It has been two days since the birthday party, and ever since, Lord Leonis Sanguis’s daily activities had drastically changed. The servants, including his personal maid, were used to him staying in his room and reading books. However, it was the total opposite now.

If he wasn’t in his office or the bedroom, then he would definitely be in the garden. For hours on end, the eccentric lord of the estate would busy himself with magic.

He would begin after breakfast, once his belly is full and his mind is relaxed. First, he would change into a flexible attire then start casting magic… or to be precise, the unique and inborn magical ability.

TITLE(S) : NONE

NAME : Arthur Bilgart

RACE : Blood Parasite

Lv: 4 (50%)

-

Strength : 64

Intelligence : 43

Agility : 54

Wisdom: 41

Vitality : 50

Dexterity : 55

Skills: Vampire Bite (Active Lv10) - Full Moon [Passive-Active] - Physical Enhancement (Passive Lv7) - Blood Succor (Active Lv6) - Mana Control (Passive Lv4) - Possession (Passive LvEX) - Universal Human Language (Passive)- Basic Arman Language(Passive)- Sadistic Torture (Active Lv5) - Corpse Dissection (Active Lv12)- Medical Field (Passive Lv4) - Knife Mastery (Passive Lv2)- Sanguis(blood) Barrier (Active Lv3)*

Excluding the freedom to impersonate Leonis Sanguis, Arthur only gained one ability from him. His stats increased by a negligible amount but the acquisition of the skill [Sanguis Barrier] was one of the better perks.

Some nobles, like Baron Lernon and Leonis Sanguis, hailed from special families equipped with inheritable magical abilities. The Sanguis Family has the Sanguis Barrier, which allows them to create barriers of all shapes and forms to not only defend themselves but also attack. Unfortunately, Leonis never cared about increasing the power and efficiency of his gift, instead, he ignored it and focused on his territory, wealth, and influence.

Thus did it fall on Arthur to hone the only ability that would not garner unwanted attention. Also, by constantly training and leveling it up, he could later use it to defend against powerful foes… but only if he was forced to fight, of course.

Alas, it was quickly proven to the parasite that the training he was, at first, so eager about, was mentally and physically exhausting.

Every living thing, material or immaterial, was made of a type of energy universally known as Mana. For mages, especially, Mana was absolutely necessary to cast spells. Essentially, it’s part of their body and once activated, it can achieve wondrous and miraculous things, which include various spells that could raze cities to techniques that could bring the dead back to life.

Generally, the more Mana an individual had, the bigger his potential and talent was. Nevertheless, there had been a couple of cases in which someone with a meager amount of Mana achieved the unimaginable, however, said individuals resorted to external means.

Unfortunately for Arthur, the System did not provide him with a numerical value of his Mana, but, after numerous exhausting training sessions, he managed to figure out what his limit was.

If it’s his proficiency in the usage of the Sanguis Barrier skill, then he was capable of conjuring a thin yellow-ish barrier 70 centimeters in length and 40 centimeters in width. As for its duration, he was able to sustain it for ten minutes before it disintegrated and his head was assaulted by a dizziness that would last for a couple dozen seconds.

The Skill’s lengthy description did mention the possibility of changing the shape of the conjured barrier, however, Arthur wasn’t able to do it due to its low level and his lacking proficiency and control. Still, he was pleased to have an extra defensive measure in times of emergencies.

“Ah- You’ve come at the perfect time, Evelyn.”

Arthur wiped his sweaty forehead and sat down, his hand stretching toward the hot cup of Black Tea.

“Using Magic is really tiring. I don’t know how people can bear through the dizziness. If not for your special Tea, I would have vomited already.”

“...”

The maid expressionlessly looked at him, the same way as usual. She stood there, bathing in total silence, not even deigning to offer her opinion.

“Not in the mood to talk? Or are you troubled by something? You can speak your heart, I’m a very good listener.”

“I’m not troubled, Master.”

“Good to hear.” Arthur nodded his head and emptied his tea then enthusiastically asked for a refill, to which the maid dutifully obliged.

“I’ll need some time to recuperate. Do you fancy a discussion? You’re going to stand there like a statue anyway, so why not broaden your horizons and debate.”

“I’m not following you, Master. Debate about what?”

“Many things, actually. Like your previous confusion about what I did back in the ‘after-party’. Your not-so-subtle curiosity about my eccentricity and abrupt change of character. Your nack for feigning obliviousness or ignorance. Whatever you want it to be.”

“...”

Arthur displayed a mysterious smile as he looked back at the maid. For a split second, she furrowed her brows only to regain her usual expression, trying to act natural.

“This is a good chance, you know. Who knows? Maybe I feel like being honest and entertaining your curious whims.”

“With all due respect, Master, even if I were to ask you, you will not give me an honest reply.”

“And why is that?”

Evelyn sighed and shook her head, appearing disappointed. “As your personal maid and protector, I feel hurt that you choose not to trust me.”

“So you think it’s because I don’t trust you? Hahaha”

The parasite laughed and emptied his second cup of tea. “There’s no need to deny it. I don’t trust you. As a matter of fact, I trust only myself. After all, who doesn’t have a secret or two, my dear Evelyn? I’m sure you are keeping a couple of things from me too.”

“You’re wrong, Master. I try to be transparent and wholly honest.”

“Well, you’re certainly not doing a good job at displaying it. Not like I care, however.”

“...”

The maid stood motionless, unblinking and rooted to the ground, like a statue. She seemed to be pondering about something but refused to voice her thoughts.

Arthur, on the other hand, was enjoying this. He was nonchalant about this rather sensitive topic, seemingly not taking it seriously.

“If you’re not going to choose a topic, then you won’t mind if I do, right?”

Evelyn tilted her head but still did not open her mouth.

“Emm, I’ll take that as a ‘yes’. Anyway, what do you think about the Aristocracy of this town?”

Getting more confused, the maid merely stared back at the parasite…

“Do you like them? Hate them? Respect them? Ah- pardon me, I specifically meant those who attended the ‘after-party’. Do you think they are ‘good people’?”

“My opinion is irrelevant, Master. What I think won’t change anything.”

“Irrelevant? Why is that so? I’m asking because I deem it important. And if it actually changed something, what would you want to change exactly? Do speak freely. For once, lay down your mask of obedience and consider us as equals, as two human beings.”

“Very well, Master.”

The maid performed a deep bow towards Arthur before grabbing a nearby seat and seat across him. She had a serious expression and her posture was no longer following the common ‘Maid Etiquette’.

“I’m all ears. Tell me what you think.”

“I think they are disgusting subhuman filth. A bunch of lecherous dogs that can only think about one thing. A lucky and illiterate bunch that are the lowest of the low.”

Although Arthur expected her to insult them, he was nonetheless surprised by her brutal harshness and the words she used.

As his smile widened, he chuckled and nodded his head in agreement.

“Why, then, do you choose to work for them? Is it for money? Or perhaps to gain a little bit of social status?”

“I’ve never worked for them.”

“You are working for me. Technically, they and I are not so different.”

“I do not think you’re like them. You killed those slaves, after all.”

“Indeed I did, but what about my motive? Was it really because I wanted to save them? Is that how you perceived it?”

“It doesn’t matter how I perceived it. By killing them, you released them from their torment, thus doing what was right.”

Arthur lowered his head and stroked his chin, deep in contemplation. Only after a minute of two of silence did he raise his head back again and speak,

“A curious way to phrase it, Evelyn. I did what was ‘right’? I’m actually intrigued. What did you mean by ‘right’?”

The maid frowned and mumbled a couple of inaudible words before answering him.

“Since you could not get them out of there, you killed them. You saved them from being tortured or violated. That’s what I think was ‘right’.”

“And would you say it was a kind or benevolent act?”

“I can express my opinion about your actions but I cannot judge them. It’s not my place to do so.”

“Oh, really?” Arthur rested his arms on the table and leaned closer to the maid. “To judge is to formulate an opinion, which you just did. Or are you talking about the real judgement? The one where you actually punish them according to the law or the generalized morality.”

“...”

“Who would be the judge, then?”

“...”

“Is it people like me and the rest of the aristocracy? The King? Or God?”

“We are but mere mortals. It’s not for us to judge people’s actions.”

“So… basically, you’re trying to say that no matter what people do, you can never judge them. You can’t punish them or stop them? You just think ‘Oh! He did something ‘right’ or he did something ‘bad’.”

“No. You can, but, by doing that, you would be acting based on your beliefs. Trying to validate them by exerting judgement.”

“What’s your final say, Evelyn? You’re beating around the bush. For people like those in that party, those you called filth, do you think only ‘God’ should judge them? That they should be left alone. Because that’s what you’re insinuating.”

“...”

“If judging someone and, for example, punishing them using personal methods, is only self-validation, then should we let them be? If what’s right was killing those slaves, then is it also ‘right’ to kill those who harmed them? Is it ‘right’ to kill them just because you regard them as evil ”

“I… I-”

“Why are you hesitating? As a maid, have you come to think of the Aristocracy as heavenly beings, to be worshiped and respected? Is that why you refuse to shift the blame to them?”

“That’s wrong. I loathe their very being.”

The woman’s voice became chillingly cold, even her expression hardened. She was giving Arthur a piercing glare, not unlike that of a vengeful beast.

“They are nothing short of Evil. Utterly devoid of remorse and compassion. I will not judge what they did, however, I do not condone it either… and if it falls to me, I will not hesitate to inflict upon them what they inflicted upon their lessers.”

“Careful now, Evelyn, you’re getting riled up.”

There was a bloodthirsty aura emitting from the maid, making her look scarier than usual. Fortunately, she quickly calmed down and returned to normal.

“I have this feeling that you want to aid those slaves. To free them from their shackles. Tell me, Evelyn, were you a slave too?”

There was an abrupt, almost unnoticeable shift in her expression, but it was quickly washed off by the emotionless mask forever plastered on her pale face.

“Were you also helpless and defenseless? Is that why you harbor so much hate?”

“My past has nothing to do with our discussion.”

“But it does, Evelyn. One’s opinion isn’t born from nothingness, it’s based on our experiences, values, and beliefs. You were a slave… or at least in a situation similar to them, therefore, you sympathize with their struggles. You do not distinguish between their tormentors. They’re all the same to you, thus do you seek to punish them. To torture them and kill them.”

“I said ‘if it falls to me’. I neither have the freedom nor the capability to do what I think is right. To Judge. There are no ifs in this world. This is my reality and I’ve chosen not to deny it or be delusional enough to start a suicide attempt just because I feel sorry for them.”

“A very interesting but lacking perspective. It is always a joy to hear the opinions of a different mindset. But I digress. How about me? As a noble, do you think I could do it? And would I?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s yes and no. I could, but I will not. If I tried, I probably could screw over all who attended this ‘after-party’. However, that could potentially implicate me and possibly endanger my life. Put simply, I don’t really care. I had the chance to kill those slaves and I did, that’s all there was to it. I did not act based on my emotions… there was an opportunity and I grasped it. As much as it’s hard to explain into words, it’s really just that. I might share some of your opinions concerning those nobles, but, as long as I don’t see them as a threat, I will not raise a hand.”

“Is it because you value your life?”

“Exactly! To keep on living is my utmost priority. I don’t care what it takes… even if I have to set the whole town ablaze, I will not lose this life.”