"The reason behind your silence is also the reason why that Cultist came for your daughter—Special Eyes," Ashok stated.
The Duke and the others were visibly stunned. Their eyes bulged, nearly popping out of their sockets. Not only had Ashok revealed the secret of the Duke’s wife, but he also exposed the secret the Duke had kept about his daughter.
"What’s there to be so shocked about?" Ashok asked, his tone almost mocking. The three finally managed to control their expressions, but the tension in the room remained palpable.
"The only thing shocking is the fact that your daughter must have had extreme luck being born with tremendous soul power and special eyes. The special eye she was born with was even awakened from birth and instinctively worked in her favor, absorbing her tremendous soul power to balance the soul and body," said Ashok.
"My daughter is a born genius," the Duke declared, his face radiating pride. The Head Butler and Cassius nodded in agreement from the side.
Ashok immediately poured water on their prideful face "What genius? If being lucky is a trait of a genius then I am sad to say that your daughter is currently no longer that genius. Her luck has run out long ago."
"What do you mean?" asked the Duke, his voice tense with concern.
"Special Eyes are occurrences even rarer than being supernatural. If a supernatural is born once each year only to die, then Special Eyes are born once every ten years. Because they often remain unawakened, so they are not considered much of a threat.
Now, in your daughter’s case, her Special Eyes were awakened and even absorbed her tremendous soul power. So, what should be the result?" Ashok explained
"Her eyes will be strengthened," said the Head Butler, his voice steady.
"Good! At least you studied something in the tower." Another praise followed by a sarcastic remark.
"The strengthening was no ordinary strengthening. Special eyes are already powerful by nature, but now her special eyes, after absorbing her tremendous soul power, became even stronger. The outcome, your daughter is currently lying in a comatose state," Ashok explained.
"But didn’t you just say that it is the work of a witch?" Cassius asked, his confusion evident.
"You should stop swinging swords and start meditating a little. I don’t think, with that lacking brain of yours, you could ever become an Ascended," Ashok retorted. A vein popped on Cassius’s forehead as he struggled to control his anger.
"The special eyes make your daughter’s potential extremely high, even among the Great Witches. A potential that rivals the Witch Queen herself. After the death of your wife, your daughter’s current state is like an extremely sweet honey placed out in the open without the protection of a bee. So, what would happen? Won’t everyone want a taste of free honey?
The Cultists are a minority in that everyone, while the witches are a majority. Do you think that the witches would ever leave someone with the potential to become the next Witch Queen to stay inside the mansion playing house?" asked Ashok.
The faces of the three immediately grew somber, the weight of Ashok’s words sinking in deeply.
’How easy it is to manipulate the emotions of these three,’ thought Ashok.
"If she were under the protection of the Empire’s First Sword, the Elf King, or the Beast Lord, the witches would think twice before making a move. But they don’t care whether someone is rich or poor," said Ashok, indirectly calling the Duke and his aides weak.
Cassius gnashed his teeth, cursing himself for his weakness. The Head Butler was no different, feeling the weight of their vulnerability. However, the Duke, ever pragmatic, did not dwell on regrets. Instead, he asked, "So, what should we do now?"
"First, we need to deal with the witch hiding in your mansion," Ashok stated.
As soon as he said that, Cassius tightened his grip on his sword, while the fighting spirit flared in the eyes of the Duke and the Head Butler.
"Where is she hiding?" asked Cassius, electric currents swirling around him.
"If I tell you her hiding place, what will you do? Rush in?" Ashok questioned, looking directly at Cassius.
"Yes," Cassius immediately responded and suddenly had a feeling that he should not have answered.
Ashok turned his gaze to the Duke and remarked, "It would be better if you kick this idiot out. For me, a sword in the hands of someone foolish is even more threatening than a witch."
The Duke and the Head Butler both glared at Cassius with a look that clearly said, ’Shut up.’
The thunder swirling around Cassius died, and his head drooped like a sad puppy scolded by its owner.
"Currently, the witch inside the mansion is nothing more than a Witch’s Disciple. But if we kill that witch without any plan, the next who will come will be a Great Witch.
If one of the high ranking ones decides to come, they will destroy the entire Southern Duchy, kill you three, and then abduct your daughter. After that, you can only imagine the life of your daughter being hunted by the union of races," Ashok explained, his voice steady and grave.
The Duke couldn’t even imagine the state of his daughter after his death, and he immediately asked Ashok, "You must have a plan if you came here."
Ashok let out an evil smirk and began outlining his plan.
…
The Duke, Head Butler, and Cassius understood one thing after listening to Ashok’s plan: this kid was evil. A true evil. An evil incarnated as a human being.
The three looked at each other, and the Duke asked, "I have no problem with your plan, and I am sure it will safeguard my daughter’s future, but why are you truly going that far for my daughter? Why would you endanger your own future for her? This is my first time even seeing your face, and I am sure you haven’t met my daughter."
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"Well, I am not like those stupid witches who do not care about the rich or poor. I am sure the Duke will fulfill my demands if I deal with that witch and also cure your daughter," Ashok said confidently.
"If you manage to cure my daughter, I will take the Oath of Mana to fulfill every single one of your demands, as much as I can with the wealth I have accumulated in my entire life," the Duke responded, accepting the words of a devil.
The Head Butler and Cassius considered stopping the Duke from making such a promise, but they knew that rejecting this offer would endanger the Young Miss’s life.
"Who is the witch, and where is she hiding?" asked the Duke. With the promise made, there was nothing holding him back—it was time to take action.
"Extremely close to your daughters, the maid serving her is the witch," said Ashok.
"There are two maids that serve her, and both of them have different shifts. Which one among the two?" asked the Duke, his voice tense.
"The two maids that were serving her are long dead since your daughter fell ill. The witch uses their bodies as shells to remain close to your daughter every single second of the day," explained Ashok.
The Duke clenched his hands tightly. The realization that the one threatening his daughter’s life was so close, yet unnoticed, was infuriating. None among the three doubted Ashok’s words; no proof was required.
Ashok turned to the Head Butler and said, "Act according to the plan. Don’t lose your emotions."
The Head Butler nodded and exited the room using the gate.
"Prepare the items," Ashok instructed the Duke before turning to Cassius.
"You will get only one chance. Do what you do best and don’t make any mistakes."
Cassius nodded, understanding the gravity of his responsibility.
…
The Head Butler walked through the hallways of the mansion. Workers were cleaning and polishing the antiques displayed in the grand estate. He arrived before the room of the Young Miss. The gates to the room were shut, and the Head Butler knocked on the door.
The gates slowly opened, and a woman wearing a maid’s uniform stepped out. She flinched upon seeing the Head Butler and asked in a shaky voice, "H-Head Butler, is anything the matter?"
In a strict voice, the Head Butler replied, "The Duke has summoned you."
"R-Right now, Head Butler? But it’s around time to feed the Young Miss," the maid said, her voice quivering.
"You don’t need to worry about that. It won’t take long. Follow me immediately," the Head Butler instructed, turning around and starting to walk.
The maid closed the door behind her and followed the Head Butler. Her arms were constantly shaking, and her body quivered from time to time.
As they walked, nearby servants cast pitiful glances her way but immediately went back to work upon seeing the Head Butler’s stern face. With small tears in her eyes, she asked, "Head Butler, have I made some mistake?"
"Why do you think so?" the Head Butler asked as he continued to walk without stopping or turning around.
"Because… HICCUP," the maid started crying at this point. "Because a few days ago, a servant was called by the Duke and he was kicked out for neglecting his duty. Head Butler, I have never once neglected my duties.
I took care of the Young Miss with all my heart. I don’t want to be kicked out. I have small brothers to feed in the village. Please, sir…"
The Head Butler said nothing and kept walking. If the maid had seen his face, she would have immediately run away. His facial muscles were tightly clenched, and his eyes were red with anger, but none of the other servants dared to meet his gaze.
Because the maid was seeing his back, she couldn’t see his extremely vengeful expression.