The Redo of a Novel's Villain: Moira - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Dear Mr. Astaseul,
We have received your letter regarding your intentions. Albeit disappointed regarding your wish to terminate our deal despite the offers, we will honour our clients' wishes. However, in order for us to finalize this we must secure our confidentiality, we are sure you understand. Therefore it is mandatory that we follow through and write up a new contract using a mana contract. As it requires both parties present please reply forthwith on when you will be available and we will inform you of the details.
Sincerely,
Morrow.
"Well that was a lot more civil than I thought." Huey had a slightly astonished and amused expression. Especially considering how the first letter was very insistent on keeping the deal ongoing. Borderline threatening. It was clear whoever wrote the first and second letter were very different people. He was a little little bit concerned over them reacting hostilely, but he's glad everything seemed to work out.
"What's that?" Kayson asked, lying down in a peculiar position on the couch. With his head hanging upside down and his legs draped over the sofa back, he watched the black haired boy fold the letter.
He hummed, "Remember how I dealt with shady organizations?"
"Yes?"
"So apparently this group that I'm trying to cut ties with wants me to go somewhere and sign a contract regarding confidentiality."
"That sounds like a trap." Kayson said and hauled himself upright, nearly falling onto the ground with the action.
Huey shrugged, "Fair, but it's not like they can come to my house." Despite the fact it was insanely easy to sneak in and out for some reason... Unlike him, if the group was caught they'd instantly get sentenced to rot in the dungeons. Possibly execution depending on the extent of their crimes.
"Then what?"
"I was thinking of us going into town together and somewhere along the line I'll do the thing." After tucking the letter away he pulled out a blank piece of paper, a red quill pen, and unscrewed the ink jar.
"Ok ok," Kayson nodded and crossed his arms. "Go on."
"Issue is Owen, ever since last time he's been paranoid as hell whenever I say I want some time alone. Let alone in town."
"Washroom excuse?"
"Can't, the contract is a mana contract which means it draws magic directly from all parties' cores. Which enables so that if anyone breaks the terms their core will combust leading to an extremely slow and painful death. Scary, but hard to conceal as anyone who is skilled with magic can sense the activation of the contract if it's used nearby. And Owen's well, he's Owen." The youth cringed.
"For some reason I get what you mean. Hmm, maybe I can try to distract him?"
"No offence, but I doubt it. Not because it's you but because it's Owen."
"Can't you force him on a day off or something?"
"On a normal servant maybe, but Owen's one of the head butlers so that falls under my uncle's authority."
He scratched his head and groaned, "Then..."
"No, I'm not gonna drug him." Huey cut him off with an extremely unimpressed look.
Kayson gaped, offended, and shouted, "I wasn't gonna go there at all! You and your imagination tsk tsk. Anyways, I have an idea."
Going over to the couch, Huey sat next to Kayson. "What is it?"
"You sure? It's pretty out there." Huey just scoffed in response.
"Not like we have others, shoot."
"Ok so..."
—*:･ﾟ*✧ —
The bustling crowd's hubbub could be heard all throughout the streets. Townsmen entering and exiting shops, speaking with vendors, couples,  families, and children running around was a constant sight. A bit further away from the plaza parked a black carriage devoid of any fancy decorations yet refined nonetheless. Inside was a fair youth with short raven black hair and bright red eyes, and a taller man with long chestnut hair converged into a low ponytail and green eyes.
They were Huey and Owen respectively, dressed in more discreet outfits so as to not give away the boy's noble lineage. Said boy tapped his lap impatiently and suppressed the urge to gnaw at his thumb.
"Where is he?"
Kayson was supposed to arrive ten minutes ago! There's no such thing as traffic here unless it's at the capital or a travel or trade path so why is he late? Unless there was an accident... or he overslept.
Huey was leaning towards the latter option.
"Please be patient, Young Master. Sir Kayson will arrive soon." Owen said, attempting to placid his charge whilst fixing the collar of his shirt, using the window as a mirror.
"I hope so, once he comes I...." He trailed off and focused into the distance. Speak of the devil. Through the small window he could see a familiar tuft of pink hair in the crowd making its way over to.. a food stall?!
Instantly Huey unlocked the carriage door and jumped out with Owen giving chase not even a second later (not before closing the door of course). The duo swiftly maneuvered between people, offering apologies every now and then for startling them. Before long, he arrived at his destination and saw his target.
"Kayson!"
"Hhm?!" An alarmed muffled sound rang out. As he thought, the figure that turned around was indeed his friend. Face stuffed with some sort of corn dog and holding a bag filled with snacks. Snacks from vendors spread all around the town.
"When did you arrive? Were you like ten minutes late because you were buying food? Without me?!"
"Hum mrghh mjam," Kayson paused, chewed, and an audible gulp could be heard, before trying again. "My carriage stopped at the other side of town and I didn't eat breakfast so I bought the food along the way. And before you ask, no I didn't forget about all the money I owe you, so here."
Handing over another corn dog, Huey gladly took it.
"You owe him money?" Owen furrowed his brows, confused.
"Yeah it.." Kayson instantly paled. Why did he have to speak without thinking? His improv skills sucks! "It..!"
"It was at the academy, he wanted to buy something to eat but forgot his wallet." Fortunately Huey swooped in to the rescue.
Kayson beamed, 'Nice save!'
Owen was unconvinced. He narrowed his eyes, "I thought the academy provided all necessities for free, food included."
Oh um...
Huey rubbed his eyes to try and stall for time while his mind spun rapidly. Thoughts flying in and out. Soon he blurted out the first excuse he could think of.
"...It does! But there was an event where students had to pay for the snacks."
Surely it's believable, the academy often hosts events to teach and experience social events firsthand. Especially for commoner students aiming to integrate into nobility.
Owen smiled, a shallow professional one, "I see. How generous of you Young Master."
Huey's throat felt a bit parched for some reason. He mumbled, the word coming out a tad prolonged, "S—ure..."
The awkward silence lasted a full ten seconds before Owen clapped.
Clap
"Well now that we've successfully met up let us head towards our destination."
"Alright." The two boys nodded and began moving, yet for some reason Huey felt sweat trickle down his back. Why couldn't he shake off the feeling something was wrong?
Owen looked towards the pink haired boy. "Oh and Sir Kayson, regrettably you'll have to throw all that food away unless you can finish it in five minutes. The theatre does not allow snacks inside."
Eyes instantly widening, the boy cried out, "What?!" He looked down at the bag he was holding filled with delicious goods he bought with his own salary. Sure he was a fast eater, but all this in five minutes? Impossible. "Why didn't anyone tell me beforehand?"
Not minding his friend mournfully stuffing food down his throat, Huey hid his frown behind a palm. Realization that he messed up sinking in. Lending money? Sure it'd be believable now, but the old him? No wonder Owen's so suspicious. Dragging the hand down his face he quickened the pace.
"Oh look, we've arrived." Came Owen's calm and mellow voice, snapping him out of his trance. It appears that amidst his thoughts they've reached their destination.
"We arrived faster than I thought."
Owen nodded, "Well normally taking the crowd into account it'd take us at least five minutes to reach the theatre from the plaza, but people were clearing a path from us." For some reason.
"Why? They shouldn't have recognized us right?" There would have been a larger commotion if they were figured out after all.
Abruptly, Huey felt an arm drape over his shoulder and yank him down. Lo and behold the culprit was Kayson, foodless, and gesturing towards the people.
"It's because of your face. You were doing that thinking thing again and bulldozing your way through with the scariest expression ever." He sighed, "You looked like you were gonna kill someone."
"...I did?" He asked dejectedly and looked towards the butler for confirmation. Seeing the man nod, he dropped his head. "I thought I finally got rid of that habit."
"Well you didn't, better luck next time." Kayson shrugged and dragged a stumbling Huey into the theatre, letting Owen show the ticket booth their tickets for the play.
The play they're watching is an adaptation of a popular novel, Gate of Sirius, by the author Sor. In the story, humans shun the merfolk for bringing upon a disease known as ikhthýitis, originating from the sea that can genetically reform the infected into terrifying beasts. The empire blamed the merfolk and slaughtered them, driving the remaining survivors to seek refuge deep into the sea in the fabled underwater city, Aqua. The protagonist is a boy named Evian Kersey who is a merfolk living with his grandpa as nomads on land, disguised as humans. Naturally, Evian seeks to destroy the root of the disease and unite the two species once more, thus commences an arduous but joyful journey with his newfound companions.
The book was a series, far too long to fit into a single two hours play without excluding important filler parts. In Huey's opinion the shortened version takes away many joys and perks from the novel. It was better to read than to watch, but alas, it was in high demand. Regardless, the show was a bonus and distraction. What he was really after was to complete the mana contract.
'I hope this works..' Thinking back to the absurd plan Kayson thought of (even with revisions), he couldn't help but question why Morrow even agreed.
—*:･ﾟ*✧ —
"Ok so we have them pretend to kidnap you while I distract Owen with my amazing earth shattering acting ability long enough so you guys can escape and do the contract." Kayson declared without pause. A nearly imperceptible lilt to his voice.
"That's insane." Huey felt his eye twitch. "And why do you sound oddly happy?"
Kayson expanded more on his plan, wholly ignoring the second remark.
"Yeah but think about it. Owen basically ghosted you when I came back injured so obviously if I pretend I'm hurt he won't just leave me alone on the streets. He'll be stuck between duty, so during that moment of hesitation you guys can go to an area further away. So even after he's made sure I'll be fine it'll take a while for him to find you, especially in a crowded area!"
BANG
Slamming his hands down on the short tea table, Kayson smiled as if declaring a point. Leaning closer to his friend who recoiled from the abrupt noise.
"And~~ you're technically not breaking the promise you had because you're not sneaking out!"
Huey frowned and massaged his chin, pondering the other youth's movie-like plan. For some reason he felt extremely unpleasant in a playfully spiteful way.
It's stupid but, "That... that actually sounds valid."
"Mhm, excluding the fact there's the possibility of them actually kidnapping you I think it's a pretty good plan." He nodded fervently.
Huey scowled, that is certainly an issue. Crinkling his nose he dubiously asked, "What do I do if they actually kidnap me?"
...
Kayson opened, closed, then opened, and closed his mouth. A finger suspended still in midair. "Umm I dunno uh, tracking device? My family has a couple traceable accessories so as to not lose each other during hunts and expeditions." He suggested and shrugged.
The duo pondered a bit more for any more alternate ideas, but nothing solid came up. Huey groaned, hating how this of all things was the best of what they could come up with.
"Well, if that's the case..mmm..I feel really bad for Owen but it's not like I can just tell him what I'm about to do, especially with the other party involved... alright, let's do it."
Kayson gasped and enthusiastically clapped, "Yayy! This is so exciting!—What, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, and let's exclude the kidnapping part if we can."
"Ehh.."
—*:･ﾟ*✧ —
The play was as expected, a lot less intriguing than the book content wise. Fortunately the actors, costumes, props, music, and special effects aided in the immersion. Although that's to be expected as the traveling troupe performing it is a rather famous one; with them consistently being invited to perform in the capital annually.
Kayson stretched his arms into the air, relieved.
"Huuu I really can't sit in the same place for long." He whined.
It was sort of strange considering that would be within his top ten favorite things to do while living as Kayden. An influence from his new life style and the original Kayson's memories perhaps.
"Yet you can sleep in the same place for half a day like a pi—"
"What did you think of the play?" Owen helpfully intercepted, preventing yet another friendly bout.
Seriously, just when will the two stop with these biting exchanges in public? If not for how much the two hung out in the past two months he would hardly believe they're friends.
"It was good." Huey offered a brief reply, unlike Kayson.
"I like the part where Evian was running away from the Thalassa Sect!" He gushed.
Huey tilted his head. "Which one? He gets chased at least five times."
"The part where he backflips down the giant waterfall and finds a runed cave behind."
"Ohhh~"
Seeing the two properly talking and not scuffling, Owen patted his chest, relieved to have diverted a scuffle he very much would not want to witness nor deal with. Unbeknownst to him while the two talked more about the play and other miscellaneous topics they were secretly exchanging eye signals.
Blink blink
(Should I do it?)
Blink
(No not yet.)
Blink blink blink
(Get ready to see my amazing acting skills.)
Blink blink
(Wow I am so excited.)
Owen scrutinized the two boys judgmentally.
"Are both of your eyes dry?" The blinking pattern was a mess and unlike any Morse code he's seen. Is this normal? Should he be concerned?
Well the blinking was most certainly not a secret thankfully the messages were!
"Yes the play was so interesting we didn't want to miss a single detail so we hardly blinked." Came Huey's signature half assed excuse.
"....Of course." Rule number 4: Don't question your lord unless absolutely necessary.
Ignoring the fact he's broken the rule numerous times, the man calmly accepted the lie. It just seemed like the least bothersome thing to do in the situation.
Adjusting his shirt Owen asked, "As it is still early in the afternoon, what else would you two like to do?"
Kayson shrugged, he didn't really care. Thus leaving the option to Huey who did not hesitate to respond.
"I'd like to go visit a bookshop." It was partly true. He did want to visit the town bookshop for a while now.
"Very well. If my memory serves me correctly the book shop is straight down this district." Pointing down the cobbled street crowded with pedestrians, the trio set off.
It didn't take them long to reach their destination.
The words Dandelion Branch was cleanly engraved into a quaint horizontal oval wooden sign hung above the door. Dandelions and other herbs etched and painted on. When they entered the shop a clear ringing of a bell atop the door rang out, alerting the clerk. An old man wearing small round glasses sitting neatly on his nose, grey hair pushed down by a brown cap, and a matching brown sweater vest warmly greeted them before resuming jotting down in his old leather journal.
The moment they stepped inside the shop a woody book scent invaded their lungs. The comforting fragrance exactly what Huey loves.
The shelves were made of some sort of walnut wood. Each filled with books of all colors, width, and height, neatly organized by author and genre. The thin windows revealing the street outside were structured with iron railings and lined with pots of dandelions, calla lilies, and other greens either fully grown or merely sprouts.
Overall the small bookstore was pleasantly cozy and had a cottage feel to it.
Smiling, Huey merrily made his way to the authors: O section. He wished to find works under Ottormen Ken, the author of a recent favorite. Albeit he wasn't expecting to buy anything (unless he's lucky), he could at least put it on his reading list.
He began listing out the authors quietly.
"Oaks, Obi, Obben...Oton, Ottum.. aha Ottormen!"
Quietly celebrating, his fingers gently traced over the hard and thick novel stems. His primary goal was a mystery as he liked how the author wrote the genre, but other ones were nice too.
"Al Adinum Lou Verusha looks interesting."
It has a length of 547 pages. Following the story of a boy from old aristocracy who moved to the family's countryside fief during the winter season. The boy has been plagued with nightmares ever since a certain incident. Worried, his family sent him away in order to help aid in his recovery. Stuck in the ancient palace-like building with only servants, nature, and animals as company, the boy begins to experience strange phenomenons. It leads him to a mirror realm within the spirit world where he slowly unravels dark family secrets, taboos, entities, and curses.
Intrigued, he brought the book along with some others to check out. Putting the items on the table Huey brushed his hair behind his ear.
"All of this boy?" The old clerk shuffled through the books while adjusting the small round glasses. Calculating the price.
"Yes sir." He nodded amiably.
"Old Ottormen eh? Good taste."
"Thank you sir—ah!" He yelped, drawing the clerk's attention as the man curiously tilt down his glasses.
Upon recovering from the quick stupor Huey sheepishly asked, "I nearly forgot, do you have The King's Vanity III in stock?"
The clerk shut his little notepad and chortled. "Oho that series is quite old, 'came out when I was your age. I'm surprised a boy like you knows of it."
He shrugged.
"As luck would have it I found the first two serializations in my house. All the other book stores I've gone to did not have it in stock, after all it is rather old."
"Well you're in luck boy," The man chuckled. "I have the whole series in the back, let me grab it for ya."
"By the goddess, thank you sir." Huey smiled and gratefully did the hand gesture to honor the goddess. A cross with the right palm over the left.
"Nonsense, I'm glad a youngster like you enjoys an old classic." He waved it off then reciprocated the hand gesture.
Seeing the old man make his way into the back, Owen approached Huey with the wallet in hand.
Blink
(Now!)
Instantly Kayson's knees buckled and he collapsed in on himself. Letting out a pained yell as he winced and cradled his stomach.
"Kayson?!"
"Sir Kayson!"
They both exclaimed in concern, rushing towards the youth shaking on the floor. Sweat dripping off his pale face.
"..Aghh..h.." He weakly rasped, curling in on himself with his arms tightening around his stomach. Owen pulled a glove off and tested his forehead's temperature and shook his head.
"It doesn't seem to be a fever nor a flu."
Meanwhile at the side Huey hovered nervously, unsure what to do. His arms flitting around in fear and worry.
"What's wrong?" His voice trembled.
Grinding his teeth Kayson groaned.
"Krrr.. my stomach hurts.. really bad."
"Is it indigestion?" Owen theorized, furrowing his brows.
Huey, hearing it, cried out and burrowed his face in his palms. "This is why you shouldn't eat that much in the morning!"
The pink haired boy looked somewhat offended and spoke to refute but choked instead.
"Keugh—!" Kayson squawked and harshened his grip on his clothes, knuckles turning even paler.
"Is there a clinic nearby?" Owen perturbedly asked.
"I think we passed a pharmacy on the way here. You bring Kayson there first, I'll meet up with you after I finish things here!" Huey stated, helping Owen secure Kayson in his hold.
"But I can't leave you here Young Master." The brunette insisted, however was timely interrupted by a pained gasp; successfully faltering his resolve.
"Haa.." Kayson gnawed at his lips.
"Just go!" Scolded Huey, trying to push Owen who did not budge once towards the door.
The brunette paused then bowed his head.
"...As you wish."
Standing up, he swiftly exited the shop and ran down the streets leaving Huey behind. The boy exhaled in relief, he definitely owes Kayson one after this.
"What's going on? I heard a commotion." Right afterwards the old clerk came back with a stack full of books. Setting them on the table with the others his expression was laced with unease.
Huey wryly smiled and approached the counter.
"Ah, my friend suddenly had a stomach ache so I had someone bring him over to a nearby pharmacy." He huffed and scratched his cheek.
"I see, may the goddess bless him with a swift recovery." The old man nodded in understanding and after calculating the price put the books in a bag.
"Now, I believe the total is.."
Ting~
With a clear chime followed by a clink. A gold coin landed on the table. The clerk gaped a little, no words coming out of his mouth.
"Sorry gotta go, keep the change." Huey said and grabbed the bag before hastily making his way out of the shop. Not stopping even after the old man called out for him.
"T-this is too much.!" He exclaimed to himself as the youth had already left. A gold coin was enough to buy off at least half a shelf in his store!! Taking off his glasses to wipe dust off the small round panes, he held a dumbfounded expression.
"Just who is that boy?"
Once outside the shop Huey ran down the streets opposite the way Owen went until he came upon a closed antique shop dubbed Morning Glory. The streets in this part of the district had comparably less people than the others, luckily.
Exhaling nervously, he put on a mask he prepared beforehand and knocked three times. Before long it opened a tiny crack, Huey could hardly see anything through it as the person behind the door remained hidden and the room inside had zero illumination.
"What do you need?" A raspy yet artificial sounding voice enquired. Huey squeezed his hands until he felt his nails digging into his palm. Nervously, he recited the first part.
"There once was a golden bird that came from the tallest flower sprouted on the mountain touching the sky."
"And the little bird would scale the petals to reach the stars." The person behind the door responded.
"And attempt to pluck the evernight jewel for itself—only to be burned and stripped of its plumage."
"Falling off the sky-touching-mountain, the golden bird burned and its aureate hue faded into grey."
"And on the twelfth month of every year that is different. Its plumage slowly returns as golden speck drifts from the sky."
The door opened, revealing a cloaked figure a head taller than Huey. The person did not have the lower part of their face covered, revealing tanned almond skin. The person beckoned him inside and guided him to another room which consisted of two other cloaked individuals.
A tall but skinny person on the left and a big guy which resembled Mr. Joseph in terms of build on the right. At the center of the room was a table with two seats.
'Yup, shady.'
Settling down on one of the seats Huey anxiously anticipated what came next. The cloaked person that had guided him inside sat down opposite. Summoning a mana contract from midair, they presented it to him.
'Spatial storage?'
A utility spell that allows people to store things in a void-like storage. It can be learned as a spell, but as many people are simply not attributed to perform it nor is capable of it it can be used as an artifact. Such as a spatial pouch, ring, etc. Prices vary depending on how much can be stored.
"This is the mana contract with the terms and conditions. Please read it over."
The cloaked figure stated and gave Huey the paper. Quickly scanning over it he was pleasantly relieved. The terms weren't unreasonable nor were the conditions too hard to upkeep. Just the typical confidentiality rules plus fantasy plus the fact the organization dabbles in illegal things, but hey, which one doesn't every now and then.
Some of the more interesting terms consisted of: unable to do anything that will jeopardize, sell out, nor betray the parties involved: neither parties can request third parties to harm each other in any way: unable to speak of this matter from henceforth with those that do not know of the exchange.
Dropping the contract flat on the table, Huey acquiesced.
"I accept."
"Alright, let's start."
The figure pulled out a black quill pen and quickly signed a name in messy cursive. Passing the contract and pen, Huey did the same process and the moment the pen left the paper he felt something attach itself to his core and disappear. Leaving ripples within the mana in the air.
Feeling the ripples disappear as well as a chunk of his energy, Huey suppressed the urge to yawn and lethargically asked.
"Are we done?"
The cloaked person nodded succinctly. "Yes, you are free to go now."
"Thank you.." Bowing his head Huey quickly left the room and shop, feeling like a heavy burden was finally lifted off his shoulders.
Now with one issue solved, here comes the next. With the most urgent one currently being Owen and Kayson. By now, Kayson must have already been checked out as perfectly fine and Owen would be at the bookstore enquiring of his whereabouts. Possibly even scouring the streets for him at this very moment!
Not forgetting to take off the mask Huey ran back down to the street praying to Eelia the worst case scenario has not happened.
—*:･ﾟ*✧ —
"Boss, it's done." The hooded figure reported to a floating black sphere with a deep and mellow voice, no longer altered by a voice changer.
A velvety and deep voice came out from the orb.
[Hm, I see.]
"Are you sure it's a good idea to end the deal like this?"
It took a second for the person behind the orb to respond.
[I admit it is a bit of a shame, the poison he makes rivals The Thorns, but it's no more than a small setback.]
The person sighed before the regretful tone was replaced with a cheery one.
[Anyways Jack, hurry back we have a new mission.]
"Yes, understood. I'll see you soon."
Ending the connection Jack grumbled and stood up. Waltzing over to a corner of the room he cracked his neck and knuckles before pinching the air.
He dragged down.
Following his fingers a dark hole was ripped open revealing an eye shaped slit. A weird conglomeration of sounds consisting of inconceivable whispers, pulsing, and the unknown seeped out of the hole.
Immediately, the room's atmosphere changed as the air rippled violently around the floating slit. A dark intangible mass swirling around like nebulas within it, threatening to leak out and into the small confined room. Swallowing everything inside.
"Let's go."
Unperturbed, Jack ordered. The skinny guy on the left skipped inside first, then the bulky guy, and finally he himself. Not blinking once as he stepped inside the mysterious hole. The second all of him went inside the thing the thing stitched itself back closed, as if nothing had happened. Leaving the desolate room truly empty save for a table and two chairs.