James strutted through the town back towards the manor and greeted everyone who passed him with confidence.
As he approached the manor, he saw the 4 women and some guards being assembled.
'I bet they were about to send a search party for me.. these people won't understand that I don't need to be coddled like a child until I teach them a lesson.'
Everyone turned towards him with faces of worried relief. They started badgering him with questions about where he went, but James just held up his hand and waited for silence.
"I need everyone to leave except Lady Mallory, my servants and slave."
His voice was loud and held authority. No one moved after a pause and James's voice rang out again.
"Were my words not clear? MOVE!"
The guards ran away like frightened animals and he saw the maids retreat to the saftey off the manors servant quarters.
James saw they were finally alone and started walking towards his 'mom'. His hand was placed behind his back as he retrieved his dagger from his inventory for the strength increased it provided. The Duchess saw him coming for her and started talking.
"Oh James! I was so worried about you.. you shouldn't scare your poor mother like that. And what's with calling me by name? I want you to call me mommy. Oh my.. are you giving mommy a hug—"
*BOOM*
James knee came flying upward into his mothers crotch, lifting her serveral inches off the ground.
James was pretty she sure she was an Ascendant based on her tall frame. She wasn't as muscular as the others he'd seen but it was a safe bet this would hit her where it hurts.
His mom came back down to the ground in a crash as she curled up into a shrimp.
*Blergh*
'Eww.. she just threw up on herself. I was a little worried when I used [Identify] and saw she was level 84, but I guessed her class [Archmage] didn't provide good physical resistance and I was right.'
*Huff* *Haah* *Huff*
His mother was trying to talk again while breathing through the pain.
"Why *Huff* did you *Huff* hit me."
James bent down after carefully stepping around her bile and grabbed her by the hair as he hissed in her ear.
"I've been on my own for so long and I barely even remember you." He seethed in controlled anger. "What you did earlier proves you know nothing about me, Lady Mallory. Who said I wanted a fucking slave. No mother of mine would force me into something like that."
His mother was now crying. Not from the pain, but from James's cold anger towards her.
He then stood and turned to the others.
"You're next, slave. Come here and stand still."
"As you command, Master."
He proceeded to knee Justine as he had did to his mother. When she dropped, James grinded his heel into her as he talked.
"I didn't give you permission to fall down slave."
Justine gasped for air as she responded.
"I'm *Huff* sorry, Master.."
"Did you enjoy raping my throat earlier? You know, that really pissed me off."
*Huff* *Huff*
"Yes Master, I liked it very much. But I didn't know *Huff* you didn't like it.."
"Hmmm.. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. But all the same, being taken advantage of upset me greatly. So slave, what did you like about it?"
The neat and cool Lady Justine was now replaced by disheveled mess. Stands of hair came undone from the braid and clung to her sweat covered forehead.
James questioned seemed to overpower her pain and he could feel her getting hard underneath his foot as she remembered the scene.
"I liked how warm Master's throat was.. my cock felt like it was melting into pure pleasure. And Masters face was so cute as he choked.. your watery eyes made me-"
*Ahem* "O-okay slave, that's enough. Do you understand why I'm punishing you right now?"
"Because…. Master wasn't asked first..?"
Clapping, James applauded her like she just won a prize.
"Good girl! You just earned your name back for the time being, Justine. Keep making me happy and I'll give you something even better."
Her expression perked up at his sudden praise but instantly died back down as James's voice carried a dangerous tone.
"But if you ever displease me like that again, I will command you to kill yourself. Am I clear?"
"Y-yes Master!"
Unlike his mother, James helped Justine up to her feet.
'She wasn't the one forcing my head.'
He then turned to Veronica and Emily. They realized it was their turn with pale faces.
"You two idiots, what should I do with you…"
James was also mad at them for not interfering. He was obviously being pushed into something he was uncertain about and they had just watched.
"I'm not mad at you two really.."
Their faces turned shocked and then relief flooded them. But not for long.
".. I'm just upset that I realized I can't rely on you. You clearly saw me wanting for help, yet did nothing."
They were silent as his words landed. They could feel the hurt in his voice.
"Since neither of you like speaking up, you will refrain from doing so in my presence until I say otherwise."
He hadn't struck either of them, but tears fell silently after his command.
"Alright then, that's settled. Justine what's for lunch? I'm starving."
He switched to a jovial nature as if nothing had happened.
———————
"So you're saying since your now a slave, you can't be the mayor anymore?"
"That's correct, Master. I have to give up my noble status, in turn relinquishing my right to govern here.
James ladled a spoonful of broth into his mouth as he responded.
"Well that's a shame, though I guess I'm flattered you would do that for me. What's going to happen to Creekrock with you gone from office so suddenly?"
"The Countess, Lady Camille, who's in charge of Roranspoc city will assign a new minor noble in my stead. I have already sent out a letter explaining my new status as a slave."
"I guess there's no need to worry about the townsfolk then, unless the new ones a prick or something… Tell me though, why become a slave? I only intended you to do the servant binding."
Justine blushed a little as she explained.
"I've been in charge of Creekrock since I was 18.. I'm now 27. There is no opportunity for advancement within social status here and I can't abandon my post. Everyday is the same, I wake up and listen to meaningless arguments about why this person should be given land or that guard should be given extra pay. I wanted to just turn my brain off and devote myself to you.."
Justine said the part about extra pay while pointedly looking at Emily.
'It sounds like she was already a slave to her people.. I'm glad I wasn't to harsh with her.'
James had used [Identify] on Justine after he learned about it a couple days ago and now was the perfect opportunity to ask about her class.
"So what does a [Commander] do exactly?"
"Oh my class.. well I basically use group buffs in battle that give bonuses to things like speed and strength. It's quite handy for keeping track of people under my under my supervision as well. I can see everyone on a map within 5 kilometers from me if they've agreed to follow my orders."
"Wow! That's pretty interesting, I wish I could see how that worked."
Justine's hand flicked up and a prompt entered his vision.
(Justine Clement has given you access to [Battle Map]. Would you like to view it: Yes or No?)
Her voice came as James clicked yes and saw an aerial view of Creekrock, where a bunch of green dots were scattered about. He saw a cluster in one area and traced the streets to where he remembered where the barracks were.
"While it's quite handy, I haven't been able to do much more than admonish the guards who slack off. My level has been stuck at 31 for a few years now since I can't spare the time to level, ever since the academy, my progress has flatlined."
"Jeez.. that blows. But what's the academy?"
James heard Lady Mallory give a reply in Justine's stead. She had been sulking and very depressed ever since James's strike and cold words. She had been mute the entire time.
"The academy just refers to the place of learning everyone of status must go to at the age of 15. Each duchy has their own academy in which nobles attend, some especially talented commoners are recruited as well."
"Okay, then I assume I have to go to this academy as well?"
"Yes dear, even though it pains me to be apart from you after just being reunited. Registration ends in a month and the start of the new semester begins in fall, about 3 months from now."
"Alright then, thank you for the explanation Lady Mallory. But what will I be studying there?"
As if she got sucker punched, the words Lady Mallory made her slump in her seat as she responded.
"That's what the first year is for, they introduce a wide variety of subjects and the students themselves decide what path they wish to walk. For most males however, it's just a place to make connections and ensure noble lineage will continue by confirming spots on a quota. They don't even have to pass any of the classes."
'Hmm.. I guess I'm fine with that. But screw that! I want to learn magic baby!'
Nodding to himself, James got excited for the next chapter of his life.
———————
"Is it really alright to leave like this?"
James asked as he stared at the carriage in front of them.
"Should be fine, your slave already let those in the city know about the situation."
"Her name is Justine and you'd better remember it, unless you want to be Lady Mallory to me forever. My mother is supposed to be kind and wonderful, not a hateful old hag."
As his words struck, she fell face first into carriage. It rocked violently with her impact.
"Master, it's okay. I am a slave after all."
"No your my slave. Mine. No one else will address you as such."
"Yes, Master."
Justine looked at the ground and blushed. Then her head snapped up and looked at James as she went pale.
"The vow… I'm such an idiot! Why did I accept that."
James confusion turned to horror as he realized the meaning of her words. His expression remained grave as he settled into a feeling of grim determination.
'I might as well put on a show.. maybe it'll teach me not to be so careless in this world.'
James nodded to Justine and gave her a command.
"Have everyone in town line the streets, even the guards. If I'm going to do this, I'm gonna do it big."
—————————
Standing at the manors door nude, James waited until he got a signal from the edge of town. At the gate, his companions were waiting for him in the carriage.
Suddenly a blast of orange appeared in the sky. It was time.
Looking around, James studied the manor one last time while he stretched. Turning around he saw a line of gawking women stretching off into the distance.
'Here goes nothing.'
He began a jog, slow enough so everyone could get a good long look.
"Thank you Lady Justine!"
*Pat* *Pat* *Pat*
"Thank you Lady Justine!"
*Pat* *Pat* *Pat*
"Thank you Lady Justine!"
James paused his run when he saw Galea and headed towards her.
Her eyes were glued to his bouncing member as he jogged in place.
"Don't forget.. you're second."
With a wink he went back to his route.
*Pat* *Pat* *Pat*
"Thank you Lady Justine!"
*Pat* *Pat* *Pat*
...….