ARCHDEUS

NISHASHOP(5)

Behind the sturdy iron bars, the figure of a little girl knelt down while covering her face with both hands. The room is dark, there is no light source here. This room is located underground and is one of the many iron bars that contain other experiments. Although the weather looks bright and beautiful outside but only cries are heard here.

For three days Merry had been held captive by the thieves. During that time, he was scared half to death especially when he saw the room that became his confinement. This place is dark, dirty, and quiet. Especially at night, no light source appears, not even a candle or torch. During those three days, he had to be in a creepy room without the figure that protected him.

"Hiks .. hiks ... Father ... hiks ...."

Merry's eyes had been very swollen and red and coupled with his hoarse voice as a result of continuing to cry.

"Hiks ... Brother Al, why don't you come .. hiks ...."

Maybe it's good luck that Alpha is locked up in the same room as Merry. So at least Merry won't be too lonely.

"Relax Princess, Mr. Alex will soon save us."

"But when?! Hicks ... Daddy's! I want Daddy!"

Alpha can't even smile wryly. He actually did not believe that Alex was able to find this place. He is very moody even now besides being locked up, where he has been sealed.

Alpha was wearing a giant iron necklace that grabbed her by the neck. This is an item with a middle class category that serves to seal and suppress the use of which wearers. In addition, there are two iron bracelets with low class item categories that have similar functions.

Alpha who also feels depressed because after his deviation where healed, sooner or later he will soon be the object of the experiment again. Currently the deviation where it has been treated but still needed some additional treatment to really cure it.

Alpha pulls Merry into his arms. He hugs Merry to win it but also actually to calm himself down.

Alpha and Merry have almost the same age but as boys, Alpha has a larger body. Merry who was in his arms felt extremely fragile and weak as if it could be shattered with just a little strength.

"Mr Princess, calm down don't cry. Mr. Alex will find us. Princess, I will also always protect you."

"Hiks .. hiks ... Dad, Merry's scared! Hicks ... Ahhhhh!!"

Although he has been repeatedly comforted by Alpha, Merry still can not stop crying. He still hopes that Alex will come and save them.

Merry hugged Alpha even tighter. He buried his face in Alpha's chest.

"Hiks ... Brother Al, hikss .. don't go. Hiks .. don't leave Merry. Hiks .. stay with Merry. Hicks ... Merry scared hiks ...."

"Yes, of course the Princess. I won't leave you, I'll protect you from those bad guys."

Alpha tried to smile in order to comfort Merry. But in his own heart he doubted his words. Even he was unable to protect himself how he could protect others. But at least he will try to protect Merry even if he has to risk his life. After all, Merry was the one who saved him and took him to the mansion. The two people continued to hug until at least Merry calmed down a little.

In this place both children less than 10 years old are locked up in the dark world.

***

Eldnest Claudert was a veteran magician and became the leader of all the experimental in this laboratory.

Eldnest was initially enraged when the only successful attempt to survive until now, the A-25 had escaped. He didn't know if the successful experiment was still undiscovered, maybe he had already destroyed this lab.

He has been in the organization for 37 years. It started when he was just an apprentice until he was finally trusted to be the leader of the branch lab. With his age of 75 years seems quite difficult to be promoted to a higher position.

However, Eldnest was very happy when finally A-25 was recovered. Even though his experiment was back in a miserable condition, at least it could still be saved.

Other than that ....

"Sir, what are we going to do with that girl?"

One of the alchemists asked Eldnest. He knew that his boss was sometimes too ambitious so he often conducted excessive experiments on experimental objects. Unfortunately from what he heard that this girl was a noble. If they do bad things to this girl doesn't that mean inviting conflict against nobles?

Eldnest knew it too but he didn't care much. It has been 10 years since this lab was established, until now it is still unknown to the relevant authorities. He was not interested in ransom money. He is much more tempted by all the magic that exists.

"Just make him the next specimen."

Eldnest actually did not expect much. As he remembered this girl was from the Fertiphile House which was the swordmaster of aura so it was likely that she was not very talented in magic.

"Sorry sir, we haven't checked it yet."

This young alchemist was afraid of Eldnest's fury. They certainly could not carelessly go to Merry. Due to his status and lack of policy from the boss, they prefer to lock the child together with A-25 while waiting for further policy.

If it was an ordinary day, Eldnest would definitely be furious. But he is still in a good mood because of the A-25.

"Just do it, we never care if it's royalty or priests. As long as they fit, just do it."

"Good, Sir!"

After that meeting, the young Alchemist then left.

Eldnest who was alone in the room laughed happily.

"MILHHAHAHA ...."

One of his yellow front teeth reflected the light from the magic lamp.

"Fuckin' demons, you'll be done soon. This is the victory of mankind!"

Eldnest momentarily recalled his dark past. Previously, he was a citizen who lived on the border of the Theocratic State of Yizantin the Great which borders directly with the State Association of Evilten.

There was a wave of demonic invasions that managed to enter his residence. The demonoid killed even the inhabitants. Houses were burning, children were crying, parents were lying lifeless on the ground.

Young Eldnest lost his parents to the demons.

He will never forget his revenge. All his life he has devoted himself to witchcraft, especially alchemy and arcane.

He also joined the organization for his revenge. For him, man must be able to rise from the slump. No matter how much it costs and how much life is at stake, as long as it is for the sake of humanity and its grudges, it will not mind.

***

In his office, Harol was still unable to calm down. Although it had been three days since the attack passed, but somehow there was an uncomfortable feeling in his heart.

"Is it because of that kid?"

Harol did condemn the assault but implicitly felt it benefited. Didn't he have wanted Merry out of the house for a long time? Why is he uncomfortable?

Not only that, even when the intruders escaped, Harol ordered Alen to follow them. This action seems to indicate a disagreement between the mind and the mind.

"No, it's for the sake of arrest not for the boy!"

Harol tries to deny but at the same time he feels nervous when he remembers the girl being taken away by the intruders.

Do I feel pity? This must be a feeling of humanity not another. I will never accept him as a family member. But that doesn't mean I can see a kidnapped child in front of my eyes.

Harol felt this was more of his responsibility as a lord rather than as a partriarch. God has a moral obligation to protect all his people.

Yes really! Definitely it!

Wouldn't letting a thief escape and allowing a hostage-taking be wrong? So Harol felt a sense of guilt and obstruction in his heart was the feeling of being a god who failed to protect his citizens and his human morality as a human being.

"Huh .. hah .. why can I be so evil. Even if I reject it as part of the family, it doesn't mean I can let it die! Damnit damnit! Harol, you're so stupid!"

Harol smacks his head because his hatred for Merry has blinded him to all the truth and goodness of the world. After all Merry is a human being, Merry is a child, Merry is a citizen he must protect. Just because of his ego, he let Merry be taken on the run under threat.

Supposedly on the night of the attack, when Merry is taken hostage, Harol can use his sword skills to save him. He had the famous Estoc of Nightmare with its sharpness and incredible speed. Harol believes he can save the boy if he intervenes. Yet he let it all pass as if nothing had happened.

This is not like Harol's usually logical self and shun any emotions that can affect his policy. Harol is ashamed of Alex, Jared, and Hazel whom he has always educated to be intelligent, moral leaders and bring no personal problems to his reign. But he himself became an immoral person who took advantage of the disaster to eliminate the lives of people he hated. Harol feels that the only redemption for profit takes away his guilt is to save Merry alive.