secret Guard execute Anne, without even a trial, showing no hesitation.
As the saying goes, nobles don't hold grudges overnight!
"Oh, right, how is the investigation into the identities of my two saviors progressing?"
Hearing Alice's question, Stephen immediately spoke slowly, "They are both poor people living in the outer city district, their families have lived by hunting and farming for generations..."
After listening to Stephen's report, Alice's face immediately filled with confusion, especially regarding the description of Dick.
Plain and unremarkable?
Honest?
Simple and kind?
Dislikes killing?
What a joke, that Dick is simply a sinister and cunning fellow, not only is his strength extraordinary, but he also doesn't even blink when killing people.
After dismissing Stephen, Alice walked to the floor-to-ceiling window in the study, her delicate brows tightly furrowed, her mind completely occupied with thoughts of Dick.
...
As night fell, in the central banquet hall of Baisen Manor, hundreds of sumptuous dishes were neatly arranged on the long table.
This was a grand banquet, specially prepared for Dick and Mina.
Alice sat at the head of the table, with the members of the Bison Family seated to her left and right. Although the string music was light, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
Because everyone noticed one thing: Anne's seat was empty!
As the eldest daughter of the Bison Family, she was required to attend such an important banquet; otherwise, it would be disrespectful to the honored guests.
Just as everyone was wondering, Alice stood up and announced loudly, "Now, I regret to announce a piece of news."
"My dear sister, Anne Bison, passed away suddenly due to illness not long ago. The funeral will be held on a chosen date!"
There was no sadness or joy on Alice's face, as if she was talking about a trivial matter. By the time she sat down, everyone had not yet reacted.
The drama of sisters fighting would make the Bison Family lose face, so Alice simply made up an excuse and did not reveal the truth.
Soon, the entire banquet hall erupted.
Anne's death was like a giant rock, heavily dropped into the pond of the banquet, stirring up a thousand waves.
The noise was constant, and many smart family members had already guessed what was going on, looking at Alice with reverence in their eyes.
Alice was attacked in the morning, and Anne died suddenly of illness in the afternoon.
Who would believe that these two things had no connection?
Dick was not surprised. He continued to eat the smoked meat on his plate with his head down. The family affection among nobles was as pathetic as ever.
Alice has always been someone who retaliates for the smallest grievance. There will likely be a major purge afterward, and those who once supported Anne will suffer.
However, Dick wasn't worried about Alice betraying him. The soul contract would prevent her from having any killing intent towards him, let alone doing anything bad.
"Alright, quiet down, let's begin the meal!"
Alice raised her hands and pressed them down. Although she was just a young girl, the pressure she exuded was like the Duke himself was present.
The banquet hall quickly quieted down, light orchestral music played, and the dinner proceeded as usual.
The giant rock sank to the bottom, and the waves it stirred up quickly returned to calm.
No one would mention Anne's death at this banquet today, unless they wanted to provoke Alice.
...
After the banquet, Alice invited Dick and Mina to the study for a talk.
When only the three of them were left in the room, Alice got straight to the point, "Speak, what exactly do you want?"
"Power? Status? Money? Or... women?"
As she spoke, Alice instinctively stepped back, afraid that Dick would set his sights on her.
The Aimiya Empire has a ranking for young girls, reportedly created by idle rich kids. There is no age limit for the ranking, and it includes all famous noble girls in the empire.
From second to ninth place, the competition is fierce, and the ranking changes from time to time.
But the first place is undisputed. Alice has been at the top of the list since she was 12 years old, unshakeable!
Anne, who only resembled her by seventy percent, was already a famous beauty in Baisen Territory, sought after by many noble sons.
Facing Alice's questions, Dick shook his head and chuckled. He had owned these things in his previous 99 lives, but in the end, they were nothing but fleeting clouds.
"Alice, your condescending tone displeases me. I think I must remind you of a fact again."
Dick beckoned with his finger and slowly commanded, "Come here and kneel, and bow to me like a true slave."
"What kind of joke is this, I, the dignified..."
Before Alice could finish speaking, her body moved on its own.
Even though she resisted with all her might, Alice could not resist the power from the depths of her soul. She was stripped of control over her body.
After the bow, Alice trembled as she got up, her eyes filled with tears of humiliation, but she couldn't feel any hatred in her heart.
"In the cave, you chose to live, chose revenge, and chose to become my lifelong slave. Don't make me remind you a second time."
"I understand... Master, Master."
Sitting back down on the sofa, the arrogance on Alice's face had completely disappeared, replaced only by fearful obedience.
Mina, who was standing by, was profoundly shocked. This was the second young lady of the lord's family, yet she was now so submissive.
"Heh, don't look so glum. Becoming my slave might be the luckiest thing that has happened in your life."
Looking at the confident Dick, Alice somehow felt inexplicably convinced, even though he was just a young man from a humble background.
Hmph, it must be the soul contract at work, it must be.
Alice comforted herself in her heart. She always felt that Dick was unreliable and that his future achievements would not be great.
Dick took a sip of tea and looked at the night outside the window, saying, "Next, I have two things I need you to do."
"Two, two things?"
Alice's voice trembled, thinking that the brutal scene was finally here.
Dick would definitely take her purity, then seize the wealth of the Bison Family, and even overthrow the entire Aimiya Empire.
She was now his slave and couldn't resist at all. The future was bleak...
While Alice was lost in thought, Dick spoke slowly:
"First, use the connections of the Bison Family to guarantee me and Mina entry into the Royal Capital Magic Academy as specially recruited students."
"Second, in the name of reward for saving your life, you will give me ten thousand gold coins. Remember to issue an invoice."
Directly asking Alice for money was the fastest way to complete the 【First Pot of Gold】. Did she really think he would honestly earn money?
After speaking, Dick looked at Alice again, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "Do you understand?"
Alice was stunned. That's it?
Originally, Alice thought Dick was very mysterious, full of wicked schemes, and plotting something huge.
But he only made these two requests?
Academy coursework was very heavy. Dick could clearly hire a tutor and study more comfortably, so why insist on attending school?
The strangest thing was that she was already enslaved by Dick, and he could clearly seize the assets of the Bison Family, so why did he only want ten thousand gold coins?
Was poverty limiting his imagination?
After several analyses, Alice instead felt that Dick was like any ordinary young man.
He was full of enthusiasm, ambitious, and had principles, rather than being a vicious and tyrannical villain.
Dick didn't seem that evil after all, at least he was a reasonable person...
"Come here and kneel for punishment!"
"???"
Alice looked at Dick in confusion, not understanding why she was suddenly being punished.
"From now on, when I ask you a question, you must give me an accurate answer within three seconds, do you understand?"
"I, I understand, Master." Alice quickly replied.
"Considering this is your first mistake," Dick thought for a moment and said casually, "I'll just give you a small punishment."
"?!"
Alice's pretty face was full of fear, and at the same time, she quickly withdrew the good impression she had just formed of Dick.