The 'Adept' Servant!

Early the next morning, the three remarkably contented dragon-matriarchs reluctantly emerged from the dungeon. Du Chen had, both subtly and overtly, ridiculed their lack of 'noble' conduct during last night's banquet. Thus, keen on upholding their 'noble' demeanor, the three sisters had no choice but to abandon the 'magnificent' and 'robust' Divine Grant Earl Brockman and begin preparing breakfast.

The dragon race, who prided themselves on their nobility, cherished their reputation dearly. Hence, they were determined to reclaim the 'face' they had lost at last night's banquet through this morning's breakfast.

“My dear sisters, go forth and eliminate all Aberrant Beasts within a hundred-mile radius! Alas, our cousin Andy eats far too much. I truly don't know how his diminutive frame can hold such an immense quantity of food. Yesterday, the banquet prepared to dragon-scale proportions was devoured by him by more than half—enough to feed us three sisters for two whole days! And it was evident he wasn't even full. If others were to learn that we allowed our guest to go hungry, it would be utterly disgraceful.”

“Indeed, cousin Andy is truly something else!” Linda and Betty nodded in agreement, then hurried off to procure more food.

Breakfast was once again served in the great hall on the ancient castle’s first floor. Du Chen chuckled, touching his nose as he observed the array of roasted meats piled high like small mountains on the dining table, and Andy beside it, gorging himself with astonishing speed.

Previously, Du Chen had been puzzled by Andy’s ability to consume food far larger than his own body. But now, Du Chen mused, 'Isn't it just the rapid absorption and transformation function from the Composite Aberrant Beasts experiment? Heh heh, science truly is the greatest bane of ignorance.'

Lost in thought, Du Chen suddenly grimaced at the lavish spread before him. Then, without taking a single bite, he crossed his knife and fork on his plate!

“Brother, is there something you’re dissatisfied with?” Jennifer was taken aback. In Western dining etiquette, Du Chen’s gesture implied, 'Host, I am finished; you may remove my plate.' Coupled with not having eaten a single bite, it was an explicit declaration: 'I am highly dissatisfied with your arrangements, host!'

“My esteemed sisters, we are family, and this junior brother has something to say. Your culinary skills are impeccable, and among ourselves, your preparations are not impolite. However, before outsiders, for such a grand noble breakfast to lack any servants is truly improper! It severely compromises the dignity of nobility, alas…”

The sisters’ faces flushed, then they chuckled proudly. Yesterday, due to the lack of servants, they had already completely lost their noble 'face.' How could they repeat such a mistake today? “Brother,” Jennifer said, “it is true, this is an oversight on our part. But truth be told, we are short on servants; we only have two, and one is gravely injured and cannot walk.”

Linda chimed in with a laugh: “The healthy servant is currently busy in the kitchen. Worry not, he will be here to serve the meal shortly. Heh heh, Brother Francis, you haven't yet experienced being served by a Divine Grant Earl, have you?” A smug expression appeared on her face.

“Oh? My esteemed sisters can employ a Divine Grant Earl as a servant? Battle God above! Can you make him appear quickly? I can hardly wait! Ha, to be served by a Divine Grant Earl… A sound of feigned awe escaped my lips,” Du Chen said, looking at the three sisters with 'envious' eyes.

Amidst the sisters’ triumphant calls, Brockman, quite possibly the servant of the highest status on the Three Continents, pushed a dining cart through a side door and entered the great hall.

Heavens! Was this truly the same charming, dashing, and spirited Brockman!?

Du Chen had anticipated the beginning and the end, but not the excruciating middle. Poor Mr. Brockman, after enduring days as both a captive and a male concubine—such unbearable memories—had long lost his former heroic bearing. Though he was dressed in a standard noble butler’s tailcoat, and his long hair was slicked back and gleaming, presenting a somewhat presentable appearance, his steps were weak, his complexion ashen. His once handsome eyes now lacked any sparkle. Most outrageous of all, from the exposed skin at his collar and cuffs, it was clear his body had endured some 'inhuman' torment—indeed, not the torment inflicted by 'humans'…

“Ah!?”

The moment Brockman saw Du Chen, a flicker of spirit appeared in his eyes. He almost rushed forward to pour out his unfortunate tale, but seeing his servant’s attire and dejected state, he quickly turned and walked away, head bowed.

“Hmph!” Jennifer fixed her icy gaze on Brockman. She said coldly, “What are you doing? Do you intend to make me lose face before my friend!? Damn it, I'll 'reward' you well tonight!”

“No, I… I wouldn’t dare…”

“Hm?” Linda emitted a peculiar snort. Du Chen deliberately pretended to be too shocked to speak, thinking to himself, 'Wait until you’ve further disgraced yourself, then this old man will rescue you!'

Linda’s cold snort made Brockman shiver. What horrific thought had seized him, he quickly turned back, trembling, and bowed, repeating his previous words in a humble tone. “No, my three mighty masters, your loyal servant Brockman would not dare defy your commands!”

In that moment, Brockman’s heart turned to ashes. Alas, perhaps he should abandon the great cause of the organization and simply end his life!

“Good, you understand! Come here, and greet our brother, Lord Francis!” Jennifer beckoned.

Brockman’s legs felt as if infused with a thousand tons of weight as he painfully shuffled towards Du Chen, then looked at his friend with misery, reluctance, and shame. Meanwhile, Du Chen was still 'in a daze.'

Alas, he couldn’t believe even Lord Francis was stunned by his current appearance. Brockman lowered his head bitterly. “Greetings, esteemed guest!”

Jennifer nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Du Chen, chin held high, and smiled. “Brother, what do you think of my servant? Is there another servant on the Three Continents as noble, as handsome, and as obedient as him?”

“None!” Du Chen exclaimed 'instinctively.' Then, he abruptly stood up, seized Brockman’s hand, and cried in alarm, “Heavens, Brockman, my friend! You, how could you… Alas!”

Du Chen nearly stomped his feet and beat his chest, lamenting his 'friend’s' plight. He exclaimed, “Heavens, why must you endure so much suffering? In York Town, you had all your money and clothes stolen by despicable thieves, leaving you naked and trapped in your room, and were almost sold as a male slave! Why can’t misfortune leave you be!? And now, you again…”

“Francis, to see you…” Brockman emotionally seized Du Chen’s hand. Heavens, he finally recovered from his shock—there was hope for salvation! In his excitement, Brockman even abandoned his noble manner of speech, desperately grasping Du Chen’s hand. “I beg you, save me, save me once more!”

The three sisters suddenly felt their scalps tingle. Damn it, why were all their captives friends of Francis!? Heavens, they had done *this* to Brockman… Would Francis, in a fit of rage, kill them!?

The three sisters quietly became vigilant, watching Du Chen’s reaction closely.

Du Chen looked left and right in a troubled manner, then suddenly sighed. “My esteemed sisters, I won’t say much more; we are family!”

“Right, right, family!” Linda quickly interjected. “That’s right, Brockman is different from your other friends. Your other friends were captured by us sisters, and undeniably, that was our mistake! But Brockman trespassed into our territory. You know, we captured him according to the dragon race’s rules, which are also the rules of Mount Miglio!”

“Mr. Brockman, is this true?” After Brockman nodded, Du Chen nodded in sudden understanding. “Since that is the case, then my esteemed sisters are not at fault. The rules of Mount Miglio are well known throughout the Three Continents, and Mr. Brockman, having transgressed your rules, should indeed be punished!”

Brockman was greatly alarmed, thinking to himself, 'When I arrived, the three sisters hadn't even set up boundary markers! And even if they had, I still needed to enter to check on the situation at the Number Five Base!'

He watched Du Chen nervously. Du Chen continued, “However, I would never abandon a friend! How about this: let us proceed according to the rules between nobles. Esteemed sisters, name your price; I am willing to pay any cost to redeem Mr. Brockman’s freedom!”

This was true friendship! Brockman’s nervous gaze transformed into gratitude.

The three sisters were stunned for a long time. After a brief consultation, Linda held down the hands of her two sisters and interjected with a laugh, “Truth be told, we are truly reluctant to part with this servant. But what can we do, you are our brother after all? Sisters, wouldn't you agree? Heh heh, since it is a noble’s rule, I, your elder sister, cannot break it. Yet, I also cannot disregard your 'face' as our brother. How about this: a symbolic single copper coin!”

She extended one finger.

And just like that, Du Chen bought back Brockman for a single copper coin. After lingering for half a day, the group departed the three sisters' ancient castle. Of course, the gravely wounded Sinos was also purchased by Du Chen as an afterthought—though he wasn't even worth a copper coin; he was a gift!

After putting a good distance between themselves and the ancient castle, the students no longer feared the three sisters pursuing them. The lotus on Du Chen’s backside finally began to bloom. While the good deeds of saving these few lives were not enough to make the lotus bloom significantly, Du Chen inwardly rejoiced at seeing 'Number Six' having bloomed to fifty or sixty percent. Oh, and recently the Lotus Charitable Foundation had also added many good deeds for Du Chen!

He believed it wouldn't be long before the Grand Matriarchs completed their transformation, which would be equivalent to bestowing over a hundred lives—a truly great good deed! By then, 'Number Six' would likely have fully bloomed!

Du Chen found an excuse to have Harry reappear before everyone. Then, as the students prepared to set up camp, he approached Brockman.

Brockman, seeing Du Chen approach, sat on a log and sighed wearily. He gazed back at the ancient castle and shook his head dejectedly.

“Lord Brockman, let bygones be bygones!” Du Chen offered a few words of comfort, then asked, “My classmates and I are about to head to our next destination. What are your plans now?”

“I… I don’t know…” Brockman said blankly. He still hadn't shaken off the lingering trauma left by the three sisters.

However, Brockman hadn't forgotten his organization's mission. He glanced at Andy, who was eating nearby, and thought with trepidation, 'What a powerful aura! Few in the organization possess such a presence! With him here, my mission is compromised!' He then turned to Du Chen. “Lord Francis, sir, where did you acquire such a powerful Divine Pet? And how did you become friends with those three sisters?”

“Powerful Divine Pet!? Ha!” Du Chen gave a puzzling smile and waved his hand dismissively. “I simply exchanged him for roasted meat!”

“What!? Are you joking? Oh, no, I’m not doubting you, but… that’s simply incredible!”

“It’s natural for you not to believe it, as it is rather incredible, but it’s truly the truth!” Du Chen shrugged. “You saw his appetite at breakfast this morning—it’s enormous! That day, we were roasting meat in the jungle when Andy suddenly appeared… The process was complicated, yet quite amusing. I’ll tell you the details another time! In any case, Andy willingly followed me in the end—because I can afford to feed him! I am, in fact, one of the few on the Three Continents who can.”

Brockman stared at Du Chen, dumbfounded, thinking, 'Could it truly be that good deeds are rewarded!? Francis is too kind; even Heaven favors him so much! Could it be that Heaven is punishing me because I harbored ill intentions towards this benevolent Francis?!'

“Later, the three sisters seemed to misunderstand something. The moment they saw Andy, they claimed he was their cousin and insisted he was a descendant of Constantine and Sophia—though Andy himself couldn't clarify it! Nevertheless, because of this, the three sisters and I became friends!”

Du Chen took a small pouch from his backpack and said sincerely, “Lord Brockman, my friend! In my opinion, Mr. Sinos is also gravely wounded. You should return to York Town with us and then go home!”

He took out two Soul Crystals from the pouch and pressed them into Brockman’s hand. “As for the birthday tribute you wish to give your grandfather… these past few days, Brook has slain some high-level Aberrant Beasts. Here are two Tier-Six Soul Crystals…”

“Mr. Francis, what is this…?” Brockman was greatly startled.

“We are friends, so I sincerely advise you not to continue taking risks. Your recent luck and current condition are truly… Alas, these Soul Crystals should be enough to please your grandfather!”

“This, how can this be, Francis? How can I accept your items? Moreover, the value of these Soul Crystals is…”

“Please take them. We are good friends. One is a birthday tribute from you, and the other is a small token of my regard for your grandfather!” Du Chen pressed Brockman’s hand, forcing him to accept the two Soul Crystals. He then glanced at the pouch, which still contained several jewels and “Number Six”!

“Oh, and Andy’s appetite is quite interesting! Not only does he eat normal food, but he also enjoys strange and exotic things!” With that, Du Chen tossed a jewel into Andy’s mouth. The chubby wolf gulped it down in a single 'awoo!'—his stomach could even digest alchemical products, let alone mere jewels!?

Brockman gasped, “Heavens, that’s amazing!” His gaze was fixed on “Number Six.”

“Indeed, a chubby wolf that eats jewels is quite miraculous! Otherwise, why would I say there are few on the Three Continents who can afford to feed him?” Du Chen tossed jewels to Andy one by one. Finally, he even tossed “Number Six” into Andy’s mouth.

Damn it, Andy ate Number Six!? Brockman’s heart skipped a beat!

It's over! Was he now expected to steal Number Six back from the belly of such a powerful Aberrant Beast!?

Du Chen finished throwing everything, then smiled. “Alright, Andy is finally full! This chubby wolf! He’s good in every way, but his appetite is just too enormous, and he’s too greedy! I truly suspect that one day someone might just abduct him with a few pieces of roasted meat! As long as the roasted meat tastes good enough, heh heh…”

Hearing Du Chen’s playful remark, Brockman’s gaze began to wander…

Misty Forest, night.

Everyone was asleep. Deboning was patrolling on one side, keeping watch, while Andy lazily sprawled in another direction, guarding with his unique aura and incidentally scaring a few long-haired rabbits to death for a snack.

Two furtive figures slipped out of a tent and quietly approached Andy’s side.

Brockman thought with regret, 'Francis, you are a good man, but we are enemies. I can only say I’m sorry. Truly sorry, my friend…'