Chương 408: Chapter 381. Last Moments Of An Artist

Charles Ingram's Point Of View" Hahaha!" I couldn't help but laugh at my good fortune. His Majesty, King Maximus, granted me a bonus of 5 Large Platinum Coins for my work of breaking the prisoner. Now with him finishing his questioning of it, I can finally do what I've wished to since I saw him. Whip! / SHING! / I unfurled my tool kit in excitement. From the scalpels and bone saws, the needles and the pliers... I can't wait to finally enact all of my wildest fantasies to his body.

Ever since I saw him, I knew he'd be a perfect subject to play with. I could truly practice My Art undaunted, in a way I haven't in the past 400 years... Not since when we captured those Humans when I was an Apprentice. I fear I've grown dull with the ways the Human body works, I wish to correct that assumption tonight. First, I need it here, in this Operation Room of mine, it shouldn't be too much trouble, its lost itself due to my work.

I turn to Glenn, one of the Guards assigned to the Dungeon and also one of My Subordinates and make my command clear." Glenn, grab the prisoner, I'd like to begin."" Yes, Sir." / Click. / Glenn left and closed the door behind him. I was glad, since that meant I could prepare the room in silence. We were in My Office... Well, not my "official" office, but what I like to call My Office. It's actually my Torture Room, but in reality, it's my Art Studio.

It's quite nice for a Torture Room, compared to my predecessors, I mean. Before I took over, this room was so... Ancient. Stone walls and floor, blood everywhere, wooden tools and devices... It wasn't good enough for what we must do here. What we do here is a Fine Art! It should be treated with Reverence and Respect! Without our jobs as Torturers, whole battles in History would've gone so differently!

Even when it came to forcing those filthy Dark Elves from our lands, it was only possible because we captured them and learned their secrets. I still travel down to the bowls of the Dungeon to greet My Predecessor's works! The fact they still live, in such pain... My Predecessors continue to bring me Inspiration and Guidance even when they're no longer here! I can't wait to add my own to the Museum down there. Perhaps I'll make my first addition with this current subject? Should I do a once over of my tools? No!

My devices should be the first I look at!" Yes... Clean..." / Clack! /" Functioning as well... Good." First, I checked the Magical Device in the shape of a white table. My first order of business after taking my position from My Predecessor was to order this custom-made Magical Device. It possesses 2 modes, a stable mode, where it will not move regardless of any movements made on top of it.

And then there's uneven mode as I call it, the table senses the distribution of weight on top of it and moves itself in a way to disrupt the weight, ensuring that a subject on the table can never be comfortable. Finally, to ensure that the subject will stay on the table, I had shackles and cuffs added to hold the subject down onto the table. With that, I've ensured the first improvement in this room... Yes, this room...

What was first, only grey stone, has now been made into white walls and cold metal floors, ensuring that the lightly dressed prisoners will never feel comfortable with the temperature of the room. It cost quite a few coins, but sacrificing for Art has always been the curse an Artist must bear. Now, with my first device checked and ready, I'll move to the second on the Northern wall." Hmm... Yes... Still good... The spikes?" / THUNK! /"Perfect!"

The Northern wall was quite simple, 2 flat pieces of metal stood in the shape of an X, of course, it was made to also include shackles and cuffs to hold the prisoner or subject I'd need to extract information from. And of course, it included my own flare as a twist on such an old favorite of us Torturers! From the frame to the shackles and the cuffs, small spikes made of Orichalcum can be operated with the use of my mana to poke and prod as I like, they can even adjust their length and girth as well.

Truly, something only someone as Gifted as I could think of! The looks on the faces of the Craftsmen when I explained what I wanted were painted with a sense of fear. I could only wonder why? Could they not see the Beauty? The sheer touch of Artistic Sensibility to see something like this be made and used to bring Great Fortune to this wonderful Country? To their own lives!? To think they would feel confusion while making this? As if I would use it on my own Countrymen! It's sheer blasphemy!

Unless, of course, my King demanded it of me. But I'd take no pleasure in harming an Elf, it'd feel almost like cutting meat for dinner, no joy could be found in the task, only my knife running through the motions for the sake of the end goal. No... I mustn't think of them for now, I must focus and clear my mind. I must be precise and acute, like a Doctor preparing for surgery... And what good is a Doctor without their tools? I eye them, I could almost swear I could feel them glowing a light onto me.

I could feel the desire stirring within me, the desire to use them. My Scalpel... I could hear it begin to sing to me, to thirst for blood, to hunger for flesh. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation." No... Calm yourself, soon... So soon, you'll receive your due. And not just you, but all of your Brothers and Sisters as well." I begin to move the table I placed my tools on to the side of the Magical Device in the shape of a table.

The anticipation is growing within me, soon, I'll be able to paint with the colors hidden within my subject, I'll make him into Art. Such Beautiful Art. / Click. /" Ah, Glenn, just place it on the table for now, I need to preform maintenance on My Tools." Stab!" Huck!" Pain!" What!?" I feel pain... My chest?... I looked down... Glenn's Rapier? Why? I turn my head to see what he's doing..." Wha?" Twist!" Hyack!"" Yeah, I don't think Glenn will be able to help you.

Unless your Race can automatically fix broken necks, but I doubt it." He smiles at me... His eyes?" Why? Huak!" Pull! FALL! / SMACK! SPLAT! / He pulled the blade out of my chest. My body gave out... I can't breathe... I fell onto the floor... It's so cold... My blood... My precious blood... Why is it going away from me. I can't move..." Ah? I see, you're wondering why you can't move, right?" I look back at him... Still clothed in prison garbs... But why?" You asked "Why" before as well? Why am I doing this?

Well, that's because your Magic didn't work." He bent down so I could get a better look at him. His eyes... They're so full of life now." Oh right! My name isn't "it" or "Human" or "prisoner" or "slave". No, my name is Matthew Drake... Actually, that's a lie too, Charles. My name is actually John Ericsson. And I'm a High Paladin. And not just any, but a High Paladin Blessed with the Favor of an Archangel. This probably means nothing to you, but I'm trying to explain why we've come to this point.

You see, High Paladins have higher Defenses than a Paladin... You follow?"" He's... He's smiling... He's mocking me..."" Oh, don't look so angry. Anyways, along with the better Defenses from being a High Paladin, another factor is the Gods whose Favor a Paladin had received... And let me tell you right now, judging by the fact that you've been trying for 5 weeks with nothing to show for it. She's higher of a Being than you can even comprehend." / Clap! / He clapped... He looks... Happy?" Oh right!

Last, but not least! Since Glenn had the keys to those Mana-Blocking Cuffs of yours, I was able to let myself out. Because of that, I can use my Magic now. And you see, Summoning Magic applies. The reason you can't move? That's due to the Magic of one of my Contracted Spirits. Lily, The Rose Queen of The Spirit Forest. You can't move because of that guy... Glenn! Glenn's sword, I coated it in a paralysis toxin thanks to Lily's Magic""!"" Yes, frightening, isn't it? A God you can't fathom? A Spirit Sovereign...

And they all wanted nothing more than to kill you since I met you. But I had to keep telling them to wait." I'm... Dying... They want me dead... No, he can still heal me!" Hm? Ah... You want me to heal you? Your eyes say more than you'd think." Yes, heal me! HEAL ME, YOU DIRTY HUMAN!"" Sorry, even if I didn't have all of my Spirits and Angela yelling at me not to heal you, I wouldn't do it anyways. Don't you remember what I said at the start?"

"..."" Oh right, you can't speak. Allow me to remind you. I said my name was Matthew and then I corrected myself. My true name is John Ericsson. I'm an Otherworlder." Why?... Why are you telling me this!?" Oh? Confused? Well, I want you to know, the second I told you my real name, that was the moment where there was no going back. I needed to kill you, because I can't let anyone know my real name for now, unless I trust them. Now let me ask you a question. Do you think I'd trust a freak like you with my true name?"

"!" He's stood up, no don't leave! I'll keep your secret!" Oh, no, don't start to cry, Charles. I'm not going to leave you here or anything." What does he me- Stab! He... Stabbed.... My.... Heart....