Shadow Slave: Error

Chapter 106 106: The Rules of the House

One week later...

Amon walked in the stunning corridor, every wall decorated with engravings, the creator putting the utmost care into it without a worm of doubt.

Amon was constantly using decryption, every time he met members of this family, every time something unusual happened, every time he was ordered. His spirituality was sending alarm signals every time to warn him that something harrowing would happen. He also made divinations, but he didn't like the results.

He divined three things for now: 1. How to escape? And the answer wasn't comforting. The vision showed nothing but darkness, just emptiness which made him anxious. 2. How to survive? He used his own blood as a medium to see the past of the young man whose body he had taken. And by the looks of it, there were several rules that he must adhere to strictly. 3. What happens if he doesn't follow the rules? The vision showed him hell, an agony so chilling that he interrupted his own divination from horror.

"Children, where are you?" He heard a motherly voice, filled with warmth and curiosity.

In a second, Amon stilled, his blood running cold. This was mother. And she was searching for her sons. If she found the children weren't in bed when it was time, then they would be locked underground. And their fate would remain unknown. For two days, nothing but screams would be heard, but not exactly pained, but excited. As if they were doing something thrilling, like children in an amusement park.

But Amon didn't want to find out what was happening under the castle. He wasn't exactly sure, but he didn't want to risk being found by mother and locked.

So he hid, his breathing low and inaudible as he remained rooted in place, hiding behind the curtains as mother walked with giggles, looking for mischievous boys.

"Where are you...?" She smiled, running in the corridor and then turning left as she heard laughter.

Amon let out a sigh of relief, leaning on the window, opening his eyes and relaxing. Finally, she left. Now, let's search-

"WHERE ARE YOU!?"

He froze as he heard a malicious shout, followed by a bestial growl. He closed his eyes, colour draining from his face as he held his breath, hearing the disturbing voices of beasts gnawing on bones, light dimming from the corridor, and rotting smell permeating the area.

However, it instantly vanished in a few seconds. Mother's expression was warm and curious, tapping her cheek as she giggled and continued walking. "Strange, I thought I heard a voice."

This time, Amon remained motionless, not moving for a few minutes in fear of her hearing even the slightest movement or breath. His body drenched in cold sweat as he cursed himself in his mind. Don't let your guard down, idiot...

Then he walked out, looking around, and after making sure there was no one, he let out the breath he was holding all this time, his heart beating wildly as he ventured deeper inside the castle.

Divination isn't working on Luna. And I can't use her honorific name as well to contact her. I can't even make a divination to check how my child is, is he born yet? Is he safe? Shit... It's as if this castle is separated from reality. He thought darkly, not even in the mood for his usual jokes, only cold certainty and precision remaining in his mind.

"Hello!"

Amon stopped, instantly using decryption to figure out how to act. Should I talk back? Should I ignore it? Should I turn around? Should I continue walking?

"Greetings, young lord." He turned around, smiling politely and bowed.

In front of him was a young man, older than him, around 25 years old yet he still acted like a 12-year-old child.

"Were you hiding from mother?"

Amon stilled, his smile twitching as his heart started beating in panic, his rational mind flooded by horror as he gulped, his legs shaking. How should I respond...

"Indeed, aren't we playing hide and seek, young lord?" He answered with a warm smile.

The young man laughed, his index finger on his lips as he shushed. "You won't tell her that I'm not in bed, right?"

"Of course, young lord. It won't be a game if I give the lady an answer, right?" He nodded pleasantly.

"Thanks, I'll go now." He grinned, phasing into the wall and leaving him alone.

"Shit..." Amon muttered under his breath. He knew that they knew when he lied. It was one of the rules: don't lie no matter what. And even if he used deceit and misdirection, it wouldn't work. They somehow always knew if he was telling the truth or not.

Now I need to avoid mother at all cost. If she finds me not working, I'll be punished. And if she questions me about her son, then I'll be in a rather difficult situation... which will end with my death. Lie to mother, there's no telling what your fate will be. Tell her the truth? That means you betrayed her son which will result in the same end.

Cursing, Amon quickly left, arriving in the grand hall. Observing it tensely, he saw leftovers on the table.

Frowning, he got lost in thought for a second. Mother finds me... She will get angry. Younger son finds it... He will start eating, and if it's not something spicy, he will kill me. If it's spicy food, then he will spare me. But if it runs out, he will ask me to make more and if I don't have any... He will eat me.

"Let's see if there's anything left on the table before mom will catch me, tatata~"

Amon snapped out of his thoughts, turning around as he heard a cheerful voice and the sound of playful steps. He swallowed, wiping sweat from his forehead as he dashed forward, taking plates, as many as he could, into the kitchen. Then he didn't even bother to go back, using Theft to empty the table, and as the last plate left it, the door opened, a young man's head popped out, observing the hall.

Amon heard a disappointed whimper, like that of a sulking child, and the door closed. He fell down, letting out a sigh as he covered his face. He was completely powerless. He couldn't defeat them. The only thing he could rely on was his intelligence, decryption and theft. Deceit was useless, it wasn't working on them and other abilities granted by his aspect remained untouched like deceit.

It's time to cook... He dragged his body, taking weird plants that grew in the forgotten shore and also flesh of nightmare creatures. He cut the plants, which from what he learned from decryption were vegetables.

Slowly, he started making a steak, making a fire and watching the pan heating up.

"Is that healthy?"

He narrowed his eyes, remaining silent for a few seconds. Healthy? Is this another rule? It's definitely mother, it's her voice. Decryption isn't helping me either. There's some form of disturbance which prevents me from figuring out the answer. Does that mean she's capable of interfering with decryption? Another thing to remember. Now... Mother definitely would like healthy food for her family. She's a proper lady of the house, after all. Acting as a perfect wife and mother, meaning...

"Indeed, my lady." He smiled pleasantly, not facing her. "For now, this may seem unhealthy but when mixed with other ingredients, it becomes a very nutritious and enjoyable meal."

"Why aren't you looking at me? Do you think my new dress is ugly?" Her voice slowly got twisted.

Amon could hear liquid falling on the floor, and as well a stomach growling from starvation.

Pursing his lips, he started analysing his situation and how to answer her question as a proper butler. He should be polite, reserved and understanding, not making his masters uncomfortable... In other words, his answer should be...

"Of course not, my lady. That's nonsense. You're as stunning as the rays of the sun described from the bright era." He smiled in a gentlemanly manner, chuckling.

"Then why aren't you turning around?" Her voice regained some of its human qualities, however, the rotting smell and bestial snarl were still there.

"Because I'm concentrating on the dish with a hundred percent focus. I can't let this lovely family starve now, can I? That's why I wish to make a memorable and very delicious dish. In fact, this is something I created myself and I would definitely like someone as experienced in cooking as you to judge it, my beautiful lady." He nodded to himself, smiling. Good... Every proper lady should know how to cook in their culture. I know mother likes cooking and often reads cookbooks. That means complimenting her taste would make her calmer and cooking a meal from my era and giving myself credit by saying I made it will intrigue her too. I think this will prolong my life and at the same time distract her from asking about her son.

"That's lovely, I'm looking forward to it." She clasped her hands, turning around and leaving.

Amon licked his lips, inhaling air and continued cooking, eventually making a soup. It wasn't anything special but for those in the forgotten shore who didn't know how to cook a proper meal with vegetables and spices, it would be marvelous.

Putting plates on the table, he looked at the clock. There were no seconds, minutes or hours. They were called here Grik, Darik and Tirik.

Grik was a second, Darik a minute and Tirik hours. Besides, there weren't 24 hours like on earth, instead 28. The day was four hours longer which was a bit difficult to adjust to.

Amon placed the meal on the table as doors opened and the family entered the beautiful hall, taking their seats.

"I sincerely hope you will enjoy it." Amon bowed with a polite smile, then straightened and left them alone as per etiquette, not disturbing their family moment.

But he didn't really care about that. He wanted to use this opportunity to investigate the castle while they were eating.

I have half an hour... He bit his lower lip, light gathering in his palm as a crystal monocle materialized that he put on his right eye, walking out of the hall with a small smile.

"Will you play with me~?"

He heard the childish voice of a girl, her tone curious and innocent. Amon's lips curled up, a cunning smile appearing on his face.

"Of course. Hide well, my lady."

The search for diary pages begins...

"Hi-hi-hi~"